Bill Nos. 169 (Draft 3), 176 (Draft 2),
177, 178, 179, and 180

I hereby certify that the following Bills passed first reading at the meeting of the Hawai’i County Council on September 2, 2026, by vote as listed below:

Bill 169 (Draft 3): Amends Chapter 2, Article 42, of the Hawai’i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), Relating to Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation. Requires that all qualifying lands ranked with a score of 70 percent or higher be included on the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission’s (PONC) recommendation list to the mayor; requires the finance director to make reasonable efforts to acquire authorized properties within five years; requires the finance director and the PONC commission to reassess any such properties not acquired within five years. Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba – 8; Noes: None; Absent: Council Member Kierkiewicz – 1; Excused: None.

Bill 176 (Draft 2): Amends Chapter 16, Article 1, of the Hawai’i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), Relating to the General Plan. Establishes amendment procedures for the General Plan, including a comprehensive review every ten years and interim amendments; describes powers and duties of the planning director and planning commissions. Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba – 9; Noes: None; Absent: None; Excused: None.

Bill 177: Amends Ordinance No. 26-44, the Operating Budget of the County of Hawai’i for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027. Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant account ($129,033) and appropriates the same to the Byrne State Crisis Intervention De-escalation Training Program account. Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba – 9; Noes: None; Absent: None; Excused: None.

Bill 178: Amends Ordinance No. 26-44, the Operating Budget of the County of Hawai’i for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027. Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Justice Assistance Grant-Special Response Team Capability Enhancement Grant account ($20,797) and appropriates the same to the Justice Assistance Grant-Special Response Team Capability Enhancement account. Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba – 9; Noes: None; Absent: None; Excused: None.

Bill 179: Amends Chapter 2, of the Hawai’i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended), Relating to the Department of Research and Development. Describes the responsibilities of the Department of Research and Development; establishes a grant program to support community-based economic development. Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba – 9; Noes: None; Absent: None; Excused: None.

Bill 180: Amends Ordinance No. 26-44, the Operating Budget of the County of Hawai’i for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027. Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Certified Local Government account ($20,192) and appropriates the same to the Certified Local Government Program account. Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba – 9; Noes: None; Absent: None; Excused: None.

Jon Henricks
COUNTY CLERK

Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider
and Employer

(WHT1538048 9/11/26)