Hawaii County Council confirms water-board nominee, approves grants and several budget bills

The Hawaii County Council on Jan. 23 confirmed a water‑board nominee and approved a series of resolutions and budget bills covering grant acceptances, small appropriations and program funding.

Nomination: the council moved to accept Communication 664 and confirm Colin Miura to the Water Board. Mr. Miura attended in Hilo chambers and thanked the council for the opportunity; the motion was carried (recorded in the transcript as 6 ayes and 3 no/absent notation recorded). The clerk announced the confirmation on the record.

Grants and appropriations: the council approved Resolution 4-26-25 authorizing the mayor to accept a hazard mitigation grant from the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency for $68,000 to support phase‑1 planning of a community wildfire fuels‑reduction and defensible‑space project. The motion to approve was moved and seconded and carried (6 ayes, 3 excused as recorded).

Other small appropriations and donations approved included:
- Resolution 4-42-25: transfers a $1,000 appropriation to the Puna Medical Center Foundation (Kipuka Pharmacy project).
- Resolution 4-43-25: transfers $3,000 to the Lions Club of Kona Community Foundation for the Kupuna Hula Festival.
- Resolution 4-44-25: transfers $2,500 for the Awakato Festival.
- Resolution 4-47-26: accepts donation of 82 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) from Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, estimated value $130,000 (to be used by police officers during cardiac events).

Budget bills: the council approved a set of operating-budget amendments at first reading, including Bill 112 (workforce innovation and opportunity act account; $1.6 million in federal funds apportioned among administrative planning, adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs) and Bill 113 (the hazard mitigation grant appropriation tied to Resolution 4-26-25). The council later advanced Bill 110 (Food Access Summit funding, $40,000) and Bill 111 (a change of zone in Hilo to allow subdivision of 4.4669 acres to 14 house lots) at second/final reading; both passed as recorded.

What the council recorded: most items were approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded tallies for several motions. The council took the actions to provide funding, accept donations, confirm a nominee, and direct the mayor or departments to carry out implementation steps where noted.

Implementation steps: for the hazard mitigation grant, staff and finance were identified as continuing to work with planning staff to finalize deliverables and identify construction funding. For the parks restoration resolution (4-28-25), Parks Director Clayton Honma and planner James Komata provided status updates on archaeological review, environmental assessment, monitoring plans and upcoming meetings with the mayor and council member to discuss funding and staffing needs.

The council adjourned the session at 11:14 a.m.