HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-21 GMAC Minutes Final Draft
Game Management Advisory Commission
Minutes
Meeting Date: July 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Zoom and In-Person 25 Aupuni St., PUEO Conference Room
#2601, Hilo HI 96720
Chair Wong-Chong opened the meeting at 9:05 a.m.
The following were in attendance, Commissioners, Robert Duerr, Taysen Wong Chong,
Kapono Kaukahi, and David Okumura.
Absent were Commissioners Abel Aquino and Justin Ackerman.
It was determined that there was no quorum.
However, presentations were allowed to proceed since all presenters were in
attendance. There was no transcribing of the recording since it was not available nor
required.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
District 1 - Robert Duerr (12/31/26) – Aye - In-person
District 2 – Taysen Wong Chong (12/31/27) – Present – In-person
District 3 – Kapono Kuikahi (12/31/30) - Aye – In-person
District 4 – Vacant
District 5 - Vacant
District 6 – Vacant
District 7 – Abel Aquino (12/31/26) – Absent
District 8 – David Okumura (12/31/30) – Present, via Zoom
District 9 – Justin Ackerman (12/31/28) – Absent
Quorum not established, 3 in attendance and 2 absent
2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: Deferred.
Interested people who want to provide oral testimony on any agenda item may do so now,
or at the time the specific agenda item is called, or at the sole discretion of the Chair.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: Deferred.
Approval of minutes for the meeting of
- April 29, 2026
- May 19, 2026
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Communications/correspondence: Letter sent on May 20, 2026, to Mayor
Alameda regarding request to change the meeting hours from 9:00-11:00 am to
6:00-8:00 pm.
Next Meeting, Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Puna Conference Room, 1501, 25
Aupuni St., Hilo, HI 96720.
4. COMMISSIONER’S DISTRICT REPORTS: Deferred
a. Each Commissioner will provide updates, announcements, and share concerns
about their respective districts; Commissioners to decide on whether to add
those topics at the next meeting and to invite the public to provide testimonies
and presentations at their meeting. There will otherwise be no discussion or
voting, which will be reserved for when it is itemized on a future agenda.
5. PRESENTATION:
Deputy Attorney, Sinclair Salas-Ferguson allowed the presenters to proceed.
a. Dr. Kim Kozuma, Deputy State Veterinarian Hawai’i State Department of
Agriculture – Hawai’i Island will present “Veterinarian’s Perspective on Diseases
Island Wild Game and Hunters.”
b. Blake McNaughton, President of Makahanaloa Fishing Assoc
Darrow of the County of Hawaii Planning Department, and Deborah Chang will
2-8-012:28 and Forrest
Reserve access issues in Honomu.
c. Department will present the
outcome of GMAC’s recommendations on the General Plan.
6. OLD BUSINESS: Deferred.
a.
b. GMAC development of an informational/marketing brochure design markups
for Commissioners to consider. Chair T. Wong-Chong
c. Presentation DOCARE will discuss new recruits and allocation of personnel on
land and water.
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d.Presentation: USDA will discuss wild game harvest, game management, and
game diseases.
e. Presentation: Mauna Kea Oversight Authority will provide an update regarding
hunting access on Mauna Kea.
f. The Commission intends to discuss topics for future GMAC agenda
presentations. Chair Wong Chong
g. The Commission will discuss the sewer discharge issue in Keaukaha and who
h. Discussion regarding whether GMAC meetings can be held from 6:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. and status of Commissioner vacancies. Also, determine if a PIG
should be formed.
i. ,
and fourth, quarter reports. Commissioner R. Duerr
7. NEW BUSINESS: Deferred.
a. Discussion, an update on what happened to GMAC Amendments to General
Plan 2045 Councilwomen Heather Kimbell wrote. We need to review our GMAC
Amendments for potential deletions and additions including provision for a
shooting facility for hunters and citiz Also, a
provision for the county to support and seek partners for safe camping areas
Commissioner, Robert Duerr.
b. Discussion on Public Access issues at Baby Pond, Old Airport, Kona.
c. Deliberation and decision-making on the report submitted by the Permitted
Interaction Group established to investigate Rules and Regulations related to
Manta Ray tours. The investigative report was given by Commissioners Duerr
and Aquino at GMAC’s meeting on May 19, 2026.
d. Deliberation and decision-making on the matter investigated by the Permitted
mile marker 16 on Saddle Road, also known as Camp Morita. The investigative
report was given by Commissioner Ackerman at GMAC’s meeting om May 19,
2026.
e. Discussion regarding removal of boulders at Volcano Transfer Station, which
block hunter access to Volcano Forrest Reserve.
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f.Discussion of Agenda items to be added to GMAC’s meeting Agenda for July 21,
2026.
(1) Blake McNoughton of Makahanaloa
Darrow of the Hawaii County Planning Department, and Deborah
2-8-012:28 and Forrest reserve access issues in Honomu.
(2)
present the outcome of GMAC’s recommendations on the General
Plan.
g. Discussion of Agenda item to be added to GMAC’s meeting Agenda for August
18, 2026
present on issues related to manta ray tours at Keauhou Bay,
Kailua-Kona.
h. Discussion of Agenda item to be added to GMAC’s meeting Agenda for
September 15, 2026.
related to sewer discharge issues at Puako,
Keaukaha, Hilo, and Kona.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Deferred.
9. ADJOURNMENT: The Presentations ended at 10:45 am.
Respectfully submitted by,
Barbara Kossow
Secretary
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