HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-20 Merit Appeals Board Agenda
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Gabriella M. Cabanas
Mayor Chair
William V. Brilhante, Jr. Suzi Bond
Managing Director Vice-Chair
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Merit Appeals Board
Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
(808) 961-8361 Fax (808) 961-8617
AGENDA
Date: March 20, 2026 (Friday)
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Hilo Council Chambers - Hawaiʻi County Building, 25 Aupuni Street,
First Floor, Room 1401, Hilo, HI 96720
Members of the public may attend this meeting either in-person at the meeting location
or via ZOOM:
Join ZoomGov Meeting
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1603360444?pwd=pTsoTkKNR4bGpFGhy2fwd4rr81aUqr.1
Meeting ID: 160 336 0444
Passcode: Mar20MAB
Dial In: 1 669 254 5252
Meeting ID: 160 336 0444
Passcode: 93659576
The members of the Merit Appeals Board will attend this meeting in-person at the Hilo
Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting shall be automatically recessed for up to
thirty (30) minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be
maintained with all members participating in the meeting and with the in-person location
identified in this agenda. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual
communication is restored, or audio-only communication is established after an
unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to
reconvene the meeting as provided in this section within thirty (30) minutes after an
interruption to communication, the meeting shall be automatically terminated.
Gilbert J. Aguinaldo, Daniel “Niel” Thomas, Members
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Merit Appeals Board March 20, 2026
1) Call to Order
2) Addendum to Agenda (Requires four votes and must comply with Hawai‘i Revised
Statutes § 92-7(d))
3) Statements from the Public on Agenda Items – Oral testimony may be presented
to the Board either at the outset of this meeting or immediately prior to the applicable
agenda item.
9:00 A.M.: HEARING RE COMMUNICATION NO. 25-09
Executive Session: The Merit Appeals Board anticipates convening one or more
executive meetings regarding the matter listed below, pursuant to HRS Sections 92-4,
92-5(a)(2) and 92-5(a)(4), for the purpose of evaluating an officer or employee of the
County of Hawaiʻi, where the consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved
and consulting with the Board’s attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the
Board’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. A 2/3 vote of the members
present pursuant to HRS Section 92-4 is necessary to hold an executive meeting.
Communication No. 25-09, received on November 14, 2025, from Appellant,
appealing a Recruitment and Examination action by the Hawaiʻi County Human
Resources Department; and
Communication No. 25-09.01, received on January 22, 2026, from Ryan K.
Thomas, Deputy Corporation Counsel, on behalf of Appellee, regarding
Appellee’s Pre-Hearing Statement; Witness List; Exhibit List; Exhibits “A” – “M”;
and
Communication No. 25-09.02, received on January 22, 2026, from Appellant,
regarding Appellant’s Written Statement and Submission of Exhibits.
4) Approval of Minutes
December 18, 2025 (Regular Session)
December 18, 2025 (Closed Session)
January 16, 2026 (Regular Session)
2
Merit Appeals Board March 20, 2026
5) Director’s Report
A. MAB Monthly Divisional Activity Report: February 2026
Administrative Services Division
Classification & Pay Division
Equal Opportunity/ADA Division
Health & Safety Division
Labor Relations Division
Personnel & Organizational Development Division
Recruitment & Examination Division
Workers’ Compensation Division)
B. MAB Monthly Divisional Activity Report: March 2026
Administrative Services Division
Classification & Pay Division
Equal Opportunity/ADA Division
Health & Safety Division
Labor Relations Division
Personnel & Organizational Development Division
Recruitment & Examination Division
Workers’ Compensation Division)
6) Communication(s)
(None.)
7) New Business (for discussion and appropriate action)
(None.)
8) Unfinished Business (for discussion and appropriate action)
(None.)
9) Announcements
10) Schedule Next Meeting Date
The Merit Appeals Board will convene its next meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at
9:00 a.m., at the Hilo Council Chambers, Hawaiʻi County Building, 25 Aupuni Street,
First Floor, Room 1401, Hilo, HI 96720.
11) Adjournment
3
Merit Appeals Board March 20, 2026
Auxiliary Aid and/or Service: If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other
accommodation due to a disability, please contact Glynis Yamada at (808) 961-
8361 or by email at Glynis.Yamada@hawaiicounty.gov as soon as possible.
Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your
request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large
print, Braille, or electronic copy.
Submitting Written Testimony: The Board encourages the public to submit
thoughts, comments, and input via written testimony. To ensure timely delivery
to Board Members prior to the meeting, written testimony should be submitted
before 12:00 noon on the business day prior to the meeting by: (1) email to
Glynis.Yamada@hawaiicounty.gov, (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8617, or (3) mail to
the Merit Appeals Board at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720-4224.
All written testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be part of the permanent
record.
Board Packet: Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Section 92-7.5, the board
packet provided to members of this board for this meeting is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2, Hilo,
Hawaiʻi 96720.
Lobbyist: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk
within five days of becoming a lobbyist \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i
County Code\]. A lobbyist means “any individual engaged for pay or other
consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-
month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or
administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with
public officials.” \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3 (a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code\].
Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office
of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.
4