Hawaii County Council - 2026-05-05
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Hawaii County Council approved Resolution 516-26 authorizing negotiations to acquire approximately 1,968 acres at Kumukahi in Puna for conservation purposes, with all 14 property owners on board. The council also approved $250,000 in grant funding to the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BISC) for invasive species control, and passed $1.38 million in state grant funding for the Safe Routes to Waikea School project on Kilauea Avenue.
Key Decisions (18)
Kumukahi Land Acquisition Authorization
Resolution 516-26 authorizes the Director of Finance to negotiate acquisition of approximately 1,967.96 acres at Kumukahi in Waakula, District of Puna, using the Public Access Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. The property is listed as priority number three in the 2025 PONC Commission report. All 14 property owners support the acquisition. Hauululahui and Komo'o Legacy Foundation will provide stewardship.
Kumukahi Resolution TMK Corrections
Amendment to Resolution 516-26 correcting TMK numbers per property owners Uncle Lono Lyman and Judge Glenn Hauer to ensure accurate parcel identification for negotiations.
BISC Invasive Species Grant
Resolution 517-26 authorizes $250,000 grant from Department of Research and Development to University of Hawaii Big Island Invasive Species Committee for coconut rhinoceros beetle control, invasive plant management, two-line spittlebug mitigation, and related programs.
BISC Grant Resolution Corrections
Amendment to Resolution 517-26 correcting BISC's organizational status from nonprofit to University of Hawaii entity, and adding flexibility for emergency invasive species programs.
Public Works Copy Machine Lease
Resolution 553-26 authorizes five-year lease agreement for multi-function copy machine for Department of Public Works Building Division in Hilo at $2,336.76 annually.
Lala Kea Foundation Grant
Resolution 554-26 transfers $2,000 from Clerk Council Services Contingency Relief Account District 5 to Department of Liquor Control Programs Account for Lala Kea Foundation's second annual Hilo Aloha event.
Grant Funds Return
Resolution 555-26 returns $2,000 previously awarded by Resolution 471-26 to Clerk-Counsel Services contingency account.
Jason McEwen Board of Ethics Nomination
Confirmed nomination of Jason McEwen to the Board of Ethics.
Kari Clark Cost of Government Commission Nomination
Confirmed nomination of Kari Clark to the Cost of Government Commission.
Leonard Luiz Hamakua CDP Action Committee Nomination
Confirmed nomination of Leonard Luiz to the Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee.
La'e La'e Park Designation
Bill 148 designates TMK 66001 and 010 as La'e La'e Park in Waimea, adding it to parks schedule and prohibiting alcohol consumption.
Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Grant
Bill 150 appropriates $50,344 in state grant funds for Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure program including safety equipment and data collection at schools island-wide.
Safe Routes to Waikea School Infrastructure Project
Bill 151 appropriates $1,386,656 in state grant funds for Safe Routes to Waikea School Kilauea Avenue Part 1 Project. Total project cost approximately $10 million including $8 million federal, $1.3 million state, and $621,344 county match. Serves Waikea Elementary, Intermediate, and High School within 1-mile radius.
HOME Investment Partnership ARP Funds
Bill 155 appropriates $1,977,568 in federal HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan funds, with $1,817,225 for projects and $160,343 for administration.
County Salary Ordinance 2026
Bill 144 adopts pay plan for county employees establishing compensation rates for appointed employees in legislative branch, Office of Housing Community Development, county physicians, student helpers, and senior community service aides.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Funding
Bill 145 appropriates $1 million to Federal Grants Housing Choice Voucher Program for rental subsidies.
34 Rainbow Affordable Housing TOD Funding
Bill 146 appropriates $1 million in state transit oriented development capital improvement program funds for 34 Rainbow affordable housing project.
Tennis Court Resurfacing Contribution
Bill 149 appropriates $160,000 from USTA contribution for tennis court resurfacing and smart access system installation.
Development Activity (3)
Kumukahi Conservation Acquisition
Approximately 1,967.96 acres for conservation purposes. Priority #3 on 2025 PONC Commission report. Hauululahui and Komo'o Legacy Foundation to provide stewardship.
Safe Routes to Waikea School Kilauea Ave Part 1
Pedestrian safety improvements serving Waikea Elementary, Intermediate, and High School within 1-mile radius. Total project approximately $10 million ($8 million federal, $1.38 million state, $621,344 county).
34 Rainbow Affordable Housing
Transit oriented development affordable housing project receiving $1 million state TOD capital improvement funds.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
County continues investing in affordable housing with $1 million TOD funds for 34 Rainbow project and nearly $2 million in HOME Investment Partnership ARP funds for housing programs.
Infrastructure
$10 million Safe Routes to School project for Waikea Complex indicates significant infrastructure investment in Hilo area, with council members raising equity concerns about geographic distribution of such investments.
Sentiment
Council member raised concerns about historical inequity in infrastructure spending, noting East Hawaii has received disproportionate resources compared to West Hawaii, suggesting future projects may face more scrutiny for island-wide distribution.
Other
Invasive species management receiving $250,000 county funding annually, representing approximately 25% of BISC's $1.3-1.5 million budget, indicating ongoing agricultural and environmental challenges affecting ranches and development.