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Home My WebLink AboutAugust 26, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes YOUTH COMMISSION c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 YOUTH COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 BUILDING, PUEO CONFERENCE ROOM HILO 25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 2601 CALL TO ORDER Chair Hayden Konanui-Tucker called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. ATTENDANCE Present: Sage Huston, Commissioner Paige Tominaga, Commissioner Benjamin Rudo, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Marquis Fonoimoana, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Jaya Davenport, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Kolt Baptista, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Ryder Beechler, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Wehiwaalani Gapero, Commissioner Kenneth Ha, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Hayden Konanui-Tucker, Commissioner Perseas Vanebo, Commissioner Not Present: Damon Nagata, Commissioner ____ Also present: Council Member Jenn Kagiwada, Ex-Officio Member Alanna Barber, Adult Advisor Cameron Takamura, Deputy Corporation Counsel Micah Alameda, Office of the Mayor Vanessa L. Carlson, Adult Advisor Applicant (Via Zoom) STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC No statements from the public. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approval of the regular meeting minutes of February 20, 2025. Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. YouthCommission August 26, 2025 meeting minutes Action:Chair Konanui-Tucker called for a motion to approve. A motion was made by Commissioner Killion to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 20, 2025, which was seconded by Commissioner Baptista. The motion was carried by a vote of 12:0. b. Approval of report on May 9, 2025, canceled meeting. Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Chair Konanui-Tucker called for a motion to approve. A motion was made by Commissioner Killion to approve the report for the cancelled meeting on May 9, 2025, which was seconded by Commissioner Tominaga. The motion was carried by a vote of 12:0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Press Secretary Report Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Discussion: Commissioner Huston suggested posting updates to social media regarding the vacancy in Council District 5. b. County Council Report Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Council Member Kagiwada expressed gratitude to Mr. Alameda for quickly distributing notes and acknowledges the council members for appointing commissioners. Council Member Kagiwada highlighted several priorities for the upcoming legislative session that align with county goals, including: Infrastructure for Multimodal Transportation: Funding for safe routes to school to encourage biking and walking. Tobacco Regulation: Aiming to restore counties' ability to regulate tobacco products, which was previously preempted by the state. Free School Meals: Advocating universal free lunches and breakfasts at DOE sites, as a previous bill did not pass. Food Security: Continued interest in increasing access to locally produced food, with potential future legislation. Mental Health Resources: Expanding access to mental health services is anticipated to be a recurring issue. Homeless Services Fund: Efforts to establish a fund for homeless services, prioritized by Workforce Development: Focus on green jobs and food system specialists, also a priority for 2 YouthCommission August 26, 2025 meeting minutes Council Member Kagiwada provided an overview oftwo bills: Bill 59, which aimed to prohibit certain roadside activities, particularly targeting homeless individuals soliciting donations. Council Member Kagiwada voted against this bill and expressed gratitude for the Mayor's veto, noting potential revisions in September. The second bill, Bill 51, prohibits feeding feral animals on county property. Council Member Kagiwada also opposed this bill, citing concerns about its enforceability given existing laws against abandoning animals. Additionally, Council Member Kagiwada mentioned a weekly newsletter providing information on council meetings and a survey that the county wants young residents to complete, urging feedback on living conditions in the area. c. Adult Advisor Report None d. Continued Discussion: Youth Commission Priorities Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Discussion: Chair Konanui-Tucker revisited the discussion on Youth Commission priorities, including native species, youth wellness, and youth preparedness and civic engagement. Commissioners discussed the feasibility of focusing on these priorities within the next four months. Commissioner Killion suggested exploring internships and apprenticeships which led the discussion into workforce development and creating a resource list of employers who would be interested in a job fair. Commissioners Tominaga and Vanebo volunteered to write a script for commissioners to approach potential employers for a resource list. Commissioners Ha, Killion and Adult Advisor Barber will take the lead on workforce development. Action: Chair Konanui-Tucker called for a motion to finalize the Youth Commission priorities. Commissioner Killion moved to finalize Native Species, Youth Preparedness and Youth Wellness and Civic Engagement as the Youth priorities, which was seconded by Commissioner Ha. The motion was carried by a vote of 12:0. NEW BUSINESS a. Approval of Adult Advisor Applicant Vanessa Carlson Discussion: Vanessa Carlson introduced herself to the Commission, as a third- generation graduate of Waikea High School, was born and raised in Hilo. She holds a bachelor's degree from UH-Hilo degree in nonprofit management and leadership. Since 2001, Vanessa has been involved in the community, primarily working with youth through various nonprofits. Currently, she serves adults of all ages at UH-Hilo. Married for 36 years, she has two adult children with spouses and grandchildren. Vanessa acknowledges that while life is not perfect, it is good. She has shown interest in the Youth Commission but initially felt it wasn't the right time in her life to pursue 3 YouthCommission August 26, 2025 meeting minutes it. However, she admires the establishment of the commission and believes strongly in providing youth with a voice in the present, emphasizing that they hold the potential for creating change in the future. Council Member Kagiwada asked Ms. Carlson to share any particular interest areas she can support or how does she see her role in this space. She is passionate about supporting youth in our community by breaking down stereotypes related to access to human resources and services. She believes in the value of higher education. After many years of aspiring to work at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, she now sees her role as a mentor. Commissioner Rudo, Chair Konanui-Tucker and Adult Advisor Barber all Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Chair Konanui-Tucker called for a motion to approve. A motion was made by Commissioner Killion to approve Vanessa Carlson as an Adult Advisor, which was seconded by Commissioner Baptista. The motion was carried by a vote of 12:0. b. Report by Commissioner Sage Huston Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. A meeting was held on March 18 with Alicia Kai and Caleb from Hope Services to discuss starting a youth leadership program at their shelter in Hilo, near St. Joseph Catholic Church. They identified needs for the program, including donations of arts and crafts supplies, gardening tools, and recreational items for the family shelter. They also expressed a desire to connect with the community by hosting workshops on life skills and inviting guest speakers. Additionally, they suggested organizing educational excursions for the youth, such as trips to museums and farms, and highlighted the need for structured learning and activities for the children at the shelter. c. as the agenda item was cancelled by Chair Konanui-Tucker at the start of the meeting. d. Approval of Youth Commission Meeting Schedule Chair Konanui-Tucker called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Discussion: Commissioner Vanebo spoke on her availability and 3:45 p.m. meeting start time would work better for her. Action: Chair Konanui-Tucker called for a motion to approve the meeting schedule as drafted for the remainder of 2025. A motion was made by 4 YouthCommission August 26, 2025 meeting minutes Commissioner Ha to approve the remaining 2025 schedule as drafted, which was seconded by Commissioner Killion. The motion was carried by a vote of 12:0. Chair Konanui-Tucker announced the details for the next regular meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 3:45 p.m. Chair Konanui-Tucker adjourned the meeting at 4:48 p.m. 5