HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GREDC 2020/01/07 2018-2020Committee on Governmental Relations
and Economic Development
17th Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai i
January 7, 2020
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic
ORDER: Development was called to order at 1:05 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo,
by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Ms.
Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair
Ms.
Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Vice Chair
Mr.
Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member
Ms.
Maile Medeiros David, Member
Mr.
Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member
Ms.
Valerie Poindexter, Member
Mr.
Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member
Ms.
Rebecca Villegas, Member
Absent & Excused: Ms.
Karen Eoff, Member
STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by
the Chair.
Catherine Inslee:
Nancy Seifers:
Robert Golden:
(Representing the Pahoa Village Makery)
Smiley Burrows:
Betty Oberman
Comm. 430.28, in support.
Comm. 430.28; and
Comm. 659, comment.
Comm. 430.28, comment.
Comm. 430.28, in support.
Comm. 430.28 in support.
Kenny Parrish: Comm. 430.28, comment.
GREDC-17
COMMUNI-
CA TTONS
Broja RuthAnne Tarletz:
(Representing the Pu`u`a Community Road
Association)
January 7, 2020
Comm. 430.28, comment.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Any other testifiers? Seeing none, I will be closing
public testimony at this time and moving on to business of the day. Mr. Clerk, if
you could please read in Communication 430.28.
The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
Communications.
Comm. 430.28: REQUESTS A PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE 2018 KILAUEA
ERUPTION RECOVERY TEAM REGARDING THE IMMEDIATE
PRIORITIES OF THE INTERIM RECOVERY STRATEGY
From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated December 20, 2019.
Motion to Close File: Ms. David moved to close file on Comm. 430.28.
Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
(Note: At this time Administrative Services Officer for 2018 Eruption
Disaster Recovery Douglas Le came forward to address the members of
the Committee.)
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Hi Douglas. Happy New Year.
MR. LE: Happy New Year.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Good to see you. You've stepped into a very difficult,
unprecedented role, I don't think anything really prepares you for this. So thank
you for taking it on for the county and the community. I put forward this
communication because one of the items that came out of our interim recovery
strategy was to get a monthly update from the recovery team as to where we are
making progress of ongoing efforts. I like details, so I was pretty specific about
the kind of update I wanted this body and the community to receive. So by all
means the floor is yours, and then I'll open it up to some questions and comments.
MR. LE: Okay, thank you.
MR. LE: Douglas Le, Disaster Recovery Officer with the county. Happy New
Year. And you know, to your comments, Chair, I think important work is hardly
ever easy. So it's a privilege to be able to serve in this role. I don't have a slide
presentation today; however I do have some prepared remarks in response to the
communication. And I just want to kind of also share that there are members of
our team kind of lined up in the front row. I have the privilege of working with
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these folks both on the recovery team in the Planning Department, and in the
Department of Research and Development. But just want an opportunity to
highlight their important contributions, because many of them have also been in
this work from day one. It has been very valuable to have them be part of our
continued work together. So I'm happy to kind of walk through some of specific
points of the communication, and take questions at the end as well.
Different approach this time. I know one of the key parts of the communication
was an update on where we stand with community engagement and decision
making. I have a couple of areas to highlight here. You know, for the several
months that we've been working on recovery, one specific initiative was on
standing up disaster recovery taskforce. We were able to convene this taskforce
on December 12''. And in this first meeting we focused on introducing
participants to one another, and grounding the work of the group through a
discussion around expectations and process.
You know, I think in many ways when our team sat back and looked at how to
bring this group together and what role they could play in supporting the
community and the county's shared effort in recovery one thing came to mind,
and that's really informing how we're starting to bring these folks together that
while we as an island know what it's like to live with Pele, and the realities of
volcanic eruption, the moment we find ourselves in today in terms of the scale
and the context of this eruption, not just how this eruption impacted our local
communities but the money that's coming to bear, the policy issues that we need
to face, I think it's unprecedented. And for us to bring the taskforce together we
really wanted to kind of call out that we need to be a community, and a hui of
learning and action. Really to be deliberate and also lift up the experience and the
knowledge and expertise from the community through the taskforce, as well with
county participants as well.
There's a really core question that I think is a valid one around decision making.
And the way that I am working with our team and with the taskforce and through
the county family on decision making is understanding that, you know, there are
legal authorities who do share responsibilities that the County Government
through the Mayor and the Council may hold, but at the same time there's many
decisions that can be made within the community about the community's
recovery that the county can participate in and support. I think our role as a
recovery team is to be that bridge and to balance, to ensure that the taskforce, the
recovery support function working groups, are more sector based like natural
cultural resources, like our economy, housing, and community capacity building
these are ways for kind of folks who are part of the taskforce and members of the
community can also kind of step up and be involved in. So that when decisions
are coming to light that they are informed, and they are vetted form a broad range
of perspectives. Not only capital C County, but kind of folks from the community
and those that are directly impacted as well.
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I think as I come to know more individuals and families who are directly
impacted by this eruption event, I see a really strong interest, and in businesses as
well and farmers too, to get more involved, to kind of get more engaged. And
actually the recovery support function, working groups, is a good way to do that.
We're working on putting up information on the website to describe what are
these working groups, what does it mean to get involved, and how folks can
contact us to get involved so we can follow up. The co -leads of each of the
working groups sit on the taskforce, so we really hope and plan for there to be a
relationship between the voices, the ideas, the efforts coming from the recovery
support function working groups and kind of working those through in a
taskforce, and with the work ahead.
I think top of mind for many folks and it is for our team for sure, is making
progress on our recovery plans. So the county team has been working very
closely with Tetra Tech, and the Institute for Sustainable Development on drafts
of what these plans would be. So one is an overall Kilauea strategic recovery
plan, and one is a more focused economic recovery plan. And we see these two
products as really siblings in many ways, and there are some companion products
associated with that. For example, one part of the Tetra Tech's task was to do a
volcanic risk assessment island -wide that of course looks at high-risk areas in
Puna and Ka`u like Lava Zone 1, but really looks at the risks island -wide. Really
an important knowledge based for all us to move forward with as we not only
think about this current recovery but sound investments, hazard risk reduction,
policy or land use changes that may need to happen for the future. I think it's a
really important foundation. It's a dense document, a technical one, but I think
it's also really critical.
The planning documents themselves take time to articulate the impacts from this
2018 Kilauea eruption. It covers long term and future looking exposure to
volcanic hazards, which I think is a very important tool in our future decision
making, not only as individuals and households, but as a County Government. It
zooms in on strategies to support our recovery, across different sectors. Like I
mentioned before looking at housing, looking at natural cultural resources.
Economic recovery, but also kind of investments or best practices that are coming
out of the recovery that can help be tools for our economic development long term
as well. And lists of projects and activities that the county and the community are
advancing where we can, with also specific implementation steps and funding
sources.
We are working really closely right now to finalize drafts, I don't know that's
contradictory, but to have drafts to really kind of really consult with the
community on. There has been a lot of input not only from county led
engagement, a lot of one on one meetings that we've been having with folks,
meetings that folks have organized on their own, where we've kind of taken away
information, worked through the Puna CDP Action Committee, technical analysis
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for the consultants; we really are working on drafts of these plans. You know,
several weeks ago we also made a commitment to the HOA (Home Owners
Association), you know, the communities that have been impacted by the
eruption. To sit down with them, and hear their concerns, what they've been
going through as an individual community, and also about some of the solutions.
You know, we want to set that time up, we want to kind of engage with folks
more directly as opposed to always asking folks to come to county led efforts.
But in the next couple of weeks and probably kicking in February, we want to
start consulting with the community on these plans through this process. And we
know that organized groups like I Mua Lower Puna are really important voices in
our community. Within them there are the Homeowners Association, if there are
other huffs out there I'm kind of putting it out in the universe, folks who I haven't
had a chance to meet, we haven't had a chance to work with, we would really
welcome time to sit down and work through the plan together.
It will be a draft that we'll be discussing in February, so there is an opportunity to
further invest in it, kind of lift up projects, amend it, but I really hope that it's a
communication tool around what we've learned from this past nine or ten months
of this process, to be able to memorialize in a plan. The next taskforce meeting
will be at the end of this January. We're kind of locking in details, but it will be
an opportunity to also review the draft plans, with our taskforce members. But
really I see the next six weeks or so, around within the next two to four weeks,
really getting to a place where we can have a tool to have these conversations
with folks in the community and then just to have those conversations.
I want to provide an update on case management, because we brought an update
last month. But I think since we have just wrapped a month four of program
operations, we have kind of some more progress to give an update on. So overall
our provider, Neighborhood Place of Puna, has a contact list of just under 1,300
impacted individuals. From when the program first started in September, they
have been reaching out to these individuals to not only understand where these
folks are, what services they may need, what other information or support they
might need connection to, but really just to see kind of who needs what type of
supports. Because I think as we all can appreciate everyone has had a very
different path in this recovery.
So I think everyone on this list of nearly 1,300 folks has gone in the first contact.
I'll go into details on how folks have been reached, some people we've lost to
contact, some folks who self -resolved. Of the 1,300 or so, about 380 individuals
were contacted but cannot be reached. So our protocol is to have at least three
calls, and to leave messages at every opportunity. And just space that over time,
you know, maybe someone's offline for a bit or traveling. We try to hit them up a
couple times, to make sure we can make that contact. So that's a good segment
made was that we just haven't been able to contact yet through our program.
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Moving forward there are 689 individuals who we are aware of that we have
made contact with at a minimum, kind of an initial phone conversation. "How are
you? What's your situation right now?" And how we're here to help. Among
them, 433 have declined services due to the fact that they are self -resolved,
they've relocated off island, or other reasons. But I think those are two of the
drivers of folks who we've successfully contacted, but kind of declined the
services Neighborhood Place of Puna could provide. Within that though, 67
asked for referral to resources, but declined the case management services. You
know, the case management work is a very robust, and long commitment between
and individual and her or his case manager. So they were good with the referrals.
Today we have 68 active disaster cases that have been opened, and we're working
through with the recovery plan. Six have them closed to date, because they no
longer have imminent needs, and they've accessed the referrals that they needed.
A number of folks have been helped directly through the Kilauea Hui, which has
been a very critical resource in terms of getting resources out to directly impacted
individuals. In December, five clients were able to get their needs met. Some
examples of what I understand are resources to repair or replace a catchment
system to be able to get back home, resources to do roof repairs to get be able to
get back home. I know septic systems are an issue too, as folks are trying to
rebuild, repair. So these are the kinds of ways that we can get resources directly
to folks. And at the next Kilauea Hui meeting in mid-January, there will be 11
additional cases up for consideration and funding by the Hui.
You know, I think when I speak to the staff of the case management program
about what they're facing with their clients. It is a range of issues, you know, I
think some of these benefits we've talked about are more for homeowners, right,
who are trying to rebuild and go back to their homes. But I think a lot of energy
is focused on the issues of a really lack of affordable housing for the very low
income. I wasn't able to be part of earlier kind of council committees today, but
we know it's an island -wide issue. And clearly this eruption has just exacerbated
the issues. Nonetheless, the case management staff go out of their way to look up
listings for folks, kind of vet them, drive them to go see apartments, kind of
everything they can to make sure that if there's an opportunity for someone to get
secure housing, that there's no barrier in their way. And it's especially a concern
for limited income, and very low income folks that have been directly impacted
by this event.
Our case managers also continue to work with individual's FEMA (Federal
Emergency Management Agency) applications, so while FEMA closed their
program for new applications on November 11', they do follow up to see if there
is anyone who may have fallen through the cracks, any forms or information that
maybe was required to make a determination or to get folks the full amount. Just
to kind of illustrate some of the outcomes of this work with individuals and the
FEMA applications, since November I Ph, they've identified four individuals who
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either needed additional information by FEMA, update information, or needed to
conduct sight inspections. And through the work of the case management
program, FEMA awarded an additional $50,691 to those individuals through the
individual assistance. I know it's not going to radically change the situation for
these individuals, but we really like to celebrate the victories that we can have
when it directly helps individuals through our program.
The top two clients needs remain pretty consistent over the past several months.
New housing that's affordable to the individuals were serving; reconstruction of
existing housing, so folks can really return home; and rental assistance to support
where folks are now or trying to find places where they may want to relocate to.
Over the past couple of months we've been working with FEMA too, to be able to
unlock the full street database which would give us further access not only on the
folks that we or Neighborhood Place of Puna are aware of. But it gives a full
visibility on everyone who participated in the disaster resource center for
example, and sign up for FEMA, sign up for SPA. It gives us full information,
and probably actually maybe even double the list of contacts. And so we're
happy to report that we're in a good spot, and that information is forthcoming, but
that would also add additional opportunities to connect with folks, and will bring
a lot more to Neighborhood Place of Puna plate once those contacts start going.
And finally, maybe this is the largest area to provide updates on. You know, we
were asked to give updates on the status of a lot of the federal funding streams
that we're working through, including applications and projects, and also next
steps on reconstructing infrastructure. And you know, there's no doubt in our
minds that a lot of these choices here, are enabling to other types of recovery.
And folks being able to move home, or move forward. And so I think it's tough
of mind for sure.
So across the different funding streams, and I'll provide details on each, really on
the federal funding for infrastructure projects there are different principles that I
think we and our responsibility as a county are looking to weigh. One is
diverging resources in terms of the eligibility and restrictions of each funding
source, but also how to help connect the dots across funding sources in this
recovery effort. You know, one overarching approaches, you know, how do we
move forward towards the future that reduces risk in high hazard area.
And some of our testifiers did recognize, you know, "I want to go home and to
return to life," and I think there's areas where that happens. I think our decisions
around infrastructure investment can continue to help provide a quality of life,
emergency access evacuation, ways to get to jobs and family for folks who still
call Puna home regardless of people's decision to stay or to relocate. But we
really kind of have a policy goal, around reducing risk for life and property. One
other principle evolves around prioritizing by need based on data, community
engagement and consultation that we're hearing from folks. And focusing
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solutions on the most impacted areas, with their recovery resources that are
uniquely available to us today.
You know, I think a lot things in our work are when does something end, when
does recovery end, when does economic development strategies end. I think it's
really important that we really zoom in on the opportunities we have in front of
us, both financial and kind of nontangible, to work together to partner and to
make sure that those resources that energy is really front center and recovery.
And if there's lessons learned, or funds, or experiences to leverage in other
challenges we may face as a county, that's kind of a different level of
conversation. You know, we're in a recovery mode, I'm a Recovery Officer.
Regarding the different funding streams, so as it's well known, the county
departments have worked with FEMA and HIEMA (Hawai`i Emergency
Management Agency) to submit applications for the Section 428 public
assistance. These are the alternate procedures where local jurisdictions, and
FEMA through the state understand cost estimates for the damage of the
infrastructure that was lost. And those final cost estimates become capped grants
that the jurisdictions come and deploy to review the infrastructure, or for
alternative projects that aid in the recovery.
We have projects from Civil Defense, a small one to focus on communications
building, and equipment that was lost adjacent to the PGV site at the time. Water
Supply submitted a significant proposal for replacing the reservoir, distribution
lines, equipment, and meters that were lost. Parks and Recreation, I think it's well
aware, just the damage and loss of infrastructure as Isaac Hale and Ahalanui
Beach Parks. And for Public Works the big emphasis is really on the
county -owned roads segments that were inundated by lava.
Where we are now is we are close to kind of locking in the grant amounts with
FEMA. Nothing is set in stone, because I think for example on the roads there's
still a lot of back and forth around FEMA understanding our cost estimates
relative to the price of doing business here in Hawaii, kind of historical cost
estimates, just real actuals of what DPW (Department of Public Works) has
experienced in terms of road reconstruction or road maintenance. But these issues
are being worked through, I think even in the past couple business days more
information has gone back and forth.
Long story short, we are still finalizing the cost estimates. I think the roads are
the ones that are moving the most, but we're confident that, you know, county
department leadership, and HIEMA and FEMA can be able to close this out, so
we can start moving towards grant agreements which helps us to getting to
determining which projects to start off.
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On the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) front, so the funding opportunity
from HUD is with the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
dollars. Also known as CDBGDR. HUD has made it clear that our final
allocation that we can anticipate is $83,841,000, so roughly $83.84 million.
We are waiting with every day for the publication of the Federal Register Notice,
which would not only kick start our process of 120 days or four months to
develop the action plan, but also to make really crystal clear the rules and
regulations, and waivers associated with our funds. From our experience working
with HUD, and they've been very clear with us, each allocation of funds can be a
little different. Though they have pointed us to previous Federal Register Notices
of other jurisdiction dollars that would look a lot like ours. So on the more
administrative side policy and procedures, financial controls, procurement; and
we already started drafting those aspects while we continue to work through the
opportunities to lift up projects.
Part of our four month process is to also do public engagement on the projects, the
actual plan itself. A 30 -day comment period and also being responsive to the
comments in our application submission. So say if we received 100 comments on
a range of issues, we have to articulate to HUD. Receipt of those comments, and
really response to those comments to HUD and to the public. Whether it's a "Yes
this is incorporated through abc actions," or "Thank you for your comment we
consider this but it is not incorporated for abc reasons." So I think there's a
transparency piece that had this built in, which I think is really a value to the
process overall.
So we have started to lift up certain projects that we think would be a good fit in
terms of the eligibility and funding opportunity with HUD. One is a voluntary
housing buy out program. It is a voluntary program, and we have to work through
with the program design and also the eligibility criteria as part of the standing up
of the project. And HUD is advising us on past experience, both lessons learned
and good practices, from other jurisdictions that have also set up buy out
programs. And for the buy out, the basis of the buy out value would be pre -
disaster market rate value. It's complicated in terms of how buy out programs
work with federal dollars. There's things like duplication of benefits, really folks
factoring in not just the market value, pre -disaster cost for purchasing the home,
but also factoring in the insurance payouts that someone might of received,
individual assistance, things like that. All these procedures will be kind of
mapped out in the design of the program.
I think we're also looking at what housing assistance looks like for folks who
were renters and displaced by the event. You know, how can our recovery efforts
help to kind of build a pipeline of more supply of affordable housing in the
directly impacted areas. That helps address island -wide needs, but also really
helps get folks rehoused, and in a secure and financially sustainable way. And
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there's kind of tenant assistance to help folks get there as long as there's kind of a
there to get to. I think these are the things that we're going workout as we
continue to work on the case management program. Talking to the public
coordinating with OHCD (Office of Housing and Community Development) and
a lot of our private sectors stakeholders on the housing side.
On the Economic Development front with DR (Disaster Recovery) funding, we
are looking to lift up a small business grant program that would help the kind of
areas directly impacted from this event. And that would also maybe include some
training opportunities, whether it would be repositioning, or marketing of your
business, or thinking about continuity of operations and emergency planning you
your business operations or farm operations. But we hope this is a benefit to
folks. And also finding ways because this is a priority for the county, and priority
for HUD and the community, to support workforce development programs that
are tied directly to the recovery activities.
You know, with these projects as we start to lift them up—and also the recovery
plan will give some shape to actually what informs as action plan and what
additional projects get included but also how these named projects also start to
take shape. HUD is our funder, and so for anyone who ever worked for funders,
they also have to fit into eligibility requirements and pulse issues that we as a
community have to kind of really look at. To kind of make them eligible, and to
apply.
And especially around kind of federal rules and regulations that apply to each of
these projects. For example, any individual being a beneficiary of HUD funding
needs to go through an environmental review process. So you know, I think we
know this well from infrastructure projects. But imagine a situation of every
individual business receiving benefits from these HUD dollars, any individual
household, homeowner receiving individual benefits. And we'll find a way to
streamline it, because I think its good practice out there. But just one example, of
the new things that come to light when we start to deploy these federal dollars as
an opportunity.
And finally, on the front with the Economic Development Agency the EDA did
receive a disaster supplemental that is eligible for local governments, state
governments, but also for not for profits and business to pursue. We know that
there lot of energy in the community around being able to leverage these dollars
to start a program, to start up initiatives; and you know, we want to be a place to
support that. And what that looks like could include letters of support, it could be
kind of navigating some of the processes and supporting folks to map that out.
Whether it be a building permit thing, a planning permit kind of thing, to be able
to get these programs up and running. I'm sure the navigation always help.
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And also we are working with our team, The Institute for Sustainable
Development, to maybe set up a webinar and training seminar that would be an
opportunity for members of the community who are looking to apply for these of
grants to kind of get the nuts and bolts and the abc's of what it takes. So they can
get prepared and kind of really hear from folks who through EDA applications,
what's good practice, what's EDA looking for. So that's one of the several ways
we're looking to support this process.
And finally on the county side, two projects have started to take shape in terms of
the use of these Economic Development funds toward our broader recovery, but
we're also working with the recovery plan to kind of take shape of others that
would be kind of county initiated, county led. One is a programmatic
environmental assessment for wastewater treatment solutions in the district of
Puna. This is the Economic Development Agency, and so a lot of tie back is to
commercial industrial activity, drop growth, revenue growth for local
jurisdictions. That's always the starting point for us. But we know, you know,
for commercial centers like Pahoa, Volcano, Kea`au, our resources are limited.
And so the environment assessment is an important first step that you know, DEM
would lead. Because it really maps out—it's an opportunity to look at all the
solutions, look at the site constraints. The continuum of solutions and cost and
how we would actually be able to take on projects and scope projects with
additional funding. We thought that was very important foundation.
And I think a second long-term need also on the infrastructure side, Public Works,
is the opportunity to kind of explore and develop kind of one or two additional
water wells in the Kea`au area, to serve the village and industrial areas. And
these are for economic development purposes, but infrastructure invested in this
way could help to serve other purposes nearby. I'll leave it at that.
So you know, there are other ideas, or concepts that are coming up. You know, I
think there are ways that the county can pursue them as applications, but we're
also here support community -driven applications as well.
I hope that covers most of the communication. Oh, I think one thing finally. I
was asked on an update on the Puna Strong grants. I think the Puna Strong grants
are probably one of the most critical ways that we can start getting the immediate
relief, which was its original intent, into the community to not only build capacity,
but also get dollars to support working programs.
Our team is right now working with Corporation Counsel on finalizing the
language for the request for proposals. This is the RFP (Request for Proposals)
that would bring on kind of a not for profit, who has experience in grant making
and disaster recovery to basically help us shape the grant -making process. You
know, I think we've been hearing a lot from folks with activities, projects,
programs, both from the health and human services and mental health side to kind
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of assisting folks who were displaced on the housing front, to workforce
development. You know, programs for our keiki, community building activities,
which I think all really provides so much value to our recovery effort. These are
the types of programs that could be directly supported by Puna strong. Getting
this RFP out is the first step. Getting someone on board to work with the county
and collaborate on the design and implementation of the program would be the
next step. And then getting those dollars out the door to support these groups,
would be an important next step after that.
So I hope I've been responsive, and happy to take questions and comments too.
Thank you for listening.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Douglas. Questions or comments from my
colleagues? Chair Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, thank you. Hi, Douglas. Thank you for all your good
work. You know, first question would be, I think it was Mr. Golden who asked
the question about, you know, are things being documented. Because we should
be expecting this in the future, right? So I'll allow you to answer that.
MR. LE: I think yes, I can say for sure they are being documented. In my time
working this role, but also even as a secondary chair prior to my taking this
position, there's a lot of lessons learned from how immediately after the eruption
the community stepped up and self -organized, found resources, got resources.
There are ways that the county stepped up and mobilized also, but there are also
lessons learned in the response process in this recovery, because there will be
other hazards, right? There will be other recovery both big and small that we'll
have to face.
And so we are looking to document these lessons learned in the recovery plan, but
we're also kind of as a side project thinking about other ways to memorialize this
work. Whether it be through communication and media, or other ways. I mean I
think sometimes when I have time I look at the work of Kaiko`o, you know, that
was a generation ago. But I think that the community at the time and the folks
who were in the decision-making chairs were facing similar struggles we are
facing. To be able to look back at that how things have changed, what is there to
learn? I think yes, lessons learned are really critical. And so if folks have them,
I'm all ears and want to be a sponge.
MR. CHUNG: Okay. Was that okay? Did that answer your question? Okay.
You know, this may have been done before, but I probably missed it. I read about
it in the newspaper, you know, regarding the taskforce. You mentioned that right
at the front end. Can you just tell us, you know, how the taskforce was
assembled, you know, what was the methodology? You know, who made the
decisions. And I'm really asking this for no other reason as, I'm just curious. I'm
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not trying to discredit, you know, the taskforce or the methodology in any way,
shape, or form. But you know, what was involved in assembling the taskforce.
And then if you could give us an introduction of each of the taskforce members,
and what that person has to bring to the table, yeah. I think that would be a good
time to disseminate that information to the public.
MR. LE: Thanks for the question. So when, I think back in the summer and early
fall, when this concept of forming a disaster recovery taskforce came up, we first
started to within the recovery team kind of materialized. So who would be kind
of good to think about for this. And part of us setting expectations, foundationally
on what we're trying to achieve with the taskforce. I think there's many models
out there, from our more standard commissions and boards and action committees
to more ad hoc or working groups that—and we know there's different models.
But really grounding, and what are we trying to achieve. So we can be really
clear on expectations, and when we start to try to think about how to identify folks
to include, and the who.
As an early starting point, we kind of put pen and paper on some of what those
expectations would look like. We ended up channeling that in a lot of the first
meeting. But I think with an early decision to include Council Members
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Kierkiewicz, to consult with them on kind of folks that
they've worked with in the response and the recovery since, but also looking into
our own kind of family of people who worked with the Puna Action Committee,
both current and former members. People who have been involved as community
members kind of showing up and participating. A balance of kind of individuals
who are directly impacted by this specific eruptive event, but also other folks who
call Puna home who are kind of maybe impacted form a future event, and also
kind of involved in different ways in community leadership and civic
engagement.
So really those were some of the lenses to which we kind of approached this, you
know, very complex decision making. And I think as we started the process, you
know, there was a set number that we were looking to kind of fill. But as we
started the process, we realized that, you know, that was really an artificial
barrier, right, in terms of x number of people and we really started talking to
individuals who are recommended to us, but also who had kind of asked to be
more involved in these capacities, and we reached out to them in that way.
There's a lot of county representation on the taskforce, would you like me to go
into that?
MR. CHUNG: Go through each and every person on that taskforce.
MR. LE: For sure, happy to.
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MR. CHUNG: Yeah, because there weren't too many, right, maybe about eight.
I just read it.
MR. LE: About 22.
MR. CHUNG: That many?
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Well, community members are like 16.
MR. LE: I got it. Appreciate the backup.
MR. CHUNG: Okay, yeah. Because I'm just going off what I read in the paper,
right.
MR. LE: For sure.
MR. CHUNG: First of all who are all of these people behind you?
MR. LE: That's a great question. So it does take a village, and real folks. Of
course Diane Ley, who was previously in the Acting Recovery Manager role, and
continues to kind of be part of the leadership work for the county. Tom Callis,
who has joined us as our Communication Specialist, trying to get information out
there and kind of make sure that folks are aware and informed. Dan Mahalak,
who is the Program Manager on our disaster case management program. Works
very closely with county resources and also Neighborhood Place of Puna.
Kara Bocher, who's an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America)
member, who has been very critical to our community engagement efforts.
Audrey, next to Kara is also a VISTA member, who has been working not only on
the community engagement, but also worked collaboratively to spearhead the art
competition which I think was an amazing experience, for I think the young
people who were able to participate in that. I just want to acknowledge that Kara
and Audrey are actually wrapping up their year of service with us, so we'll be sad
to see them transition out in a couple of weeks. But we're so happy and excited
for what they have next for them.
Dennis Kauka is our Program Manager for disaster recovery. Bob Agres is our
manager for community engagement and collaboration on recovery, who has been
our central force and mastermind around a lot of our community engagement, and
really driving our team in this work for over a year now. And Michael Whitley,
who is the program support technician, on the disaster case management program
as well.
MR. CHUNG: And they're all under the umbrella of which department, or is the
Mayor's Office?
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MR. LE: So if I were to put on an HR hat, most of them are employees of the
Planning Department. As we are kind of a new and evolving team, many of us sit
at Planning and Research and Development. So part of this transition that we
phased, and a lack of viable commercial space.
MR. CHUNG: Because it's always good to know where and to whom, we should
go to for different things.
MR. LE: For sure, yeah. So members of the public know to go to Research and
Development for a lot of questions too. But a number of us kind of are still at
Planning as well, where there is space to house us until we find a more permanent
home. But I also think its good evidence of departments being able to come
together and work together and have the tools that we have, but also be able to
work beyond the tools that we have to get the job done.
MR. CHUNG: And then so those people that were listed in the paper, explain
what their skill sets were. What they bring to the table.
MR. LE: Sure. So I'll start with some of the folks who are coming from the
community, and then I'll go into the folks who are coming from their former
county roles. But I will put out there too, that I'm just getting to know a lot of
these individuals. And so there were many voices that informed it, and I'm sure
many people know them a lot closer, so I don't want to misspeak. But just from
my kind of understanding in closeness to their work.
Of the community participants there is Harold Kunanui, who from what I
understand calls Leilani home, did lose his home during the eruption, but has also
had a lot of civic leadership, kind of in the Puna area. Kim Williamson who calls
Volcano home, but works in Pahoa as the Vice Principal for Pahoa High. And I
think brings that experience of kind of working within the school community, and
the impacts that this eruption has had on our keiki. Lauae Kekahuna, who is part
of the Maku`u Farmer's Market. But also has been involved in a lot of
community engagement and activities.
Maddie Green, who is one of the representatives of Bodacious Women, who are
really at the forefront of the immediate response. And bringing resources and
support to bear during the eruption. Roberta Chu, who is from Bank of Hawai i
and is a county -wide, I don't know her title so I don't want to misspeak it, but she
is kind of the Big Island lead for the Bank of Hawaii. But also beyond that has a
long legacy of community service. Serves in a lot of kind of boards and
commissions. And I think brings a lot of both the practically of private sector,
and public sector of government work but also community into these
conversations.
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Lono Lyman, who not only his company lost significant lands as part of this
eruption, but also has a long history of working with farmers who lease these
lands who also directly impacted as well. Susan Kim, who is, from what I
understand one of the founding members of I Mua Lower Puna, but also was a
directly impacted individual from, I don't want to misspeak, I think the Kapoho
area. Maybe someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I welcome that.
Leila Kealoha, who is a teacher at Kua O Ka La in her day job, but also has really
rich and deep experience in both science education, natural culture resources; has,
you know, ties to kind of lower Puna and is also very involved in fissure folk
community as well. Clarice Unagakawa, who is actually participating as one of
the co -leads on the health and human services recovery support function, has a
long history of working in this sector, and really understands the big picture. And
Piilani Kaawaloa, who also is in a place as an educator at Kamehameha Schools,
brings in kind of the cultural resources and the knowledge aspect of it. It's from
the place, but also has taken kind of a different leadership roles in the community
as well. Those are the folks on the community side.
MR. CHUNG: I just wanted to give you an opportunity to at least formally make
that introduction.
MR. LE: For sure.
MR. CHUNG: On the air. And it seems like there were a few more added to
what I had read in the paper.
MR. LE: I'd have to double check that. But I think this was the full picture that
we provided.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, good. My main concern is that we had our two
representatives on that board. You know, I think we've been asking for a while to
get the Council engaged. There's no better people to get engaged than the
representatives from that district. So I'm confident that it's going to be done well.
You know, I have just a few more questions. You know, you said with regard to
the CDBGDR funds expected funds, you know, the federal registry notice has not
yet been published, right. Unless I heard you incorrectly, you said when that's
done it will enable us, the county, to develop an action plan. You know, I'm just
kind of thinking, right. Couldn't that action plan be developed prior to the notice
being completed or does it have to start after?
MR. LE: To help answer your question, we haven't been waiting around for it to
drop even though I have been anxiously waiting for it to kind of be published.
It's kind of a little bit of wait and see, but a little bit let's get our act together as
soon as we can. Because the federal registry notice, you know, HUD has
indicated other past ones that will look a lot like ours, is their reassurance. So
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we're looking to that as understanding of which kind of federal regulations will be
applied to our dollars. And that's really around like I think with anything in
government, understanding our financial controls, our audit process, our
procurement process, even down to the system that we use for financial
management. So we're laying that all out for HUD. And their own kind of policy
and guidelines around our capacity on the money side, on the people side, on the
training expertise side, will be kind of issued as well. And so we've already
started drafting those sections, knowing what it would look like and look to kind
of
MR. CHUNG: But you can't really come up with the specifics until you know
exactly what the guidelines.
MR. LE: Yeah, right. We're anticipating what we know.
MR. CHUNG: Perfect. But you're already kind of developing it, right?
MR. LE: Yes.
MR. CHUNG: Great. Would it be safe to say that when it is developed, now
we're going to see a lot of action? I mean in terms of knowing what we're going
to be expecting.
MR. LE: Yeah.
MR. CHUNG: In that case then, let me just give you a suggestion, okay. And I
always try to tell people to do this. You know, engage the media, yeah. You
know, the Big Island, and Hawaii in general, and I guess people in general, they
really like a good story, right. You know, look at yourself as being the General,
Field General. You're going to plot out a road map to success. Show that road
map to the public, engage the media, so that when all of these different
benchmarks are reached, the people will see that we are gaining success along the
way. Yeah, and it becomes a real easily digestible story for the public. Just my
suggestion.
MR. LE: It's helpful.
MR. CHUNG: You know, I just came back from a series of meetings on Oahu
with the Legislature. And you know, one of the things I talked about to them was
the importance of this Banyan Drive initiative that's going on. And you know, I
basically explained to the Legislature, and my point will emerge at some point,
you know, that all the people from Hilo are asking for is a chance to succeed.
And it's not necessary for me to explain what all the nuances are on this, but you
know, if the state gives us a chance, we can succeed. And that's what I'm hearing
from the people in Puna. I think there was a lady name Betty out there in Puna
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who said she's begging for the chance. So that's all. Just give them a chance. If
people are willing to step up, give them a chance, right? Engage them. And
that's all I have to say. But thank you for your good work Douglas, I really
appreciate it.
MR. LE: Thanks for your support.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Ms. Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Thank you for your report. And actually dovetailing
off of our Chair, that's exactly what I'm hearing. They want a road map to
success. They're not looking for a handout it's a hand up. So with that and
controlling what we can control as a Council, you mentioned the Puna Strong
grants and just thinking out loud, you know, we have our nonprofit grant in aide
committee. So is there a way for you to provide that information to us, and what
type of measurables or deliverables that the Puna Strong grants are trying to meet
and then dovetailing that with the work that might be coming forward from the
nonprofit grant in aide. I think that would be an opportunity to create little bit
more synergies. And then back to that multi -pronged approach, giving them a
chance, and a hand up rather than a hand out on top of partnering them better. Is
that something, Douglas, we can see coming forward as maybe just a footnote
report, or white sheet or something coming out of the work that you folks doing?
MR. LE: I think it's a really strategic way that we can kind of align better. I
think on my own front I'm not as familiar at this point with a nonprofit grant in
aide committee, but happy to get educated and to bring this information together.
You know, the request for proposals that we're looking to finalize is for
professional services with folks with this experience to create the grant -making
strategy, right. And so I think the work of this committee as I seem to understand
it, is a really good point of connection. And I think part of that is not only the
grant -making strategy, but capacity building aspects too.
We think there are a lot of not for profit groups out there, both big and small, who
could kind of take these resources and really run with it to directly serve the
community. But I've seen time and time again in a lot of communities, it's
important to also bridge those connections between those high capacity
organizations and those newer capacity organizations that one day will be
high capacity organizations with the right support and investment. And really
besides just getting the resources out into the community, we really see a huge
value of Puna Strong to be able to solve for that. The capacity -building piece,
which is also part of the scope.
MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, thank you for that Douglas. I mean just today we heard a
number of stories related to the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained,
Employed), Vibrant Hawai` i, I mean we are at the tip of the spear on this one, and
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at the beginning of a new year. And so I just see a lot of this work kind of folding
nicely into one another, and then to really, you know, recover Puna.
I did have a question regarding the water wells. I know you just kind of put it out
there as infrastructure, which of course is critical hard corner for really recovering
an industry. So I was just wondering what general areas you were looking at, and
if you guys have reached out to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, because
I know they have some areas that would be ideal for the location, and maybe there
would be a partnership there between, you know, the Department of Hawaiian
Homelands and the water resources there. Providing water resources to those
beneficiaries and then maybe if not getting the water to the area, maybe working
with the Department of Water Supply to release some of the water units that are
being used in Puna and transferring them over to another well site. Just some
thoughts on that, Douglas.
MR. LE: I'll have to reconnect with Water Supply, I'm also not kind of fully
versed on kind of these policy issues I think you're touching upon that are
opportunities. On the wells that I mentioned, it's my understanding that, you
know, there probably is available supply but not enough—within kind of the
source, but not enough kind of pumping and supply out. In Kea`au in particular, I
think it's been a long term need for development there. I think looking at the
adjacent neighborhoods of Kea`au, there's an opportunity to get more supplies in
the mix to provide service. But from what I understand based on the current wells
and supplies that's available it really hampers the ability to accommodate this
significant population growth that we've seen in these areas. So I think this is the
first step to getting there.
MS. LEE LOY: That's wonderful. I think that Department of Water Supply also
has some 428 monies. So I think if we get there early, and start talking about
some of the strategies that you guys have, there might be definitely more
synergies going forward. Douglas, thank you for a wonderful update. Happy
New Year. And to the rest of your team, get her done. Alright, I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thanks, Ms. Lee Loy. Mr. Richards, and then
Ms. Poindexter.
MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. Thanks, Douglas. Always enjoy your
analyses and your financial side, I tell you bring a lot. Couple of comments or
questions. You talked about going forward having a review of the lava zone
designation and determination, thereby possibly planning with that. My digging
into that, it's almost a statistical nightmare to try and actually come up with any
kind of answer out of there. And Lava Zone 1, if you're building a house below
an ongoing active volcano, I think we'd all would agree there's risk. But once
you start getting into (Lava Zones) 2 and 3 it gets real fuzzy. And so going
forward I think it's a great conversation, but I would ask that it be considered very
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carefully because we're in Lava Zone 3 right now. I just throw that out there
because when I went to look at it that's a tough one, like I said statistical
difference over millennia. And I don't know how we make a planning decision
based upon that.
MR. LE: If I can respond just directly to that.
MR. RICHARDS: Sure.
MR. LE: The volcanic risk assessment that does have an island -wide analysis
accepts the current lava zones as the foundation. So it's not so much around
revisiting the lava zones, as it is as looking at risk with this risk tool that we have
of the lava zones. And understanding like really putting pen to paper what this
actually all means, right. Because I think you can look at it at a map until you
zoom in on how much developed land is actually in there. How much of it is
residentially settled, verses agriculture, verses vacant lot. How much is kind of
natural open spaces in there. Starting to zoom in on that is what the assessment is
kind of getting at.
You know, I think as this process—and I've worked in this field before, but it
really got brought home to me that there's a difference between risk and hazards.
So you know, hazards happen as part of natural process, risk happens when there
are things in the way of those hazards. Natural cultural resources, houses,
businesses, and that's where kind of the risk happens. That's what the risk
assessment looks to answer island -wide.
MR. RICHARDS: Okay. And I do appreciate that, and I can understand coming
from just that I think people want a hard and fast answer. And I think it's going
to be a fuzzy answer at best, and I see Planning Director back there sort of
nodding vaguely. Other thing I wanted to touch on was economic development.
And I heard a lot of conversation about economic development in that area,
greater Puna area, but the economic impact, we had a report a month ago that was
economic impact of the county. And yes, we have the obvious in the grater Puna
area but this impacted our whole county. What is the plan going forward, because
we've talked east side, what about west side, what about north side, what about
south side? So what's the plan for economic development there?
MR. LE: You've hit the nail right on the head in a lot of ways. And not only in
this specific recovery conversation but I think also understanding the economic
development and diversifying our economic bases and kind of more economic
activity and workforce participation is an island -wide need. You know, the
resources that we have in this recovery, just in working with the Institute for
Sustainable Development for example, they've had a broad breadth to only think
about and document the economic impacts directly from this event, kind of where
lava touched, but also where there were a lot of impacts island -wide; but also you
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know, having a resource like this organization to work with us can bring a lot of
data analysis, perspectives, best practices, that helps inform upcoming work.
For example the economic development aspects of our General Plan update, or
the upcoming comprehensive economic development strategy that the state would
lead but I think the county will really lean in on. With information and good
work that's been put forward, we are looking at the impacts and solutions in the
impacted areas. Again, both where lava touched, and where there were all the
economic impacts. Including kind of east side, west side, north and south. And
so we are kind of by the minute trying to articulate that, to kind of break out what
that actually means, because we have a lot of kind of island -wide numbers. But
then how do we zoom in? Because I think what we find from zooming in process,
is one way that it will help us prioritize what we do about it, right, the solutions
and deployment of available recovery dollars for economic development, and
economic recovery. I guess, maybe my vague answer to you is that like we're
really working through it right now to really hone in on what are the impacts. But
we are kind of looking holistically at just where lava and gases touched, and also
the more larger kind of economic impacts from this event.
MR. RICHARDS: Okay, and I do appreciate that, because that's the glaring
obvious need. But the glaring economic need, I think they quoted us 4,000 jobs
were lost. Ten percent, we have a little over $8 billion GDP, and over $800
million was lost. These are huge numbers as far as an economy, and looking for
the economic development reawakening, rekindling, you know. Chair discussed
Banyan Drive, a great potential there. I'm the big push for agriculture all the
time, we got a lot of things coming forth. And that can be part of our recovery.
We lost a lot of agriculture out in the greater Puna area. But we can also develop
in other places, which will, again, a critical mass. By raising the critical mass. So
glad to hear. I'm going to let my other Council Members ask you questions, but I
appreciate it. Thanks for your time.
MR. LE: Can I share something in response, real briefly?
MR. RICHARDS: Absolutely.
MR. LE: You know, I think timing is also interesting. We know that the months
of December and January are really hallmark years for our island and kind of the
larger economic base of tourism. There's no question about what we saw last
year, kind of coming out of the eruption, but also the loss of closure of the park,
the loss of vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts. We are kind of curious in
watching what the next couple of weeks looks like, and see how much we have
rebounded, how much is the same, are we continuing to see dips down, because I
think one fact we know for sure is if—we are seeing indicators of kind of similar
performance 2017, some range of it. But for sure it's redistributed, right. And so
even if the dollars may end up being the same at the end of it all, we know that,
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you know, dollars that maybe had been spent in the directly impacted areas like
Puna two years ago, were just redistributed to Hilo, Kona, and Waimea. So in
timing -wise, we're really watching to reflect it in, in how we lock in that strategy
moving forward.
MR. RICHARDS: And to that point, I know when we're just going through the
volcanic incident west side from Maunakea Beach down to Kukio. There's over
$50 million worth of cancellations of rooms, just because people are afraid of
coming. And that doesn't calculate in rental cars, it doesn't spending, restaurants
or anything like that. And so that's what I'm talking about. And I know I'm just
again trying to ping people as I'm talking to them, yeah, it's come back but it
doesn't seem through this holiday season it was really strong. And that's my
concern. Okay, thank you. I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah. Thank you so much for that status update. I was
very pleased to hear all that has taken place. And the leadership team you put
together, whether you call it a taskforce whatever, I think it's a great team. You
know, I was taking notes here as you were talking and who was on there that I
kind of was excited about, did I hear Clarysse Nunokawa on there? You know, I
have the highest regard for her, she worked with Hawaii Community Foundation.
I mean I was a little afraid of her when I would write grants, before I was a county
council person. Because I was going oh my god, she's going to grade my grant,
you know, but she was very helpful. So she is a fabulous resource, you know, for
funding opportunities. A great grant writer. I mean you couldn't ask for anybody
better. Besides all the other skill sets very impressive that all sit on this team.
You know, and I—when Council Member Richards talked about economic
development too. And I'm hoping that, you know, work closely with the CDP
(Community Development Plan). Because that CDP base they will help to set,
you know, the clear and obtainable economic development objectives, and set
policies. You know, I think this is just the Puna dream team. You know, so I
think there well on their way to a great recovery. I'm speaking from Hamakua
Sugar, it takes a while. So it doesn't happen in just five years, or something
you're looking at 10, 15, 20 years of still that progressive recovery. We're always
in that mode, yeah, because things shift and other events happen at the same time,
so we're kind of like always operating in that way.
So I'm so glad that you put together a fabulous team, with a lot of people bringing
a lot to the table to make PunaI think they may become our city verses Hilo. I
don't know, it's wonderful. They're an underserved, rural area that is rising. And
I think if people, you know, "united we stand divided we fall," you're creating
that unity, and that's important.
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So thank you, and I also give credit to our council representatives from Puna.
You know, Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Council Member Kierkiewicz, because
it's amazing that the things that they have done for Puna in such a short time as
elected officials. So my hats off to them as well. Thank you, Research and
Development and Planning for making this possible. Aloha. I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, Ms. Poindexter. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: Douglas, you're a good talker, you do a
good job. No, you're doing a really good job, and thank you very much. And
then I see everyone. When Aaron said please introduce everyone on the
committee, I started laughing, I was like, "Oh, this is going to be a long one."
Because yeah, there is a lot of people, and there are lots of bright, amazing people
and a good portion is behind you. And it was nice to see you all come in today.
I think the best thing I heard you say today was, what happen after the eruption
when the community came together and started to take care of things themselves.
And then the county jumped in, and started helping. I'm not laying more good on
either one, it's just I've seen again, and again, when there's an emergency the
community responds. And hearing you say that and knowing that without having
been there when it was happening, I'm glad we're aware of that and we're going
to start using that to our benefit. And I think anytime the community is going to
help us and teach us how they would respond, and we can take that and formulate
that back into what we do, we're going to do great.
So that was the best thing I heard today, besides having a great team. You know,
community based decision making, there you go that's what they've been saying
from the beginning. Smiley, Nancy, Susan Kim, you know, these same faces;
Bob. And that's how we're going to get it done. And I'm happy to be on the
team, I know Ashley is happy to be on the team. I am interested to see how we
move forward, and if we do more than monthly meetings, I guess we'll be up in
the air, but interested to see how fast we can move forward as well. That's always
the fun part.
So thank you very much, good presentation. And thank you for putting that out,
there's a lot of information. And I'm sure Diane is pretty happy with you right
now, because she used to do this too and then we'd yell at her, so.
MR. LE: It's a little team effort. Thank you though.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Good to see all of you.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. David.
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MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. And Douglas, I really want to thank you for that
very comprehensive and well put together report for us. I know it's nothing, it's
not easy having to work with so many different tangents in a situation that has
never happened on this island before to this degree. And I think the community
has been outstanding trailblazers in trying to live through what happened and on a
daily basis I can just imagine what that must have been like and still is to a certain
degree.
So I really want to thank the community for being patient, in a situation where
just really stresses anyone's ability to be patient. And also I want to echo that this
list of taskforce members are impressive, because it just balances something that
will address almost every issue that might come up in a situation like this. So I'm
just really impressed, and thankful for the department and for everybody's work
thus far. It's taken a long time, but you guys have achieved something that's very
notable. And we're going to learn from you folks, all of you. Hope not in the
near future, but I think you folks are basically awesome trailblazers, and I thank
you for it, and bringing it to the Council. And I just, yeah, I can't imagine what
your work is like on a daily basis. So my aloha and mahalo to all of you. Thank
you.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Hi Douglas. Recovery is inherently complex. I mean it's
certainly not easy. There's no fast clear pathway. And as a representative of the
area that was most impacted by the disaster, I feel very honored and encouraged
by the discussion we've had today. I feel it's been very productive. You're so
good at connecting the dots. I appreciate the team that you've assembled, the
business decisions you've made, because I don't think it's been an easy year. I
mean having helped found the hub, you know, during eruption and then helping to
champion the needs of the community at the Legislature to bring money home,
and then having private conversations with the Administration, ongoing
conversations with community, and then having sometimes very hard
conversations publicly.
It hasn't been easy. But a lot of really good work and foundation was set by
Director Ley from R&D (Research and Development), and the many folks that
are part of the Administration. Just trying to make sense of all this chaos, because
there was really no path forward. And we're articulating that now. And I'm so
happy that after continued advocacy we have Council Members that have a seat at
this table alongside community. So I'm very encouraged by today's update.
Thank you.
You know, one of the things that Robert Golden alluded to and Chair Chung
asked about was if we're keeping track of lessons learned from the disaster. And
so I'm wondering if you know of the status of the after action report, is that
something that's being done by the Administration or Civil Defense? I believe
it's a federal document that kind of takes stock of the issues, the challenges that
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we faced as part of disaster. And what we're doing to recover, or to learn from
those lessons.
MR. LE: I have to get back to you on it. It is one task I haven't been tracking,
because I've been getting up to speed.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Ok. It's just something that I remembered. Jon Olson
always ask me how's the after action report.
MR. LE: Nope, I've seen it in place in other disaster areas too. So it's something
I need to track down.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, great. Because I remember last year the
Administration coming to Council Member Lee Loy and I, wanting to lift up
some kind of recovery framework. So we hit the pause button where they put
some meat around the interim recovery strategy, which is awesome. But I've
kind of hesitated with formulizing how recovery happens by our county until we
do a little bit more work and kind of test out systems and processes and work
flows. I don't know how you feel about codifying what was done today, but I
think we have a little bit more work to do to kind of prove to ourselves that what
we're doing right now is really in the best interest of our community and a
successful model, for how we want to respond to and to lead recovery for future
disasters.
Okay, Puna Strong grants. I was hoping we would have them available to
community in October, what's the timeframe you're thinking? I know that you're
in discussion with Corporation Counsel, we need to get an RFP out there. That's
great, but again, when can we expect, "Alright community you can apply." When
are those applications going to be available? Can you say maybe quarter one, end
of quarter one, or beginning of quarter two next year? Or this year. Sorry, we're
in 2020.
MR. LE: You know, right now the ball is in our own county court, right, to really
be able to move forward. And so I think we're working on prioritizing getting
this done, right. Because it will be RFP it will be out for 30 days, it'll take time to
vet it. And it will take some time to work with the selected provider to devise
kind of grant -making strategy. And to kind of seek eligibility, program
requirements, get the money out there. All that being said, I think that maybe it's
safe to say the soonest that we could start really seeing the applications for the
grants, would be quarter to 2020. That is the soonest. Because just knowing that
a lot of these next steps are in the cycle of a month or two. So it's a little bit a
ways out, more than we want it to be.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. And I'm hoping that we're leaning on the process,
and expertise that's come out of the Kilauea Hui. I just love how that group sort
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of developed organically, and pulled all of their resources together; that's
Salvation Army, Community Foundation, Red Cross, Catholic Charities. Folks
with resources, community assets, coming to the table to evaluate the various
cases and really help to resolve individual situations rather quickly. So I'm
hoping we're looking at that model.
And just bravo for leveraging money from the legislature, the $600,000, to do the
wastewater treatment facility study. I know that was something that I included in
the interim recovery strategy, wanting to direct some funds for that. But water
certainly is key to any sort of long term and sustainable economic development
and prosperity for our communities, particularly Puna.
One thing I'm hoping you can shed a little bit more light on is road restoration.
And if there's any thought behind quickly moving to restore lighthouse, because
it's like right there. Or any movement towards restoring Pohoiki. Feel like those
are some quicker wins, rather than the conversation we may need to have about
137. I know the Administration is grappling with how we prioritize restoring
these roads, so I'm just curious.
MR. LE: Yeah. So the recovery plan is one place where we are hoping to
articulate decision making on roads to move forward with and what roads to
consider for future restoration or not. I think one of the—really some of the key
aspects that are happening to form those decisions, are taking a really deep dive
on the number of residential properties and farmlands that kind of each road
serves and provides access to. So we're just really talking in real quantities, not
just, you know, drawing a line in a map. Understanding the direct benefit to our
island residents and farmers. But also understanding that even prior to this
eruption, you know, there's been really good work put into trying to change the
connectivity and circulation issues in Puna. And those were just exacerbated
when some of our major arteries got innovated by lava.
There's a broader policy goal around ensuring kind of good access in and out not
just for day to day, for folks to get to work or school, where they have to go, but
also in an event of another emergency; a tsunami warning, a hurricane, another
eruptive event, that there's emergency access in, but also evacuation out for folks.
So that's also like a really key consideration. And kind of those inputs are what
we are working through in the recovery plan, that we're also going to go out and
kind of consult with members of the community.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. I won't push anymore. I get the hint. Thank you.
MR. LE: Thanks for the question though.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Last question, and it really speaks to how the
community sort of activated itself when the disaster hit, and there is thought to
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potentially develop resilience hubs. I know Bob and his team are very excited
about that idea. I'm very personally excited about the idea, because there's so
much promise for resilience hubs in various communities around our island. How
they can be a place that activates during times of disaster, but it can also serve as a
hub for intergenerational experiences. Hubs of learning, innovation creativity,
makeries. It's endless, and it's going to be unique for each of the communities.
So I wonder if the CDBGR their action plan, or the EDA or any part of this
recovery process and some of those resources are going to be expended towards
building up more resilience hubs within Puna and around our island.
MR. LE: I think one of the beauties and values of the resilience hubs is that it is a
really adaptive model. I think not only the work that started here in our island and
in Puna, but also we look at other jurisdictions that are exploring it or have started
to do it. There's some really core aspects to them. For example, a physical
facility that can serve a lot of purposes from sheltering to distribution of resources
after an event. An off the grid structure so that, you know, if folks may of loss
power at home they can have access to power at a central place. And all the
social programing and activities that center around the resilience hub during blue
sky days, but just help to build the resilience of communities and kind of
connections, right. I think one of the kind of things that makes it unique though is
also there's all these different ways of approaching it, and I think even from some
of the individuals that I have had a chance to meet who are looking to kind of
form and start up their own resilience hubs there's different programs models they
are exploring. And you know, I think with any initiative there's the program
model, how we're going to pay for it, how we're going site it.
For me I think, we have a role in supporting those efforts. I think that depending
on the shape of the programs in terms of identifying resources, or the capital need
to stand up some of these efforts, sometimes it might be the recovery dollars that
might be good fit, it might be philanthropy or Puna Strong kind of funding
streams that might be a better fit. I think we want to stay close to all these
initiatives in order to track on those, and to connect those dots in that way.
Because I think while our recovery team is trying to build a movement around
this, and to bring expertise and resources in. We know that we are a gatekeeper in
that way too, right, and we want to participate in other folks initiatives at the same
time.
And so I think yes, kind of deploying funding resources with the recovery is a
really smart thing to now, But whether it's the HUD funding with all this red tape,
or some of Puna Strong funding which might feel more like a foundation grant
and less like a government grant, I want to kind of keep those on the table. I've
also seen it done in other communities too, where folks come together to get
larger grants. I think kind of we have resources here on our island, but I think
when you look nationally as well people with more money to deploy from
philanthropy want to invest in pilot projects and demonstration projects. I think
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we have energy to get it right. Our team is also working with the other
jurisdictions to also kind of shape, and really build a movement around these
resilience hubs. There's real opportunity here, is what I'm saying.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I agree, yeah. Lot of opportunity for the intra -local
agreements, right; building those public, private partnerships.
MR. LE: Yeah.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I just feel like this is our year. There's going to be a lot
of great action that benefits community. And I feel like within our community on
this island we have everything we need. And it's going to be great to get those
resources from the state, and then also from our federal partners. So again, I'm
feeling very encouraged and I think if we just remember that we want this process
to be community driven and government supported, it's going to take great shape.
Thank you, Douglas. Any other questions or comments? If not we have a motion
on the floor. All in favor to close file Communication 430.28 please say "aye."
Vote on Comm. 430.28: The motion to close file on Comm. 430.28 was carried by
Filed the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter,
Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Eoff — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Motion carries. Thank you, Douglas and members of the
recovery team. Is everyone ready to keep moving forward, do we need a recess,
nope, okay. Mr. Clerk, if you could please read in Communication 659.
Comm. 659: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE
ADMINISTRATION'S UPCOMING PLANS AND PENDING PROJECTS
From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated December 4, 2019.
Motion to Close File: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to close file on
Comm. 430.28. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Matt, go ahead.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: Roy if you could come up. And then just a
quick explanation of what I hope to accomplish of this, and set some rules. This
is not for us to ream the Mayor's office, this is not for you to yell at us. We talk
about breaking silos, we talk about communicating, but it is hard for us to find
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that space I feel to have those conversations. So I'm trying to create kind of a
nice space. It's public so we can have those conversations. This isn't for
anything in particular, this is just so we can have this conversation. I'd like to do
this once a month, if that's okay with you.
And if further Councils want to do this as well they can. But I don't have this
time a lot. And with all things on our mind there's always things happening but
this gives us a chance to sit down and have a talk. Could be about whatever, it
can be five minutes, it could be one minute, it could be a half an hour, it could be
three hours. I don't know, I just wanted give us that time. So Roy, what's going
on with the Mayor's Office, what you got going on, anything exciting happening?
(Note: At this time, Managing Director Roy Takemoto came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. TAKEMOTO: Roy Takemoto, Managing Director. Do you folks have a
copy? No.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: We did not get that, right.
MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, my fault it was last minute.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: It's coming right now.
MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay, so today we can experiment with format, content. So
what I've put together, is totally open to change based on feedback I get from
you. It begins with what I did, what the Mayor's Office's focus was in the past
month, what our focus is on the current month. And kind of delving into a little
bit of details on some of the initiatives or issues.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for putting this together.
(Note: At this time, Mr. Roy Takemoto provided a PowerPoint
presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the
presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the
Clerk's Office. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of
the record, see Comm. 659)
MR. TAKEMOTO: So that's it. Open for questions.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Mr. Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, do you have questions for
Mr. Takemoto? Your mic.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for Roy, putting this together. I
just wanted to give us this time to be able to do this. I think maybe if other
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members have I'd say burning desires in your district that you want to give Roy
kind of like what he's done for us put something together that would be optimal.
I'm going to digest this little bit. I'm going to hand it off, and then you can come
back to me, yeah. Thank you.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah. You know, one of the Mayor's priorities, the top one
is addressing the crisis of health care collapse. I just wanted to bring to your
attention to, I know that it's important definitely to work with the private sector,
and those physicians who need that exemption. But you know, the FQHC, Fairly
Qualified Heath Centers, they're nonprofit, so they're already exempt from
paying out the GET (General Excise Tax) and their services; however, we need to
look into how can we minimize or exempt the supplies and equipment that they
purchase because what they're purchasing to do their services, those people
selling it to them are not exempt from the GET so they have a rise in cost. So the
health center is having to absorb the rise and cost of the GET expense, right.
Even if they don't pay it out for their services, but now their expense becomes
higher, yeah. So we're kind of dinging them in a way.
I think it was last year or the year before I did speak with some of the Legislators
about how do we exempt, you know, the medical supplies and equipment, drugs,
and stuff like that from the GET, because yes, we'll be able to help the private
sector, but the most important place who provides services for uninsured, under
insured, Medicare, Medicaid population, that's a target population, is going to be
hit by this. And we didn't think about that at that next level, because we always
thought, "Oh well they're exempt anyway from GET," but we didn't think about
their expenses that are going to increase, and how do they offset that. So if you
could look into that, I don't know what the solution is. But we have like Bay
Clinic was services all over the island. I know Puna has a nonprofit, it's a look
alike of a FQHC. It's not a FQHC, so I don't know how they're affected. But I
know that Bay Clinic, West Hawaii Community Health Center; there was a lot of
facilities also in the Hamakua and Kohala Health Center. So their expenses are
going to rise. So thank you for looking into that. I yield at this time.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Thanks, Chair. Thanks Roy, for the brief update and I really
like your conversation about communication. Couple of comments or maybe help
direction on some of this. Your 311, that's a concept that I know San Diego is
doing quite well and they have a call center that they are—it's a one-stop shop
where you don't know what to do so you call 311. I think it is 311. And I can't
remember Val, if you were there for that meeting as well. But if you call and you
don't know what to call, you call them and they redirect you to where ever you
need to go. Whether its social services, pothole, whatever the case may be. And
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in conversations with them, they are open to doing that for other jurisdictions
because they have the capacity. They actually have a full building of people
handling that stuff. So it may save the county money, by reaching out to them
and contract with them for a year or whatever the case may be because it's all
electronics, so I think we can get that done. That may be a quick way to jump
start your 311, and start moving things forward. I'll communicate with you as far
as how to get that done. That's the first thing.
The second thing just communication in general. We have heard through both our
first responders, Police and Fire, about some stutter steps. And the one I use as an
example, is the fire we had down at Waikoloa, I guess probably coming up on
eight or 10 months now. The lack of communication. The communication is
good within the county government, but we're failing getting that message out.
And in this county when people are looking for information, the first place they
turn to is Facebook. Which is probably the fastest way to communicate
misinformation. And during that fire it was reported that people needed to
evacuate, when that was never even a consideration.
Talking to Fire Chief, we've asked for a communications officer, for I think years
now. I think it's better if we just have a county communicationI talked to
Talmadge about this as well—where if we have an episode, whatever the case
may be, we need to have one site, and maybe the 311 is part of it, but whether it
be a web page or something, where a Civil Defense type of message is located so
people know where to go to get the answer, not an editorialized answer. So I
really like the direction you're trying to take this. And we don't have to invent
this, this is done everywhere. We just have to figure out how to tie it together.
I think to our county's credit, this new, I think it's still Nixle but it's a new
platform its working a lot better than the old one because we get notifications
about everything right now. Which is good, but it accurate. Even though it's
choke, it's accurate.
So I like the direction going, and like I said, Roy I'll get together with you. I'll go
dig out those notes, and find out about San Diego. But they worked really hard,
and it took them probably a dozen years to get it up and running. But it's working
exceedingly well, right now. So I'll tie you in with them. And that was with a I
think with the Chief of Staff, yeah. Anyway I'll tie you into that, I'll go back and
dig that out. I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: Yeah. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Roy. I'm so excited,
right. This is just—in our wheelhouse, this is how we do it. You know, I like this
30,000 -foot look, pinging off what everybody else said. And because this is our
first look at this, one thing I also hope to get into this management approach is not
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only the problem solving, but when we're failing and at what point are some of
these other initiatives. I'll just go after it, Mass Transit, right. We're slipping, we
put money towards it, you know, at what point are we going to say, you know,
what we've invested time, energy and money, and we got to rethink the process.
So not for you to answer right now, but as we also develop measurable outcomes
and like you said, right, the gas tank. Are we meeting it? At what point is
enough, enough, because it's the public's money, right, and we're not going to
just keep throwing money at that. So that was just one more of that high level
management style. Because I don't want to keep reconvening people, using their
time, valuable parts of their day, to try and keep problem solving when we're not
making any progress. So I'm just putting it out there.
And then the one other thing I like about this management approach is, you know,
phasing it. We know that we're going to be going into the legislative cycle right
now. So prioritizing, you know, those various legislative bills or initiatives, you
know, bouncing that out right now early. You know, January, February, so the
rest of us can use our network system with the various representatives that we
have and take that more of an island -wide approach on what we as a Council and
an entire county want to see happen. And then of course after the legislature,
those budget priorities. You know, I would love to see that pathway of we hope
to tackle in the first quarter and so on and so forth.
And so maybe just refining this approach more in a systematic—yes, the how do
you eat an elephant conversation, right, one bite at a time. But we want make
sure that we're not biting at legislative policies in August. Or maybe we should,
to get ready for that next legislative session. That's all I have for right now.
I think one other thing that might be helpful is we have committee chairs who are
very engaged, so if there are policy initiatives as you begin to meet with various
stakeholders it would be great to engage the committee chair or the vice chair so
that we can help message in our committee discussions to help get the public
ready. And be a little selfish right now, because the comprehensive overhaul with
the building codes is going to take some time but I want to be able to notify the
stakeholders and design committee when to engage, how to engage, managing
their expectations, getting them ready for any policy shifts and then what that
does to their work product as it comes to the county. So those are my thoughts.
Thank you for this, Roy. Chair, I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Ms. Lee Loy. Ms. Villegas.
MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. Hi Roy, thanks for being here today. I have just a
couple of questions, and I don't know if answering them right now is most
appropriate or to look into because I'm not sure what level I've reached out to the
different departments. But it's a big concern in Kona right now, when we talk
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about infrastructure that we have a continuing appearance of a sinkhole on Alii
Drive. And it's a serious issue, it's one of our major throughfares, it's directly in
the center of the hub of most of the economic activity in Kona. And it's kind of
continued to be Band -Aided. So in doing some research, you know, looking back
at resources and funding that came through different areas and just, it would be
helpful to get better understanding of what that long-term plan is and solution
would be, because it's definitely directly affecting downtown Kona. So anything
that you can do to shed light on that would be wonderful. Unfortunately some of
the answers coming from the department is very vague, so that's something I'm
really interested in if you could help with that.
And then the second thing is, it's been brought to my attention that we're
struggling with EMTs (Emergency Medical Technician), and EMS (Emergency
Medical Services) in our Fire Department at the fire stations on the west side.
And that during the month of December there were number of shifts and hours
where we did not have EMTs on premises at our Fire Departments. And I've
heard rumors that it was related to staffing shortages, and other reasons having to
do with denial of overtime -hours funding, which it all kind of confused me in how
that could happen. But if you could provide from a more global from the Mayor's
Office standpoint in kind of getting to the bottom of a couple of those issues. I
would be really grateful. Thank you.
MR. TAKEMOTO: Real quickly on the Alii Drive. Okay, so that one is a
problem because of the shoreline, so Corps of Engineers. The way we're trying to
approach that is to do a wall within a wall. So we have to go inside the wall
instead of beyond the wall. But in the long term we have—one of the initiatives
you see is to look at the possibility of pedestrian improvements along Alii Drive.
And to do that, to complete the new road called One Lane, and then to look into
possibility of making a one-way circulation where we can take the second lane
that's getting beat up now and sinking and turn that into a lighter load pedestrian.
And then one way for the vehicle traffic. So anyway we'll keep you involved on
those ideas.
MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. I have heard about that kind of potential plan in
the future. And I'm hopeful that can come fruition, especially the Onea Lane
portion of that because it seems to have been a bit stalled. And I just really want
to encourage the Administration, and I'm hopeful that the Mayor's Office is
taking into serious consideration the impacts of climate change and what we're
going to be facing on our coastlines and the cost for infrastructure transitions. I
haven't—unfortunately it hasn'tI haven't gotten the impression that that's
being taken into consideration as deeply as could potentially be. And so as Kona
is directly on the water, and we just saw huge surf and we're seeing massive
under mining of a lot of those walls that were built on the coastline, I think it's
going to be imperative that we take into consideration what we're looking at in
the long run. So thank you for that.
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CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Did you want an answer today, or you just wanted to put
it out there?
MS. VILLEGAS: Just put it out there.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. See who I have next, Chair Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you. Very briefly. If it hasn't been said already, I just
wanted to thank Matt for introducing this format, yeah. For communicating with
the Administration. It's something that we've been trying to figure out a way to
do. This might be the way, right. So thank you, Matt. And thank you, Roy, for
coming. I just wanted to really compliment you on I guess a number of things,
but basically you've been so accessible. I really appreciate that. Hopefully that
continues. But I just wanted to thank you very much, yeah. That's all, thank you.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. Aloha Roy, and thank you so much. And thank
you, Matt. I think the way you've compiled this information based on just the
communication requesting an update, is very impressive. And I really think
you've covered if not all, maybe the major points that I think we're facing or we
should be considering. My only two things is I wanted just to follow up on
something—on the bus situation. I know we're all tip -toeing around it, and over
the weekend I really was trying to get a hold of Brenda because I've had text over
the weekend.
My concern is, when we have these notifications or, you know, these press
releases that come up it's usually the day before or the evening before they're not
going to run the bus. And my question is if I'm catching the bus and I need to get
to work, I won't know until I'm actually standing on the road. And then I find out
the bus is not coming. Or you know, I don't know, how long do you wait? And
for rural areas, this is a serious problem. Especially people coming from Ocean
View, to go to work down in Waikoloa.
I don't' know how to solve that, unless the 311. But how do you notify people, or
could we actually give even more than an overnight or 12 hour prior notice? I
don't know how quickly you will know that your bus is not going to work. I was
wracking my brain thinkingI just had to say, I don't know how to do this. I
mean we can blast it on email blast, but that's too late, especially when it happens
on the weekend. And really, I think that's a really serious problem that we're
facing right now. And because people that depend on that, you know, it's almost
like the trash. Our transfer stations just closing the day of, or the morning of.
So I'm not sure what's happening, I understand why the transfer stations close,
but I think the bus is just so urgent. And you know, I understand breakdowns.
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mean, it happens. Your car breaks down, your bus will break down, but prior
notice. How can we get the people to know ahead of time, so they have an
opportunity to make other arrangements. Talking too much my thing went off.
But that's one of my issues, and if we can figure out some way of addressing this
priority. You know, we're talking about people earning a living and trying to
make ends meet. And then the bus doesn't allow them to do that, because of it
just breaking down and you can't go to work. I mean for some people I don't
think we have to be a wizard at saying if someone just barely making ends meet,
if they miss one day of work unexpectedly it's pretty devastating I would imagine.
So not asking for an answer but I think piggy -backing what was said about our
bus system. Notification, I think we really have to figure out a way of helping the
people who are going to be waiting.
And number two is, I really like to be involved in those cesspool discussions. It's
not a glamorous kind of
MS. POINDEXTER: It's shitty.
MS. DAVID: Yeah, it's a pretty crappy topic. But thank you, Ms. Poindexter.
But no seriously, because, you know, these conversions forI know it's a one
size fits all and we have to do it all one time. But I'm just having a real difficulty
in seeing how we on this island, being our geography is so much different from
any other island as far as land mass goes. And our Ag people having to convert
when their using rules that one size fits all. I don't know how to address that. But
the incentives, I'd like to be involved in that discussion. Because that's going to
be a real big burden on everybody that has to convert all at once. So I know we
have time, and I just wanted to get in on the ground level and talk about this stuff.
Yeah, because it's going to be a real big financial burden on a lot of people.
MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay, good I'm glad you mentioned your interest in this.
Because we're kind of going at it on two tracks. One is to facilitate the
conversions with as much assistance as we can drum up. But the second is to
seek variances where it's appropriate to have cesspools. Towards that end we
were successful to have the Department of Health convene a wastewater
committee for this county. It's under statute that we have to make that request
and we did, and Department of Health responded favorably. So they send their
top wastewater person, Sina Pruder, to the meetings, with their local district staff.
And we can use that forum, to talk about these—
MS. DAVID: Because I really think exemptions, because of the certain situations
or different situations we have on this island alone, and our Ag communities,
farming communities, that's huge. And I really believe that some sort of an
exemption provision; however they work it out. But it cannot be a one size fits
all. Not for this island. As far as I
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January 7, 2020
MR. TAKEMOTO: We'll invite you to be part of that committee.
MS. DAVID: Looking forward to it, thank you very much. I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, this round I'm going to go to Ms. Poindexter, then
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, then Mr. Richards.
MS. POINDEXTER: And I want to thank you for this report, and all that you
continue to do for our county. And I just want to especially thank you about
helping with Hamakua Housing, because we know that at the end of this recovery
of Hamakua Sugar, we're still trying to figure out how to dissolve Hamakua
Housing, who you helped that community to make sure that we maintained our
housing. You know, at that time we didn't have cesspool because we had gang
cesspools. And so I think you were instrumental too, as well as getting low
interest loans, and some grants, so that we could develop our infrastructure.
So I'm wondering if, you know, and we're talking about cesspools again, is there
any way that you can tap back into some of the things that you've done to help us
recover in Hamakua to look at if the Federal Government would be able to help
again with the low interest loans, or even if there's some type of grants subsidies.
You know, even if no grant subsides, but the low-interest loans again would really
help because that's what you guys did to help us get our water system in, because
we were drinking ditch water all these years. And when Hamakua Sugar closed
we didn't have any water system or cesspools, we just had gang cesspools, which
we had gone to those what you call that, not septic at that time
but—where we already had that gang cesspool, we should have used that as where
they do all the sewer system, you know, we should of done that. But that's okay,
that's water under the bridge now. Or that's sewage under the bridge now. No.
And thank you for this, but I'm going to ask can I share the legislative priorities
because Council Member Richards and I have a meeting on Thursday night with
the Waimea community. And we're supposed to share some of what our
legislative priorities are. I'm definitely going to share what Ashley has shared
with us with the HSAC (Hawai`i State Association of Counties) package as our
legislative priorities, but I'd also like to share what you have presented here with
us too, if that's okay?
MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, totally fine.
MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, thank you. And again, thank you for all you
continue to do. Thank you.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
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January 7, 2020
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you again, Roy. I appreciate you
putting this together. My burning concerns right now we've got a lot of landfill
closures. And we have those closures, we get people dumping their rubbish in
front of the fence although it just maybe a day. I had a constituent ask me if it'd
be possible and cost effective to put a police officer in front of the landfill, when
we close them. Because it's probably cheaper than going back, and paying for
someone to pick up everything that's been thrown on the ground. So just an
option, and something that's been coming up a lot. I notice the holidays, and we
talk about staff shortages. I'm not sure what is driving it, I have some ideas. It's
an interesting problem, because we seem to be fine most of the year.
And then the animal control contract, I'd like to be part of that. If possible I know
there was an internal meeting today, I wish I was in the internal meeting. But I'd
like to be part of that, still working on that. Aaron and I have been kind of
touching bases on that off and on, with different people trying to figure how to
make that better, and it's a little bit more than I thought it was. So those are my
burning desires. And again, I appreciate your time.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Roy, this isn't a time for us to yell at you, you understand that,
right?
MR. TAKEMOTO: It's okay.
MR. RICHARDS: That's supposed to be just a—quickly I will echo the mass
transit thing that has to be pushed hard. And it's further reaching, as Maile
pointed out. It's not just the jobs, or excuse me, the people, but it's also the guys
that have the jobs. The hotels wherever they're going to, because if they're not
filling their shift there's a trickle down effect. But the other thing I just wanted to
say, I volunteered to be on kukai patrol too, and I will work on the cesspools
issues with you. I yield.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Anyone else?
MS. LEE LOY: Take us home.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. It's been a long day, but very good productive
conversations. Roy, thank you. This gets me really excited, because you talk in
systems that I operate in, which is we're going to identify our goal, create a plan
to get there, and track progress along the way. So I appreciate that. I know that
you got to talk story with Sue and I, because we've been sitting on some
budgeting for outcomes -type policies that I think would really integrate well with
your management approach. So very excited about that. Beyond what you
identified here in your presentation, are there any other legislative pieces that the
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January 7, 2020
County of Hawaii is elevating to the legislature, or that you're introducing as part
of the Council of Mayors? Because a lot of this stuff is either recycled from last
session, or what we're floating up via HSAC. So I'm just wondering if there's
anything else that you guys are asking for. And how is Andy Levin helping to
elevate that?
MR. TAKEMOTO: These were highlighted as priorities. Of course, you know, it
didn't include your entire HSAC package, neither did it include the entire Hawaii
Council of Mayors package. So as those others that are not on this list come up,
you know, we can talk story about if it's a priority for you folks, and you think
our support would help, can definitely let's talk and we can submit testimony.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Well, and it's a two-way street right? You know, Sue
and I were very affective in going into the leg last session, and we want to
continue to advocate for the needs for our community. So wherever we can be
helpful, just let us know what you guys have tee'd up that way we can make
arrangements to go over and support.
You know, just the dialog around mass transit, the cancellations are a little bit
unacceptable. I got a constituent who is disabled, saying he's not able to get to
work because of the cancelled service. So I pinged Brenda, thankfully like the
next day she was able to restart service for the Pahoa 2 route. And that was nice,
but, you know, I had to ping her to do that communicate to a constituent and he
never know because the bus didn't show up. And I just think that with the GET
increase and all these additional resources that we funneled into Mass Transit,
what other support do you guys need to help implement the Mass Transit Master
Plan? I like what I'm seeing tomorrow with the purchase of a Pahoa bus hub, but
I just wonder what else do you guys have in the que, that way we can really start
to have some consistent service with Mass Transit.
MR. TAKEMOTO: Just quickly on the mass transit problem. Yeah, that was an
unfortunate timing problem, and it was a tough decision to continue violation of
ADA (American with Disabilities Act). Which apparently there was a suit filed.
So you know, a brazen continued violation of the ADA to cancel routes. And it
was also frankly a deficiency, no existing contract where we couldn't force the
providers to provide, from their side, ADA buses. So they provided what they
could, and that resulted in cancellation based on the decision not to continue a
violation of ADA.
CHR KIERKIEWICZ: So I'm wondering if maybe next time you come present
to us in your management, a point, you could have some guiding values. You
know, a lot of the lenses that I put on when I look at and evaluate and I do my
work, have to do with being inclusive, right. How does this impact keiki? How
do we make sure that our disabled population is included in the conversation?
Social equity, climate change. All of these different lenses we have to wear when
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we are making decisions. So I'd be interested in some values, presentation next
time you come before us.
Couple other questions. I'm excited about the GIS (Geographical Information
Survey) interactive feature, and I love that we're going to be moving towards
dashboards, something that I've been really passionate about. But do you think
we have IT (Information Technology) infrastructure to support that? I know last
budget cycle we had pinched out some monies as sort of like a compromise to not
fund a deputy position or another manager position within IT, but to create a plan
to kind of take stock of everything they have and what they need to really set us
on a course to be modernized, tech -wise. So status on that plan, and if we have
the IT infrastructure to do what you're envisioning. Or maybe not today, maybe
next time. I am very interested though.
And maybe this is a conversation for next time, because you talk about
communications. And 311 and all these things is the progress we're making to
implement the whistle -blower program. Worked really hard over the budget cycle
to find money for that, and worked for many months with HR (Human Resource)
and the Legislative Auditor, to kind of unroll that program. So just pinging you, I
think that's another priority. That way we have something that the public and
also employees of this county can go to in times where they want to report, but
also feel safe about it. That's all. Great job. I mean we all have all kinds of
visions for what we want for our island, but at the end of the day, I just want
government to work. So thank you.
We have a motion on the floor to close file Communication 659, all in favor
please say "aye."
Vote on Comm. 659: The motion to close file on Comm. 659 was carried by
Filed the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter,
Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Eoff — 1.
Excused: None.
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions.
(There were none.)
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BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of
ORDINANCES: business, Bills for Ordinances.
(There were none.)
CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Can I have a motion to adjourn?
ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 3:37 p.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn
MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. David and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter,
Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Eoff — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: GRED is adjourned at 3:37 p.m. Thank you.
Approved:
Ms. Ashley Kierkiewicz, Chair
Governmental Relations and Economic
Development Committee
AK/rk
(Date)
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