HomeMy WebLinkAbout('24) - 08-14-2024 - Meeting Minutes
Eric P. Gee, Chairperson, Mayor Appointee
Mitchell D. Roth
Hayden Konanui-Tucker Vice-Chairperson, Mayor Appointee
Hemi Martinez, District 1
Mayor
Sage Huston, District 2
\[Vacant\] District 3
Deanna S. Sako
Benjamin Rudo, District 4
Managing Director
Kyla-Marie Turner, District 5
Marquis P. Fonoimoana, District 6
Miliani Bunghanoi-Aiu, District 7
Robert H. Command
Peyton Haleamau, District 8
County of Hawai‘i
Deputy Managing Director
Abigail-Zoe Garan, District 9
Damon Nagata, Mayor Appointee
Youth Commission
Goretti Allen, District, Mayor Appointee
Perseas Vanebo, Mayor Appointee
Jenn Kagiwada, Ex-Officio Member
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C , Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444
Meeting Minutes
DATE: August 14, 2024
TIME: 3:00pm
IN-PERSON LOCATION: Hawaiʻi County Council Chambers – Hilo
Hawaiʻi County Building
25 Aupuni Center
Hilo, HI 96720
1) Call to Order 3:10 pm - By: Assistant Secretary Kauhaihao
District 1: Hemi Martinez
District 2: Sage Hutson
District 3: Vacant
District 4: Benjamin Rudo
District 5: Kyla-Marie Kauhaihao
District 6: Marquis P. Fonoimoana (Left Early)
District 7: Mililani Bunghanoi-Aiu
District 8: Peyton Halemau
District 9: Abigail-Zoe Garan (Left)
Councilmember: Jennifer Kagiwada
Mayor Appointee: Damon Nagata
Mayor Appointee: Goretti Allen
Mayor Appointee: Hayden Konanui-Tucker
Mayor Appointee: Perseas Vanebo
Mayor Appointee: Vice-Chairperson Cheydon Naleimaile-Evangelista
Mayor Appointee: Chairperson Eric Gee
Out of: 15
Present: 10
Excused:
Absent : 6
“Counting those present, we have a quorum.”
2) Chairperson Announcements
a) Welcome back message from Chair Gee regarding the new fiscal year.
i) Vice-Chairperson resignation letter Naleimaile-Evangelista, providing gratitude
toward commission members and reasoning.
ii) Congratulations to high school graduates from Assistant Secretary.
3) Statements from the Public/Testimony
a) None
4) Approval of June 12th, 2024 Meeting Minutes (Out of order- skipped to 6B).
a) To be approved at the next meeting (9/11) due to missing parts.
5) Old Business
a) Discussion and Vote on Creating Community Town Hall with Youth Commissioners
i) Chair and Secretary Assistant would attend both Kona & Hilo events.
ii) Kauhaihao: Discussion
(1) DCC Wong: Under sunshine law 92-25-B2: What is intent and assignments of
Town Hall meetings?
(2) Assistant Secretary: The intent of town hall is to get the community involved with
the Youth Commision.
(3) Tucker: Promoting and networking with youth to fill vacancies once
commissioners term out, and build awareness.
(4) Kagiwada to DCC Wong: To clarify the timing, should it be done before
November?
(5) DCC Wong: As long as it is less than quorum (7 people max. per Town Hall,
commissioners can be at both Hilo and Kona locations) and purpose is
established.
iii) Talking about Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement
(1) Tucker: CNHA is a 3-day workshop teaching plants, business, indigenous
knowledge, etc., from September 17-19, Tuesday-Thursday, 7 AM - 5 PM in
Waikoloa. Aha ‘Ōpio program on Wednesday 18, 8 AM - 3 PM, can it be used as
an opportunity to share our commission?
(2) Rudo: Can we attend as individuals or does it affect the 7? Also a chance to find
another advisor.
(3) DCC Wong: If a presentation is given, it is limited to 7. If attending as
individuals, while board business cannot be discussed, you can still promote the
commission. Maybe try a virtual Town Hall meeting?
iv) Talking about the new commission
(1) DCC Wong: Commission can have 9-15 members, aged between 15-24 y.o, either
appointed by a council member or mayor for 1 year. Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 plus
3 mayor appointees leave 8 vacancies.
(2) Rudo: Make the application process clear, emphasize vacant spots, but welcome
all.
(3) Gee: It would be good to have reps at CNHA. We should hear their concerns and
recommend them to submit public testimony at meetings.
(4) Kauhaihao: Put in a query requesting for presentation time at Aha ‘Ōpio.
(5) DCC Wong: Anyone can reach out. Konanui-Tucker has contacts. It would be
establishing the 7 members and their roles.
v) Konanui-Tucker motions to appoint 7 members to present at CNHA on the behalf of
the commission with the intent of recruiting new commissioners and adult advisors.
(1) Rudo seconds.
(a) Gee notes that people on that side of the island should be prioritized for the
event.
(2) VOICE VOTE: ALL Aye
(3) Governing bodies can privately discuss and share at the next meeting.
6) Updates
a) Priority Updates
i) Mental Health (Commissioners Evangelista will provide an update)
(1) Discussion on 988 Campaign
(a) None
ii) Food Sovereignty (Commissioners Turner and Konanui-Tucker will provide an
update)
iii) Native Plant Restoration (Commission Rudo will provide an update)
(1) Discussion on Native Plant Beautification Project
(2) Spoke with Doug and Franny of potential events.
(3) Looking for a project.
b) Press Secretary Updates
i) Website Update (https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/youth-commission)
(1) Complete short bio of 150 words by 8/14/24.
ii) Social Media
iii) Commission Introduction Video
c) County Council Updates by Commissioner-Councilmember Jenn Kagiwada
i) 1. World Sprints in Hilo over the next 10 days. Requested volunteers for breaking
down / Zero-Waste Crew, 4-5 PM.
ii) Next year, HSAC (Hawaii State Association of Counties) will have the opportunity to
transmit bill priorities to the state.
7) New Business
a) Election of Vice Chairperson (Out of Order)
i) Gee notes Vice will work closely with the Chairperson and Assistant Secretary. Term
finishes at the end of the Calendar Year.
ii) DCC Wong notes members can informally reach out to other commissioners about
the election. Assistant Secretary fills in for the Vice Chair while vacant in the
meantime.
iii) Tucker motions himself to become Vice Chair.
iv) Chair Gee seconds.
v) 2 Minute Pitch: I love the work we do and I can bring my voice to another role, and
step into this role as we move onto the next couple of months until December.
vi) ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL ayes.
b) (Out of Order) Presentation from the County of Hawaiʻi Research and Development
(R&D)
i) Presentation by R&D Director Douglass Adams in the department of Public
Work, Planning, Environmental Management.
ii) Summary:
(1) The Economic Development organization leverages assets to apply and develop
the economy and job opportunity.
(2) Primary Functions: 1) Collection & Developing Data for decision making. 2)
Development of collaboration groups focused on community, culture,
environment, and economy.
(3) 2 Ways of Management: 1) Economic Specialist in sectors. 2) Funding provided
in order to leverage.
(4) “Laundry List”: Associates part of Indigenous Science work added to the visitor
industry to bring Indigenous culture to government and community.
(a) Energy specialists focusing on obtaining renewable, independent energy for
Hawai’i.
(5) Agriculture and Food Security specialists working with systems and state.
(6) Working on creating opportunities and access to jobs within film production.
(7) Stimulate and provide diverse work opportunities with livable wages.
Ultimately providing quality of life and standard of living in Hawai’i.
iii) Q&A
(1) Rudo: Is there a way to access the data? What kind of data do you gather?
(a) Adam: Data is pulled from research organizations at state level, universities,
and departments. Specialists who have access to data can be contacted.
(2) Rudo: As youths entering the workforce, is there a way we can collaborate or
understand how much impact you have on the workforce?
(a) Adam: We have federal funding through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act) and a community board called Workforce Development
Board.Youth are able to make use of funds made available.
(b) There are requirements to become an eligible client to funds, which can be
done through the American Job Center. (Contact information to be provided
for potential collaboration).
c) Presentation from the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)
i) Presentation by Manager Franny Brewer on Overview of Invasive Species Problem
ii) Summary:
(1) Native Species are organisms that arrive without human help. Endemic: ONLY in
Hawaii, unique to the islands. Indigenous: in Hawai'i & other places. Introduced
Species: brought via humans. Sub categories: No Harm & Harmful (invasive).
(2) Once every 35,000 years on average did a species successfully colonize the
islands (make the trip, survive, and reproduce).
(3) The Whaling Industry attracted sailors and sellers, thus introducing new species,
plants, and foods.
(4) 10-15% of introduced species become invasive. E.g Strawberry Guava (1825).
(5) Invasive Species Federal Definition (1999): Introduced and harmful towards
environment, economy, or human health.
(6) (2012) Hawai'i adopted the definition, adding “way of life.”
(7) Hawai'i has more than half of the world's worst invasive species.
(8) ISCs on every major island except Lānaʻi, all part of University of Hawai’i, run
by a steering committee.
(9) 3 Teams: Invasive Plant Control, RAD (work with Rapid Ohia Death) Team,
Outreach (also Invertebrate & Training).
(10) Core traditional work is eradicating plant species not too far along.
(11) Main team in monitoring and response to ROD,including aerial surveys.
(12) LFA Community Support Program (10 years) providing education, free
training in backyards, and free resources.
(13) Plantpono.org
iii) Q&A
(1) Konanui-Tucker: How can we get involved?
(a) Brewer: Promote better gardening behavior, planting native plants, &
spreading word about the problem.
(2) Rudo: Our biggest impact is our advocacy for bills. Could you let us know what
bills to support or not support?
(a) Brewer: We have a set up for tracking bills, so I’m more than happy to share
what we’re tracking, what’s out there, and history of that bill.
(3) Kagiwada highlighted: September 11, Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Webinar.
d) Presentation from ORISE Education & Communication Research Fellow
i) Presentation by Maya-Lin Green on the PI-CASC (Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation
Center) & K-12 Climate Education Hub
(1) PI-CASC (1 of 9 regional centers) delivers science to help animals and the
environment adapt to climate change, & fund projects between scientists &
cultural holders.
(2) The goal is to give access to provide quality science and work with scientists and
knowledge holders to find ways to benefit communities.
(3) Education Hub (primary place of work) connects K-12 students and teachers with
climate science resources; Education is in reversing negative effects..
(4) SURF Program for undergraduates: 10 week research with mentor, cultivating
research skills, increasing climate research knowledge, networking, & paid
opportunity. Projects are focused on restoration, fish, and coral reef health.
ii) Q&A
iii) Question for Students: Where is science information found, what are students
learning about, and which topics are most interesting?
(1) Rudo: Most climate science isn’t introduced until college. K-12 covers basic
climate sciences. More information is found post-school in community events.
Youth should be involved and introduced to cultural endemic species.
(2) Kauhaihao: KIS Hawai’i Alumni or students experience a cultural & spiritual side
of climate loss tied to Honua and Āina. Context over information.ʻ
iv) Kagiwada: Youths want hands-on learning. Is there place-based learning in the
curriculum?
(1) Green: Lots of resources on the Education Hub about place-based learning. A
program will be launching November 13, monthly, teaching students how to grow
and observe coral. We are noticing the need to support teachers to bring students
to the opportunities.
(2) Kauhaihao: Help the youth by helping educators by giving them the resources to
teach. Note to commission: find collaborative ideas of connecting our priorities to
presentations.
e) Presentation from County of Hawaiʻi Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and
Resilience(OSCER) (MOVED TO NEXT MEETING)
i) Presentation by Interim Sustainability Administrator Bethany Morrison
8) Adult Advisor Announcements
a) Keep ears to the community & project to youth to gain excitement about commission
opportunities.
9) Announcements
a) Next Meeting: September 11th, 2024, Kona, 3-5
b) Location TBD
10) Adjournment - 5:07 pm