Aloha kakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakakak Pastor John, and Drs of Engage Church Healow to provide our invocation. Join me in prayer. Hello, Father. Thank you for your beauty and your care for us. As we see it in these islands that you've given us to live in, any and all the people gathered here from all different ethnicities that are your joy and your people. And I pray that as this council gathers to do the work that you've given them today, to look over the long list of resolutions and to hear from these many beautiful people that you've gathered here today, God that you give them sharp minds and hearts that have the same heart as your son, Jesus, to care for others. And would they uphold righteousness in this land that you've given them in this time to look over? And I pray that you would guide everyone through this that they'd be able to share their wisdom and their viewpoints and come together on resolutions that would benefit your people here on our island. And so we ask for your wisdom and your leading in this gathering and would it be glorifying to you as we or people come together and try to careful another. So bless this time I pray in your name Jesus. Amen. Mahalo Pastor and Dress with that calling this meeting to order 9.06 a.m. Mr. Clerk roll call please. Councilmember Galimba here. Councilmember Houston. President. Councilmember Coguana. Here. Councilmember Connelly Kleinfelder. Here. Councilmember Kirkowitz. Present. Councilmember Campbell. Here. Councilmember Oñishi. Councilmember Villegas. Cherry Nala. You know, Cherry have seven members present. You have a quorum thank you mr. Clerk and noting we have vice chair on issue also in the room at this time would you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And obviously our council chambers are full with guests this morning. We have a few presentations, so we ask those who have come to participate in our normal scheduled meeting and providing testimony for your patients as we make it through recognizing outstanding individuals in our community. And to begin this morning, we'll start off with council members members Krugowitz and Kagiwata. Thank you chair. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said speeches power speeches to persuade to convert to compel and so it gives me great honor and privilege to recognize some outstanding individuals young people in our community that brought home a really significant win. Individuals from Hilo High School Speech and Debate Team, Kioni Randolph, who is a junior, Sena Karreti, who is a sophomore, and John Tagaka, a senior, and the president of the school Speech and Debate team. Last month, they competed in a statewide tournament. Helo Hai was one of two neighbor island schools. The other was Parker. Helo was the only public school to participate. And I'm excited about the topic that they were assigned to debate upon. It was, should the United Nations abolish permanent membership on the Security Council? I did model UN in high school and college. So these are very interesting topics to me. I'm curious to know what side of the arguments they were on affirmative or negative. But these individuals placed second place in the state amidst the likes of Puneho andolani, they brought home this win, qualifying them to compete in nationals this summer in the Moynihola. And so I'm incredibly proud of this accomplishment that they've been able to achieve because what they are doing is not easy, right? When you think about speech and debate, what they do is they are preparing for life and the workplace. There's research involved. There's putting together a logical argument and being able to communicate that effectively, confidently, to one person, to a room of 500, they were able to adapt in a fluid situation, respond to arguments that are being put up by the opposing side and take home this really big win. So we are so proud of you and your win. We are celebrating you here on Hawaii Island. And so just congratulations from the County Council for your amazing work. And keep it up because it is individuals like you that we need in the future to help engage society and to speak up when folks are feeling voiceless. We are going to rely on you to advocate for the betterment of community councilmember. Thank you so much councilmember., I just want to say a few words. First of all, to the coaches, Elizabeth La Liberty and Amy Baum, who this is a passion project for them, I know, and they really supported these kids at Helo High in order to get them to these great heights. And so I just really want to express my admiration and thanks to them. And for all the speech and debaters, congratulations. So not only did the debate team get second place at state, but the speech, the speeches, I guess, I thought what you're called, the speeches, the speeches made it the following weekend to states as well from Heelow High. So we want to recognize the whole team. There's six of them all. Five of them I believe are here today with one of their coaches and we just want to say you know keep it up. I am a huge supporter of public schools. Heelow is obviously a very big public school in the district that I represent, and very happy that my kids went there, and that you all are doing amazing things. So happy to have this kind of academic side of things represented today as well as another group that will be coming up soon. So thanks so much and just want to say we're very proud of you and we'd like you to go ahead and come on up here and we'll present you with your certificates. Thank you. We're just opening it up quickly while they present if any member of the council would like to say anything further. On behalf of Vice Chair Onishi and our clerk Hendrix, gold light games. Okay. I don't know. Don't be shy. I'm not shy. I get to talk about it. Thank you all for having us and honoring us again. Last year it was really special to come here and get appreciated by all of you, but I think this year it means a lot more because we actually won something very happy. Somehow got second and we're aiming to get first next year so see how that goes. Again I want to thank you all for supporting and congratulating us and like I said before I'm completely being the senior here I'm going to graduate but I'm completely competent in all of my peers' ability in the coming years to continue to develop their skills and bring home even more trophies for the school and for community. And yeah. I would just like to say that I'm so grateful for this experience and my teammates and my coaches. Yeah, I agree. Thank you all for having us here, and I'm super thankful for my friends and family for supporting me on this journey. Thank you so much for this recognition. It means a lot. My husband and I started this team in 2017 to give kids the opportunity to be able to challenge themselves in this way. And we so appreciate the hard, hard hard work that these students do. They've got nerves of steel, they're bright, they're really hard working, and they go up against some of the top students in the state. And so I just want to acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments this season. We look forward to another really good year next year. Thank you very much. Council members, would you folks like to take a photo with our recipients this morning? Council member Perkowitz. We're going to take a brief recess. Again, my hollow for your patients. Everyone will take a quick photo and then we'll continue to the next. Mahalo, noi, at this time we would like to call on our folks from the EMS branch. I believe they're Really, if you can give them a call for EMS week. Joining us this morning, we have Battalion Chief Kiwi Kanai, our pastor Godoy from the Hawaii Fire Department and Hawaii Police Department. And main 18th through May 24th is EMS Appreciation Week. If you do follow our Hawaii Fire Department on social media, you got to see a clip of Battalion Chief Kanai this week talking about proper use of our EMS resources to ensure timely and quick response for emergency is across our island. So this morning we just want to take the opportunity. We had police week last week and this week we want to recognize our EMS folks here at the Hawaii Fire Department for their work to provide timely and you know the utmost level of care for our community and their time of need. The fire department is greatly appreciated for there on Lohan. As a council we commend you folks for your duty that ensures the health and safety of our island community which is the essential function of our counties. So at this time we'd love to call on Italian Andalion chief Kanai and Pastor Goodoy if you'd like to say anything on behalf of the members of our EMS bureau. And you can just take a seat at the table. And if you can please introduce yourself for the record. Introduce myself. I'm Chapnirinigodoi, also founder of Friends of First Responders. I'm just here to say one word. Mahalo. And the Italian Chief Kanai. Hello, good morning. Thank you, Councilmembers. We really appreciate the continued support we get from all of you. It's paramount to ensure that we have already quit meant the right staffing and the message gets out to the community. Mahalo. 18 to 24th of May, yes, it's CMS week and we just want to recognize all of our Hawaii Fire Department personnel along with all of the UMS personnel here locally and across the nation. They carry a heavy burden every day, what they do on a daily basis. Usually it's behind closed doors, it's unseen to the general public, but it's invaluable to the health and well-being of our community. So thank you for recognizing that and we appreciate everything you guys do. Thank you. Thank you, Battalion Chief Kaniy, and yes, just for everyone who doesn't know, every member of our Hawaii Fire Department is a trained EMT and able to provide those life-saving efforts in a time of need. So if you're anywhere near any of the stations in your community, please stop by and share your aloha and your appreciation. And on behalf of the council, Battalion Chief Kaniy, we present this certificate of appreciation to folks. you you you Thank you. Mojalo, just a few more to go. At this time we would like to call on our next away from the fire department, calling on Chief Kuzwotad and our Havail Award recipient for May 2025. Chief Todd will introduce our recipient this morning and for those who are joining, many for the first time, our Jovelle Award is a award that was created by this council to recognize on alternating months outstanding and outstanding member of either the police department or the fire department for going above and beyond the call of duty and service to our community. So with that, at this time, calling on Chief Todd and Chief Todd is going to begin the introductions as our recipient makes his way in. Chief Todd, go ahead. So let me, let's do some time here. So today I am here to recognize a guy I have actually known since I was about YeTal. I know his family and he's not the only member of his family that's actually in the fire department. Yeah. Come here Brian. So I'm going to share a story about Brian that will embarrass him because I know him very well and I wasn't sure about hiring him on, I'll be honest with you, I was on his hiring panel and he's the only firefighter that showed up in orange crocs. To his interview, with a three-piece suit, like party down below, but like business up top, right? And I'm like, what is going on, right? So at the end of the interview, I gotta ask, because it's not part of the scripted question. So I'm like, what's going on? And he had dress shoes, but he didn't use them very often. So they delaminated as he's walking in and the bottom just pops off and he's just like, oh my god, I gotta make it, I gotta go. And so he delaminated as he's walking in and the bottom just pops off and he's just like oh my god I got to make it I got to go and so he took care of business and he got in there and he did a great job and we hired him but I'll never forget it. In fact he'd forgotten about it and then I was telling a story about him and he didn't realize I was talking about him because he had forgotten that particular moment. But years later, here we are, we're sitting here and we're here to talk about Hubei and why I actually brought him up on this particular occasion. So we had a pretty car of bad car accident. And we have them all the time, right? And then in this particular case, Brian was one of the guys who responded. And this car was on its side. And there was a power lines or maybe wires coming across the car. car was unstable and inside there was a woman who was pretty badly injured. And at first we're thinking it is high voltage volume, I'm saying we, but I mean the fire department, I wasn't actually there, right? So I'm just relaying this. But the concern was hey, it is the car electrified because there's always the possibility you can touch it and one of the things we do in our training when we're recruits is we have a eco come in and they give a really you know expansive education on the electrical side and you're like yeah I don't want to have anything to do with that that that looks like a horrible way to get injured or hurt or whatever right so we're very cautious because of that don't want to drive over power lines things like that. But Brian was looking at that and he's looking at how the woman is injured and he's looking at the power lines and realizing, hey, those aren't the high voltage lines. This... I don't want to drive over power lines, things like that. But Brian was looking at that and he's looking at how the woman is injured and he's looking at the power lines and realizing, hey, those aren't the high voltage lines. This should be safe. It's still an unstable situation, but this woman needs to get out. And so he went into the front windshield, cut her out through the seat belt and was able to extricate her. She was pretty badly injured so they were able to intubate and get her up to the hospital. They actually had to fly her out to Queens and his timely intervention, his knowledge, his expertise in the job allowed him to make a quick decision that has made a difference. And so for that reason, today, and for the orange crocs, I am bringing up Brian because he's an amazing guy and a wonderful, a wonderful, amazing firefighter. And I think I think I've embarrassed you enough right there. Yeah, yeah. So I will turn it over to him to talk if you'd like to. Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Wilson. If you can just introduce yourself. And if you'd like to say anything before we open it up to the body, yeah, has it? My name is Brian Wilson. Thank you guys for all being here. Just appreciate everything. My job and my coworkers. And I don't really have much to say, but thank you very much. Mahalo, starting with Council Member Kirkowitz. Sure, thank you, Chair. I actually met Brian when I started surfing like many, many years ago. I don't get to get out of the water, but he was always someone that had a lot of, you know, really high energy. And then I thought, so I got into the fire department and I was like, wow, that's great. But I think so behind all of that, underneath all of that is someone that is incredibly kind and humble and hardworking and compassionate. And so I really appreciate it, you know, the work and service to our community. You're also great friends to my partner. You're annual hunting trips to Lanai. I've heard all of your hunting stories. Those are quite fun, but not for public consumption. And Brian, I think you ran a marathon, right? Barefoot a couple of years ago? No. No. It was a 10-hour. Attempted to run a marathon. You ran. He ran. He ran. He did. He's someone that sees the job through. So congratulations. Really grateful to be able to honor you here today. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Kalyal Yuclein, Felder. just a Mahalam for what you do. And from what the chief said, if you arrived at the scene and you were having to understand the complexity of what you're dealing with and the emotional aspect as well as the public safety aspect, and you made a split second decision to understand the lines weren't energized or weren't high voltage and you're able to get in and save someone's life It just demonstrates Powerful thinking and a willingness to do the job no matter what and put everybody else above yourself and that that just Prepeach rates I think exactly what Chief Todd wants to see from our fire department what you exemplified so Mahalo for your service Thank you. I just want to clarify on pretty much a team effort and I just kind of picked the career that I was with. Those guys are solid. Thank you. Everybody says that. I completely agree but in this case it's you today so Mahalo for your service. Thank you Vice-Chair on UCI. Thank you Chair. Just wanted to say congratulations and keep up the hard work and behind you your service in all of them this community so we really appreciate all you guys are the whole department and are you stationed at White Hill? Yes sir. Oh right on. Continue doing the hard work. Thank you very much. And with that I think important to note that Mr Wilson was working working over time that they had a different station so not even at his home station but in service to a neighboring station and community. So on behalf of the Holy County Council and the people of our county we honor and recognize your hard work and ask you to continue this level of service to community if we could please rise for the presentation of the award. Kaukanoave o italaiye o punai na nui o punai na lua o puna kya kvaine o punai na nui aina de laitalaiye He And we'll take another quick recess for a quick photo. Members. Congratulations. All right. Two more. Thank you everyone. Sometimes we have no presentations and sometimes we have a bunch. We try to keep on to a minimal when we can. With that, our next presentation this morning, Hilo High School calling on Council Member Kagiwata. Thank you so much, Chair. All right. So I wanted to recognize a brand new team and a brand new sport this year, the Hilo Viqueens, which I think is also a very awesome name. We have our girls' flag football team from Hilo High here today. They had a winning season. They are coached by head coach, Kaisili Sabate, how a neo. And coach, if you want to come on up here, I just want to, yeah. Thank you. So I just wanted to recognize the head coach here and you know many many of the players today not all could make it but this was really I got to go to one of their games and it it was really a joy to watch. They're so excited, talented, hardworking, and really it's very excited to be part of something new like this, I'm sure. So they did get to go over to States where it can be a little daunting. I myself have had the experience of coming from Hilo and going to States and Tennis. And you know, it can be a little bit, wow, what's going on here? But it was your first season, a lot of young players. In fact, the quarterback was just in ninth grade this year. So she's going to be with us, hopefully, for a long time. And yeah, I just wanted to congratulate you guys on a winning season and for, you know, being pioneers. So thank you for being here today for us to celebrate you and if anybody wants to say anything. Councilmember Kirkowitz. Thank you, Councilmember Kagiwada for recognizing these young women. You know, my daughter just started playing volleyball and my goodness. Sports are quite a commitment. Not just on the part of the players, but the whole Ohanah. You've got to be in it to win it and manage to keep up with your academics. So great job for all of you for taking advantage of this new sport. Really excited to come and check out one of your games on these days. And keep going, right? Like there's so many things that you learn on the fields during the game that are so useful in life with teamwork, collaboration, perseverance, great and resilient. So make sure that you are taking everything that you are learning on the field and also applying it into your life. And be sure to thank your coaches and your Ohana because they make sure to get you to practice and wash all of your uniforms and make sure that you get all your protein. So Malama, your Ohana, and keep up the great work, girls. I'm going to call the hall of New England Council member, Kaguado, for recognizing them today. Thank you. Sorry, Councilmember Kaniyadi, the client's elder, go ahead. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Miss Kagiwata, for bringing this team forward today. Is it really the right queen to that, that's the name of the team? Oh, I love it,'s good. Congratulations. I thank you for being here this morning. Thank you for stepping up. I recognize a few of you. I have a niece out there. I think Miss Eeyy good to see you. But congratulations again. Look forward to seeing what you do in the future and good to know that our, oh, I just blanked on the word. Quarterback is only a freshman, which means we get three more years of that solid person and the rest of the team. So thank you again and good luck in the coming year. I appreciate it. Thank you. So I'm going to ask Coach to call up the girls. And then we will give their certificates as they come up. do. I'll give you that. First we're going to introduce coach and staff. Go ahead. Thank you everyone for having us here. I am the head coach of the Hilo High School by Queens Flight Football. I honestly couldn't have done it with my right hand and my left hand person who deals with me every day. Still, just not on the field. He's a very important person in my life. He is like a little brother to me. Maybe I'm like a little sister to you. This is Kahale Hattestin. He is my assistant coach. I also have my other assistant coach here. He instilled all his knowledge that he took from Helostorm, Jared Maderas. I also have here my speed and condition coach that the girls get surprised when they see her Natalie or Yvelow. And we wouldn't be able to do it without her. She does everything, plans everything, and she is also literally my backbone to this team, my team mom, Candie Torres. And I'll go ahead and start with the girls. We'll go ahead and start with Aliyah Takah Yasu. Oh, this girl. Thank you. Peyton Reese. Also, I have my daughter who is on this team. Come and listen about the haunyo. Carly Akaka. Ha Lee Torres. Our quarterback, Kauilani Kahanu. This girl always would smile on her face even with a broken finger. Kimian Paranad. Are all around, girl. Soraya Kaopano-Suzui. Ihi Ihi Victor. Bristol Parker. Keani Kanai. And he just walked in. This person is our board member and our president to our booster club, Titus Matthews. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. a special Mahalo to all of your parents and Ohana who are here and who supported you folks throughout this season. All right. Can we come over for a photo? All the coaches. I'm going to do it in front you. You need another drone. Just squish together. Like a circle. Angle a little bit. Angle a little bit. There we go. You never really? Yes. That's why I'm going to do that. She's... Oh, girl. Woohoo! Woohoo! That's a nice... Okay, I think I got it. That's a nice... Alright, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okidoki's Mahalo Nui. We have one last presentation this morning. and I would love to call on council member Kirkowitz to make this presentation. Oh, thank you, Chair. You know, they say angels walk among us. That angel is Susie Alteborn,, a Manawaii of Hawaii, E. Island, that I have gotten to know over the last seven years. And our paths cross because of a devastating event, an event that really transformed the entirety of our Puna community. That was the 2018 Kilauea eruption. And this woman who lost her school that she built from scratch in Pulao, Kulao, Kulaa, public charter school, one of the pioneers of the Hawaiian-focused charter school movement where education is grounded in aina and culture. She pioneered that. she lost everything that was built. A school that had beautiful red fruit trees that ran completely on solar, the first school in the state, second in the country to be completely run on solar. The first school in Hawaii also to be recognize as a blue zone's approved school. She's an innovator. She is someone that sees wisdom in every situation. I remember reading an article about how she discovered one of her eighth grade students had never tasted a cucumber. And she thought, you know what, we're going to change that. We're going to make sure that our kids know where their food comes from, installing greenhouses, growing in abundance of food so that the children knew where their food came from and could have a reverence for the abundance that grows here. And so despite all of the loss of her home and her school, she could have just packed up and left. but she recognized that God doesn't give you what you cannot handle. And she found strength in the situation, understanding her kuleana to her school and to her community. And she persevered. She found a new home for her school and really has set a model, not just statewide but nationally, for what a sustainable school could look like. Thank you for being a pioneer, an innovator, a mentor. You know, your your impacts on community goes beyond the school. There's so many work that you have done to support the lives of individuals throughout this recovery process, helping to uplift our communities, and on top of that you're a dedicated Rotarian, throwing ganky balls into Lillil Kalani bonds and Hilo Bay, looking to make sure that we've got clean water for future generation. So thank you for all the ways that you continue with these show up, even when it's hard, and for being an incredible role model to me and to so many here in the community. We're recognizing Suzy because she is going to be retiring from the school, but she will continue to serve as executive director of Hulu La Hui in fine ways to continue to support and nurture future generations and her Hawaii Island community. Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo, Suzie, for everything that you do. Thank you. Our last photo of the day, Council Members. One. One, two, three, four times. recognize our members across our island today. And with that, at this time, Mr. Clerk, if we can take statements from the public on agenda items, we have quite a few individuals here from our Hawaii Challenge today, why not are testifying on an agenda item? Thank you so much, Chair. And with that, notice I'll just state that we do have one testifier in our corner chamber. We do have a number of testifiers via zoom. But like you said, we do have a number of testifiers here in the Heelow Chamber. So what we'll do is we'll just get through our Heelow Chamber's first and then we'll transition to our outer site. So first up, we have Linda Seffel to be followed by Shannon Tancayel, both testifying on resolution 179. And again, we I messed up your name's I apologize. Linda, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, you'll have three minutes. Testing. Well, that was the first time someone pronounced my last name correctly thank you. Thank you. Good morning, Talo Fah Aloha. My name is Linda Seffel representing Hawaii job challenge. I am part of the staff and I'm testifying today in support of Resolution 17925. So job challenge. A place where transformation begins. We are more than just a training program. We are the next phase after you challenge Academy. We are a second chance, a stepping stone and a community dedicated to helping young individuals who are ready to rewrite their stories. At Job Challenge Academy we stand for opportunity, discipline and growth. Our mission is to empower individuals many of whom have seized tough challenges, you know, to take control of their future. Through dedication, as through education, hands-on job training and strong mentorship, we help our associates build skills, confidence, and mindset needed for success in the workforce and in life. Hence why they are also present here today to witness another experience. We believe that everyone deserves a second chance to rise. That's why we focus not only on technical skills but also on character, responsibility and leadership. Our associates graduate ready to contribute to their communities and take on the world. So you as leadership, we as educators and mentors and role models, what we do is to work with them and encourage them. But most importantly, we're not just an academy, we are a family committed to seeing each other succeed and do better in life thank you and questions thank you so much for your testimony chair your next two testifiers here the Chihello Chamber are Chan in Tangayo to be followed by Kaimana Bill of Renegal both testifying on resolution 179 thank you and. And as you folks are here for learning opportunity, take this opportunity to share as part of the official business of the council where we take testimony, responses, clapping, bullying is not allowed in the chambers. So we ask that everyone refrain from making any type of reaction to testimony provided, but we will follow you for being here today. Go ahead. Hello, my co-co. I'm Chanin de Kahoko Imoa, 11 o'ahu, and I'm testifying today in support of resolution 17925. As an associate of job challenge program, I was able to complete my courses and learn, oh, and earn my high school diploma. Job challenge didn't just help me get my diploma and give me a purpose. I earned a certification in construction, which I'm very proud of, and was able to work and earn an income while learning. It gave me a second chance and opened doors I've never imagined. Thanks to this program, I now see a future full of opportunity, and I'm walking towards it with confidence. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair your next testifier, Kaimana Billber-Nal, to be followed by Dishlin' Kukona Pacheco. Again, both testifying on Resolution 179. If you could just reintroduce yourself when you begin, sir, you'll have three minutes. Hello, everybody. My name is associate Kaimana Bill of Renegal. I'm from the Island of Wu, and I'm testifying today in support of Resolution 17925. And job challenge has many opportunities for youths who may want to find a career, such as calling out arts, construction, healthcare, and way more as it progresses. I believe we should be recognized because we go beyond just completing our career pathways. We also give back to the community. In this class we assisted the local Kuoham Church Foundation with food prepping and assisting in the Hilo Walk for AIDS, the Micronesian Health Fair, and we will be assisting in the celebration of life event. Not only does job challenge help find, or not only does job challenge, help youth build character and girls individuals, but it also helps develop leadership skills and teamwork. Job challenge provides a quasi-billionaire structure for youth promoting discipline and responsibility. I would highly recommend this program because without job challenge, I want to be able to speak up here today. Additionally, I would probably fall back into my old bad habits. Beyond that, this program has helped me kept focused and prepared to join the US Air Force in August. It has also helped me help me build meaningful bonds that I like to call family. Overall, this experience has been super valuable in guiding me and supporting me on my journey and the next chapter of my life. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your testimony. Chair your next testifier is Dishlin' Kukonopajeko to be followed by Kahoku Puhiwa Avila, both testifying on Resolution 179. Dishlin' when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, please. Aloha my Kahku. My name is Dishlin Kukonopaseko and I'm from Lahinamaui. Where my entire family lost our homes but I knew my future was not going to end there. I am currently attending job challenge Hilo and I'm here today to testify to the benefits of job challenge resolution 17925. Before I joined job challenge academy, I had an ambition but not direction. I completed the U-Challenge Academy program in 2023, but I was unsuccessful in getting my high-set diploma. I know I wanted to do something meaningful and build a career I was passionate about, but wasn't sure how to get started. That's when I discovered dog challenge academy and a program that's completely free for your challenge graduates. I saw it has an opportunity to build on everything I had learned and take the next step towards a career. Joining Dr. Challenge is one of the best decisions I ever made. The experience, challenge me in ways that are helping me grow personally and professionally. It isn't always easy. There are long days, new responsibilities and moments of self-self-self. However, it is the support system, the structure and hands-on training that makes all the difference. It is through this program that I discover my passion for body sculpting. I learn real skills that are used to help others feel more confidence and take control of their transformation journeys. Whether it is through non-invasive treatments or helping clients set body goals, I have found a purpose of what I'm pursuing. Although I'm still working towards my high set, I am proud of the progress I'm making every day I'm getting closer to my goal. Job challenges helping me stay focused and the support I'm receiving is making a significant difference. I've learned not to give up on myself. Thanks to job challenge academy, I have obtained my LLC license, received six certification, and now I'm on a career path I truly care about. All of absolutely no cost to me. They're giving me the tools, the training, and the confidence to make something more of my life. What started has a challenge that's turned into a calling. I am proud where I'm coming from and I'm excited where I'm going. Mahalo. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, your next testifier is Kohoku Puhiwa Vila. Testifying on Resolution 179 to be followed by Katie Cannon-Eager. When you begin, you'll have three minutes if you could just reintroduce yourself, please. Hello, everyone. My name is Kokopuiva Villa, and I live here in Pune. And I'm here today to support Resolution 17925. Being a part of job challenge gave me a much better understanding of the workforce and the different career pathways available to me. Well I was here as able to complete certificates in UAV drone operation, smart and repair and basic mechanical electrical skills. On top of that I even found a job on the side which helped me regain real world experience and start earning my own income. I'm truly grateful because if I haven't joined job challenges I'll still be at home and not be productive. This program gave me direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose for teenagers like me who have completed your challenge. Job challenge offers a path forward like opportunities to grow, learn, and succeed. Most importantly, I've learned that no matter who you are, or where you come from, you have a place in job challenge academy. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, our next two testifiers are Katie Cannon-Eager to be followed by Mark Sidmore. Katie, when you begin testifying on resolution 140, if you could just reintroduce yourself. Oh, you'll just have to. There you resolution in front of you today, 140-25. We as friends of LiliU Okolani Gardens have noticed over the past more than a decade, the increase of abandoned animals, mostly cats, in the Waiakea Peninsula, at Lili-U O'Kallani Gardens. It's an increasing health concern to our public park. We have met with Aloha Animal Alliance, walked through the park together with them, discussed it with our council member and the Park and Rec department. We find it commendable for funding to be provided for trapping, neutering and providing medical care to the cats that have been abandoned in the area re-releasing them into a critical habitat, however, is of a deep concern to us and we would vigorously oppose any re-release of abandoned cats into Liliw, O'Callani Gardens. There are several laws already on the books dealing with abandoning animals and with feeding animals in a county park. I would suggest that some of those laws be enforced. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, your next testifier is Mark Sidmore to be followed by K. Onikolave, sorry. Mark, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, you have three minutes. I'm here to talk about Bill 47. I'm not. I'm here to talk about Bill 47. I'm not sure if that's the right order. Okay. Yeah, here we are again. After 121. With all the work that everyone put into that, we're really making some great progress. And now all that progress is thrown out the window. And we're just told a register. So back to the original problems that we've been doing. And we're just going to be able to do that. all that progress is thrown out the window and we're just told to register. So back to the original problems that we have in lava zones one and two, we will have no home insurance for mixed use. As soon as we put down on a registration that we are running a business out of our home, we are canceled by HPIAA, which is our only option. As soon as we put that we live in a property that we have commercial insurance on, we are canceled because we are not allowed to live in a business property. We have a choice. Lose our business, lose our home. And that's not a fair choice for people in Lova's zones one and two. Actually, we really need your help on this. We know that you understand the insurance needs that we have there in, how hard it is. The East Side Pune is not the problem by Heather's own presentation to the committee. It shows the problem is Kona, Vimea, Ocean View. We have very few vacation rentals, which we've been doing since the 70s with no adverse impact on our community. We don't have a housing shortage, we don't have a affordability issue. There's a range of rentals that are consistently available in our area. Vacation rentals is our lifeblood, not only for the owners, but all the workers. And I know you know all of that from A to Z. We recently had a vacation rental near us change from vacation renting to owner occupied. We need rules that apply to owner occupied also. This guy tied a dog up to his fence, beats a hell out of his wife on weekends. We have all kinds of noise before we'd have a baby crying once a week. You know,, or once a month up there and they would leave in three days. So the rules aren't fair and it goes for the building department as well. We're allowing our residents to live in rubber-made sheds and use composting toilets with an outdoor shower. Totally in violation, no certificates of occupancy, no health standards whatsoever, yet we're held to an extremely unsurmountable situation and restrictions. Hawaii County does not have a co-compliance department where most municipalities through building and planning will have a co-compliance department which says... 30 seconds please. If it's safe and if it works, they'll give you a certificate of occupancy going back. As it stands now, we have to rebuild the whole building to comply. It's just not fair. We have the cart before the horse here. We need VDAs set in place before we put restrictions on vacation rentals. If we pay our $1,000 for the privilege of being told that we are no longer able to conduct business, three years down the road, our areas of VDA, we're out of business. We can't survive for sure. Thank you so much for your testimony Mark. I apologize, but the three minutes are up, so we have to move on. I appreciate you all reading the handout that I left all of you open to any questions. Thank you so much. Our next testifier is Keone Kalavi to be followed by Kalena Blakemore, both testifying on Bill 40. You opened any questions so much. Our next chair, our next testifier is Keone Kalavi to be followed by Kalena Blakemore, both testifying on Bill 40. Keone when you begin, if... Oh. Okay, hello, my co-co. I am not Keone Kalavi. I'm here to leave, because he had another appointment, but he just wanted to introduce himself. Oh, come on, just for a second, Miss Bon. So, Suzy, let me pull out Keoni's testimony and then let me call you up then. Suzy Osborne to be followed by a clinically more more testifying on Bill 40. Suzy, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself. Yes, Aloha, my cocoa, steam, council members, and Cherry Naba. My name is Suzy Osborne. I think you know me today, and you know my Moolello. And really I just wanted to extend my extreme gratefulness for your support of Bill 40 for rezoning from Ag 10 to Ag 5, which will provide our school with a permanent home, and which has been acquired by Hoola Hoola, who we are support entity. So just wanted to really say Mahalo. Thank you so much. Our next testifier is Kalena Blakemore. Testifying on Bill 40 to be followed by Elise Stevens. Kalena, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, you have three minutes. Aloha mai, chair and council members. My name is Kalena Blakemore. I'm a ho-ho-ul-la-huibord secretary. Hello for your continued support with our reason request at Nine Mile Gardens, this will support the long-term stability of KuOka-Lat Charter School, one of our foundational priorities of Hau Ulu-Lahuay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. Our next testifier is Elise Stevens testifying on Resil 145 to be followed by Greg Owen. Elise when you begin if you could just reintroduce yourself. Good morning. Hi. I'm Elise Stevens. I am representing the Culture and Education Division under the Parks and Recreation Department with the County of Hawaii. I just wanted to come and give a huge mahalo to Cheri Naba, the remaining body, and specifically Council Member Krakowicz for providing discretionary funding for upcoming Fourth of July Hilo Bay Blast. The funding will help support and continue our fireworks display that is highly requested and enjoyed by the community. So again, I just wanted to say thank you. And funding will help support and continue our fireworks display that is highly requested and enjoyed by the community. So again, I just wanted to say thank you and we look forward to you guys coming to our event on July 4th. Mahalo. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, our last testifier here in the Heelow Chamber before going out to Kona in Zoom is Greg Owen testifying on Bill, oh 47. Greg, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, you have three minutes. OK. Hi, I'm Greg Owen. Greetings, and Aloha, everyone. And I'm testifying on the vacation rental matter. And I appreciate taking part in the democratic process. I've been fortunate and blessed to have lived in Hawaii for 70 years and now seven decades. Hawaii in 1955, when the family first came here before statehood was more peaceful, more beautiful people were way less stressed. And now tourism, overtourism, and its manifestation, widespread vacation rentals and neighborhoods that makes housing very difficult for the rest of the community exacerbate all kinds of social problems. Hawaii's and local families no longer can afford housing and either leave or work two or three jobs just to make the rent or mortgage payments Everyday people such as health workers police and fires fire people nurses and teachers can no longer afford the rent or mortgage and there are people and these people are the backbone of our society and make society function. So Hawaii County, please keep vacation rentals out of neighborhoods. I grew up in Kailua, Wahoo, so I've seen places effectively ruined for local people by over-terrism and vacation rentals. Belangiyati of a Wahoo, a pro-business mayor, says vacation rentals. Mayor Blanche, already of a Wahoo, a pro-business mayor, says vacation rentals in neighborhoods are a curse upon Hawaii. It is so sad when you see a place you love being ruined. Malamika, Ina. Thank you so much for your testimony. At this time, Sheriff, we could go out to Kona with their testifier and after that we'll take Stephanie Donohov via Zoom. Scott, if you could please. Thank you, Redd. This morning we have Matina Wayne in opposition on the bill 47 Matina, go ahead and stay tuning for the record. proceed. Three minutes. My name is Matina wing. I'm a resident of over 25 years of Caluacona. I'm continued to be in opposition of the bill as it's written. And I wrote my written testimony submitted it yesterday. Took me another four hours to sit down and compose it. So what I just hope is that the full council reviewing the bill is as community driven as you were in the last 45 minutes, I really appreciate experiencing and listening to everybody and what everybody does and for the community and how you give awards. I hope that you can do the same for the community of locals that make a living with short-term vacation rentals and look at the bill as it's written or drafted and bring amendments that make sense and you can go in detail on the testimony I submitted. This should not bit top down and put on us because I will add to the class war. As I sit here in Washington, it's the bill, the bill you know bill, it's about pushing money towards the more wealthy and more precious on everybody else. So you have the chance to create something that is for the community, for the people, and you work for us. So thank you for listening, and that's it. Thank you so much. Thank you, Matina. That's it for Kona. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, your next testifiers are all via Zoom. Stephanie Donahoe to be followed by Ashley Robinson, both testifying on Bill 47. Stephanie, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, please. Aloha, everyone. Stephanie Donahoe, Kojala Coast Resort Association. Thank you so much for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 47. I appreciate that this bill is a business regulation requirement. Right now it is really challenging for Hawaii County for the state, for everyone to recognize how many visitors are on our island at any given time. Because they're spread out in so many areas. When I was the tourism specialist for Hawaii County between 2006 and 2014, we had the same problem. We didn't know how many visitors were here and where they were. As we were listening to all the presentations and the wonderful group work that is happening in the community, during the lava eruption in Puna, the county had no way of identifying where all of the visitors were who were staying in short-term vacation rentals. To my mind, this is simply a registration bill so that Hawaii County has the information it needs to be able to tax equitably, to be able to notify people in terms of emergencies equitably instead of making broad-based statements such as Mayor Kim had to do during the eruption saying all vacation rentals are closed, you would be able to actually contact those vacation rentals because you'll have registration information so that the messaging gets down to the visitors where they're staying. As a board member for the Hawaii Island Safety and Security Professionals Association, I can tell you we work very closely with civil defense anytime there is an emergency or appending emergency to make certain that we are in direct communications with what is going on between the county and between our resort partners. this bill would allow you to be able to communicate the same way to all of those vacation rentals that are taking place on the island. This bill is about equity, in taxation, in terms of being able to know, has someone paid their GET, has someone paid their TAT. I've said in previous testimony that based on county receipts, I can see that the members of the Kohala Coast Resort Association are paying the vast majority of TAT and GET that you're receiving. And I know that there are short-term vacation rentals that currently are not. There are many that are, I am certain, but you need to be able to tell who is registered and who is not. Just as Hawaii County requires everyone to register their vehicle. 30 seconds please. You should be registering everyone who is providing an accommodation and this bill takes care of that. Thank you so much for the opportunity to expand on my testimony and I appreciate the opportunity to be here. Mahalo. Thank you so much. much. Chair your next testifier is Ashley Robinson to be followed by Mackenzie Chase. Ashley when you begin if you could just reintroduce yourself, you'll have three minutes. Good. Hi. Sorry. I put the baby down. Can I get my notes real quick? Here we go. Thanks for waiting everyone. Okay. Sit down. Hi. My name is actually Robins. Is it working? Yes, it is. Okay. Thank you. But the only thing we have is our home and the fact that we're from here. STVR is a perfect local family career that helps you pay for your household needs and allows local folks the flexibility to continue working other jobs, which is important here in Hawaii as well. No, you need to have multiple things going. It is giving me the support and the support my family to start a family of my own and it's an amazing clean and welcoming home filled with Hawaiian values. So SDPRs have really grounded us in place, and I think that that's very important. In fact, because people say that a lot of outsiders are doing them, but it's actually just a lot of local kids picking up this lack with their family and helping build our homes even better. When you think about it, all we really have here is our homes and our good names. So as hosts we are super proud of our work and showcase it online in our listings. And you can read about us in over 500 reviews going back to 2012. And on that note, I'd like to warn against using AI to scan all these listings because the information is so changing and the perspectives of people are on there as well. And not everyone, you know, has their updated listing properly like we've been working with my partners, Elderly, mother who's kind of not as good on the computer and just getting the listing up to what it actually represents in person is very difficult for us. So please don't use our beautiful platforms against us. It's kind of a ledger in constantly changing. Airbnb is built on trust, and mostly platforms are. And when you think about it, it just makes it harder for hosts and guests to trust what they could say and read online. So again, I'd like to say the only thing we have is our home and the back that we are from here. I'm from Northeelo and 30 seconds please. And we have a little awkward cabin and I was hearing that you would have to do safety compliances and honestly There are number one safety complaint as the roads and limbo and safety requirements like I heard there's two modes of egress but really our little cabin is just so small I don't think that two doors makes any sense so things like that would just take extra strain on us. Thank you so much Ashley I'm sorry'm sorry, but the three minutes are up, so we'll have to move on. Thank you for your testimony. Chair, your next testifier is McKenzie Chase testifying on Bill 47 to be followed by Momi Tong testifying on Resolution 176. McKenzie, when you begin, you'll have three minutes. Please reintroduce yourself. Good morning. My name is Mackenzie Chase and I'm here on behalf of Expedia Group. A family of brands that includes Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and short term rental leader, Virgo. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be here today to share comments on Bill 47. Expedia Group welcomes balanced regulation and management of short term rentals and has worked with municipalities around the world to craft and act and enforce laws to regulate vacation rentals. Bill 47 would require new reporting from posting platforms like Fervo. Fervo shares similar reporting with Gwaii County and this reporting and collaboration has helped to drive a high rate of compliance with that county's short-term rental laws. We appreciate that the legislation would set a consistent standard across the industry by passing a law that applies to all hosting platforms. I want to specifically thank Councilmember Kimball for introducing an amendment via communication236.003. The amendment strengthens and clarifies the bill because it outlines a process specifically for platforms to support county enforcement of county laws and regulations. We support the amendment. However, we respectfully ask for a few additional changes to section six, dash 53, to further clarify and improve the language. We submitted written testimony with draft legislative text, but in short, the changes we are requesting would one, clarify language to indicate that platform license cancellation is a remedy if platforms do not feel as properties that the county has highlighted as improper rather than canceling platform registration for a single inadvertent violation. As currently drafted section 6-53a would require the director to cancel a hosting platforms registration if a single transaction for a TBR without a license took place. Number two, we would also respectfully ask that the planning department identify listings by URL or web links so there's no ambiguity about which listings are being discussed or identified. And finally, we would recommend clarifying the language in section 6-53 subsection B2 to clarify the requirement is to remove a listing. The definition of booking services is so broad that it could prevent issuing payments or refunds for previous days. Thank you so much for the opportunity to provide comments today. Mahalo comes to member Kimball for introducing the amendment. We look forward to working with Hawaii County Council as it contemplates bill 47, and I'm happy to answer any questions if I may. Mahalo. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, our next testifiers are Mo Mi Tong testifying on resolution 176 to be followed by Christian Baker. Mo Mi, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, you've got three minutes. Hello, my car. Oh, Mo Mi Tong, go in. I know he lo hanakagi. My I'm testifying for resolution 176-25. I work for neighborhood place of Puna and I'm a youth advocate at the AcroPoite Youth Center, where we support you between the age of 14 and 24 who are experiencing challenges in life event. Every day we meet young people who have lost so much, families, stability, safety and trust. Many of them are navigating life alone and yet despite everything they show up, they walk through our doors carrying trauma, fear and hope all at once just praying that someone would see them. And at anchor point we do. We don't have much, we don't have scars, we don't have beds, but what we do have is a loha. A warm welcome, a safe space to fill our stomachs clean clothes personal chair items and most importantly people who treat them with dignity. One young person came in after sleeping on the sidewalk for days they had an eating and they felt the shame of how they look we offer them a meal some clean clothes and a fireplace to just exist without fear of judgment. That small moment rooted in compassion and my mama helped them come back and eventually they asked for help with housing. That's how trust began and how life begins to change resolution 176 25 will help us continue offering those small but powerful act of care. It will give us the ability to provide food, clothes, and personal care supplies, things that restore not just help but hold. These basic items remind you that they are not invisible that they matter. In our Hawaiian values, we hold tightly to Kuleano, our shared responsibility to care for each other, and to live with Pono doing what is right. These are not just words, they are action. And today I believe passing this resolution is an apple Pono of Aloha, of honoring our Kuliana to our youth. Our young people are not just our future, they are our now. And they deserve to feel seen cared for and love. Heva ahemoku hema kuhheva ah. The canoe is an island. The island is a canoe. This pervert speaks to our deep interconnectionist. Just as the canoe cannot exist without the island, the island cannot exist without the canoe. We too cannot try without one another. Our community share in slides in how we lift each other up, especially those in need. When we show up for you, we are investing in the health of all of us. We are ensuring that our future is one of hope, care and unity. Mahalo and we, Laura, for hearing my testimony today, your vote in support of this resolution will be light in the life of those young people. And remember that we are seeing, they are ready and they are not alone. Mahal. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, our next testifier is Christian Baker testifying on Bill 47 to be followed by Cully Watson. Christian, when you begin, you'll have three minutes. My name is Christian Baker, and I stand in strong opposition to Bill 47, not only because it harms local families in small businesses businesses but because it is a clear violation of constitutional rights bill 47 is unconstitutional period it strips property owners of their vested rights without due process many of us have operated legal permitted transient vacation rentals under existing law we follow the rules we invested in our communities we rely the government's word, and now this council proposes to take those rights away. The U.S. Constitution and Hawaii State Constitution both guarantee that no person shall be deprived of property without due process of law. Bill 47 seeks to retroactively revoke legal non-conforming use certificates which property owners obtain and good faith these certificates are not favors they are legally protected entitlements taking them away without compensation or resources is unlawful taking This bill amounts to regulatory taking under the fifth amendment it destroys the the economic use of lawfully permitted property. It strips owners of income and value. Courts across the country have repeatedly affirmed that governments cannot enact regulations that wipe out lawful use and investments without justice compensation. If the bill passes, lawsuits will follow and they will be justified. Bill 47 targets one class of property owners, legal TBR operators, while allowing exemptions for others based on arbitrary criteria, this kind of unequal treatment violates equal protection clause. The government cannot favor one group of residents over another when it comes to rights that are projected by law. If the city can revoke legal rights that homeowners have held for years, what confidence will the public have in future laws? Who will invest when the rules can be rewritten at any time regardless of prior compliance? Council members, you are sworn to uphold the Constitution. passing bill 47 will violate that oath. You're not sacrificed the rights of law-abiding citizens in the name of political pressure. Respect the law, respect property rights, and vote no on bill 47, Mahalo for your time, and appreciate all the work you guys do. I understand you're not trying to file a Constitution and you're trying to make the community better. That's why you upheld the oath and took this job. So I do appreciate all the time and effort you put in to trying to make this law and just trying to help out the community. So that being said, I said my piece and that's, I'm good. Thank you so much for your time. Chair, your next testifier is Kali Watson. Testifying on Bill 44 to be followed by Mini-Kane. Kali, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself. Sure. Good morning, Kali Watson, director of the Department of Wine Homens. I am here to testify and support a bill 44, which provides tax relief for our big island home centers as it relates really to the improvements and buildings and sending a minimum tax of 200. As we know, the department is set up to really provide assistance, homeownership primarily to our beneficiaries of native wines. And unfortunately, a lot of them are very stressed in the sense that a lot of challenges, whether it's economic or health or cultural, would have you. So by providing this kind of relief, it really makes sense. And it kind of brings it in line with a lot of what is being done in other counties. So when we look at the existing situation, we have approximately 3,000 home setters in just about every district with exception of one. So there's also recently we awarded 622 additional leases. We have close to 15,000 on our application weightless. And so one of the things that we've kind of moving forward on is a lot of construction of new housing for beneficiaries. But we're finding that the cost of these houses are out of sight. In a sense of labor as well as materials, as well as actual construction. So that in itself, when you look at the mortgage after the OS, it's very, very challenging. And then with utilities going up, with the costs of food going up, it's just a real challenge. So any kind of relief, especially in this respect, permanent relief is welcome and appreciated and we definitely support it. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, your next testifier is Minne Cane, testifying on resolution 176 to be followed by Lauren. Many when you begin, you'll have three minutes. Please reintroduce yourself. Hi, come on. I'm Ms. Manny Cain. I am the program coordinator for Anchor Point Youth Center for Neighborhood Place of Poon. I'm speaking to you today in support of resolution 176-25. At Anchor Point Youth Center we have encountered a total of 18 individual youth who are between the ages of 14 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness since we have opened our doors to and half months ago. The support provided by this resolution will anchor point youth center to continue serving our communities and people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and who are navigating life without a stable support network. As a young girl, I often experience an unstable living environment. I know firsthand how important it is to have a consistent support. When you're not sure where your next meal will come from or if you have basic things like shampoo or clean clothes, what kind of that kind of support becomes everything. Anchor Point Youth Center is here for young people when they need help, when they need food, when they just need someone to show up and care. With the support of this resolution, we'll be able to provide that consistency and continual offering essential items, such as food, hygiene products. We'll also be able to provide art and gardening supplies, seemingly simple things that in reality give young people a way to express themselves, heal and feel a sense of accomplishment. Thank you for your time. Again, I urge you to support Resolution 176-25 for the young people in our community. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair, your next testifier via Zoom is Lauren testifying on Resolution 140 to be followed by Pat Kahavai Olaa here in the Heelow Chamber. Lauren, when you begin, if you could just reintroduce yourself, you'll have three minutes. Okay, thank you for the opportunity to speak on resolution 140-25. My name is Lauren Foo. I am the co-founder of Aloha Animal Alliance, a 501-C3 nonprofit based here on Hawaii Island. I'm here today to speak in strong support of resolution 140-25, which authorizes the transfer of unused funds within the 2024 Animal Control budget designated for spay neuter to be used instead to establish essentially managed science-based trapped neuter return program for our island. Let me be clear, whether you're bird advocate focused on protecting native species or a humane animal welfare supporter. Our goals are not at odds. We all want fewer free roaming cats and less harm to our ecosystem. This system that we're proposing is the only publicly supported humane and science-backed solution on the table, and doing nothing is not an option. I agree with those who have said that TNR hasn't worked here in the past, but here's why. It's never been managed. It's never been centralized. What we have is a scattered, uncoordinated patchwork of efforts without oversight, or accountability. This initiative changes that these funds will allow a low-ha animal alliance to build a program rooted in evidence, structure and data, not guesswork. We're modeling our system after successful programs like the one in Barcelona, Spain, which over the past decade has shown measurable reductions in colony size, improved outcomes for wildlife, and strong community compliance. Here's what our Hawaii Island pilot will include. A certified care tracker training based on national best practices. A centralized data tracking system to monitor colonies and individual cats designated feeding areas which we hope to work out in conjunction with parks and rec and deal in our agents to come up with the best places to establish feeding sites for the cats for the environment as well. And formal coordination with animal control parks and rec, the partner of land and natural resources and the second piece, 30 seconds. This is not about enabling a random feeding or unregulated care, quite the opposite. It's about replacing that with a coordinated, enforceable and science science-based model, one that tracks every colony and sterilizes every new cat. Some of today's opposition calls for a more scientific, basic approach. I basically say that this is exactly what our program delivers. Give us a chance to prove that it works. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. Chair our last testify here at the beginning of your meeting is Pat Kahawai Olaa testifying on bill 44. Pat when you begin if you could just reintroduce yourself you'll have three minutes. Hello, Chair and Abba. by sharing and Chair and I will be the whole A County Council. I am Pat Kang-Han-Wayol. A native Hawaiian has declined pursuing through the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and advocate for the Committee of the Kupul 9, the Hopul Pula, of which our Ikohai Luiow has asked me to come and testify in strong support of Bill 44. In which it appears to be now provide some form of equity for beneficiaries on the homestead land here on Mokupunio Hawaii. Some clarification is also sought by our organization as the initial iteration of the bill is spoke to an outdated state law state law where this bill was hoping to correct. Do you know what this means? And what information we can be shared with us. I also see clarification on the impact of this bill will have on other real property values, the potential shifts in property tax structure. And whether similar exemptions may be extended to other groups in the future. That was a concern of many others who tried them on this bill. In 1959, the Wynomes Commission Act was created in 1920. In 1959, was incorporated into the state constitution and the admissions act of 1959, article 12 Section 4, through a compact, a treaty between the United States and the new state of Hawaii. And as a provisional statehood, the state and its people will uphold the Hawaiian race. The phrase to uphold the Hawaiian race can be interpreted in several ways, often depending on the context, but as as core is generally referred to as the preservation support, promotion of the Native Hawaiian people, cultural language and rights. I just provided a few of the breakdown that I believe makes it so. Cultural preservation, political advocacy, social support, identity and pride. The whole of the way, how I was what I grew up with, to grow into the nurture of Hawaiian nation. I part, Iqa'olello, I part, Iqa'olello, more mehau, was to hold fast, and hold fast to the culture. There's a lot of things I can't see. So Iqa'ai of Camiki, I know a whole pool of support, but the intended purposes of this act was to provide equity to beneficiaries living on the homestead having the status of Hawaiian homelands. The excuse me and the powers and duties of the general laws and its highest ranking official, the government of the state of Hawaii in this case Josh Green whose powers are restricted on lands having the status of Hawaiian homelands in Section 206 of the Wainam's Commissioner. Again, thank all of you for allowing me this opportunity to share. Thank you so much for your testimony and with that chair, those are all the testifiers you have at the beginning of your meeting. Thank you, Mr. Arasali. With that, can we please take resolution 179 out of order? Resolution-25 recognizes the second graduating class of the Hawaii National Guard Job Challenge Academy located at the Kilkaah Military Reservation in Kilauei. Recognize the achievements of 13 graduates of the Job Challenge Academy a career-based program introduced by Councilmember Kimball. Chair motion to adopt resolution 179-25. moved Council Member Kimball, seconded by Council Member Kirkowitz to approve resolution 179-25. Thank you. First, I just want to start by acknowledging the great job that those of you who came up and testified today, that was brilliant and really culmination of all the time that we've spent together. So just to share with everybody when the job challenge Academy opened I talked to Director Proctor and said you know we have jobs in the county and you know we care about leadership of youth and the potential for folks to run for office or serve on boards and commissions. Why don't we work together and do a pilot civics training program? And so we've met together five times. The first time we talked about the structure of government, the different authorities of the different levels of government, state house, county, and we did simulation of parliamentary procedure on, should we move the rock question. They did a great job. You remember that? That was pretty fun. The second meeting that we had, they came and they came and watched a session here and they had a little form to fill out and observed all the testimony. It was particularly interesting because we had the ICE HPD resolution before us and you guys had a lot of questions about that. We then I want to mahalo the mayor, managing director, Brawlhante and Micah Alameda who did a great job with them sharing about the executive branch, the opportunities of working in government, serving on boards and commissions. And what I really liked about their presentation is all of them really spoke to the heart about what public service means. And I think you guys all got an understanding of the value of having a role in a public service capacity. And then we had Councilmember Kirkwitz provide a presentation on public speaking and what it's like to run for office and just share some of peer experiences. I hope you'll tell us more about that, but I think that went really well. And then of course today is the culmination for them to come and testify on this resolution, acknowledging their graduation, which will happen on the 12th. And so I just really want to congratulate you for participating in this pilot project. I hope to get some feedback from you on how you think it went and what we can do to make it even better next time. But I've really enjoyed working with all of you, getting to know you a little bit. And again, just a great job. And thank you for the hard work that you've put in so far, congratulations on your graduation, and I just see so much potential in you folks. I know you're all going to do great things. So I hope for everyone's support on this resolution. Mahalo. Thank you, Council Member Kimball. Council Member Krikowitz. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Council Member Kimball, for your leadership on this. I think it was a fantastic idea to connect with the OPO in the job challenge academy and providing this opportunity to not just learn more about government but how to get engaged in government, how to get engaged in community. You know, I had the opportunity to connect with these, you know, bright young people. I have to say I was really impressed spending that time with all of you, getting to know you a bit more. And then today, hearing more about your individual Moolalo, especially the system from Lahaina, who I think was like one of the most quiet in the class and had so much monotony and wisdom to share. And I think one of the testifiers mentioned, you know, it's not where you come from or what's happened to you. It is how you move forward in life and in those situations and so please know that we are so proud of each and every one of you how much you've overcome and the perseverance that you have about living life on your terms and pursuing your passions. I'm really grateful that this program is here on Hawaii Island so it can give youth a chance to pursue you know lives, lives where you are contributing members of our community. So congratulations and Mahalo for being so engaged. I yield. Thank you, Councilmember Kirkowitz. Vice-Chairn Ishii. Thank you, Chair. Just want to say and one of the destifiers mentioned about your second chance and that is great. I mean, to you folks succeed and we cannot be giving up as government officials you know leaders out there we need to always be helping you supporting you guys but also want to thank the program director, doctor and also deputy direct program director, spray with you guys leaderships and your whole staff without you guys, this would never happen. So thank you very much. Thank you, Vice-Chairone Ishii. With that, yes, congratulations. And my apologies for mistating the program name earlier. Whether you folks remain here on Hawaii Island or for those who are from off Island, please use all of us on the council as a resource to connect you with our connections across the state to ensure your continued success and participation has engaged in valuable members of our society. So congratulations to you all, all those in favor of approving resolution 179-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, seven, nine, two excuse. Council members, V.A.G.S. and Conelli-E Klein-Felder. Resolution 179-25 is adopted. Congratulations. Sure, we're going to take a quick actual 10 minute recess for a photo and restroom break. We'll be back at 10.50. I'll now taking this meeting out of recess. Back to order. We will begin with reports. Mr. Clerk. Oh, yes. Thank you. Are there before we begin. Are there any amendments or changes for the minutes of February 19th or March 19th? Seeing and hearing none the minutes for the council meetings that occurred on February 19th and March 19th are here by approved. Thank you Mr.. Clerk. Is there any testimony for GOAC 41? Communication 269. Hearing none, GOAC 41. Communication 269, nomination of John T. Kimor, to the Board of Appeals. Chair, motion to close file on communication 269 and affirm the nomination of John Camero to the Board of Appeals. Moved by Council Member Kimbo, seculared by Council Member Gellimba to close file on communication 269 and confirmed the nomination of John Camero to the Board of Appeals. Council Member Kagiwata. I'll just note that the nominee is here. Thank you so much. You sat through quite a long morning to get to the first item here and appreciate you and you stepping up. So I'll be supporting again. Thanks. Thank you. A single further discussion. All those in favor of closing file on communication 269 and approving the nomination of John Kimura to the Board of Appeals, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries with seven eyes. Two excuse, council members, kindly, client-felder and VA-guess. The nomination of John Kimura to the Board of Appeals has been confirmed. Congratulations, Mr. Kimura. Thank you for your patience. Order of resolutions. Is there any testimony for resolution 137-25? Hearing none, resolution 137-25 requested a Department of Water supply to develop and maintain an online system to display a general water availability county including number of units active commitments and developer agreements creates an online system hosted and maintained by the Department of Water Supply that provide access to reliable transparent and up-to-date information about water availability for informed decision-making and to support the county's long-term goals for sustainable developments and water resource management introduced by Councilmember Inaba. Chair motions to adopt resolution 137-25. Move by Councilmember Kirkwood. Seconded by Councilmember Houston to approve resolution 137-25. Councilmember Kirkwood. Thank you chair. I just want to mahalo you for your leadership and diligence on this particular issue and collaboration with the Department of Water Supply. I think we had a really robust conversation in committee and really excited about your folks' investment in creating this online tool that will be a really valuable source of information for us as council members and future councils and administrations as we make decisions about where to put housing and other developments because it all comes down to do we have sufficient water. So thank you all for your hard work. I yield. Thank you, Council Member Kirkowitz and in further discussion. Seeing none, thank you to the Department of Water Supply for being here today if there were any questions. All those in favor of approving resolution 137-25, please say aye. Any opposed? with seven eyes, two excuse, God's excuse, council members, call the illegal filter and VA-guess. Resolution 137-25 is adopted. Is there any testimony for Resolution 138-25? Hearing none, Resolution 138-25 authorizes the mayor to enter an agreement with the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation pursuant to our Vice-Datute Section 46-7 for grant the Conte Void Mass Transit Agency. Allows the receipt of $270,000 of Federal Uribe funds for the planning of the Pooh Transit Hub introduced by Councilmember Connelly Kleinfelder by request. Chair, motion to approve Resolution 138-25. Moved by Councilmember Kirkowitz, secondhand by Councilmember Kokiwata to approve resolution 138-25. Moved by Councilmember Crickowitz. I can hand by Councilmember Kogiwata to approve resolution 138-25. Councilmember Crickowitz. Thank you, Chair. Just wanting to note that acting administrator for MTA's Act Berkshrem is here. I don't see any real discussion that happened during committee, but I just want to confirm that this funding $270,000 will support the continued planning and design of the Pahoa Transit Hub, which will also include a state library. So thank you for your work to secure these funds and continue to make this project a reality. Appreciate it. Yep. I yield. Thank you. All those in favor of approving Resolution 138-25. They say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Seven eyes to excuse council members. Connelly Eclive-Felder and Vegas. Resolution 138-25 is approved. There's any testimony for resolution 139-25. Very none. Resolution 139-25 authorizes the mayor to ensure an agreement with the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Allows the receipt of $1,000,000,000,000 of federated-rived funds for the development of the Kuku-y-Ola permanent support of housing project in Kaewo-Kona. Introduced by Council Member Connelly Klein-Powder, by request. Chair, motion to adopt resolution 139-25. We'll back Council Member Birkowitz. I can add back Council Member Hustis to approve resolution 139-25. We'll be a council member. Clerk, which I can invite council member Houston to approve resolution 139-25. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Seven, aye. Two excuse. Council members, Coneyley, Klein, Felder, and V.A.G.S. Resolution 139-25 is approved. Is there any additional testimony for Resolution 140-25? Hearing none, Resolution 140-25 approves the award of funds the La La Alliance Hawaii by the Animal Control and Protection Agency, provides $50,000 of grant funds to La La Alliance Hawaii for their cat and spare newter initiatives introduced by Councilmember Connelly Clampouther by request. Chair, I'm motion to adopt resolution 140-25. I hope I can remember Kirkowitz. Seconded by Councilmember Kagiwata to approve resolution 140-25 by Sherone Shia. Thank you, Chair. I wanted to make a motion to amend resolution 140-25 with the communication of 239.1. Move by Vice Chair Onishi. Seconded by Council Member Perkowitz to amend resolution 140-25 with the contents of communication 239.1. Vice Chair Onishi, and I understand this is a request by the agency. My amendment, I'll just explain. There were some concerns about not having enough information at committees. So this provides the exact breakdown of the $50,000 award being provided to the Hawaii Island Humane Society and this was collaborated on with Fire Alliance Department and the Animal Control Agency. Ask for your support. All those in favor of amending Resolution 140-25 with the contents of communication 239.1. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight I'm going to ask one excuse, call the member of VAGIS. A motion, please, to suspend rule 23. So, we'll buy Council member Cornelia E. Cleifeld there, second and by Council member Criguit. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight eyes. One excuse. Council member V. Aegis. Back to the main motion, any further discussion? Council Member Kregowitz. Thank you, Chair. I appreciate having the exhibit and the breakdown of funding just for the sake of public transparency and then just want to again state for the record that our animal control and protection agency has been working in partnership with both of these organizations to coordinate these activities because I think there is this recognition that they cannot do everything. They absolutely lean on nonprofits and our community to round out their efforts. So in full support of the resolution, thank you. Thank you. All right, all 1, 4, 0, and that's 2, 5. We'll call it. Consummember Coney, I need client filter. I'm not sure if this was said already and I appreciate the detailed exhibits that were provided by Mr. eager earlier regarding the trapping and the sterilization and the feeding and the continued input of animals into the parks and her speaking against that really brought home some of the some of the problems that are inherent in the way we address cats and other animals in our parks and other facilities and I just wanted to kind of put that up for the council that that's definitely an interesting component of this is not if we just look at how we are addressing it by saying we're going to neuter in space and then continue that the animals come into the park and we don't make a move to change that that doesn't help fix the problem in the longer. And it may limit the population, but if we keep bringing, if people keep bringing animals to these places, then the problem will continue to exist no matter what we do with programs like this. That's all I see it. So thank you for the time, Chair. Thank you. Vice Chair Onishi, thank you, Chair. I will still not support this, and one reason is because of how the funding was provided. It was taken out of the agency's journal fund, and then converted into grant money. And so I cannot support that because then what does it stop us from going to other departments that are money's not being used and take that out and create a grant money for an agency or a nonprofit. So I cannot do that. And as Katie did mention about Lil' O'Kcalani, there is issues down there because of all the feeding and if they would trap and neuter and find a home for them, I would support this. But I cannot see trap being neuter and then put them back into the place. We need to, as Matt mentioned, that we need to look ahead at that and try to resolve this whole situation. But we cannot continue doing what we're doing. And the last day I was going to say, we have a homelessness problem. And so we need to, to me, we need to deal with that first, right? And get people off the streets and into either their own homes or into medical facilities or whatever we can do for them to get them back to how life's supposed to be. So I, even at this time, thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair Onishi, Council Member Kaguaro. Thank you, Chair. A couple things. Thank you, Council Member Onishi, agree that housing our homeless population is very, very important. As far as Spay and Newter services, what we've been doing as a county and as council members with our district funds and with our vi grants and other things is providing money for Bayon Nudor because we know our animal control cannot handle all of that. But I believe that this is actually a step in a more data driven, focused way of looking at how we are doing our kind of our scatter shot approach to funding span neuter. So I don't know that it's the ultimate answer, but I do think it's a step in the right direction of trying to look at what we're doing and do it in a more researched way and mindful way of spending our dollars but also of figuring out this issue. So I don't know that it's the the all-end all but I really do feel like it's a step in the right direction and we have to do something. And then finally I just want to address Councilmember Oñishi's concern about the funding. I was actually the person that put that $150,000 into that proposed that addition last year in the budget for contract services, which is not their general fund, it's under their contract services. After having a lot of discussions with animal control about, you know, directions they want to go and the fact that they cannot do everything, especially around cats, you know, we really task them to be the main person around dangerous dogs, but some of this the cat things are just really too much for their staff to handle at this time. So I'm going to be supporting, even though I don't think it's necessarily the be all end all, but I do hope it will give us some data by going this way that we can start moving forward on a better plan. I yield. Council member Kimbo. Thank you. I'll be supporting this resolution and I just want to share, go on record is saying I agree with the testifier earlier about there's public health and the environmental health safety issue with cats being abandoned in the Luliu Kalani Park without a doubt. But there have been other areas on the silent like Ofer and Waikoloa where DLNR did a mass removal of cats and what happened was all the of the feeders kind of went underground and as last I heard all the cats are back. The problem is that we have just so many that when you do an effort where you just remove them all, it opens up an opportunity for the other strays, the other colonies to just move into that space. And because there are feeders there and they'll just keep doing it, the cats are gonna come back. And so there needs to be a strategy that involves enforcing existing county laws like the abandonment laws, like the feeding laws, includes spay and neuter, and includes training for folks that want to provide the food to the cats to make sure that we can gradually move them out of the area. There's no mechanism where we just remove them and other ones don't come in. That has to be this sort of process where you're attacking it from several different angles. So I know that Council Member Glimba and Kirkowitz are working on amendments to chapter four. I think there's some opportunities for improvement there with respect to this and enforcement. So this program, this funding is really not dedicated towards some of the to the Liliokalani effort, but it is part and parcel of the general subject, which is we need to be addressing this from the very singles. Thank you. Thank you. Just wanna make sure we're not having policy discussions about feeding animals here, but vice-chair, on each of you. Thank you. Sure. Just to clarify, I did talk to the agency. The funding was created for the agency to hire or to get a vendor to do that certain project that E-Fox wanted. But he couldn't get one. They couldn't get one. So that money was still in the budget. And because the money was still there, it was taking out. I can't understand we're doing more studies because we know why the bottom line is we need a cat sanctuary. So we need someplace where we can put the cat. So PNR Director, HOMA and myself, and also Animal Control, we all be going to Lanai and, and, and, customer Kimbo, you and I think Kaguaro are went to there. And so, you folks seeing what they doing. So, I don't see anything moving forward to create that here. But that's one of the, one, one avenue of how we can help to keep the cats in control, right? But I don't see no movement. So that's why we're gonna go there to go find out what they're doing. And then with with the help with the administration, we can be see if we can do something about it, to create something here to help house all these, you know, feral animals. The last thing is just that the nene is protected, fairly protected under law. If these feeders are feeding the federal cats and something happens from the cat to the nane, my question was to animal alliance. What happens? Who's responsible? Right? Because now there's a federal violation going on. And we talk about enforcement. That's what we want to look at too. So just, I guess, some information or just my thoughts, and I you think. Thank you. We'll take the vote. All those in favor, Mr. Clerk on our roll call actually. On the motion to adopt resolution 140 as amended to draft to Councilmember Gellimba. Aye. Councilmember Hustus. Aye. Councilmember Coguata. Aye. Councilmember Connelly Kleinfelder. No. Councilmember Kirkowitz. Aye. Councilmember Campbell. Aye. Councilmember Onishi. No. Councilmember Viegas. Aye. Oh Oh. Chair Inaba. Hi. Chair Inaba, you have seven votes in favor with Councillor Lee Client Builder and O'Neill, she opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Next resolution, please. Is there any testimony for resolution one for one dash two five? Hearing none resolution one for one dash two five approves the award of funds to the Hawaii Island Humane Society by the animal control and protection agency provides $50,000 of ground funds to the Hawaii Island Humane Society to support off-Island animal transport on island adoptions and rehoming efforts introduced by Concerning Conor Lead Climb Elder by request. Chair, I have motion to adopt resolution 141-25. Well, by Concealer Conlead Client Builder, seconded by Concealer member Hustis to approve resolution 141-25. Pleasure, Unishie. Thank you, Chair. Just wanted to make a motion to amend resolution 141-25 with the communication of 2 4 0.1 And this again is All right on Rogo. Sorry motion by vice chair on issues seconded by council member Kirkowitz To amend resolution 141-25 with the contents of communication 2 4 0.1 vice chair on issue and just showing the details of where the funds are going to go to. Thank you. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, nine eyes. Motion, please, to suspend rule 23. Move by Council member Onishi. Seconded by Council member Galimba, all those in favor. Peace Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes. Resolution one for no. Yeah. Back to the main motion. Resolution one for one. That's two five. As amended. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Don't want to, oh, all right, roll call. On the motion to adopt resolution one, for one as amended to draft two, Council member Golembe. Aye. Council member Houston. Aye. Council member Coguata. Aye. Council member Connelly Kleinfelder. Council member Kirkowitz. Aye. Council member Campbell. Aye. customer O'Neill Shield, customer Viego's. Hi. Cherry Nova. Councillor Kergo-Witz. Aye. Councillor Campbell. Aye. Councillor O'Neill-Sheill. Councillor Viegis. Aye. Cherry Nava. Aye. Cherry Nava of eight votes in favor with Councillor O'Neill-Sheill opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Resolution 142, please. Is there any testimony for resolution 142-25? Hearing none, resolution 142-25 authorizes the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Hawaii's Department of Transportation, as well as grant a real property license or permit for their installation upkeep of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Systems at various county-of-way properties. Seek still allow the State of Hardware Transportation to install and maintain National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure charging stations at various sites within Hawaii County, introduced by Councilmember Coguata by request. Communication 242.1 from Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, date April 30, 2025 transmissed proposed amendments to resolution 142-25. Chair, motion to adopt resolution 142-25. Second. Move by Councilmember Caguato. Second, and by Council Member Gilemba to approve resolution 142-25. Council Member Caguato. Thank you, Chair. We have business manager, Caluah Lewis here. If you have any questions, I think we had a decent discussion during committee. Good morning. Good morning. So I was able to get an update. I believe the question was posed at committee how much vehicles can be charged at a station. So I reached out to our partners at each thought and it is one vehicle can be used at each station and there will be four stations at each site. Terrific. Thank you so much for getting that information. I don't have anything else I yield. Can I get a motion? Please do a man resolution 142-25 with the contents of communication 242.1 So moved. Moved by Councilmember Kagiwata seconded by Councilmember Kaniyalee Kleinfelder any discussion? Councilmember Hustis Please explain this amendment. We didn't have it in discussion last time. It wasn't even brought to the floor. And I'm opposed to this amendment. But I don't know why you're striking the location out of WIMEA. So please explain. Thank you. Yes, no problem. So we took off. We removed the WIMEA site because it is actually, I believe it was on EO from the state. So they do not need to enter the agreement with us. So it still happened regardless? It's? Yeah, they have the authority, I believe. And I can double check with court counsel, but because it is executive order to the West Dwayne me as a Vic Center, they do not need our permission to use the land. But there are still four chargers being installed at the location as far as you're aware. Correct, according to each dot, yes. Okay, thanks for that clarification, because it seemed from the amendment just being removed entirely and that was no real cause so Okay, yeah, so definitely they're still gonna put the charges there It did they just don't have to enter into an agreement with the county for The ability to use the line. Okay, because the resolution doesn't speak to the EO so that's that's where there I think that That miscommunication might be that that, that that exists, so that is not necessarily to have that on the list. It just blankly removes the YMAR 70% or out of it, so that's why I would vote against it, but thank you for the clarification on that. No problem. I don't know. All right, we'll do a roll call vote on the amendment please. On the motion to amend resolution 14-25 with concepts communication 242.1 Councilmember Galenba. Hi. Councilmember Houston. No. Councilmember Kagiwana. Hi. Councilmember Connelly, Kleinfelder. Hi. Councilmember Corkowitz. Hi. Councilmember Campbell. Councilmember Oñishi. Hi. Councilmember Villegas. Hi. Chair Inaba. Hi. Chair, you have eight votes in favor with Councilmember Hustis Opposed, Emotion carries resolution is amended. Thank you, Emotion, please. in these just to spend rule 23. We'll be back on some member. Can you have a client file their seconded by Council member Kirkowitz all those in favor. PCI. Any opposed? Motion carries nine eyes. On the main motion now to approve resolution 142-25 as amended all those in favor. PCI. Any opposed? Emotion carries nine eyes. Resolution 142-25 as amended. All those in favor, if you say aye. Any opposed to motion carries nine. I's resolution one four two dash two five as amended is adopted. Is there any testimony for resolution one four five dash two five. Hearing none resolution one four five dash two five transfers appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account and credit same to a designated fund account to assist the Department of Parks and Recreation with expenses relating to the Helo Bay Blast fireworks display at Helo Bay to celebrate Independence Day on July 4, 2025 transfers $4,000 of Kirk Council services continuously if account constitutional 4 and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, culture and education to other current expenses account introduced by Council Member Kirkowitz. Chair motion to approve resolution 145-25. Moved by Council Member Kirkowitz. Seconded by Council Member Coney Ali Fienfelder. Council Member Kirkowitz. Thank you. Parks and Rec reached out because they needed some additional support for their annual Hewyl Bay Blast fireworks this play on the 4th of July. This is something that I fondly remember checking out as a youth and so it's really heartwarming to be able to bring my children to experience this. It's a very safe event. You know the pyrotechnic show is Firework Show is handled by professionals and so it is a great opportunity for community to come hang out with each other in Hewil Bay and enjoy Firework's space we're looking for everyone's support and if you have extra contingency I'm sure that P&R would be very supportive hint hint council member O'Neal she I doubt thank you council member Kirkowitz council member Cunnelly Clientel very much in support. Love the event. Thank you Thank you, Councilmember Cug. Council Member Kanye Lee, Klein, further. Very much in support. Love the event. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Kagiwata. Yes, also supportive, especially I really do like the community involvement. I mean, the ability to have the community together and have a safe fireworks display. I think the more we can promote these activities on the East and West side, the better off we be and hopefully reduce some of the fireworks accidents and things that we've seen in the past. So very happy to support. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair Onishi. Thank you, Chair. Just to note that for the Hilo area, I think community police will be using their e-bikes for patrol, so that will be awesome. Thank you. Thank you Vice Chair Onishi, all those in favor of approving resolution 1425-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 9-Eyes. Resolution 1445-25 is approved. So any testimony for resolution 169-25? Hearing none, resolution 169-25, transfers appropriate in appropriation out from a designated fund account, and credit same to a designated fund account to purchase metal for trash bins at a lie cemetery, transfers $5,000 of per council services continuously with accounts District 3 and credits to Parkland Park's recreation a lie cemetery other current expenses account and is you just pay Council Member Onishi? Motion to approve resolution 169-25. Move by Vice-Chair Onishi. Seconded by Council Member Kagiwata to approve resolution 169-25. Council Member Onishi, thanks Chair. So for the cemetery, they do have these sections where they have some metal bins, but then I guess like Parks Manager Jason Mato's mentioned during budget hearing was that I guess when other places need these bins, they take it from a light cemetery. And so now when the people with their old flowers and stuff they just throw it within that cement block, so now parks and rack, the case that collect the rubbish needs to like scoop it up. So now it takes more time. So with this funding it will help purchase the bins that are missing at the cemetery. So I ask for your support. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair Onishi. Yes, and Mahalo to our park staff who take care of that cemetery. My own kupuna are there. So appreciate the work that you folks do. All those in favor of approving resolution 169-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine, aye. Resolution 169-25 is approved. Is there any testimony for Resolution 170-25? Hearing none, Resolution 177-25, transfers appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account. Criticized designated fund accounts by the funding for fencing accessories to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Transfer is $10,000 of the court council services continuously relief account, council district three and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Parks Maintenance, other current expenses account introduced by Councilmember O'Neighy. Motion to approve resolution 170-25. Moe by Vice-Chironee-Sheet. Seconded by Council Member Kirkwoods to approve resolution 170-25. Vashirani Sheets, thank you chair. This is to help parks with providing more funding to getting materials and supplies because every district we all know if folks have baseball parks, tennis courts or volleyball courts, outdoors and stuff and ask them courts. So with this funding, it'll give them more materials to help replace those broken fences or damaged fences. And I think it was mentioned about something in Kohala or some place in District 9, the fencing, yeah, was lifting up and so forth, right? At the baseball field, which is very dangerous. So this will help provide more funding for the crew. And just to let you folks know if you didn't know, so parks did create a fencing crew so that they can do it in-house. And this was done back in 2010 or 12. Thank you. So I ask for your support. Thank you. All those in favor of approving resolution 170-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine, aye. Resolution 170-25 is approved. There's any testimony for resolution 171-25? Very none. Resolution 171-25. Transfer is appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account. Credit St. to a designated fund account would have granted the Friends of the Palis Theater. For the 2025 Easter extravaganza, transfers $4,000 on the Criconcil Services contingency relief account, Conscious District 3, and credits to the Public Liquor Programs Account, introduced by Constable Onishi. Motion to approve Resolution 171-25. Well, by Vice-Chonichi, seconded by Council Member Hustes, to approve Resolution 171-25, Vice-Chonichi. Thank you, Chair. Just asking for support, and I heard it was an awesome event with a lot of children attending this big Easter egg hunt. And I appreciate you guys in helping and doing running this event. Thank you. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries nine eyes. Resolution 171-25 is approved. Certainly test money for resolution 172-25. During none, resolution 172-25. During none, Resolution 172-25 transfers appropriates an appropriation now and from a designated fund account, credit's saying to a designated fund account, but it went to Vallejo Pua 2022 purchase equipment for its community model projects. Transfer $6,235 from the Clark Council Services Continues Relief Account, Constitution 7,, and credits the party liquor control for the program's account introduced by Council Member V.A.G.S. Motion to approve resolution 172-25. Okay. Move by Council Member V.A.G.S. I can invite Vice Chair Onishi to approve resolution 172-25. I'll be recusing myself from discussion and voting on this matter, being that an immediate family member is an employee of this nonprofit council member of the AGS. Yes, just asking for my colleague's support. And I'd like to express gratitude for this Mala project. The garden there is absolutely spectacular. I had the opportunity to eat some of the fresh local produce. Go on there in a recent meal. And it's wonderful to see this activity, this space, and the perpetuation of regenerative agricultural practices here on the west side. I yield. Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, eight ayes, and I'm recused. Resolution 172-25 is approved. So any testimony for resolution 173-25? Hearing none, resolution 173-25 transfers appropriate and appropriation out and from a designated fund account and credit saying to a designated fund account whether granted to the Halle-Mual Cultural Group to assist with expenses related to the King Cumbia Medea Celebration Parade and Hololay and Kaewuokona, transfer $5,000 of court council services continuously leave account, Constitue 7, and credits the public control public programs account, introduced by customer V.A.G.S. Motion to approve resolution 173-25. Move back on to member V.A.G.S. Second, they may come to member Houston, Council member V.A.G.S. Yeah, I just wanna express my deep gratitude for the group that continues to put together King Kamehameh, a parade in Kaidu, Kona and the Holtanalea that, excuse me, follows afterwards at a time when it becomes more and more challenging to find volunteers and people committed to perpetuating the parade traditions in our town. I'm deeply grateful for this organization and community group for this culturally relevant and historically significant parade for Kylo village Ayyel. Mahalo, all those in favor of approving resolution 173-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine, aye. Resolution 173-25 is approved. Is there any testimony for Resolution 174-25? Hearing none. Resolution 174-25, transfer is appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account. Credit scene to a designated fund account to add a grant to equality. H.I. to support the 13th annual Pride Parade and Festival for $5,000 a grant to equality. H.I. to support the 13th annual Pride Parade and Festival, transfer $5,000 in the Court Council's services, contingency of Refacult, Council District 2, and Credit to the Public Area Control, by the Cromes account, introduced by Council Member Coguata. Chair, motion to approve resolution 174-25. Move by Council Member Coguata, seconded by Council Member Houston, to approve resolution 17-25. Councilmember Coguata. Thank you. Just happy to support this organization. They didn't have a parade last year. They've decided to do a parade every other year. So this is a chance if anybody wants to march in the parade or just attend the festival. It will be on Saturday June 28th. the parade in downtownilo, and the festival at the Moohayow Bandstand area. So hope to see you all out there supporting our LGBTQI, plus community. Thank you. Are you all right? All those in favor of approving resolution 174-25, the CI, any opposed? Motion. Eight I's one excuse. Councilmember Kanye Lee. Sorry. Kimball. Thank you. Resolution 174-25 is approved. Is there any testimony for resolution 175-25? Hearing none, resolution 175-25 transfers appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account. Create a to a designated fund account. So they're granted to hope services Hawaii incorporated to support its youth housing units. Transfer is $3,500 in 25 cents, but the court council services continuously leave account. Council District 2 and a credits the Partly Control, public programs account introduced by Councilmember Kaguata. Motion to approve resolution 175-25. Second move back on to remember cock you waters of a cog you what a motion to approve resolution one seven five dash two five. Okay, we'll be back on to remember cog you what a second invite council member he's this to approve resolution one seven five dash two five council member cog you what a thank you chair just looking for your support this this funding will be used to help get the furnishing furnishings needed for these apartments for 18 to 26 year old homeless youth who will now have a place to stay It's a brand new set up with many apartments, so they just need a little help getting some things like beds and Nightstands and things like that So I was happy to be able to help looking for your your support, thanks. Thank you. All those in favor of approving resolution 175-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight, aye. One excuse. Councilmember Kimball. Resolution 175-25 is approved. So any testimony for resolution 176-25? Hearing none, resolution 176-25, transfers appropriates and appropriation out and from a designated fund account. Credit same to a designated fund account, but a grant to the neighborhood play soap, who not to support its anchor point youth center. Transfer's $5,000 and court council services continuously relief account, council district two, and credits to public control for the chrome's account, introduced by Council Member Coguata. Chair, motion to approve Resolution 176-25. Second, move back Council Member Coguata. Second, back Council Member Houston, to approve Resolution 176-25, Council Member Coguata. Yeah, just looking to support this new outreach center for youth homeless youth in the east side side of the island place safe place where they can go and This will just provide the ability to give them food hygiene items things like that so Just to try to connect with them and and support them and then hopefully Get them to a place where they would also accept services housing services things like that So looking for your support. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Villegas. Chair, yes. Unfortunately, I'm not gonna be able to support this contingency relief fund allocation. I heard from numerous sources that neighborhood place of PUNA has had a mass exodus of staff and employees and potentially may not have the people necessary to continue the services that they have already been funded to provide via our homeless and housing funds. As we all know, they were already allocated. I believe it was $400,000 in the last allocation for this program. And so I don't think that more funds is going to help at this point. Unfortunately, some changes need to be made in operations before I think more tax for your money should be allocated to this program. No offense council member Kagiwata, I recognize and value your heart and your true intentions to support, especially our youth that finding themselves unhaused, but I won't be able to support this today. I yield. Thank you council member V.A. Yes. Any further discussion? Council Member Caguano? Yeah, I'll just say we heard from two of the staff from Anchor Point as the giving testimony today that they could really use these funds just to you know provide those essential supports for the youth that come in. So yeah, thank you. Okay, I have a question regarding this. So was, is anybody able, maybe from housing to answer whether this specific program was awarded? Funds in our last, they were. Okay, Anchor Point was one of the programs that was awarded. We'll have concerns then that there is potential double dipping across our different county grant programs if we're not able to get that clear answer at this time comes remember Kagi water Coggy Water? Do you have any information? Yeah, I'll just say that we did check that these items are not at all covered by the housing grant. The items that we are covering is specific items like food for the next month. Hygiene products, things like that, things that were not covered in the grant, we were very specific to work with them on only items that were not covered. All right. Without being able to compare the tool side by side right now, I cannot support it either. So we'll take a roll call vote on the motion to adopt resolution 176. Council member Gilemba. Aye. Council member Houston. Aye. Council member Coguata. Aye. Council member Connie Lee Kleinfelder. No. Council membermbar Kirkowitz. Hi. Concembar O'Neal. Hi. Concembar Viegas. Oh, hey. Cherry Nava. No. Cherry Nava, you have five votes in favor, three opposed. Concembar Connily Kleinfelder, Viegas and yourself and Concembar Campbell absent. Motion carries. Thank you. I just want to state for the record that as we head into you know further refinement of our CRF processes we can have more confidence as a group checking against any concerns of double dipping so we'll be implementing that with the new fiscal year and thank you all for your understanding and patience as we go to that new system on ex resolution. Please. Is there any testimony for resolution 177-25? Hearing none, resolution 177-25 transfers appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account. how credit is seen to a designated fund account, but it would grant to homeless task force to assist with expenses for its homeless outreach and engagement project transfers $9,000. From the clerk council services continuously for council district eight and credits to public control for the program's account. And should you speak, council member Inaba. Motion to approve resolution 1777-25. Oh, bye, bye, Sean Hishie. Second hand, bye, council member. I'll import to Proof Resolution 1777-25. Oh, bye, Vajonishi. Second hand, bye. Councilmember Gelenbo, to approve resolution 177-25. Any discussion, Vajonishi? As for my colleagues' support, this is specifically for, again, Hygiene Kits, Taxi Rides, making sure that on-house individuals in the West Hawaii region have support. So ask for my colleague's support. All those in favor of approving resolution 177-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight, aye. One excuse. Council Member Kimball, resolution 177-25 is approved Is there any testimony for resolution 178-25? Hearing none resolution 178-25 transfers appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fun account And credit same to a designated fun account to pay for you so the Kona trolley for the West Hawaii County ban during the King Kamehameha Day Parade Transures $570 from the Clark Council Services Continuously Account, Constitutional District 8 and credits to the part of Park's Recreation, Hawaii County Ban, other current expenses account introduced by Councilor Inaba. Motion to approve Resolution 178-25. Moved by Vice-Chairnichis. Seconded by Councilmember Coney Lee Kleinfeld. They're to approve resolution 178-25. This 8-25. Moved by Vice-Chairnichis. I can't remember. Concentration of the client folder to approve resolution 178-25. This resolution is from my office. Perhaps the reason for the updated memo from PNR about the amount of our resolutions. But this specifically pays for the trolley as our West Hawaii County ban is having a little bit more difficult time walking the whole length of the parade. So as for my colleagues support and again this parade can come out my day is happening on June 7th this year as for my colleagues support all those in favor please say aye and you oppose motion carries eight eyes one excuse council member Kimbo, resolution 178-25 is approved. Is there any testimony for resolution 184-25? Hearing none, resolution 184-25 authorize the payment of funds of a later fiscal year and of more than one fiscal year for multi-year employment contracts for the Office of Housing Committee Development, authorize the mayor to enter two-year employment contracts for one program oversight manager, one special program manager, and one program data manager to implement and manage the homeless and housing programs, homelessness and housing programs, introduced by a customer, Conley Clientfelder, by request. Chair, I motion to approve resolution 184-25. movedved by Council Member Conelli, Klein-Fathers, Secondary by Council Member Calimba, to approve resolution 184-25 Administrator Costa. This was waived from committee if you could please give a background to the council today. And actually I'll give the Florida Council member Connie Adi, five filter. Ms. Costa, go ahead, please. Thank you. Thank you, administrator Costa, Office of Housing. This is, this resolution would allow us to enter into multi-year contracts for our homeless and housing fund program staff. Currently, they're on one-year contracts that we renew. Even though it's a five-year fund. So we're just, we have a couple of contract employees that are on one-year contracts that are coming up for renewal and we'd like them to be able to stay on to finish up this five year program. Okay, and that funding is from the fund itself. Yes, from the fund itself. Okay, perfect. Thank you, Ms. Costa. Director, well, administrator Costa. How you doing, Chair? You got it, Council Member Connany I'll go there. All those in favor of approving resolution 184-25. Please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 8-I is one excused. Council Member Kimball. Resolution 184-25 is approved. Is there any testimony for resolution 186-25? Hearing none, resolution 186-25 transfers appropriates an appropriation out from a designated fund account, could it say to a designated fund account whether granted to Hollywood cultural group to assist with expenses for the 2025 King Command May Day celebration parade and whole Laoleia. Transters $8,553 of the per council services continuously for account and credits to the Department of the Control, but the program is vacant. Introduce by councilor Inaba. Chair, motion to approve resolution 186-25. Moved by councilmember Conelli, Klein-Felder, seconded by councilmember Calimbo to approve resolution 186-25. As for my colleague support, this is to the same group Councilmember V.A.G. is supported for general costs associated with the Pau units, roving, roaming marshals, Lua and other expenses related to the King Commandment and the Parade and celebration. As for your support, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. eight eyes, number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number of questions. I have a number once you start, please proceed. Thank you, Councilman and Council. Thank you for entertaining me for this bill. So I guess what I'm addressing is probably was addressed earlier by Pat Coelaw, which we're talking about the excess of taxing native Hawaiians on Hawaiian home lands. And I think you already know that the state and embodied the horn homes and under the law, boat tracks. you already know that the state embodied the Hohen Homes under the law, both federal and state kind of exempt the Hohen Homes lands from taxation. And I think I would treat it as no different as the post office, the National Park, you folks don't tax the post office National Park because it's federal lands. Hoi Nhoom is federal lands. Just because it's under the state as a monitor doesn't take away the idea that it is still a trust under the act of 1920. My look at this is that by what authority or what section or what law or what provision that you have that gives the county the opportunity to tax to tax these people. I guess Hawaiian homes, sometimes Hawaiian homes is kind of gathered into like the rest of everybody else, but being that I'm a native Hawaiian, being born as native Hawaiian, I didn't choose to be native Hawaiian. I got born into it. When I got born into it, there's some rules and laws that was associated by being born. It takes the government to identify you and then label you. It just will happen, the United States government labeled me as Native Hawaiian because I have 50% or more but quantum. So since that, I fall under different rules than everybody else. I'm not the regular resident person that's down the street. I fall under different rules and you can see that those rules are applicable. So under this bill, because you're looking at lowering the price of $200, I'm not for against it. I'm more questioning that to what validity that the county has to assess on Native points. And I would think that you would understand that the assessment is very limited. Limited to commercial, if I was a third party, I was leasing my land to somebody else that would be taxable. That would be some of the exceptions to it. Now, if we look at the other side of the coin, let's look at it this way. I'm sorry, I need to leave a bit more time, please. I'm sorry, sir's three minutes, three minutes has expired. Thank you for your testimony Mr. Mn. Can I ask one more minute? Can you just make your closing statement right now thank you? So, in closing I would say this, just to give you some idea, if a Hawaiian native Hawaiian decides not to pay their taxes. What is your remedy for that? You cannot get them off of the land. If a Hawaiian native Hawaiian decides not to pay the taxes, what is your remedy for that? You cannot get them off of the land. You cannot sell the land because it's trust men. So what is your remedy? You have no remedy. Thank you. You have no authority. Thank you. At this time, Bill 44, please. Is there any additional testimony for bill 44? Hearing none, bill 44, amendments chapter 19, Article 10, section 1989 of the Hawaii County Code 1983. 2016, in addition, as amended, relating to exemptions for certain Hawaiian homes property and other agencies exempt the value of buildings on Hawaiian homeland hom land homesteads. From property taxes and repills references to outdated state law, issued by Constantine Naba and Constantine Hustis. Chair, motion to approve Bill 44 at first reading. Moved by Constantine member Hustis, seconded by Constantine member, Caldemba, to approve Bill 44 at first reading. I am a co-introducer of this bill, so I'll pass it over to Vice Chair Onishi now, just for freedom of discussion. If I let you. That's good. Please let me. I just hope you. Clerk, for the record, I show that I am chairing this meeting. So, Chair Inaba. Thank you. I Perhaps all that Councilmember Houston started off today. Councilmember Houston. Thank you, Chair. Yes, grateful to co-sponsor this bill. You know, as a native wine myself, I don't have the blood quantum to ever to over live on homestead land but honor to bring this forward to the benefits of our homestead community and provide parity for across the counties and kind of looking at and then council members you see communication 232.1 is still in your packet as a reference to what exists with the other counties. Grateful to LRB for bringing this information forward, kind of a non-biased sort of policy assessment on what exists in other counties. So the goal is here to bring parity with the other counties and ultimately provide tax relief to our home-stating communities. So I'll leave it at that for now, Chair. If you wanted to dive a little further into some of the questions that may have popped up in other thoughts. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, thank you. I share on Ishi. There was a question regarding sections of the code that are being struck via this bill specifically. the references to HRS 239-3. And to section chapter 234 as well, these sections are being struck because they were repealed. So they're no longer in existence in the Hawaii revised statutes. And there was also a question brought up regarding the value of the land, this bill does not affect the valuation of property. It simply expands the exemption to include any improvements that are made upon any Hawaiian homes, homestead property. So whether you have a vacant parcel or a parcel with a large home, the minimum tax of $200 would be applied. So as for our colleagues continued support in this matter and thank chair, Colley Watkins of the Department of Foreign Homeland for his testimony today. Okay, any other discussions? Hearing or seeing none, all those in favor of proving Bill 44 on first reading say aye. Aye. Those in no. Okay. Bill 44 is approved with nine ice. I'll be turning over the chair back to chair in other. Thank you. I sure need she bill 45 this. So any testimony for bill 45. Hearing none bill 45, a man's chapter 14 article 10 section 14-65 of the White County Code in 1983. 2016 edition as a man relating to designated exceptional trees. A man's the tax map key and location of the exceptional trees listing for the Chinese Weeping Banyan to 2-2-2-2-9-08, Keela Weyer Avenue, introduced by Councilor Onishi. Motion to approve bill 44-45. Move by by show onornishi. Seconded by Council Member Calimba to approve bill 45 at first reading. Vice-Chornishi. This has to be supported in just a clean house. Thank you. Thank you. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine ayes resolution bill 45 is approved at first reading. Is there any testimony for Bill 46? Hearing none, Bill 46 amends section 25-HS30, not only will Zone Map article 8, chapter 25, of the White County Code 1983, 2006 edition as amended by changing the Zone Map classification from single family residential 10,000 square feet to village commercial 10,000 square feet at Naleo Ka Uhauai covered by tax map key 9, 5, 0, 0, 9, 0, 0, 1 portion, applicant LA services incorporated area approximately 6,920.3 square feet. The Web Replenty Commission for the unfeable recommendation for this requested change of zone, which is valid applicant to establish a unified zoning designation for the entire property. Properties located at 95-5591, Mama, Ohio Highway, introduced by Consumber, Kimble by request. Chair, motion to approve bill 46 at first reading. Move by Consumber, Kimble. Seconded by Consumber, Golembe, to approve bill 46 at first 46 at first reading Councilmember Kimbo. Yeah, I'm not going to reiterate the conversation we had in council that resulted in the unfavorable recommendation, but welcome. Planning Department is here for any follow-up questions. Thank you. Any further discussion? All those in favor please say aye. No. All right. Let's just do a roll call so it's clear on the record. On the motion. 46 correct. Yes correct. I'm just having a hard time hearing you guys. Can you pull your microphones a little closer to your mouths? Sure, can. Bill 46, roll ball, please. On the motion to pass Bill 46 on first reading, Councilmember Galenba. No. Councilmember Houston. No. Councilmember Coguata. No. Councilmember Connie Lee Kleinfelder. No. Councilmember Kirkowitz. No. Consumber Kimble. No. Consumber Onishi. No. Consumber Viegas. No. Charinaba, it is unanimous in no votes, the motion fails. Thank you Bill 46. That is moving on to Bill 47. Is there any additional testimony for bill 47? Hearing none, bill 47 demands chapter six of the Hawaii County Code 1983, 2016 edition as amended relating to transit accommodations as a new article requiring most transient vacation rentals and hosting platforms for transient vacation rentals to register with the county before operating provides for enforcement and penalties by Concealer Campbell and Concealer Kirkowitz. We have Connecation 236.3 from Concealer Heather Akimble dated May 6, 2025, Transmitting Proposive Memons to 047. Chair, a motion to approve bill 47 at first reading. moved by Council Member Kimbo, seconded by Council Member Calimba to approve Bill 47 at first reading. Thank you. Move by Councillor Member Kimbo. Seconded by Councillor Member Calimba to approve bill 47 at first reading. I'm going to hand the chair over to Vice-Chair Onishi from home. I'm going to step out. Other work could show in that I am chairing this meeting. Miss Kimbo, go ahead. Yes, thank you. I have a couple of amendments to introduce, So I will start with those. The first is actually under communication. Two, three, six, point five two. So motion to amend bill 46 with the contents of communication. Two, three, six, point five two. Okay motion by Ms. Kimball. Second by Ms. Kimball. Question. Yes. Council member Kimball, did you mean bill 47? I believe you said sorry my apologies bill 47. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Good catch. Okay. On the chair for the record I didn't I'm catch I understand this can be the motion who are you recording as making a second please. I'll crack it. Thank you so much. Okay. Ang, Ms. Kimball. Thank you. This amendment is in response to some additional conversations that were alluded to with the hosting platforms and the selves. The way that the bill is drafted, the hosting platform compliance part would take effect at the same time as the registration part. But we're going to need a little bit of a delay to get everybody registered and then for the hosting platforms to comply. And so in order to accommodate that but not be specific, the hosting platform compliance part will take effect upon notice from the finance director that they're ready to begin that aspect of the compliance. The second amendment, it was mentioned that the URL is the best source of information regarding transient vacation rentals. The nice thing is that these platforms archive them. So even if there's a point where we have something delisted, we'll still be able to get the information about the Transification Rental from that URL. Providing these for components makes it consistent reporting for the platforms across the state, which is going to be easier for them as far as implementation. And then the last bit has to do with a notification process. So what will happen, nominally, is that if it is determined that a hosting platform is, or if there's a TBR on a hosting platform that is not legally registered, the hosting platform will be notified and then have 30 days to remove that listing before they will be considered in violation of this rule. So it gives a little buffer there for them to comply with the listing removal so that that's the amendments in this particular draft or communication. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Mr. Clerk, I'm turning over to Chair back to Chair Inella. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, I'm turning over to Chair back to Chair Inella. Thank you. Further discussion on the amendment. Council Member Connelly, Kleinfelder. Just briefly. Thank you for submitting the amendment. Council Member Kimball. Any further discussion? Council Member Villegas? Yes. I have, while I appreciate the intention to try and rectify the challenges created by basically an overrun of TBRs, I have, I won't be supporting this amendment, and I have a lot of questions about the overall piece of legislation because nothing exists yet in chapter 25 and so we are creating all these policies around something that doesn't exist yet and it's I believe it's putting the cart before the horse also until we get the economic impact study returned. So I can go ahead and go over my specific concerns when we get back to the main motion but I won't be supporting any amendments either as we move forward. Thank you. Roll call vote on the amendment. On the motion to amend bill 47 with the contents of communication 236.52, Council member Golemma. Aye. Council member Hustis. Aye. Council member Coguata. Aye. Council member Connidly, Kleinfelder. Council member Kirkowitz. Aye. Council member Kimball. Aye. Wastro'Neeshi. Aye. Councilmember Villegas. Aye. O'Le. Chair Inaba. Aye. Chair Inaba, you have eight votes in favor with Councilmember Villegas. Suppose motion carries bill 47 is amended per communication to 336.52. Councilmember Kimball. Yes. I have a second amendment. This is actually coming up the request of the mayor's office to amend the fine and give the Planning Department a little flexibility to reduce that fine in suit and circumstances. We still want to have a fairly strong hammer here to make sure people are registering, but I do understand the need for some flexibility. So instead of having a flat $10,000 fee, it's a minimum of a thousand and up to 10,000 be depending on the situation. So motion, oh, I'm sorry, did I actually make the motion to amend bill 47 with the contents of communication to 3 6.53. Well, by Council Member Kimbo. Seconded by Council Member Kirkowitz to amend Bill 47 as amended with the contents of communication 236.53 on the amendment. Vice Chair Onishi. Thank you, Chair. I guess Director Darrell, please come up. Good morning. Hello Chair, Vice Chair, members of the Holy County Council, Jeff Darrell with the Planning department. So will your department or you will be issuing or determining what the amount of the fine will be? Correct. And how will you determine on the amount on the know, normally typically now we have like a fine schedule in place. My thinking at this time being that there will be flexibility in the fine amounts, we would need to do the same thing in chapter 25 for TRs where we have a fine schedule in place. And normally what that entails is first offence is so much, second offence is so much. And it increases as similar violations increase. So is that like a how rule or policy that you folks set up? No. Hopefully it'll be in the upcoming revision, the chapter 25 that's proposed to come after this bill. Oh, okay. Because like, I just want to be, if it should be put in this right now. It it could be but it might be because chapter 25 will house basically the overall process as far as how planning is going to enforce TBRs, it might be better to have it in there and then reference bill 47 or whatever section. It will be in chapter 25. Yeah, well it will be in chapter 6 but we can reference that in our update that happens. Because basically this bill in front of us is about registration, getting everybody to compliance. Right. Correct. So wouldn't it be, or make more sense if we had that written in here so that people would know? It could, but right now there's no, all there is is a fine amount right there's no enforcement process. The enforcement process for planning is in chapter 25. So it could be confusing for the public. I hear right and that's why maybe that's why we're getting some testimony about how they're against it. Well, this is very unique in the sense that registration is coming under Chapter 6, mainly under finance, but planning is very involved, but we also really need to have that updated chapter 25 to get the full picture of everything. Okay, okay. But so on your recommendations, how could we make it much more simple So, public could understand. I mean, Again, I think we're looking at the first part. It'll be clearer with the second part in place. But the message has been, this is the process right now. We're going through the first part once we finish that economic study. Because there's a lot more that needs to be done. And I'm sure Councilmember Kimball can speak to it, but it's not just passing this bill. There's other processes that have to be put in place for this to start working. And during that time frame work, there's going to be work being done on the economic study to finish that up as well as chapter 25. And since you brought that up, but I mean actually just wait for me motion. Okay. Yeah, but thank you for. Thank you. And I think we just got to educate the public better. Sure. Right. Thank you. Thank you You the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the question. feeling well. I don't want to bring this to that room with everybody. Would you say just in layman's terms that this is putting the cart before the horse? It's not a planning term we use, but I think as mentioned by Sharon Nicheats, it's the first part of a two-part process. It could be done differently, obviously, it could be done where they both come through together. But the maker of the bill decided to go part one and then part two. So we're just doing the best we can as we go through it. So in your personal and professional opinion, do you think it's wise to make this part one and then chapter 25, part two? Well, could it be wiser to do chapter 25 and then this bill? Council member V. Agas, just wanna remind you we're on the amendment right now to 36.53. Okay, I'll yield it this time. Okay, thank you. On the amendment, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Of course. All right, roll call vote please, Mr. Clerk. On the motion to amend Bill 47 as amended with communication to 236.53, Councilmember Galenba. Consumer hewstis. Aye. Consumer or cog you want to. Aye. Consumer or kindly client-fellower. Aye. Consumer or curcuit. Aye. Consumer or Campbell. Aye. West your own issue. Aye. Consumer or be agus. Uh, only. Chirinaba. Aye. Chirin Nabi, have eight votes in favor. Councilor Viegis, suppose, motion carries. Bill 47, as amended, is further amended per communication 236.53. Thank you. Councilor Viegis, you can continue. Yeah. I just want to put this up to this body. Some reasons why bill 47 should be deferred until the short term vacation rental study needs to be completed so that data and information and what it finds are available. Chapter 25 needs to be amended to establish TBR rentals, land use and zoning standards. Right now, it's important to point out that chapter six addresses business practices. It does not address land use policies. Bill 47 lays out processes for registration enforcement and annual renewal processes for individual businesses operating as TBRs. And it defines the TBRs. Since legal policies for unhosted STVRs have previously been adopted, the primary purpose of Bill 47 appears to be an attempt to address hosted vacation with rentals as defined. However, as previously pointed out, Chapter 6 addresses business practices for an individual business operation. It does not address land use policies. Our council is being asked to move forward Bill 47 that would amend Chapter 6 of the Hawaii County Code by adding a new section titled Trans-Implication Rental. But this new use needs to be incorporated into Chapter 25, which addresses the county of Hawaii land used zoning requirements since TBRs have not been defined in Chapter 25 of the Hawaii County Code, requirements have not been addressed as in which state and county districts will these uses be permitted? Will there be limited space on the total number of permits issued for the operations of TBRs? What will be the permitting or approval process? How many guests will be permitted in each room? What will the maximum number of guests at any one time? What total percentage of residents can be used for transient uses? Can a primary residence be rented for transients with the host utilizing a secondary shelter? There are a number of questions in conclusion and why I would ask the author to defer this is that further consideration of bill 47 should be deferred until the TBR study is completed so that the data and information that finds are available for consideration by the community. And Chapter 25 needs to be amended to establish TBR Rental's Land Use Standards. I have conferred with a number of professional land use planners who have been actively involved and who I might note are voraciously opposed to TBR's. So this isn't with any intent to stop regulation of those businesses, but it is a dire request for us to follow due process and not put the cart before the horse, potentially opening ourselves up to more chaos and confusion and further, further muddying the water when it comes to our land use policies and where TBRs are allowed to operate. That's my humble request of my council members and of the author of this legislation to please slow down, follow due process, and that we do the one before the two in the more wise sequence of events, regardless of intent to try and get this taking care of as soon as possible with that I yield. Thank you, Council Member Villegas, coming back to Kilo, Vice-Chironishi. Thank you, Chair. I guess this question would be to Ms. Kimball. So when you did that presentation the first time in Kono, you had that charts. And then what my understanding was we needed to pass the resolution, I mean, not the first reading. And then from from there it would go and get the study moving forward. Yeah, and you had those charts and you said okay after this, going to get this and then going to get that and whatever. Council member Kimball. Yes, so we have the study that was initiated by the resolution, but speaking with the vendor and Councilmember Kirkowitz can add to this too because she's had more direct contact with them. Having the registration process and having that data will actually better inform our ability to do the chapter 25 update. So what you're remembering is our plan is 47 first, get the registration, then we get an official count and location of things that's paired with the financial impact study, and then we introduce the land use change. But we need the information from the registration process to make the determinations about what to do with chapter 25. So that's what you're thinking of will come next. And add anything? It's curcuit. Councilmember Cercuits. Sure. We are expecting a draft analysis from the vendor by the end of this month or early June at the latest. In know, in conversations with them and understanding the number of folks that participated, hundreds have participated both residents and operators. It became abundantly clear that I think in order to answer the question about land use and where TVRs are permitted and if we do visitor destination areas, we need a really accurate assessment of who is operating and how and where before we make any other policy decisions, including regulations. So that's why we've had to be very fluid throughout this process. This bill is necessary to complement the study that is being prepared by Hunden partners. I hope that answers your question. But then so now we pass, this data study is different to what we pass. Because unless you folks anticipating that the study going to be what we propose today. Because you said the study is not finished yet, correct? Council member Kerquets. I just want to make abundantly clear that the study is an economic impact analysis. This bill is about registering vacation rentals. Correct. Two completely different topics. The study will help to inform any future policy and regulation in chapter 25 in in in chapter 25 correct but it has no bearing on on registration. Okay. It doesn't the study will not influence whether or not folks need to register. Okay. So okay. So see that's where confusion to I mean, I thought with the presentation that you did, that's where confusion to even for me. I mean, I thought with the presentation that you did, that study was part of all this, but it's all separate components, right? So, that's why I think we need to be more clear to the public because if I couldn't understand until asking questions now, can you imagine the public? They're confused out there. And that's why I think we get in these testimonies about people's soft set, right? Because they don't understand. And to me, I support the registration because you want to get the illegal guys, legal because then for the legal people or entities, it's not fair for them to compete against illegal, you know, TBRs and so forth, right? So I can see that. And so I just wanted to, yeah, kind of clarify. I mean, I guess we need to explain more because then I know these bills have been going on for a long time and and there was a previous one that went up to draft five and then they came with it or whatever you guys did with that right and now it's coming back again and people are going like why are you bringing it back and so forth right so I think educating the public is a needed resource somehow with working with planning to help do that but yeah but that's my thought thank you. Thank you councilmember Kim Ball. Yeah I just your point is well mate this is it is confusing primarily because 121 was so massive and so people have a lot of what was in there in their mind. This, we really tailored it back to just registration, super simple, no land use changes. The, I will just, since we have the public watching, we have the website that has a webinar that Ashley and I did about the bill that I think is even more expansive than the presentation I got. I we also did a podcast with an AI tool, which is pretty wild. I encourage you to listen to it. But we wanted to be able to work with people that learned in different ways, but agreed. I mean, we're having to continue to message about this. And the more we talk about it in these hearings and kind of clarify things, I think that improves the situation as well. Thank you. Councilmember Kirkwitz. Thank you, Chair. Director Daryl, there was a constituent who was here earlier. He's come before this body regarding Bill 21. We had talked about VDAs and contiguous lots being looked at as sort of one building site. The concern is by registering, we are giving the county an opening to enforce certain laws and violations. But I just want to make very clear that the to enforce certain laws and violations. But I just wanna make very clear that the intent of the planning department is not to make visits to every single person that is registering through this process, that your department will continue to function in a complaint-driven manner. Is that correct? just want to assuage any concerns about that, that you're going to be using this information and somehow weaponizing it against the community. And that's not what is happening here. That, I mean, apologize, Chef, there was the planning department. Thank you for the question, Council Member. The intent for planning has always been to seek compliance, not to be a hammer or use enforcement as a means of punishment. I mean, all the time when we get a complaint, our goal is to see what we can do to resolve the complaint. Not, oh, we got a complaint issue. Try to get fines or whatever. All the time, even with fines, we give breaks on fines as long as the person that's being complained about is working with us to resolve. In this particular case with short-term vacation rentals or now TVRs, there's a difference regarding enforcement and I agree our code says that we cannot you know take anonymous complaints that we need a complaint to be able to go out. There are times though that planning to see something agree just that we really got to do something. This is health and safety. We've got to do something to stop what's going on. But for and T-V-Rs, the way the language is in the code right now is it's more based on advertising, as almost like a prima facia evidence, but again, we don't necessarily go and look for it, right? If we get a complaint, that's a means that we can utilize to verify a complaint in its valid. We don't just go search the internet and find everybody, although we could, but we don't do that. We're trying to operate systematically in the same across the board that we receive a complaint because obviously this is affecting somebody. But with that being said, there is a lot of concern about this process that's going to be happening now. planning will be working together with the council to be able to make sure that we get through Bill 47, get through Bill 25, whichever however we do it, and be able to make it so that everything is complete and clear before we really start focusing on any type of enforcement for that. The main goal, like you said, is let's give people registered. Once they register, we're not going to be going, oh, let's look at each of these. But there will be a process to register to make sure that they meet certain standards. And if they meet that, then they are able to register. That has really nothing to do with planning because it'll be in Bill 47. Thank you, Director. And again, the key piece here is you are not proactively going out to look for violations. This continues to be a complaint driven process. And I think the reality is too, the market really regulates itself. If folks that are staying at different vacation rentals do not have a positive experience, that's reflected in the reviews and, you know, host make adjustments to their operations and accommodations accordingly. So I appreciate you clarifying and providing that for the record. I yield to. Any further discussion? Okay. I wasn't able to share some of my thoughts at the committee hearing. And I think there were some concerns regarding the definitions, specifically the booking services. And it's interplay with the hosting platform definition. In terms of the definition for unhosted, which states unhosted, refers to a TBR located on a property on which a host does not reside while the TBR is rented. I'm wondering if I think it's an insight on the necessity for that last part while the TBR is rented. I'm not understanding why it wouldn't be a blanket statement period. They just don't reside on that property. So either of the makers. So if I may, I think you have to look at hosted and unhosed together. And so the one can be the host on a property and not be there. and then it becomes unhosted, right? And so that's why they have to be present, not only as the resident, but actually during operations, then otherwise it's considered an unhosted rental. And this is actually one of the complaints that we see a lot as people advertising is hosted, but then when the folks come and stay they're not actually physically on the site while it's being rented. And so they would technically be operating as unhosted. I think that I don't in my reading of it hosted says it refers to a TVR located on a property that is the principal home of a host and if if you're reading it together, unhosted in my mind would be where the host doesn't have a principal home because if they're not there temporarily, so for three hours of the person's rental, they're not there. It's considered unhosted at the time. I don't think that's a smart way to define unhosted. So that's a concern of mine in section 6-42. I have concern here with rulemaking authority to both the finance and planning director. It seems like a planning matter. Planning is going to be the one enforcing the fines. It seems like that we discussed earlier, the thousand to ten thousand. I'm not sure if finance has a thought on it, but personally, I'm not going to ask you to come up director not the Gawa. I just think it should be with one department because we don't wanna see conflicting administrative roles from two different departments if things don't track along simultaneously. So with the bill as currently drafted, I have concerns, I can't support today. I do support the intention of what we're trying to do here. I just, things need to be further ironed out to completely make sense for me. So with that, we'll take a roll call vote on Bill 47, I first reading. On the motion to pass bill 47 as amended on first reading. Council member Gellimba. Aye. Council member Houston. Aye. Council member Coguata. Aye. Council member Connie Lee Kleinfelder. Aye. Council member Kirkowitz. Aye. Council member Campbell. Aye. Vice Chair O'Neill, no. Council member Villegas. Oh, aye. Chair Inaba. No. Chair Inaba, you have six members in favor with Vice Chair O'Neill, she, Council member Villegas, and yourself oppose the motion carries. Bill 47 as amended passes first reading. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Bill 48, please. Is there any testimony for Bill 48? Hearing none, Bill 48 amends, order is number 2432, as amended, the operating budget for the county of Oei. For the fiscal year in June 30, 2025, appropriates revenues in the federal grants, federal transit administration section 5304, formula account $270,000, and appropriate to say into the federal transit administration section Transit Administration Section 5304 formula account to be used for the planning of the Polo Transit Hub introduced by Councilmember O'Connelly Kleinvolder by request. Chair, I motion to approve resolution. Sorry, Bill 48. O'Connelly, at first reading. Moved by Councilmember O'Connelly, Kleinvolder is seconded by Councilmember Gallemba to approve Bill 48 at first reading. Moved by Councilmember Connelly, Klein Felder, seconded by Councilmember Gilemba to approve Bill 48 at first reading. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, nine, aye. Bill 48 is approved at first reading. Is there any testimony for Bill 49? Hearing none, Bill 49 amends order number 2432 as amended, the operating budget for the Condife OIE for the Fisk year in June 30, 2025. Appropriate as in the Federal grants, 2025 pathways to removing obstacles housing account, 1,500,000 dollars, and appropriate same 2025 pathways through the OMSL housing account to be used for the development of the Kukuui Ola Permanent Support of Housing Project in Kaikou, and introduced by Council Member Kahneli Kleinfelder by request. Chair, motion to approve bill 49 and first reading. Moved by Council Member Kahneli Kleinfelder, seconded by Council Member Gullimba to approve bill 49 at first reading. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, nine, aye's, bill 40. group bill 49 at first reading any discussion seeing none all those in favor please say aye any opposed motion carries nine eyes bill 49 is approved at first reading is there any testimony for bill 50 bill 50 hearing none bill 50 immense chapter 19 article 11 section 90- 90 of Hawaii County Code 1983, 2016 edition as amended relating to real property taxes. Changes required appropriation of residential tier two property tax revenue for housing and homeless and discipline of fixed proportion of 75% to a fixed amount of $9 million. Introduce pay cons for recovery. You want to and cherry Nama chair motion to approve bill 50 Move back on some member. Coguata and Sherry Nama. Chair, motion to approve Bill 50. Moved by Council Member Coguata, seconded by Council Member Calimba to approve Bill 50 at first reading, Council Member Coguata. Thank you. I have an amendment based on our last discussion. It's to, well, motion to amend Bill 50 bill 50 with the contents of communication two four one point one Moved by councilmember Kagiwara seconded by councilmember Calemba to amend bill 50 with the contents of communication two forty one point one councilmember Kagiwara Thank you. This is kind of a minor Adjustment but it was suggested. I believe by council Kimball, that just in case we were to go below 9 million for this section of revenue we wanted to put in there, no less than 9 million of the revenue collected annually, pursuant to the subsection, or whenever less than 9 million is collected, all such revenue. So basically that we would not be committing ourselves to the 9 million if we did not have it that year. I yield. Thank you, Councilmember Coguataata any further discussion on the amendment? Seeing none all those in favor please say aye and the opposed motion carries nine eyes bill 50 is amended with the contents of communication 241.1 Any further discussion Seeing none all those in favor please say aye and the opposed? Motion carries. 9-9-9. Bill 50 is approved at first reading. This is your any testimony for bill 56. Hearing none, bill 56 amendments order number 2432 as amended. The operating budget for the county of Oye. For the fiscal year in the June 30, 2025, increases revenue to the federal grants justice, Justice Assistant Grant Special Response Team Capability Enhancement Grant Account, $78,671, and appropriate state to the Justice Assistant Grant Special Response Team Capability Enhancement Grant Account, for total appropriation of $129,028, funds we use by the Police Department for Training, travel, and specialized gear and equipment introduced by Council Member Connelly Clip by request. Chair, I motion to approve Bill 56 at first reading. Move by Councilmember Connelly Klein-Bolder seconded by Councilmember Gellimba to approve Bill 56 at first reading. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? D.C.I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes. Bill 56 is approved at first reading. Is there any testimony for bill 57? Hearing none, bill 57 amends orders number 2432 as amended, the operating budget for the county willye for the fiscal year in June 30, 2025. Increases revenues of federal grants high intensity impact grant account, $22,600, and appropriate the same to the high intensity impact grant account for total appropriation of $690,877.96. Funds fees by the police department for overtime travel, training, services, and equipment to investigate drug-related cases introduced by Consumber Connery Clanfelder by request. Chair, I motion to approve bill 57 at first reading. I can move by Councilmember Connelly, Clanfelder, second and by Councilmember Calimba to approve bill 57 at first reading. Moved by Council Member Cunnelly, Eclineth Holder, second and by Council Member Calimba to approve Bill 57 at first reading any discussion. Seeing none, all those in favor. Council Member Viegas. Yep, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Captain Edwin-Biton for all of his exemplary work in stopping the drug trafficking and commend him and his department on their incredible successes and excited and grateful for the opportunity to support the allocation of these funds for their continued amazing work in our county. I hope. Thank you. All those in favor please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine, ayes, bill 57 is approved. That first reading, I'm going to pass the chair to Vice Chair Onishi at this time. Mr. Clerk, can you make a record a note that I'm chairing? Okay. Bill 39. On two matters that are up for second or final reading, is there any testimony for bill 39 draft two? Hearing none, bill 39 draft two, amendments chapter 19 article one section 19-2 and article seven section 19-53 of the way County Code 1983 2016 edition as amended really to the affordable rental housing real-power detects classification repeals definitional affordable rental housing and amends a definition of affordable rental rate and amends of section H eligibility for affordable rental housing class. Introduced by Cheri Naba, first reading was May 7, 2025. We have a motion to approve bill 39 draft two. So moved. Second, final week. So moved. Motion by Cheri Naba second by Ms. Kaguana. Kissed chair. Thank you. Councilmember Onishi asked where my colleagues continued support. Again, this bill for the public's knowledge expands those who can be in the real property tax affordable rental program to include those in section who are accepting section eight vouchers. It also standardizes an 80% per year median income across the island, something that is fair, published by Hawaii Housing and Finance Development Corporation each year. And ultimately we want to provide benefit to property owners who are renting at affordable rates here in our county. So I asked for my colleagues continued support as the bill is currently drafted. Thank you. Okay, Ms. Caguano. Okay. Thank you. I have a proposed amendment here, motion to amend Bill 39, draft two with the contents of communication 206.4. Second by motion by Ms. Caguano, second by Ms. Calimba. Go ahead. Thank you. And I'm not really sure how to do this because I noticed that Councilmember Glimba also has a similar but not the same proposed amendment. So I don't know if we can discuss them together or if we need to take them one by one. How do you want to do it? Clerk, Mr. Clerk. To the council's decision, how to handle these types of matters. Okay. We'll go one, one by one. Okay. Okay. So this amendment is just based on what we talked about before, which is just while we, well, I can really see the benefit of increasing the payment amounts. Well, first of all, I absolutely support trying to, you know, make this simpler and And so understand and also bringing section 8 under the same criteria for payment. So yes, on that. But I definitely had some concerns about looking at the high cost zip code areas on the west side in the same light as those in you know Ocean View Co. Puna, Hilo and so even the current way that things are done I believe there's a you know we have the differential so I also want to in order to talk about this, just introduce communication number 206.5. This is the information provided by Council Member Inab's office earlier with just the addition of the 70% AMI put in there. because what I am proposing is that the high cost communities zip codes would be at the 80% AMI as proposed by this bill but the other zip codes that are not at such a high cost would be at the 70% AMI instead of the 80% AMI which brings them closer to where they're at right now without having a big jump opened up in how much people would have to pay for those same rentals. So if you look at the rent comparison currently, we have two set of payment standards. We have one for those high end zip codes, the current 75% of payment standards. And so we kept those same zip codes in this amendment and just say that all those that are doing the 75% standard that are the higher one would be 80% and all others of COS would go to 70%, which is just slightly less, but is a little more in line with what they're currently paying instead of having big jumps. I hope I explained that correctly. I'm happy to answer any questions. People may have. Vice-Journishie. Just wanted to verify that before any further deliberation that these council would need to choose either one of these amendments or neither they do not. Yeah, we have some to verify that. Thank you. Thank you. On Communication 206.4. Correct. Yes. Yes. That's on the floor right now. Any more discussion? Chair, another. Thank you. Would like to call on housing and perhaps real property tax, Assistant Administrator, Kate, at Joe. From my perspective, you know, I know housing has selected these zip codes via the current payment standard method, but and that's what council member Kaguata has pulled over to create the 80% in line with the current reading, but for the second portion where there's average of the most recent between 60 and 80 and wondering how real property tax would interpret that and how that would be used to try and inform the public of what the actual rental limits would be for the program. Keta Jellis is an administrator for real property tax division. As we would interpret the amendment, we would take the 80% of median and 60% of median provided by Hawaii housing finance and development and then we would take the average of the two to essentially get to 70%. And so that would be communicated through an updated application which would come out probably closer to July. So right now, applications are being issued October through December. So that gives a really short window. So this increases that window by going to the HHF DC rates. Thank you. OK. Mahalo for that response. I won't be in support of this amendment. I appreciate bringing it forward as it does provide a method for us to discuss it with the specific zip codes of the current program. I don't think we have the information required to make that decision to say for certain that only those that codes would be 80 and everyone else would be at 70. Furthermore housing would, I mean real property tax would need to go and create numbers based on HHFDC's numbers. It isn't readily available as published by HHFDC, the 70% AMI. So ask for my colleagues not to support this amendment and continue supporting the bill as drafted. The draft too. Thank you. Okay. Any other member? Mr. Cahn-Mill-E-V. Cahn-Felder. Thank you. Mr. yourself. Administrator Costa. Thank you. Do you look at the amendment that was not forward? Yes. Okay. What do you think? Can you be more specific with your question? What do you think of the call-out for the zip codes? And the zip codes provided. It's currently what we use for Section 8 to create exception payment areas for higher rent areas. Okay. And the effect with this included in the bill versus what the bill is now. So the effect for Section 8 is that we are able to issue a higher payment standard for section eight landlords in those exception payment areas. Because rents are a little higher, so we can get a little closer to market, not really, but a little bit closer to market in those exception areas for section eight, participating landlords. Okay, and these zip codes that are included now, these are the areas where we have, where we look at, where we see higher rents already. And so allowing for the, what brain now working today, allowing for the department to subsidize at a higher cost for the higher rental. Those areas, yes. Okay. And then for the number two section, everything else. But I'm looking at this rental guidelines for 60% and for 80% of the AMI. My brain is turning around my head on what that means. It's recalling out two different. Chair, I can answer that. Yes, please. Go ahead, just go ahead. Thank you. Since the numbers are not provided by the organization, it just means that you're gonna take the 70% the average of the two to get to 70% because they don't give every, they't give like 10 20 30 40 50 60 they only give 60 80 and 100. Oh, so it's just saying that you're going to do that very simple calculation which R.P.T. said no problem you can you can ask them but yeah to get to the 70% which seemed more in line with what's already available. Okay, interesting way of going about it but I understand that. Okay. Real property, are you able, share department able to take this on in a manner that's efficient? As mentioned earlier based on the amendment, RPC would be able to utilize existing numbers to calculate on an annual basis that 70% more or less. So nobody's going to quit tomorrow. If this amendment were to pass. No. Okay, if we heard that in a pass, it was scary. It changes everybody freak out. Okay. I like the amendment because we spoke to this means of allowing for a little bit more selective subsidization from housing for rental areas that we want to see grow and not trying to affect the market in areas that are proliferated with rentals already. I'm thinking back to X-membrane. A lot of this happened between there and here. So am I missing anything? I'm going to share this kind of in the direction that we were speaking to. I feel like you're being hesitant, just saying. This amendment does create the exception areas, so it does allow for you to property tax to create rental rates in an exception area versus all the other zip codes on the island. The exception area is set by Section 8. So questioning that moving forward, because we set the second- We section 8, section 8, 8 sets the exception areas and there's a methodology for how we set the exception areas. Just curious how that would be moving forward. And just in particular why I'm hesitant is because what I'm challenged with in my mind is that the AMI chart addresses rental, what an individual or a family should be paying in rent if they are at 80% or below am I income earned. So I just have a, just philosophically, I have a particular challenge with saying that 80% if you're 80% and below is typically what we consider low income. 80% is usually around our Alice population 8, right? So 80% in below is typically what we consider to be low income. So we're using an AMI in this particular amendment to set rents, fair market rents. It just philosophically have an issue with saying that somebody's at 70% in all these other zip codes. If you're 70% in AMI, you're considered low income, but in the higher rental areas, 80% below. So we're using an AMI to calculate rent. So anyway, that's just philosophically what I'm having a harder time with, but it's all right. Can I comment on the zip codes? Yes, yes, please. As I'm sitting here, I think there's a concern that those zip codes might be fluid because housing sets them. And I don't know if it's a housing process set on an annual basis, if it's being fixed here, is the market going to change? The question I'm asking myself is the market going to change in future years that now we need to include or exclude some of these zip codes. That would be a concern as I'm sitting here. Okay, so without a yearly review or some process built into this, we may actually, we may have, we may negatively affect what we're wanting to do. and then we just don't know we don't and the alternative would be to set it across the board is one way interesting okay so minister you're you're concerned lies more on the excuse me mr. Conny Lee Klein Felder, can you smell up to your microphone a little bit? No, I hate having this thing in my mouth. Thank you. I'm sure you're saying that the AMI is the concerning part. The use of the word, term or terminology, AMI, or just the philosophical basis of using AMI as a guideline. Yeah, it's just the way my brain is trained. 80% in below AMI is low income right so if you're if you're serving 80% and below AMI you are addressing affordable people who are in an affordable housing category so just to kind of take that and go 70% of AMI is is how we're setting the rent. It's just, it's apples and oranges in my brain, that's all, but I know what Council Member Kaguata is doing is really trying to get the rent rates closer to the fair market rates. We're just using this tool. If you're just using the AMI chart, the 80% AMI, if you're just using the AMI chart and you're hitting 80% AMI, you're just basically saying across the island, if the landlord is charging 80% rent or below, they are addressing based on that chart, family, individuals and families that are earning 80% and below income. It's kind of simplified. Whereas we went with the original language of the bill, which is what we're amending with this amendment, it would be, from the case with two bedroom home, instead of 75% of a payment standard, it's $1,700 a month. 80% AMI would land us it. $4 shy, $2,000 a month. With Ms. Calguuata's amendment, we'd be landing at $1,746 a month. So landing us in that right zone of equity, as we apply this standard and AMI is to land us in the right zone for the rental market. So it's creative, but it lands us to that sweet spot. So it's interesting. So feel it softly. We have a dilemma, but as far as financial day and where it's landing us, it's actually landing us in a good spot. Okay, now you'll thank you. Mr. Kimball? Yes, thank you. On the amendment, I'll explain why I gave you that look. So am I calculated countywide? So, would your perception be that 80% am I in Kona and my male is the same as 80% am I? You know, absolutely not. And you know that I know that, right? So, that is really this is just really complex, right? We've got one data point for entire island given to us by HUD for both Fair Market and AMI, based on Census data. So you know that I'm challenged with this as well. Yeah. And so that I think is, if we go with AMI, that becomes the problem, right, is that you have one standard for very different communities. And I think this approach of saying, well, 70% on the east side, even though I get what you're saying, it's not uniform, but 70% on the east side, maybe closer to 80% if you only use the east side to make the calculation of AMI. Right? Yeah. The data. Yeah. Right. So if we had that information, if we had that data, we could actually, yes, right? We could get the sense of the spark data to calculate the AMI for each of them. Absolutely. It's not simpler because it's that linear. But I think, so that's how I mentally get around this, right? Because 70% AMI on the east side is actually more like 80% AMI on the west side. I think what this amendment presents is the kind of incrementalism that, you know, if I remember, if I understand the maker's intent, it is to incentivize more people to get into the affordable housing tax class, therefore make more affordable housing available for rent. And so I think that this would be an incremental step towards that that would limit the potential for unintended consequences. Because I do think this is convoluted and complicated enough that there is the possibility that we would see unintended consequences. And so while there may be refinements needed later on on such as the zip codes or other things. Maybe that, you know, the ballot 7080 is not right. It's enough of an incremental step that I think it'll give us data in a couple of years from now to say, okay, this was the right way to go or not. We have that, I mean, it seems like a long time, but we want to get this right. I'd hate to make too drastic go of a change too quickly and Really mess things up. So I'll be supporting this amendment and I'll be supporting this amendment With the reflection of the other amendment coming I prefer this one. Thank you Mr. Vallegas you have anything No, I won't be supporting the amendment. Okay. Anyone else in Hilo? Zinnan? Oh, Mr. Glimba? Yeah. So, I do have another amendment. And I actually almost see it as a fallback. I do, I will be supporting this amendment actually. I prefer, to my amendment, basically, I've had conversations with the Ministry of Cost and we both kind of went, so much to think about it and it also kind of reflects some of the discussion from last time that potential desire to do a whole housing survey. So that's kind of reflected in that. But I think it might be better to just go with something more specific at this time rather than trying to get ourselves into a whole sort of housing survey. And if we need to, if this formula doesn't work out, then we could amend later and then do a housing survey to try to fix and make everything right at that time. So I will be supporting this a minute. Here, no. Thank you. I just want to point out for the three and four bedroom units should this amendment pass we could potentially be kicking out existing property owners out of the real property tax affordable rental program because we're reducing the rent for all others it quotes from 21342,134 to $2,016. And then $2,355 to $2,250 for the four bedroom. Real property tax had run some numbers regarding those on the island that are within $100 of the maximum rent currently or at max rent and that number is at 12%. I'm clear at this time how many of those people are, of those people are not in those districts that would be at the higher rate, but there is that potential. And I don't think we have that number, but that is a clear risk of passing this amendment. We're going to potentially be kicking people out of the affordable rental program. So even at that, my continued request is to not amend the bill. Thank you. Ms. Kirkowitz. Thank you. Just kind of reflecting on the conversation and the remarks provided by you know administrator Costa and deputy Joe I I'm worried about the continuous tinkering here because you know I hear about we could just pass this and we'll see how it works and we can just fix it. Like, our work might be then here on the dius. But what we don't see is the countless hours that your teams are putting in to figure out these formulas and communicate yet another change to the community. So I worry about the constant changing that you folks are having to accommodate. I understand the intention. But I'm not hearing you folks being warm to either of the amendments that are being put forth today. So I'm wondering if the best thing to do is to just go with the bill that is before us. I just want to confirm that that might be the preferred approach at this time. A lot of work has been spent kind of gearing up to getting us to this draft. And again, I just want to be very cognizant of all of the work that happens after we approve these laws. To that, and I did want to respond to Cheri Nabba's comment regarding the rents for undisimmedment, potentially kicking people out in terms of the three-bedroom and four-bedroom housing units. When we look at our analysis, about 62 percent of all the participants in the current ARIG program are three-bedroom homes. And so that may have some significant ramifications. Just looking at the numbers. We can certainly do a more thorough analysis, but it doesn't like your wood impact. From RPT's perspective, we want something that's simple, easy for us to digest and also communicate with the public. And so that's really what we're looking for. Okay. Deputy Administrator, I just want to confirm what we have in the current draft. No amendments is the preferred approach that is the simplest path forward in your mind right now. To execute. If you're talking about potential inequities, the 80% is preferred only because there is a potential for some three-bedroom units to be excluded from the program. Either way we're okay as long as we have a fixed number that we can go to and calculate. Administrator anything to add? I know the last time we met on this, there was talk about your office doing a study and being more responsive in like real time to make adjustments, but I don't think we're there yet. And I know you want to get the office to a position to be able to do that, but we're just not there yet. So your thoughts on the amendments before us. I believe the intention of this bill initially was to move the setting of the rent rates away from office of housing and our payment standard because of the particular way that we manage our payment standards and our budget and the number of vouchers we have. And to give real property tax an earlier start on communicating with landlords and getting their applications out and a number instead of waiting for Section 8 to establish that number, which is often after October 1st, so it's not really giving a lot of runway for landlords who need to apply to this program every single year. So I think the intention of the bill was to move away from that rent setting away from office of housing. And I'm particularly here for this because of the addition to Section 8 participating landlords being able to take advantage of the affordable rental program, our PT's affordable rental program. So to that end, I think the original bill intends to do what we are, what we were trying to move towards. If we, for the amendment, there's still gonna be some consideration of, you know, exception payments, exception areas of codes and when that changes at Section 8, or when we different housing studies How does that affect exception areas and we'd still be tinkering with that But I do understand the also the intention of the amendment to try to create Rents address rent disparities on East and West Hawaii But it it sounds like even without this amendment, you are still able to make adjustments on your end and communicate that with real property tax. Yes. OK. And it would be less so. With the original bill, it would be less so. Section 8 can set their payment standards, set their exception areas, manage the budget that we have for vouchers, separately from consideration of how that affects the RPC program. Great, that's all I need. Thank you very much. Okay, Mr. Cunnelly, client-felder. Thank you. A good point, Mr. Enaba. Actually, I was gonna ask if Councilman Recogio-Auto would table the amendment to allow us to speak to a council member Glimba's amendment because the two are different doesn't take years off, it takes off the table but it isn't get rid of it. I like components of it but it allows us to speak to Ms. Govimba's one and to the administrator and then pick one and go forward if the body was open to that idea. Ms. Kagiwata? Absolutely. I motion to table this amendment. Okay. Mr. Clerk. Second. You can only table a main motion and all the motions that are come along with it you can withdraw your motion to amend okay I would draw my motion to amend so we can discuss the other one okay it's a we're back to the main motion miss Gullimba you I moved to amend Bill 39 draft to the content of communication 206.6. Second. Second. Okay. Second by, I'm sorry, motion by Ms. Gullimba. Second by Mr. Conelli Kleinfelder. Ms. Gullimba. Good. Thank you. So, this amendment is basically, it's reflecting some of the conversation that we had at the last meeting on some of the concerns about the different markets that we have on this island as well as some conversations with OHCD. And the fact that right now what we have is very complicated and not working very well as far as the rental rates for affordable housing are from what I understand. Coming from, well, it's the payment standards which then are affected by section 8 budget. So there's constant change and not any stability around what landlords can expect as far as those levels. So the original bill addresses that by going to a more stable 80% AMI was set once a year. But But that's this earlier conversation reflects 80% AMI is not a rental rate, it's a salary rate or a resource rate, which then gets translated into a rental rate, which we then use for this calculation. So given that conversation, I basically am putting forward the option of having OECD work that out and come up with a rental rate that is based on a rental rate so that there can be sort of less complication with the whole process. So that's this amendment that the OECD will come up with a methodology and establish it by administrative rules. Any... you want them to respond? Ms. Galimba? Sharko ahead, Mr. Acosta. It's what we do now. Right? We established that rental rate. That's what we're doing currently. It's not an administrative role. It's just the policy, which is what we're trying to move away from. So, you know, this language is okay, but it's currently what we're doing. If you're going to incorporate this language, there should be maybe by a certain date, established methodology, and a default In case HC, he does not do its work. 80% him high or what, you know, right? So I mean, it's what we're doing now. It's what we're doing now, is we're establishing the rate. OK. Is Kalimba? Come up? on. Oh. You like it? Oh, sorry. Okay. Just like tiny, clang folder. Go ahead. Oh, you're like, well done first. Okay. And it plus you referred the withdrawal. Okay. Thank you, acting chair. Let me see. So, Rpt. sorry. Listening to the administrator cost, it's what we do now, except right now, for Renter Rade, it's defined in our code. And so, there is no, I don't know, as a staff, so I have financing of the corporation. I guess, then, my question is, do you admit, Shere, are we not breaking this all apart and defining it every year and giving a rate back to RPT to really nail down the market? If we're trying to develop in refine this, like Ms. Kogewata's amendment, that she walked in the door and we're looking to do that so we create the equity and subsidization and bring more people to your for rental class and you're saying it's what we do now then I'm really confused is the why we aren't doing it in a way that starts to build the equity that we're all seeking to create in different forms of amendments and bills. Currently, OHCD sets the rate schedule to a particular methodology. And so I'm assuming with this amendment that you are asking for a different methodology. What? I hate that word. I assume it's a scary word. Well, because it's, I mean, right now we set the rate schedule, not by administrative rule. We have a policy that we use, the 75% of the 110 or whatever our payment standard is. So 75% of our payment standard, that's the methodology we currently use to establish the rent rate. Every year when the payment standard changes, every October we reset the rate with a policy, internal policy and that's what we're currently doing now. So this is saying that OHCD would continue to set the rate schedule to give to RPT. Okay, I apologize because I'm reading the amendment to the bill and I'm going back to reference the original language that we began this bill that would amend the existing code. So currently yes, 75% of the payment standards. So understanding where we started. Sorry, RPD. No, but I like what I like is the direction where we're actually allowing you, allowing the department to dive into what Mr. Inaba brought forward as a bill to change so that we're providing a little bit more of a spread equity across the island and noting that we have different areas of different incomes in different rental rates and building in the equity that Ms. Kagiwata is shooting for. But laying it all back to the department or the Office of Housing and Community Development To be able to really But laying it all back to the department or the Office of Housing and Community Development To be able to really specify how you want that market to look and provide that rate to RPT to me. That's beautiful If it needs to say a yearly or annually shall review or whatever it shall be then I think that should be in there. I think that'd be I I think that's a gorgeous blend of two different departments and policy creating the best bet for the people of Hawaii County. That's how I see it. But I've seen it wrong and I'm not understanding something. Please tell me, except that's where my brain's at right now. Okay. Can I take a stab at it? Yes, please. Okay. Yeah, yes, please. Okay. So I think the issue is the fact that Office of Housing Community Development is utilizing their payment standards, which is for a totally separate program with different goals, and that data is being utilized to set the supportable rental rate, which has its own set of goals goals and expectations. And I think the amendment, what it's doing is it's looking, it's inferring that you're going to create a totally separate process. So now they're doing twice the amount of work, right? You're going to be doing your payment centers for Section 8. You're going to be doing AMI for real property based on specific zip code. In my mind, it would add much more complexity for Office of Housing, real property tax, and for the public. Because now you have all these different standards based off of what could end up being a huge list of zip codes. And so in my mind, the original legislation is aimed to simplify that process, take housing away from that process so they can focus on, you know, their resources on section 8 and the payment standards and whatnot and just decoupling in. We would go straight to HHFDC's numbers and utilize those numbers to make it much more simpler. You do bring up the inequity, right? Because now we're going to AMI and so that's something that that might need to be addressed, but that's my take on it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Gel. What he said, I'm really having a hard time not channeling administrator Miura right now. The amount of additional work To create a I mean it's possible for OHC to create a affordable rental program, rental rate based on, you know, really creating a new program. And collecting data and it's possible. But that was not the intention of this bill. The intention of this bill was to simplify and to give RPT a rate that they could use to run this program. So a lot of factors involved in putting it currently, it's with OACD. Currently, we have a methodology that we use. We could stick with that. Continue to do that. If you wanted to change the methodology, methodology, then that's a different discussion for, I think, conversation. Understood. If no amendment were passed today, then the bill written right now will be 80% of the AMI by HF, HHFDC. That's pretty straightforward. But I like the county component. We start to remove the county component. We don't lean into how we address housing in this county. Then I feel like we've missed a possibility to better our residents. So I'm trying to find that nice, virtual middle ground, where your office, which is the Office of Housing and Community Development, which should be on the pulse of people as county, helping drive our PT's rates so that we get the market that we want. Yeah, I understand. Okay, thank you. I yield. Chair Nubba. Thank you. I think we've had a lot of discussion about this. I bring up the same concern with the current amendment being that we're giving administrative rulemaking authority to OACD for real property tax program. And I want to ask Deputy Kierwang, is that advisable or is that an legally advised method to have one office making administrative rules for a program run by a completely different department. Good afternoon, Kirill Wong, Deputy Corporation Council. Thank you for that question. I do think it's problematic if we were to move forward with Ms. Gullimba's amendment being that chapter 19 is for reproperty tax for the administration assessment and collection of reproperty exemptions, medications of lands and appeals, etc. So I think it would be problematic if we were to amend the definition to have housing do that work where chapter 19 focuses on real property tax. Thank you Deputy Wong with that I won't be supporting this amendment. Based on the legal advice provided by Corporation Council, it wouldn't advise members of the Council to support it either. Thank you, Chair. Ms. Kaguana. Thank you, Chair. I can chair. So just while I have you there, I know if you can give me a little leeway. Does the amendment that I proposed have the same concerns with just having the two AMIs utilized? Again, Kira Wong-Dabby Corporation Council. I don't I don't think there's that that same concern I have with Councilmember Gilemba's amendment. I think I think this is different what yours is speaking to is different. Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much. And I guess for this amendment back to what administrator Costa was saying the intention of of the bill being, get away from the payment standards, get rates to RPT earlier, and my understanding from councilmember Inaba was also to try to entice, especially those west side, higher rate landlords to enter the program. And I guess I'm just going to add here while not creating inequities in East Hawaii. It's a lot. And I understand if we really don't want to be doing tinkering and we want to see how some of this plays out, we have the long-term rental bill that hasn't even gone into effect yet. And in some ways I feel like we should just not do this bill at all and let that go into effect and see how things go. But if we are going to go ahead with this bill, I just strongly encourage folks to think about the inequities that will be created if we do not amend in any way. I yield. Thanks. Just a little Good school, Imba. Oh, thank you. Just on the Biden-Minister-of-Rules part, I can see now how it would not be appropriate, so I would definitely want to take that out if we were to move forward with that concept. I did talk to Corporation Council yesterday, the Corporation Council that was here yesterday, and seemed okay yesterday, but then, you know, we came to them. Excuse me, Councilmember Glimba, can you speak into your microphone? Sure. So, yes, learning on the job. So, definitely understand that that part is problematic, but I think the concept is more what I was wanting to get at and that there actually be a written policy rather than sort of making it up as we go. So that was more what I was trying to get at by that. Thanks. Okay. This gimbal. If you need theer, I see that the effective date for this ordinance is January 1, 2026. And given that, that would mean that the eligibility period would open up under this change definition. and then that would impact people's taxes in the assessment. What's the actual timeframe for implementation? So if the bill passes, it would be effective January 1st, 2026. However, with that said, we would begin utilizing HHFDCs numbers to establish the rental rates based on bedroom count, beginning July when those numbers come out. So we'd start to accept applications for the next fiscal year. It's like, like September 2. Earlier. So normally, right, we get the numbers from housing in October, literally, after October 1st, but this would actually allow the numbers to come out earlier. The applications would, period would start earlier. Would start in July of this year, so just in a few months. And we would accept those applications. And so that the program would stand up and people would start receiving the benefits come July 1st of 2026. Okay, so this takes effect now or as the effect of day 2026. I'm not talking about that. Yes, it's relevant to the amendment. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. So if it takes effect this year or 2026, you'd save this July applications will open. Yeah, I'd have to check with our corporation council because my understanding is if it's effective January 1st of 2026, that's our date of assessment. And so it's in play as of January 1st, 2026, but because, you know, the application period precedes that day, it would kind of go into effect when we get these rates. Okay. I'd like an answer from Properation Council if they can occur with that timing before I move forward. I would think so. I care about Deputy Corporation Council. I would ask for a little bit of time so that I can double check. Can you reiterate your questions so I understand? I think the author kind of seemed to be able to say that he and I may be have the understanding that this couldn't actually affect until the next cycle. So. 2027. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's 2027. I just want to double check. Okay. Okay. Well, put a pin in there because we are talking about the mm, which I think the bill itself does two things now. It changes the methodology from payment standard to AMI and it changes 75 to 80%. And there's two things that actually have conflating potentially impacts. And well, I like the way the amendment is going. And I do hear the concerns about the rulemaking, too. I think that is problematic. It is in essence a question. It becomes a question of, do we keep the payment standard or am I essentially? Because I would presume housing would just go back to payment standard and present that to that be like you said that's what you're doing now and so really all the bill would be changing is 7580 which I think is what council member Kaguata is trying to address is that inequity that the potential for that it's an extension of that inequity so can support the amendment in the current format, but I guess what I'm getting to is, I think there is time to find the right amendment. And I don't think we've landed it on it yet. Nor do I think the bill is quite ready for prime time as Council Member Chen, what have said. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Cunningly, he, client-fouder? Thank you. Ms. Wong, just real quickly, The difference in this amendment, the rate schedule is established by Admin Rule office housing community development versus the original language of chapter 19 Affordable grant the rate not to a rent not to exceed 75% of the payment standards as established by the office of Housing Community Development. How one of my missing echoes both refer back to Office of Housing Community Development. One's a payment standard, one's an AMI base, but is it just the administrative rule language? Deputy Corporation Council, here along. Yes, I think the amendment is requiring housing to do something under the Code Chapter 19, which is for the purpose of real property tax division. That's the difference. You're looking at the... Are they doing that already? Yes, real property tax does get the numbers from housing, but then if you're going to go with the amendment, you're asking them to do something that technically doesn't fall under Chapter 19's jurisdiction for Reproporty Tax Division. By the wording, administrative rule. Because that's the only difference that I see. The bulls, bulls is OECD. Yes, but the bulls are rate. But legally, you're tasking that work to be done by an agency that doesn't fall under chapter 19. So the original language of chapter 19, a rate as established by Office of Housing Community Development, is different from the rate schedule as established by Office of Housing Community Development is different from the rate schedule as established by admin rule of the Office of Housing Community Development. Yes, I see that as different things. That's very different. Yes. To the point of being unable to proceed different. I would say it's a legal concern to task an agency with the duties that fall under somebody else's duties under chapter 19. So housing does what housing does and then they give the numbers to repressority tax, right? They have a policy that they do. Going with the amendment would require them under the law to do something that chapter 19 doesn't foresee another agency doing. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Miss Kaguara? No, not on the amendment. Thank you. Okay. So we're gonna take a roll call on the amendment of 2.6.6 Given that the Administrative Rule Language is problematic and I could see that I Will be withdrawing the amendment. But I'm hoping for an opportunity to bring forward another amendment without that language so that we can address some of the discussion that we've been having. Thanks. Okay. Are we back to the main? It's unclear to me where we're at. Okay, you did with her. You did with her. Okay, so she did withdraw 206.6. Thank you, but I'm not really sure. I'm back to the main motion. It's Kaguana. Thank you. Yeah, back to the main motion. I if yeah, I would like the opportunity if if people still feel like this isn't quite right to make another attempt at making sure that we aren't, you know, correcting something for one part of the island and inadvertently, you know, potentially doing harm to the other part of the island. I would love to, it sounds like we're not in a rush because of the timing on this. I would love to have the time to do that, so I respectfully ask that we postpone this. So are you making a motion? I'm asking the, I guess I'm looking to the author of this to see if that would be amen amenable or do you want me to present to do it? Okay I make a motion to postpone this second. Second. I got I got to find a date or a time or something. What the next meeting? June 4th. June 4th. Is that enough time for you? Okay. June 4th, yeah, until Councilman on June 4th. Motion by Ms. Kaguana, second by Ms. Kulimba, on the discussion of postponement. Can you climb kind of clang- clang- clang- clang- clang. I think from what Mr. Joe shared, as far as they're not being a rush to do this, the enacting date, and I think I want from this body to find something that really fits the county. And from what we learned today, I'd like to see what comes out of this body and just give it an opportunity. If nothing comes of it, then in June 4th we passed the bill, we go from there. If something... I'd like to see what comes out of this body and just give it an opportunity. If nothing comes of it, then do it for us. We passed the bill. We go from there. If something great comes out of it, from the discussion today and from the different departments what we learned, I think that's actually a better opportunity for the people of the county. Thank you. Ms. Kimball. Yeah, thank you. You know, there was a time in my life where I was that lady in the grocery store filling out my wick coupons and waiting for people behind me to get out of here, lady, right? And so I want to bring this home. We're talking about the potential that some folks here in East Hawaii would have. They're rent bumped up by $150. That $150 might mean they can't buy diapers now. They can't buy formula now. I've been there. I know what it's like to say, I'm gonna mail my electric bill to the gas company and my gas bill to the electric company and that'll buy me a month, right? We shouldn't rush something that is going to have that level of consequence realistically on people's lives. So there's no rush on this. Let's take our time. I would like to postpone this. I think we need to think about this equity issue very seriously before we make this change. Thank you. Okay. On the post-moment, anyone else? Okay. Administrator Costa, can you please come up? I didn't get to say anything, but for the post-moment, right? Are you fine with the existing bill that's being proposed. Or you'd rather see nothing happens. I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm that's a challenging question to ask. I'm very motivated by the ability to increase participation in the Section 8 program to incentivize landlord participation in the Section 8 program because our Section 8 program directly impacts the families that council member Kimball is speaking to. We work with families that are primarily 60% in below AMI and the disparity in rental availability in the high rent areas because there is not enough incentive for those section 8 Section for landlords to participate in our section 8 program, is the disparity that I think that is at the core of what we're speaking to. So the strength of this bill in front of us today, to me, is in the language around increasing section A participation. This goes a long way to encourage participation in this program in Waimea and Kaigou Akona. That's the strength of this bill. On the RPT side, we're not certifying the individuals that are in those units. So, we're not assuring anything except lower rents and across the island. And in looking at the data that RPC has provided, many of the landlords that are participating in the Affordable Rental Program percentage-wise aren't charging that highest rent anyway. I think it was like 10%, maybe 6% were at the max. So to make an assumption that it's going to raise the entire Affordable Rental Program rents across the board. We do have data to say it could in that 6%, it would be great to even look at that 6 to 12% to see where geographically they are. Those might be in the high rent areas anyway. That's an assumption I'm making. So the bill before us I personally am okay with right or I wouldn't have invested this much time sitting here. Yeah thank you. Can we do better? Sure you know we can do better but can we do better by June 4th or June 6?? And that can be done on another day. That's to you, right? Can we do better by June 6th? Okay, thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. There? Yes, go ahead. I just really just... Yes, I apologize for chiming in so late in this. First off, I want to say I appreciate the comments Council Member Kimball. I too have been there. And I lived in West Hawaii right here in Kona as a single mom with my food stamps and my WIC and my little girl. And have been on that precipice. One month I made $3.80 too much. And it cut me off of being able to get the supplemental help to pay for child care so I could work. But I have to just, I would feel remiss if I didn't say this. You know, there are some of us on the council serving with true intentions and deep parts, but aren't as familiar with the history of this island and the history of governance. And in my time of service, I listened to hundreds, if not thousands, of constituents express their frustration and concerns about equitable distribution of resources between the east and west side of the Big Island. So I would hate for any legislation that passes to create inequitable or negative repercussions to those living in affordable housing programs on the East Side. However, I firmly believe we are past time for some legislation that would help support affordable housing incentives for the West Side at the small, small risk of a slight deviation and change on the east side, which I share minister your cost as perception that it's very slim that those landlords would change their rental fees, even if they could. We have the highest demand for housing on this side. We also have a very high population of people who travel across the island to work in the jobs here. So anything and everything that can be done to provide incentives for affordable housing, especially on the west side, I think should take priority. When we look at a risk versus reward analysis, the rewards would greatly outweigh the risks. And as a born and raised, I'm lying a girl. Having been under those circumstances, I would ask for the support of council members to move forward on this bill which has been worked on. So, so diligently to come up with the best case scenario. And so I would just ask that it be supported for equitable distribution of potential benefits to the west side's housing market and the inclusion of more affordable housing opportunities and tax. We're on the postponement. I do not support the postponement. I would ask that we vote on this legislation today. Thank you. Very briefly. Basically, I'm a very briefly. Very briefly. I'm going to vote on it. Very briefly. Yes. I would support the postponement. I would say that the bill, as it stands, if it passes today, is good. And I think we'll have a lot of good effects. I'm only saying from asking for a postponement or voting for a postponement, because I think we could make it a little bit better. But if it passes, you know, it's going to be good. So I'm not saying it's bad. Okay. So Mr. Clerk, on the post moment, let's do a roll call. On the motion to postpone Bill 39 draft 2 to June 4, 2025, Councilmember Gilemba. Aye. Councilmember Hustis. Hi. Councilmember Kaguata. Hi. Councilmember Conley Kleinfelder. Hi. Councilmember Kirkowitz. No. Councilmember Campbell. Hi. Councilmember Villegas. No. Cheri Nava. No. Vice-Chairon No. Vice Chair Onishi, you have five votes in favor with Council members Kirkowitz. Miag is Chair Nava and yourself. Opposed, the motion carries. This matters. Post-ponded June 4, 2025. So Bill 39 draft two is post-polled. Mr. Chair. Thank you, 141. We are being the chair bill 40, please. And thank you, real property tax and office of housing for being here today. Mr. Melch, would you please come forward about your testimony on bill 40? And prior to your proceeding, I know you all just submitted request to testifying those 41 and 42. So you may provide all your testimony at this point in time or you can wait. Your call. You'll have three minutes. Please introduce yourself and then proceed for each item. Three minutes. All three, please. Hello, hot council. Hi, Rebecca over there in hot Kona. uh... 40 All three please. Hello, counsel. Hi Rebecca over there in hot Kona 40 This is by Miss Kimball in regards to whenward planning commissions favorable recommendation requesting a zone change if this can hurry the process for any charter school, in this county that we need so desperately, because of the failure of the DOE schools, I'm all for it and I know that the Kupuna, the Kanaka would be for it as well. So many of their children attend these schools. Bill 41, please. Amends the budget for the County of Hawaii Fiscal Year ending in June 30th coming up. Decreases the appropriation in the transfer to housing fund account, 451K or 1000. And appropriates the same to home program income repayment. Matthew, I hope this is a good move and that's a lot of dough and the home program income repayment is intriguing. Why are we repaying something? Bill 42, Mahalam. What's up, Matthew? Increases revenues on the interest of other federal account of 660K,000. Propheates the same to energy rent assistant to COVID-19 account. We've talked about this before. before. I have some folks up there in Kohala that were still waiting for their back retro pay working during COVID and they're all county workers. Don't know if this has anything to do with them but they sure would like their money. Another 600K in the Hawaii Island Landlord 10ant Mediation Account. Another 10,000. And in 2021, the Hawaii Island Homeowner Assistant Program Administration Count 50K, 50,000. Wow, that's a lot of money. Matthew left. Matthew, this is your bill, 42. Hopefully all these changes and moving around a lot of money is a good thing and I hope all the council people believe in the same. To move our tax dollars from our property taxes that were just raised on all of us. And not knowing or telling the folks exactly what's going on. And I don't know how many times I've been on Ashley's television station begging people testify. Come and learn about your county and how they work and where they're putting our tax dollars. God bless, Hawaii name. Thank you for your testimony. Bill 40, amend section 25-8S33, city of Hills, on map, article 8, chapter 25, Hawaii County Code, the first one is the first one is the first one is the first one is the first one is the applicants of by the property. The Curry House currently houses cool Okala new century public charter school and able to transition from release agreement to fee simple ownership properties located 345 Makalika Street introduced by councilmember Kimble by request first reading May 7 2025. Chair motion to adopt bill 40 at second and final reading. Moved by councilmember Kimble second and by Council Member Kirkowitz to approve Bill 40 at second and final reading. Seeing no discussion, all those in favor please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries with eight ayes, one excuse. Council Member Connelly, Eclin, Felder, Bill 40 has approved at second and final reading. Thank you, Mr. Pippin, for joining bill 41. Is there any additional testimony for bill 41? Hearing none, bill 41 amends order number 2432 as amended operating budget for the county of Hawaii. For the fiscal year in the June 30, 2025, decreases the appropriation in the transfer to housing fund account for $1,220,000. And appropriates a the home program income repayment account introduced by Councilmember Connolly Clavutter by request. First reading May 7, 2025. A motion, please, to approve Bill 41 at Second and Final reading. Chair, motion to approve Bill 41 at Final and Second and Final reading. Thank you. Motion by Councilmember Houston. Second by Councilmember Kimbo to approve bill 41 at second and final reading Seeing no discussion all those in favor please say aye and he opposed motion carries Seven eyes to excuse councilmembers Kanye Lee Kleinfelder and perquets bill 41 is approved at second and final reading Is there any additional testimony for bill 42? Hearing none, Bill 42 amends, on December 24, 32 as amended operating, budget for the Conte for OI, for the Fisk hearing in June 30, 2025, increased revs into interest other federal accounts, $660,000 and appropriated to the emergency rent as this is two COVID-19 account, $600,000, Hawaii Island, Latin orant Mediation Account, $10,000. And 2021, Hawaii Island Home Wonders Assistance Program Administration Account, $50,000. Introduced by Councilmember Connelly, Kleinfelder by request, first reading May 7, 2025. Chair, motion to approve bill 42 at second and final reading. Okay, moved by Councilmember Husses, second and by Vice ChairChair Onishi to approve Bill 42 at second and final reading. Seeing no lights on, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, seven ayes to excuse Council Members, Connelly, Eclimb Elder and Kirkowitz. Bill 42 is approved at second and final reading. And we have referrals for executive session. Is there any testimony for communication 284? Any read none? Can you case 284 or Board of Ethics petition? 2024-04, review of petition, alleging a county employee violated the Hawaii County Ethics Code from Corvish and Council Renée Schoen, date of May 2025, requesting a attorney client confidential discussion to consult with a council regarding the above entitled matter. Chair I'm going to make a motion to close file and communication 284 and accept the recommendation of corporation council. Can you do it separately please. We'd like to do separately. Okay. Motion to close file and communication 284. Okay, sir. Second. Thank you, Council Member Kimball, moving to close- file in communication 284. Sir, second. Thank you. Council member Kimbo moving to close file in communication 284. But a second by council member Gellimba. Checking if the body would like to go into executive session to discuss this matter with the Corporation Council. Council member Kimbo. No, I'm fine with the recommendations that's provided in the guidance from and the other members of the committee are in the process. The committee is in the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the process of the fine with the recommendations that's provided in the guidance from Corporation Council would be comfortable moving forward on about that. Thank you, Council Member Kagi-Watton. Thank you, Chair. I'm just, I thought the Corporation Council was requesting that we go into executive session. Is that not the case? It always is the case. So it's a matter of what the council wants to enter into it. I'm okay. Thanks. Okay. Here. Councilmember Villegas? Yes. I'm also okay with a recommendation and of court council on this issue. Are you all right? Seeing no one wanted to enter into executive session. Understood. I just would like to, if you just give me two minutes to talk to corporation council before any further action is taken. Sure. We're in a brief meeting back to order. We are on communication to a four councilmember Kaguata. Thank you. I move that we go into executive session. move by council member Kaguata. Seconded by council member Glimbo to enter into executive session pursuant to Hawaii revised that shoot 92-5-84 to discuss with our corporation council attorney client confidential information. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries with? Ayes, one excuse, council member. Oh, sorry, nine members in favor will be entering into the executive session. Councilmember Kagiwata. If you could just give us a summary of what was discussed in executive session. Sure. Chair, I can do that. We met in closed session to review a petition alleging a county employee violated. Hawaii County Ethics Co.s. We asked questions of our attorney and got our questions answered. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Coguata. With that, there's a current motion in the floor to close file with communication 284. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, ayes, one excuse. Council Member Villegas, communication to eight four five has been closed. Any and that brings us to the end of our agenda for today. Any announcements, council member Houston. Thank you chair. Appreciate the opportunity to share two announcements. I just want to first wish home my country. Congratulations to all the graduates. We're in graduation season. graduation season. So a lot of graduations happening over the next few days into the weekend ahead. So all the best to our seniors and graduates and college graduates as well as they will out to the next chapter in their lives. And then the second announcement I'd like to make is that Monday is Memorial Day and there will be a ceremony at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery starting at 11 o'clock. If you're so inclined to recognize the veterans that we have lost and those that have served. So thank you chair for the opportunity. Thank you councilmember Hughes this will jump over to councilmember Galimba and then councilmember I'm kind of being blindfolded. Thank you, Chair. Ca'ou coffee festival, May 31st, 9 to 5 pm. Come out you don't even have to drink coffee to get buzzed out of your mind. There's just so much coffee in the air. Wonderful thank you. Councilmember cahneley Klein folder. I believe that was incorrect yesterday but I believe Hokulea comes in this afternoon at 4 p.m. For anyone who's interested in going. Yes. At the Grand Nani Lola here in Hilo. Thank you, Council Member Crickowitz. Thank you, on Sunday, Hawaii Care Choices is hosting their annual celebration of light events and floating of the lanterns for all those loved ones that we have lost, three to pm over at Reed's Bay. And then I also just want to do a birthday shout out to our clerk and our deputy clerk or our maybabies. Happy early birthday to you guys. And then on Monday, May 26, my daughter turns 13. Are you brown? I am officially the mother of a teenager, so please pray for us. Thank you. Prayers indeed with that. I don't think our clerk believes in early, happy birthdays. But yes, thank you all. We will be back as a council tomorrow morning, 9 AM May 22nd for the first reading of our operating and capital improvement budgets. We are adjourned at to a 19 model.