HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-08 Cultural Resources Commission Meeting Page 1 of 3 Cultural Resources Commission January 8, 2025
CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES January 8, 2025
MEETING LOCATION:
Hybrid in-person and interactive video conference through Zoom with live observation through YouTube. The in-person location was held at the Hilo Planning Department Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720.
The full YouTube video of this hearing can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NA9hkY_RWE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Matthew Clark (Chair), Natalie Kurashima (Vice
Chair), Desmon Haumea (arrived at 10:21 a.m.), Roberta “Kuʻulei” Keakealani, Kealohanuiopuna Kinney, Scott Mahoney, and Janet Six.
COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED: Nicole Lui and Aaron Spielman.
ALSO PRESENT: Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Kim Tanaka, Planner; and Ashley DeVera, Board Secretary.
Chair Clark called the Cultural Resources Commission (CRC) meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. A quorum was established with six members in attendance. It was announced that pursuant to Act 220, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, which amended the Sunshine Law to allow meetings to be remotely
conducted online, effective January 1, 2022, the Cultural Resources Commission meetings will be held online, with an in-person location for the public to provide testimony. The meeting can be viewed live online, and a link to YouTube can be located on the County website, as well as links to reports and surveys reviewed at this hearing. Commissioners were reminded that only one person may speak at a time and were asked to raise their hands to be recognized before speaking. Commissioners were asked to introduce themselves and in accordance with the Sunshine Law, identify any member(s) present within the household. All members reported being alone in their
location.
Staff introductions were made.
There were no addendums or supplemental agenda items.
STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC
At 10:05 a.m., Chair Clark opened the floor to receive public testimony. Procedures for testimony were provided. There is a three-minute time limit on each agenda item; statements must relate to
items on the agenda.
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 2:53]
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No testifiers were present on Zoom or in person.
Public testimony closed at 10:06 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 3:27] There were no announcements or updates from
Commissioners.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
1. Approval of minutes of the meeting held on December 11, 2024.
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 3:41] Commissioner Six motioned to approve the minutes as circulated; seconded by Commissioner Keakealani. No discussion occurred. The minutes were approved without opposition with a unanimous aye voice vote.
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Cultural Resources Commission for the year 2025.
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 4:42] Chair Clark opened the floor for nominations for Chair
and Vice Chair. Vice Chair Kurashima and Commissioner Mahoney terms expired on December
31, 2024, and both agreed to hold over for ninety days.
Chair Clark received two nominations for Chair (Kurashima, Mahoney) and accepted. A roll-call vote was taken. Chair Clark received six aye votes (Kurashima, Mahoney, Keakealani, Kinney, Six, Clark).
Commissioner Haumea received two nominations for Vice Chair (Mahoney, Kinney). A roll-call vote was taken. Commissioner Haumea received six aye votes (Mahoney, Kinney, Keakealani, Kurashima, Six, Clark). Staff will contact Commissioner Haumea and if he does not accept, then nominations will be held at the next meeting.
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 24:43] Commissioner Haumea accepted the nomination for
Vice Chair.
3. Planning Department staff and project updates.
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 9:23] Ms. Tanaka noted there are two vacancies for CRC, and staff is working with Micah Alameda to fill these positions.
Staff requested the establishment of goals and priorities for the next four years. Chair Clark
suggested organizing trainings, inviting guest speakers, providing regular updates on projects, and forming new subcommittees. Commissioner Six proposed offering training on archaeology and remote sensing. Commissioner Kinney recommended highlighting success stories for developers, emphasizing the importance of balancing development with cultural resources. He
noted instances where outcomes were not favorable and suggested the creation of guidelines to
improve future processes. Commissioner Keakealani recommended conducting site visits to
increase knowledge of the various ahupuaʻa.
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 24:06] Commissioner Haumea joined the meeting. Quorum was confirmed with seven commissioners.
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Commissioner Haumea suggested site visits around the island. Commissioner Mahoney requested training regarding Sunshine Law and Robert’s Rules.
Commissioner Haumea provided a pule.
4. Next meeting tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Haumea and
seconded by Vice Chair Kurashima. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m. with a unanimous
aye vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ashley DeVera, Board Secretary ATTEST:
Matthew Clark, Chairman
Cultural Resources Commission