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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-29 Police Commission Regular Minutes REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA,HI CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Yamadacalled the meeting to order at 9:00a.m.Themeeting was held in person, witha courtesy livestream. Present:Greg Yamada, Chair Wendy Botelho, Vice Chair Arthur Buckman, Commissioner Lloyd Enriquez, Commissioner Junior Fischer, Commissioner Eileen Lacerte, Commissioner Jacob Tavares, Commissioner Bernadette Urban-Smith, Commissioner Absent:Rick Robinson, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present:Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Deputy Corporation Counsel Charisse Correa, Secretary CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS Chair Yamada opened the meeting with housekeeping announcements. Attendees were asked to turn off or silence their cell phones. Members of the public wishing to testify were instructed to fill out a sign-up form at the front table. Warning that anyone willfully disrupting the meeting may be removed. Due to time constraints, public testimony was limited to up to two (2) minutes per testifier. Commissioners were asked to indicate if they could not stay for the full day (today and tomorrow). Public testimony could be providedat the start of the meeting,and/or atthe time each related agenda item is called.Testifiers were asked tocome up when called in pairs (two at a time)and state their first and last name and the agenda item. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Andrew Burian,retired Assistant Chief of Police, 34 years with HPD, testified in strong support of Reed Mahuna for Chief.Has supervised Mahuna and also worked under him, describing him as a phenomenal leader and the best candidate. Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 2 Sam Guckenheimerstated this is his 7th time testifying on chief selection. He spoke about values vs. credentials, stressing moral authority and daily behavior.Cited prior ICE/DHS raids in Kona involving schoolchildren, and Minneapolis protests with 75,000 marching in cold weather.He pointed to local leaders in Minnesota (chiefs, mayor, prosecutors, attorney general, governor) standing up for residents despitefederal pressure.Mr. Guckenheimer urged consideration of moral authority and values when selecting the chief. Commissioner Tavares arrived at 9:08 a.m. Grace Castillo, retired policeofficer and currentairport security managerat theHilo International Airport,expressed that she has known Reed Mahuna since 1998,when he was a recruit; she was abaton instructor. She observed his professional growth into a patrol officer, traffic enforcement officer, detective, and later ranks.She highlightedhis professionalism, compassion, honesty, and respect in the community.She strongly urged the selection of Mahuna as Chief. Jason Cortez,retired captainwith the , met Mahuna in 1993 during ride-alongsin Waimea and South Hilo before Mahuna became an officer.He noted Mahuna’s passion for law enforcement even before joining HPD.Observed his development across ranks and roles, stating he often had to work twice as hard as the son of a former chief.Praised his humilityanddedication to community service.Called Mahuna his top recommendation for Chief. Don Faumuina, (SHOPO). Expressed full and unwavering support for Interim ChiefMahuna as permanent Chief.He emphasized Mahuna’s manyyears of experience across nearly every role in the department. He doesn’t need alearning curve, as he is already successfully performing the role. Addressed retention, recruitment, and morale challenges.Called Mahuna a “cop’s cop” who balances accountability with fairness.Highlighted recentissues handled with transparency and integrity, with afocus on public trust and due process. Christopher Gali,retired sergeant; former commander of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, Has known Mahuna since 1995,when hewas a student at UH Hilo, majoring in Administration of Justice, and doing ride-alongs.He later supervised Mahuna in the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU).Noted TEU’s role in keeping their roadways and highways safe, lowering traffic fatalities through enforcement and education.Credited Mahuna with originating a pilot project in 2006,using unmarked subsidized vehicles with hidden emergency lights for detecting high-risk drivers;theprogram later expanded in 2007 with state grant funds and is still in use.After retirementin 2016,he continued to observe Mahuna’s public presence and community engagement.Described a funeral he Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 3 attended where Mahuna and command staff were present, which he rarely saw with prior chiefs, concluding it showed Mahuna cares for both active and retired personnel. He stated theCommission already has the chief on the job,and all they have to do is make it permanent. Davide Deluz Jr.has been associated with Crime Stoppersfor the last 20-plusyears and has interactions with the department at various levels. Knew Mahuna’s father when he was chief and praised his service.Emphasized internal and external understanding of the department and local culture. Warned of past problems with external leaders lacking cultural understanding.Strongly supported Interim Chief Mahuna as the new chief. Art Taniguchi, Involved with Crime Stoppers Hilo since 1993; past president and current director,former honorary Consul General of Japan; former bank regional manager. Co-organized a sign-waving event in support of HPD during anti-policesentiment. Stressed the unique nature of the island and the importance of local knowledge. Emphasized the importance of grooming and mentoring from within so officers can aspire to be chief.He strongly recommended InterimChief Mahuna for the permanent position. Earl Regidorspoke about working with Mahuna in various contexts.Distinguished Mahuna as someonewho truly listens, not just hears.Emphasized he has aheart for Praised HPD officers and argued that leaders like Mahuna are needed to keep things orderly and safe. Warren Chong, a longtime resident (over72 years) with amulti-generational family presence on Chong Street in Hilo. Island.Stated the island’s culture is unique and requires a Chief who is courteous, timely, knowledgeable, professional, and decisive.Believes culture must be nurtured with the spirit of aloha. Mahuna has proven himself to both the community and rank-and-file, is visible, supportive, and has his full endorsement. Noel Lindermann, a Kailua-Kona resident, urged the Commission toask tough, detailed questions of candidates about how they will interact with federal law enforcement. Clarify their stance on immigration enforcement, NSPM-7, 287(g) agreements, etc. Determine how candidates would respond if asked to provide support for immigration-related federal operations.Stated the community deserves to know whether a chief will protect residents or federal forces when there is federal overreach. Retired Judge David Wisemanfirstobjected to housekeeping rules limiting testimony to two minutes, noting the agenda specified five minutes and he prepared accordingly. Requested 5 minutes to align with the agenda and Sunshine Law expectations.He Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 4 expressed strong support for Mahuna as Chief.Described Mahuna as having adeep understanding of geographic, cultural, and neighborhood nuances.Highlighted concern about the expansion of ICE as a “federal police force” and its “Gestapo-type” operations.Mahuna understands the adverse consequences of deep cooperation with ICE for residents.Acknowledged,there must be some limited, carefully structured protocol for communication with federal agencies that does not harm residents. Concluded that Mahuna combines decades of professional experience, local roots, and cultural understanding, and is well-suited to be chief. Sandor Finkey,,25th year with HPD, has worked with Mahuna for 24plusyears, calling him a close friend,like a brother.Described Mahuna’s integrity, courage, and calm leadership, even during major incidents.Emphasized his community connection, local upbringing, and family roots. Concluded that Mahuna is the right choice to lead HPD into the future. Torey Keltner,currentHPD employee; prior law enforcement experience,worked under Mahuna’s leadership and described him as thoughtful, principled, and consistently focused on community well-being, the , and Department members’ welfare.Highlighted his consistency;listens carefully, does not overreact, considers facts, develops sound plans, and provides clear direction.He feels that making him the permanent chief would provide leadership stability and continued progress. DetectiveCaciqueMelendezhas been with HPDfor Chapter,speaking on behalf of the . He stated that after surveying members, Mahuna received the most support among the eight finalists. Clarified that their support is not a negative comment on other candidates; they will work with whoeveris selected.He asked commissioners to read the survey results to understand thetrue status of the department,the everyday reality of officers.He stressed that the Commission’s decision will significantly affect the department, its people, and the community. Gabe Malaniwas a policeofficerfor 27 years,SHOPO representativefor the last 20 years,andhas seen many chiefs come and go.Strongly supportsMahuna, notingthat he’s approachable and easy to talk to.They have made significant progress working with him as interim chief.Mahuna previously served as a SHOPO chapter chair and sat on the state board, giving him deep knowledge of contracts, policies,and procedures. Emphasized the importance of a chief who understands hours, wages, and labor issues. Invited commissioners to contact the union directly with questions, stressing their transparency and willingness to work with the department. Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 5 Mark Arnoldretiredfrom HPD in 2024,business agent for SHOPO.Stated that of the eight finalists, only one should be chief,and that isMahuna.Described joint efforts with Mahuna to clean up the mess left by the prior administration.There has been a 95% reduction in new grievances.Only one grievance was filed this year, and it was resolved before the ink was dry.Multiple older grievances were settled without arbitration, saving money for both the county and union, with mutually satisfactory outcomes.Said such cooperation is only possible whenleadership is willing to work with the union and vice versa. Randall Medeiros,retired police captainwith 29 years of service and an FBI National Academy graduate,isalongtime colleague of Mahuna.Highlighted Mahuna’s respectful treatment of all people.Spoke about Mahuna’s effectiveness as acting lieutenant in Criminal Investigations. He supervised peers effectively, earned strong support and respect from the unit, and ran the section better than any permanent lieutenant, including himself.Concluded the best person for the job is already on the job. Nancy Moser, a,and social services director, thankedthe Commission forupholding its mission to ensure respect, due process,and community-police respect.Maintaining a transparent selection process.Incorporating community suggestions, including specific questions about federal cooperation and values.Expressed confidence in the fairness of the Commission’s approach. Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd,retired county official: Legislative Auditor, Council member, Deputy Corporation Counsel, and department director. In all her capacities, she interacted with HPD from multiple vantage points.She noted herlateson, Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, hadspoken highly ofhis working relationship with the Police Department andwith Interim Chief Mahuna.Emphasized the critical importance of good inter-departmental relationships for the safety and future of this county, especially between police,fire, and other county departments. Impressed with Mahuna’s servant leadership philosophy and vision of a safe island for his own family and others.Praised his openness and open-doorpolicy.Stressed that having a clear vision is essential, stating,“We can’t get to a destination if we don’t know where we want to go.”She strongly supported Mahuna’s appointment. Linda Lingle,former Mayor of Maui, and,stated that selecting a Chief of Police is one of the most important leadership decisions, given responsibility for public safety and community trust.She described Mahuna as the complete package of a leader, he loves and respects thedepartment and its people.He cares deeply about the Big Island and its community. She first met Mahuna when he was a young SHOPO representative; she remembered him as tough but thoughtful.Has known him for 25 years, watched him grow as a person, leader, and chief.Expressed Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 6 strong confidence that commissioners will never regret choosing him and will be happy with that decision. Gary Yabuta,Executive Director (HIDTA) program, federally funded, under the Executive Office of the President, and newly appointed Honolulu Police Commissioner.The HIDTA board includes the four He hasknown Mahuna since his time as a detective and as HIDTA task force commander.Praised his consistent professionalism and maturity from detective through interim chief.Highlighted that today’s chief must be technologically savvy, especially inRecords management systems,Computer-aided dispatch,Communications systems, and stated that Mahuna possesses these capabilities. John Bertsch, former Police Commissioner and Chair, expressed disappointment that the Commission held interviews only in Kona, emphasizing the need for transparency and inclusivity in the selection process. He stated that while he wishes all applicants well, he is testifying in strong support of ReedMahuna. Bertsch said Mahuna’s commitment, integrity, and family values align closely with both the community and the department. He added that he does not make this recommendation lightly, noting that his prior service to the County and the Commission gives him a unique perspective and weight behind his endorsement. Bill Derrtestified in strong support of Mahuna's appointmentas the next permanent Chief of Police. Drawing on over 20 years of firsthand experience working with Mahuna, including periods when Mahuna was his direct supervisor, he described Mahuna as a mentor-style leader who empowers subordinates, avoids micromanagement, and uses mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than punishment. Derr highlighted Mahuna’s well-rounded experience across traffic enforcement, Vice, Criminal Investigation Division, and union leadership, and characterized him as highly intelligent, articulate, thoughtful, and fair. He emphasized Mahuna’s emotional intelligence and ego-free leadership style, noting that Mahuna does not engage in favoritism, cliques, or fear-based tactics, but instead unifies teams and holds people accountable fairly and professionally. Derr concluded that this type of leadership, grounded in experience, integrity, and competence, is critical for the entire island community, and he askedthe Commission to select Mahuna as the next Police Chief. Wayne DeLuz, a local business owner, community activist,former Police Commissioner,and Chair, testified that selecting a new Chief is the most important decision the Commission will make, as it sets the department’s direction for years. He explained that when he previously served on the Commission, they focused on leadership, well-round Island’s unique culture and way of life, which led to the successful selection of a prior Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 7 chief. DeLuz stated he has followed chief selections on other islands and observed mixed results when chiefs were hired from outside their communities. He offered a strong recommendation that the Big Island’s next Chief be Mahuna, citing his proven leadership skills, clear vision of priorities, and broad experience that fully meet these criteria. Patti Cook r emphasizing the need for leadership that will listen to the workforce, build trust and respect, and remain deeply engaged with the community. She appreciates SHOPO’s rank-and-file survey andanticipatesinput from HGEA as meaningful workforce voices. She described this as likely the hardest decision commissioners will make, as it will set the tone for the department, and while she respects the capacity and qualifications of all applicants,she stressed that the island must be protected with aloha by leaders with rooted presence and involvement, which she believes Interim Chief Mahuna has clearly demonstrated in both the department and the community. At the close of public testimony on thisagenda item, Chair Yamada asked if anyone else wished to speak. There were none. Recess was called at 10:11 a.m., and the meeting reconvened at 10:34 a.m. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vice Chair Botelhomotioned to approve the regular and executive session minutes for December 19, 2025, seconded by Commissioner Lacerte. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION REGARDING SELECTION OF POLICE CHIEF Chair Yamada announced that the interview questions had been finalized and distributed to commissioners, noting that a previously suspected tie in selecting one question was determined not to be a tie. To ensure fairness and allow more time for deliberation, he proposed interviewing all candidates that day, limiting each response to three minutes. One commissioner would ask all ten questions for a candidate, rotating among commissioners starting with the commissioner to his right. No follow-up questions would be allowed to maintain fairness. The interview order would be selected randomly, and commissioners were provided worksheets and a sample scoring key. Chair Yamada outlined that, after interviews, the Commission would later discuss selection and any offer. For the selection discussion, he suggested that each commissioner name their top three candidates based on desired leadership qualities, written submissions, interview performance, and public testimony, after which motions Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 8 to appoint could be made. He reminded commissioners that five votes are required to appoint the next Chief; a 4-4 or 3-5 vote constitutes rejection.To reconsider a rejection, a Commissioner who voted “no” would have to make a motion to reconsider the selection of that candidate. He suggested the Commission discussthe selection and offer some time after the interviews, either today or tomorrow. Chair Yamada asked for comments on the proposed interview process, which included conducting all interviews that day, limiting candidates’ responses to three minutes per question, selecting the interview order randomly, and rotating questioning so that one commissioner would ask all ten questions of each candidate. Hearing no comments, Chair Yamada entertained a motion to adopt the proposed process. Commissioner Lacerte moved to approve the process, seconded by Vice Chair Botelho. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. Chair Yamada then randomly selected the interview order by drawing names from a bag. The order was: Paul Yang, Chad Janis, Timothy Wilson, Kenneth Quiocho, John Matagi, Anthony Kumamaru, Jennifer Krauss, and Reed Mahuna. He announced a brief recess to schedule the interviews in 40-minute blocks. The meeting reconvened, and Chair Yamada announced the interview schedule as follows: Paul Yang -10:45 a.m. Chad Janis -11:25 a.m. Lunch -12:05 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. Timothy Wilson -12:40 p.m. Kenneth Quiocho -1:20 p.m. John Matagi-2:00 p.m. Anthony Kumamaru -2:40 p.m. Jennifer Krauss-3:20 p.m. Reed Mahuna -4:00 p.m. Chair Yamada asked if anyone wished to provide testimony on the item and noted that testimony would be limited to three minutes per person. There were none. Chair Yamada reminded the commissioners that the Commission’s recruitment notice identified the following desired leadership qualities: unquestionable integrity and personal stability; ability to perform the essential functions of the job; knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement organization and management; ability to express oneself effectively both orally and in writing; ability to plan and organize, including the proper utilization of human and physical resources; ability to establish Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 9 definite and specific goals for the Police Department and carry out those goals as specified in the Chief’s annual goals; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community organizations, government agencies, and the private sector; and ability to deal effectively with people of various backgrounds and cultures within the community. Chair Yamada welcomed the Police Chief candidates and stated that the Commission intended to complete all interviews that day and reconvene the following day for further discussion and possible selection. He thanked the candidates for their interest in the position and explained that candidates would be called in one at a time in the previously selected order, beginning with Paul Yang, while the remaining candidates waited outside. Each candidate would be asked to introduce themselves, after which a commissioner would ask ten questions that would be asked of all candidates. Candidates would have three minutes to respond to each question, and a 30-second reminder would be given before time expired. He then called Paul Yang to begin the interviews. POLICE CHIEF INTERVIEWS All eight candidates were asked the same ten questions to ensure a consistent and fair evaluation process: I.Vision, Independence, and Executive Judgment: How do you preserve your independence as Chief while remaining accountable to the Police Commission, Mayor, and County Council? II.Scenario-Based Leadership: Officer-Involved Critical Incident: A fatal officer- involved shooting occurs, and body-worn camera footage is unclear. Community leaders demand immediate release of the video, while prosecutors advise delay. Walk us through your decision-making process. III.Accountability, Discipline, and Culture: Describe how you would handle a situation where your own prior decision as Chief turns out to be wrong or harmful. IV.Community Trust & Cultural Competence: Hawaii County has deep cultural traditions and diverse communities. How do you ensure HPD policies and practices reflect local values without compromising constitutional policing? V.Immigration, Civil Rights & Polarizing Issues: Under what circumstances, if any, would you authorize HPD participation in federal immigration enforcement activities? Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 10 VI.Recruitment, Retention & the Future Workforce: If you had to choose between investing limited resources in recruitment incentives or officer wellness and retention, which would you prioritize and why? VII.Crisis Leadership & External Pressure: A major natural disaster strains HPD resources while crime increases and public frustration grows. What principles guide your allocation of personnel and public messaging? VIII.Personal Integrity & Self-Awareness: What feedback have you received in your career that was difficult to hear, but ultimately made you a better leader? IX.Legacy & Commitment: Why is now the right time in your career for you to serve as Chief of Police for Hawaii County? X.Closing Question: Is there anything about your background, judgment, or leadership that this commission should consider carefully before making its final decision? The following highlights the responses from the eight candidates based on the ten standardized questions: Paul Yang Vice Chair Botelho asked the 10prepared interview questions,allowing three minutes per response. Dr. Paul Yang discussed his leadership philosophy,emphasizing transparency, accountability, and community-centered policing. He highlighted the importance of building public trust through clear accountability systems,early intervention programs, and transparent communication, including the potential release of body-worn camera footage when legally permissible. Dr. Yang described his experience in community rtment as a national model for community-centered policing. He also addressed recruitment and retention strategies, officer wellness, and data-driven deployment of resources. Dr. Yang emphasized servant leadership, cultural awareness, and his commitment tofostering strong relationships with diverse communities while maintaining constitutional policing standards. Chad Janis Commissioner Enriquez asked the 10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 11 Chad Janis emphasized collaborative leadership, transparency, and effective communication with the community and government partners. Drawing from his experience in internal affairs and managing officer-involved incidents, he discussed balancing investigative integrity with public transparency during critical incidents. Janis highlighted the importance of accountability, acknowledging mistakes, and correcting misinformation promptly. He also stressed officer retention and morale as key priorities, noting that supporting current personnel strengthens recruitment efforts. Janis shared his personal background in tribal communities and described how those experiences shaped his understanding of cultural dynamics and community engagement. Timothy Wilson Commissioner Tavares asked the10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Timothy Wilson emphasized accountability, transparency, and building trust with the community through proactive communication and strong relationships with local leaders. He discussedthe importance of balancing prosecutorial considerations with public transparency in critical incidents and acknowledged that leaders must take responsibility for mistakes. Wilson highlighted his experience working in Polynesian communities and his approach of listening and engaging with community stakeholders before implementing changes. He also stressed officer wellness and retention, preservation of life during emergencies, and fostering collaborative decision-making within the department. Kenneth Quiocho Commissioner Urban-Smith asked the 10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Department and emphasized accountability, mentorship, and community-based policing. He discussed the importance of balancing transparency with protecting investigations in critical incidents and acknowledged that leaders must accept responsibility for mistakes and learn from them. Quiocho emphasized officer wellness as essential to operational readiness and discussed the need to recruit individuals with strong character and a commitment to public service. He also noted the importance of cultural awareness, policy review, and strengthening trust between the department and the community. John Matagi Commissioner Fischer asked the 10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 12 John Matagi emphasized accountability, transparency, and collaborative leadership with county officials, the Police Commission, and employee associations. He discussed the importance of measurable performance metrics for the Chief of Police, including reporting on officer retention, response times, and case clearances. In addressing critical incidents, Matagi stated that protecting due process while communicating compassionately with families and the public is essential. He emphasized personal accountability when leadership decisions are incorrect and highlighted the importance of departmental practices. Matagi also discussed prioritizing officer wellness and staffing stabilization to address recruitment and retention, and described his commitment to his law enforcement experience to serve the island community. Anthony Kumamaru Commissioner Lacerte asked the 10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Anthony Kumamaru emphasized collaborative leadership, strong communication, and maintaining a balance between independence and responsiveness to community expectations and government leadership. He discussed the importance of careful decision-making during critical incidents, including gathering all facts before releasing information to avoid misinterpretation. Kumamaru highlighted accountability as a key leadership value, noting that leaders must take responsibility for mistakes and use them importance of maintaining firm, fair, and consistentpolicing while preserving the aloha spirit. Kumamaru also stressed that officer retention and wellness are essential to recruitment success, noting that satisfied employees become the department’s strongest recruiters. Jennifer Krauss Chair Yamada asked the 10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Jennifer Krauss emphasized communication, transparency, and clear leadership expectations when working with the Police Commission, Mayor, and County Council. She discussed the importance of maintaining the integrity of investigations during critical incidents while communicating openly with the public about the investigative process. Krauss stated that leaders must take responsibility for mistakes and correct them promptly. She highlighted the need for policies that reflect community values while remaining lawful and transparent, noting that departmental policies should be publicly accessible. Krauss emphasized that maintaining community trust is essential and stated she would not authorize local participation in federal immigration enforcement activities. Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 13 She also discussed her extensive law enforcement background, leadership experience, and commitment to building strong teams and improving departmental culture. Reed Mahuna Vice Chair Botelho asked the 10 prepared interview questions, allowing three minutes per response. Reed Mahuna emphasized proactive transparency, clear communication, and accountability when working with the Police Commission and county leadership. He discussed balancing transparency with prosecutorial considerations during critical incidents, noting that he would favor releasing information when possible while protecting the integrity of criminal investigations. Mahuna emphasized the importance of stopping or reevaluating policies that prove harmful while avoiding reactionary decision- making. He highlighted the role of local values such as aloha, kuleana, pono, and lokahi in guiding law enforcement practices while maintaining constitutional policing. Mahuna also stressed the importance of officer wellness and mental health, noting the challenges officers face throughout their careers. He concluded by emphasizing his during a period of transition. Recess was called at 3:03 p.m., and the meeting reconvened at 3:30 p.m.Chair Yamada asked if there was any public testimony.There were none. SELECTION OF POLICE CHIEF Chair Yamada asked commissioners, as overnight homework, to identify their top three candidates. He noted that any remaining issues related to the selection would be finalized at the meeting the following day and invited any thoughts or concerns regarding the process so far. Commissioner Tavares stated for the record that, although Interim Chief Mahuna had mentioned having family members with the last name Tavares, they have no familial relationship. Chair Yamada then requested a motion to continue agenda items IV, V, and VI to the next day’s meeting. Vice Chair Botelho so moved, seconded by Commissioner Lacerte. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Yamada announced that the Commission would reconvene the followingday at 9:00 a.m. in the Kona Council Chambers. Regular Session Minutes January 29, 2026 Page 14 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Tavares moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Vice Chair Botelho. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m. SUBMITTED BY:CHARISSE CORREA, SECRETARY APPROVED BY:GREG YAMADA, CHAIR