HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 219 Kurohara, R RenameDpt
County of Hawaii
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
(808) 961-8366 Fax (808) 935-1205
E-mail: chresdev@co.hawaii.hi.us
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Randall M. Kurohara
Director
William P. Kenoi
Mayor
January 11, 2010
The Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai`i Charter Commission
c/o Hawai`i County Council - Clerk
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
RE: Amendment to Art. VI, Section 6-8.1 through 6-8.3
Dear Chair Haitsuka and Charter Commission Members:
Thank you for allowing the Department of Research and Development the
opportunity to address the Commission in regards to the request for Amendment to Art.
VI, Section 6-8.1 through 6-8.3.
Amendment to Art. VI, Section 6-8.1 through 6-8.2 - Revision to the name of the
Department of Research and Development to the Department of Economic
Development:
Under our current economic environment, it is becoming abundantly clearer that
economic sustainability, stability and viability for our island community is
imperative in order to ensure that the County is able to continue providing core
County services and functions to our citizens.
The driving force behind this proposal is for the County to provide leadership,
direction and resources to both the public and private sector through a County
Department specifically tasked with the power, duties and functions to assist,
promote and solidify the economic development and viability of our island.
Accordingly, this proposed amendment would ensure the resources currently
utilized in and by the Department of Research and Development to remain intact,
and continue to support the newly re-named Department of Economic
Development, whose primary and core functions would be to ensure economic
vitality within the Island of Hawai`i.
The Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai`i Charter Commission
January 11, 2010
Page 2 of 2
In replacing the name of the Department of Research and Development to the
Department of Economic Development, it is desired and is in the best interest
of the County of Hawai`i to amend County of Hawai`i Charter Section 6-8.1 –
Section 6-8.3 to reflect the following:
CHAPTER 8
DEPARTMENT OF [RESEARCH AND] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Section 6-8.1. Organization.
There shall be a department of [research and] economic development
consisting of a director and the necessary staff.
(2000, Prop. 2, sec. 1.)
Section 6-8.2. Director.
The director of [research and] economic development shall be appointed
by the mayor, confirmed by the council and may be removed by the mayor. The
director shall have had a minimum of five years related experience.
(1979, Prop. 12; 2000. Prop. 2, sec. 1; 2000, Prop. 7, sec. 4.)
Section 6-8.3 Powers, Duties and Functions.
The [director] department of [research and] economic development shall:
(a) Provide leadership, guidance and support for sustainable
economic development in agriculture, energy and tourism and
other industries vital to the economic health and well being of our
island community.
([a] b) Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative
decision-making, and program and policy-making.
[(b)] [Provide staff leadership for public and private development
programs, enterprises and plans, including economic, social and
cultural proposals, which enhance improvement of the county
community]
(c) Coordinate informational and regulatory knowledge of [all] federal
and state grant-in-aid participation programs which affect the
county’s economic development.
I look forward to presenting this request and my support for this Amendment to Art.
VI, Section 6.8-1 through 6-8.3 to you and the members of the Charter Commission at
the upcoming meeting scheduled for January 21, 2010. Should you need any further
information and/or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Very truly yours,
RANDALL M. KUROHARA
Director
RMK:dbk
xc: Mayor William Kenoi
William Brilhante, Deputy Corporation Counsel