HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2025-08 Summary of Hawaii County Committee and Commission WorkshopSummary of Hawaii County Committee
and Commission Workshop
Workshop Overview
Aloha Kakou KDCP-AC members and staff,
On Saturday, October 28th, I attended a workshop at the invitation of the mayor’s office.
The event was facilitated by Mayor Kimo Alameda, Micah Alameda (Executive Assistant,
Boards and Commissions), and Bill Brilhante (Managing Director). The workshop brought
together Chairs and Vice Chairs from various Hawaii County committees and
commissions, including representatives from the Liquor Commission, Kau’ and South
Kohala Action Committees, Game Commission, Merit and Appeals Board, Leeward and
Windward Planning Commissions, Environmental Management, Veterans Advisory Board,
and Waimea Community Association. There were also attendees whom I did not have the
opportunity to meet, as well as several invitees who were not present. Notably, Puna and
Hamakua ACs were not represented, and it was also noted that the North Kohala AC has
disbanded.
Opening Remarks and Meeting Facilitation
The workshop began with brief presentations from Mayor Alameda and the Managing
Director, emphasizing the significance of county Boards and Commissions. As appointees,
we were reminded that we serve as representatives for the county during meetings and
hearings we chair. The discussion highlighted best practices for facilitating meetings, with
advice drawn from individual experiences. Key points included the use of Robert’s Rules of
Order, setting time limits on testimony, and strategies for de-escalating potential conflicts.
While these practices are important, it was acknowledged that meetings differ in their
subject matter, attendees, purpose, and tone.
As committee or commission members, we were encouraged to focus on drawing out
information from those who wish to testify, rather than engaging in debates about
agreement or correctness. The Mayor and Managing Director stressed that maintaining
decorum during meetings is essential and leads to positive outcomes.
The remainder of the session was facilitated by Micah Alameda who conceded that the
individual commissions and committees vary widely and that a one size fits all will likely
not work and that his goal was to hear from the various Boards and Commissions and look
for ways on how the administration can improve its support.
Mr. Alameda posed three questions for open discussion.
1. Is there a format that you prefer for your meetings? In person, zoom or hybrid.
Ideally, the In Person format was preferred. However, members felt that
hybrid would work the best toward encouraging community participation and
with issues in achieving quorum. The issue of the differences between quasi
legal and advisory Boards and/or Commissions needed clarification.
Zoom and hybrid may lead to distractions, poor communication, blackouts
and hacking as was recently reported by the Game Board.
Quorum was the biggest concern and achieving quorum the most disruptive
when scheduling meetings.
2. Your Thoughts on Sunshine Law.
Members felt that more training was needed for all Boards and
Commissions. In principle the Sunshine Law supports the need for
transparency but can also limit interactions. Members felt that much more
could be accomplished if members were allowed to discuss issues without
having to worry about who else is present.
Many members serve in advisory positions and felt that the Sunshine Law
may be trying to address an issue that does not exist.
3. How can the county administration better serve the Boards and Commissions?
Allow, encourage, facilitate, schedule regular meetings of all the Boards and
Commissions.
Fill vacancies. Mr. Alameda mentioned that the present administration has
appointed 47 new members to B & ‘s since taking office.
Provide stable funding to increase staff and support other board activities
(travel costs, outreach).
Mr. Alameda suggested that the County Council has or will be taking up as a budget issue
the hiring of two additional staff to support the B&C’s and that each B&C can request
funding.
I suggest that the Kona CDP Action Committee take up these issues at our next meeting.