HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGE COUNCIL 2026-07-08 2024-2026 Hawaii County Clerk 07/02/2026 09:03:46 AM
HOLEKA GORO INABA tY OF p MICHELLE M. GALIMBA
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Chair&Presiding Officer �?•' �, JAMES E. HUSTACE
JENN KAGIWADA
DENNIS"FRESH"ONISHI `: °` MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
Vice Chair — ASHLEY L.KIERKIEWICZ
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OF NF' HEATHER L.KIMBALL
REBECCA VILLEGAS
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hawai`i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
44th Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
July 8, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Notice is hereby given that the Hawaii County Council will be conducting this meeting via interactive
conference technology (ICT)pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92-3.5. Council Members will be
participating via ICT at the:
• Kona Council Chambers,West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway,Building A
Members of the public may also attend from this location.
Public attendance via Courtesy is available at the following locations:
• Ocean View Community Association, 92-8924 Leilani Circle;
• Pahoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pahoa Village Road; and
• Waimea Council Office,Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109.
If a Courtesy Site is unavailable and/or participation is disrupted,the scheduled meeting will continue.
Oral Public Testimony via Zoom: To provide oral testimony via Zoom, email
councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call(808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process
and obtain meeting login information. Please contact our office to register by 12:00 noon, Tuesday,
July 7,2026.
Submitting Written Testimony: To ensure timely delivery to Council Members prior to the meeting,written
testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday,July 7,2026,by: (1) email to
counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8912; or(3)mail to the County Clerk's
Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720. All written testimony,regardless of time of
receipt,will be made part of the permanent record. Please submit separate testimony for each item.
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Hawaii County Clerk 07/02/2026 09:03:46 AM
Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
INVOCATION Pastor Eric Anderson of Church of the Holy Cross
ORDER OF BUSINESS
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT,AND EXPRESSIONS OF
CONDOLENCE
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
Pursuant to HRS §92-3, oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or
immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Council.
(NOTE: COUNCIL MAY TAKE A LUNCH BREAK CLOSE TO THE NOON HOUR)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 22, 2026
REPORTS
GOEAC-140 NOMINATION OF ERIC INOUYE TO THE FIRE COMMISSION
(Comm. 932):
Requires Council
Confirmation by: July 11, 2026 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawai`i County Charter)
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS
Res. 577-26: AMENDS THE RULES OF PROCEDURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE
(Draft 2) COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I BY ADDING A RULE RELATING
TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW TRAINING
Requires Council Members to complete the Office of Hawaiian Affair's Native
Hawaiian Law legal training.
Reference: Comm. 913.4
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada
Approve: GOEAC-138
Held Over Pursuant to
Council Rule 23(1)(d): June 17, 2026
(Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kagiwada, seconded by
Council Member Hustace, to adopt Res. 577-26, as amended.)
; and
Comm. 913.5: From Council Member Jenn Kagiwada, dated June 24, 2026, transmitting proposed
amendments to Res. 577-26, Draft 2.
Res. 586-26: AUTHORIZES THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO AWARD FUNDS TO
POHAKU PELEMAKA THROUGH THE KILAUEA RECOVERY GRANT
PROGRAM
Provides $142,000 in grant funds to P6haku Pelemaka to provide relief, recovery,
mitigation, and long-term resilience for disaster damages, losses, and suffering
caused by the 2018 Kilauea eruption.
Reference: Comm. 928
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz (B/R)
Approve: FC-157
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
Res. 592-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH THE
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
UNDER SECTION 309 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the EPA for a five-year
extension for the Kula`imano Waste Water Treatment Plan Rehabilitation and
Replacement Project and a three-year extension for the Papa`ikou Waste Water
Treatment Plan Rehabilitation and Replacement Project.
Reference: Comm. 935
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada(B/R)
Approve: GOEAC-141
Res. 593-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH THE
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
UNDER SECTION 1423 OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the EPA for a two-year
extension for the Pahala Large-Capacity Cesspools Closure Project and a five-year
extension for the Na`alehu Large-Capacity Cesspools Closure Project.
Reference: Comm. 936
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada(B/R)
Approve: GOEAC-142
Res. 596-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO FULL LIFE FOR THE ABLED
HAWAI`I ARTISTS ART IMMERSION EXHIBIT
Transfers $5,500 from the Clerk-Council Services—Contingency Relief account
(Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Research and Development,
Big Island Film Office account.
Reference: Comm. 948
Intr. by: Council Member Kimball
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
Res. 597-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAWAI`I INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE EXPERIENCE TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES FOR ITS 2026 HISE
PROGRAM
Transfers $6,500 from the Clerk-Council Services—Contingency Relief account
(Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation,
Administration Other Current Expenses account.
Reference: Comm. 949
Intr. by: Council Member Kimball
Res. 598-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE FRIENDS OF FIRST
RESPONDERS FOR THE 2026 ROBUST CONFERENCE
Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services—Contingency Relief account
(Council District 4); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 950
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz
Res. 599-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION WITH EXPENSES RELATING TO THE HILO BAY BLAST
FIREWORKS DISPLAY CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY
Transfers $1,500 from the Clerk-Council Services—Contingency Relief account
(Council District 4); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Culture
and Education Other Current Expenses account.
Reference: Comm. 951
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
Res. 600-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO BIG ISLAND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE COUNCIL FOR ITS 12TH ANNUAL SUMMER JAM
Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk-Council Services—Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 952
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada
Res. 601-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAWAI`I INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE EXPERIENCE FOR ITS 2026 HAWAI`I INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
Transfers $7,000 from the Clerk-Council Services—Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Research and Development,
Tourism Promotion account.
Reference: Comm. 953
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada
BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING)
Bill 125: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 7, DIVISION 4, OF THE HAWAI`I
COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE
PAHOA VILLAGE DESIGN DISTRICT
Clarifies duties, procedures, and other regulations regarding the Pahoa Village
Design Guidelines and the Pahoa Design Review Committee; makes other technical
and non-substantive amendments.
Reference: Comm. 709
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz
Approve: PCPLUED-11
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
Bill 126: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLES 1, 3, 5, AND 7, OF THE HAWAI`I
(Draft 2) COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO
SPECIAL DISTRICTS
Creates the Downtown Pahoa commercial district as a new special zoning district;
establishes new permitted uses.
Reference: Comm. 710.4
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz
Approve: PCPLUED-12
and
Comm. 710.5: From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated June 29, 2026, transmitting
proposed amendments to Bill 126, Draft 2.
Bill 163: AMENDS CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 8, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY
(Draft 2) CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO REAL
PROPERTY TAXES
Establishes a new real property tax dedication for certain properties that are owned
by a descendant of a person who owned the property at least one hundred years ago
to be subject to the minimum tax.
Reference: Comm. 909.6
Intr. by: Council Member Hustace
Approve: FC-158
Bill 164: AMENDS CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 13, DIVISION 2, SECTION 2-69, OF THE
HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING
TO THE HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR
Requires Council confirmation for the Housing Administrator.
Reference: Comm. 914
Intr. by: Council Member Onishi
Approve: GOEAC-143
and
Comm. 914.2: From Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, dated June 24, 2026, transmitting
proposed amendments to Bill 164.
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
ORDER OF THE DAY(SECOND OR FINAL READING)
Bill 157: AMENDS CHAPTER 7 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016
(Draft 3) EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY
Establishes a County Disaster Recovery Program to coordinate short- and long-term
recovery efforts following major disasters, led by a recovery officer appointed by
the mayor with the responsibility for recovery planning, interagency coordination,
community engagement, funding management, and the development of interim and
long-term recovery and resilience plans.
Reference: Comm. 888.7
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz
First Reading: June 17, 2026
Bill 162: AMENDS CHAPTER 3 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016
EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO PAID PARKING FACILITIES
Adds a new article to establish signage requirements for paid parking facilities, to
include a schedule of rates, notice of any additional fees, hours of operation, and
information on towing procedures.
Reference: Comm. 907
Intr. by: Council Member Villegas
First Reading: June 17, 2026
Bill 165: INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X OF THE CHARTER OF THE
COUNTY OF HAWAI`I (2024 EDITION), RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS,
OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION
Increases the annual allocation dedicated to the Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation maintenance fund from 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent
of real property tax revenue; removes the accrual limit for the fund; provides that
all expenses from the fund must align with the fund's purpose; and authorizes the
awarding of grants from the fund.
Reference: Comm. 915
Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz
First Reading: June 17, 2026
2/3 Vote: Second of three required readings,
Section 15-1(a), Hawaii County Charter
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Hawaii County Council-44 July 8,2026
OTHER BUSINESS
(Including but not limited to reconsideration of vetoed items, if any, or reconsideration of actions on
agenda items.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Note: B/R, when listed next to the name of an Introducer, signifies that the Council Member has agreed
to introduce legislation`By Request" on behalf of the requesting party. It does not necessarily signify
support of or opposition to the proposal.
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If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, call (808) 961-8255 as
soon as possible, preferably by July 6, 2026. If a response is received after this date, every effort will
be made to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but there is no guarantee the request can
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electronic copy.
Agenda items are available on the County website at www.hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council
Records to navigate to current agendas. For any questions, please contact Council Services at
(808) 961-8255.
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