16 Water Resources Committee - Regular Meeting

Aloha kakaiaka kākou and welcome to the What's Up Committee meeting of Monday, July 27, 2026. I'm Shane Sinensi, your committee chair. Thank you, members, for attending this morning's meeting. It is now 9.02. Just a friendly reminder for members of the public to please silence your cell phones or any noise-making devices. devices. Members, in accordance with the Sunshine Law, if you're not in the planning commission room, conference room, sorry, please identify by name who, if anyone is in the room, vehicle or workspace with you today. Minors do not need to be identified. Please see the last page of the agenda for information on meeting connectivity. Joining us this morning, we have Committee Vice Chair Gabe Johnson. Aloha kakai'a kā.

Morning Chair, Councilmembers, community members. There's no testifiers here at the Lanai District Office. I'm alone on my side of the office. Good to see everybody. And I'm here and ready to work Chair. Thank you.

All for joining us. Excused for this morning's meeting is Councilmember Batongan and Member Cook. Also joining us online is Chair Ellis Lee. Aloha and good morning.

Aloha, ni hao, everyone. I'm home alone in my workspace with my little cat named Jilly.

Ni hao, Ma, Chair, and Jill. Also joining us in person in the planning conference office, conference room, is Member Tamara Poulton. Aloha kakaiaka.

Aloha kakaiaka, and ni hao, Ma, kakou. Streaming live and direct from the planning conference room.

Aloha for being here. Next we have Member Rollins-Fernandez.

Aloha kakākia Chair. Aloha kakākia kakākou. I'm at my private residence and I have my two minor children here enjoying the last of summer. Mahalo Chair. Oh and no testifiers in the Molokai District Office.

Mahalo nui. Thanks for joining us. Also joining us online is Member Yukile Sugimura. Aloha and good morning. Ni hao ma.

Ni hao ma. And good morning, everybody. I'm at my Kula home office and looking forward to an interesting meeting. Thank you for taking this up, Chair.

Aloha for joining us. And lastly, we have Member Noheilani Uuhajans. Aloha and good morning. Is she on? Okay. Yes. Okay, we'll expect her in a little bit. And just as a reminder members, we're in the conference room because of the upcoming elections and so the chambers are off limits for us. So sorry if not everybody got the notice, but you can always come down to the planning conference room to testify if you wanna do that. From the administration, we have representative from the Department of OEV Resources. I believe we'll have Deputy Robertson later on. Also joining us in the conference room is Deputy Director Mata'afa. Good morning.

ALOHA AND GOOD MORNING CHAIR.

Also joining us online would be Director Doudoua with the Department of Parks and Recreation. Aloha. And we also have Executive Assistant Helen Kao for the Office of Recovery. For Deputy Corporation Counsel we have Adrian Reef-Snyder. Aloha good morning. Members without objection I'll designate the administration personnel mentioned. to serve as resource personnel to the Committee on the Rule 18A of the Rules of the Council because of their familiarity with and expertise in departmental matters related to today's agenda items.

Any objections? No objections. Thank you.

Also joining us this morning, we have Mr. Kimo Kawalyo, Chief Executive Officer, Homemade Hawaii. Thanks for being here in person.

Mahalo.

Thanks for being here. He also has his staff with him, Ms. Kiara Amanoa-Kau'i, also welcome, Kiara. We also have Meredith Sanders from Tetra Tech, consultant of the Office of Recovery. Members, without objection for WSAP-1, parent 22, I'll designate as resources to the Committee on the Rule 18A of the Council, Mr. Cavaglio and Ms. Sanders as resources. resources for our first item. Any objections?

No objections.

Thank you. Also joining us this morning is our What's Up Committee staff. Thank you for setting up the conference room this morning. Members we have two items on today's agenda. The first item is an update on the Kīpahōla Kauhali Maui's first Kauhali Community What's Up One Parent 22 And our second item the update on Konaloa Storm's impact on Maui County Parks. Before we begin our discussion let's take testimony. Staff do we have any testifiers signed up.

SPEAKER 2. Chair there is currently no one who has signed up to testify. If somebody would like to testify in the chamber please let staff know or on Microsoft Teams please raise your hand. This is the final call. 3 2 1. Chair it appears nobody wishes to testify.

Hello, and if anybody wants to, then I can go ahead and read the summary for testimony. I also wanted to welcome Member Uu Hajians to the meeting. Aloha and ni hao ma.

Aloha, Chair. Aloha, everyone. I'm at my private residence. I do have my oldest son, Makoa Uu, who is an adult now, so I have to name him. And then my youngest is also here as well.

Mahalo u'u hajans ohana. Okay. Do we have any testifiers now?

Chair it appears that there is one individual who wishes to testify. They are calling in on the phone if they would please unmute themselves.

Let me go ahead and read the testimony log. Is that a testifier?

It appears that they no longer want to testify Chair.

Oh okay. Okay members we'll proceed with the first agenda item. Oh any objections to closing testimony at the beginning of the meeting. No. Thank you. I'll now proceed with the first agenda item. The update on Kīpūʻōla Kauhāle Maui's first Kauhāle Community Wasap 1. Parent 22 members. Kīpohola Kauhali is Maui's first Kauhali community under the state's Kauhali initiative. And today we'll be receiving a presentation from Director Kimo Kawaleo, our Chief Executive Officer of Homemade Hawaii, with an update on the project. We've also invited representatives of the Departments of Human Concerns, Housing, OEV Resources, and the Office of the Mayor to comment if they like and to answer questions from the body. No one from the Department of Human Concerns is available for this morning's meeting, but we can submit any questions in writing should you have any for them. With that, we'll ask Mr. Covalho for his presentation at this time.

Absolutely. Mahalo, everyone. Hello, Councilmembers. Thank you, Councilmember Sinensi, for having me here today from O'ahu. My name is Kimo Carvalho. I'm the Chief Executive Officer of Homemade Hawaii. We are a nonprofit developer and operator that's focused exclusively on developing housing solutions for our most vulnerable communities who fall into a housing crisis. Here in Maui County, we have two development projects. The one in Lahaina is Kaleiola, which is a 450-home village for wildfire survivors who are ineligible for FEMA assistance. and of course Kipa'ola and are we going to have the PowerPoint? Got it. Okay. And Kipa'ola, which is a 64-unit kauhale in Kahului, which is located just across from the airport on the corner of Mirakabalo and Hana Highways. And while the PowerPoint's coming up, what I will say is Homemade Hawaii and our niche in this market, so, you know, the policy for the last several decades has been to subsidize affordable housing through programs such as the Rental Housing Revolving Fund and LIHTC and other government subsidies, and then from there subsidize rental assistance with housing vouchers. One of the things that we've learned through homeless solutions is that oftentimes when you're subsidizing a lot of these vouchers, you have a lot of loneliness and a lot of folks across the state end up falling back into homelessness because they really lack that social capital and social connection. Well, housing first policy is absolutely necessary. It's very effective for a certain demographic. What we are advancing here is also what's known as community first housing solutions. And so what we do is it's called missing middle housing or otherwise deeply affordable housing. And that's really our niche. This is really the development for your 30% to 50% area mean income that often is not developed because developers cannot pencil the projects. And so we utilize tools such as emergency proclamations and we value engineer projects and through the nonprofit developer model, we're able to actually bring down the cost of development and that cost is passed on to the end consumer in the form of deeply affordable rents. So we're talking anywhere from $200 to maybe $500 a month on rent. So that's truly where we're really trying to break cycles of poverty, not just through just the development and the financial design of the communities, but also we're trying to develop alternative housing solutions. In this case, Kīpahōla are known as row homes. And so what you have here on the screen is the continuum of housing. And you see here on the left, it's crisis response housing. So those are your shelter programs, your safe havens, your traditional shelter programs. Deeply affordable housing, as you can see, everything above Kalahale has been housing vouchers. And so when you look at the rest of the continuum from low income all the way up to market, that really has been subsidized housing in order to get vouchers into those housing developments. And so Calhalla is truly our community's first development for deeply affordable housing. If you go to the next slide.

Hold on, Kimo, real quick. Members, the presentation is uploaded on Granicus as number one.

Thank you. Um, just to communicate, uh, how does deeply affordable housing work? This is a development in on a wahoo, but it breaks down the numbers pretty well. This traditional development would have cost taxpayers $22 million. Instead, it cost them 7.7 million. If you look at the breakdown, it includes donated land, which is one of the most expensive costs here in Hawaii. And of course, in the county. And then you start looking at value engineering through emergency proclamations, through donations, through use of different tools that can look at public-private partnerships as a way to reduce that cost of construction. So in this case, we saved 65% of the total cost of development by creating these row homes and these community spaces. And so it really takes both the public-private sector coming together and as homemade, we're the conduit for that solution. Go to the next slide, please. And by the way, when we talk about the use of emergency proclamations, we're not jeopardizing on critical life safety. We're looking at, instead of hurricane-proof windows, for example, which would cost $900 per window, we're looking at jealousy windows, which cost me $100. So that's an $800 savings per window. There's two windows per unit. You do the math. And so what we're really looking at is just common sense development to make this type of project pencil. But we're here today to talk about Kīpahola, as I mentioned, as a 64-home kauhale. It's also row homes. These are mostly modular communities. If you go to the next slide, what I wanted to start with is the story of how we got here was the land was available from the Department of Transportation. It was leased by Department of Human Services with the state of Hawaii. And at the time, we stood up a field shelter. When I say we, the state of Hawaii stood up a field shelter for Puʻuhonua o Nene. And at the time we got involved because a lot of the area businesses were complaining that there was a lot higher crime, a lot of vandalism, theft. And so we, Homemade Hawaii stepped in because we have a division within our organization known as Kauhali Management Services, which is the operating arm of our organization. And we stepped in as a property and asset manager to really stabilize this community. Our mission and our goal was to fully decommission Puʻuhonu o Nene, the field shelter. We partnered with Family Life Center, and we transitioned a lot of these residents into permanent housing, which they're still maintained in those housing units today. So that's really how we got here to this site, and this slide will show some of the stats, the key challenges, the timeline and objectives of what we achieved there. If we go to the next slide. Getting into Keepa'ola, this is what it looks like. These are what we call clusters or clusters of 16 units per cluster. Each cluster has a shared kitchen, shared community center, and then there's communal spaces for laundry, restrooms, and showers. In the middle of these clusters, you actually have these pavilions that really bring the communities together. But you can see here, this is looking down the walkway, On the left, you have your tiny homes. On the right, you have your communal facilities. And this is part of the alternative design to infrastructure. Infrastructure is one of our largest costs. There are some new bond programs and some other financing tools that hopefully we can start looking into and testing at the state level. But for now, really, when it comes down to value engineering, having just one lateral that connects all your infrastructure instead of stubbing out to every unit. So these units do not have bathrooms, kitchens, showers, They have electric, but that's enough. It gets the clients out. It gets them into communal facilities. They start connecting. They build social capital. And as Governor says, housing is health care. And those social determinants of health by connecting with other humans and building that social connection is really what we're seeing is transforming people's ability to thrive quicker. But it also saves a lot of cost on infrastructure. Go to the next slide, please. Um, who can apply? So anybody who's experiencing homelessness or who's in a housing crisis for these tiny homes right now, they are really kind of set up for individuals. So a lot of our applicants are mostly single men. I think 80% are single men, 20% are Wahine. Um, but oftentimes, um, we are also receiving applicants for families with children and other, um, unfortunately, wildfire survivors as well. Next slide, please. This is what a tiny home looks like. It's actually very comfortable. It's 100 square feet. There's closet space with ample storage. There's under bed storage. There's a built-in desk, a shelf, a ceiling fan. As I mentioned, there's electric in the unit, so four plugs on each wall. There's air conditioning inside. These units were manufactured housing. We are also very effective at partnering the unions with modular manufacturing. That's one of the things I'm most proud of and really kind of bridging these two worlds. The union workers are often the ones who set the units, make the connections. In this case, though, it allowed us to deploy this development within just five months. When it comes to these tiny homes, the reason we went with modular for Kahului is because there's environmental conditions that just need a little bit more insulation. So you have a lot of sun, you have a lot of wind. A lot of these units are a lot of these residents when they're sleeping in the units they can't hear anything there it's it's cool it feels very comfortable. And you want them to feel comfortable and make these units their own because if they do, and they have that connection to their units they stay they they work on themselves next slide please. These are what the communal restrooms look like so there's a set of restrooms set of showers it's very efficient, we thought very hard about the details so. that's a ADA toilet there on the right. There's no handle because oftentimes you see those breaking. So there's a push button. I was at a dentist and I saw a very efficient sink. And so I, you know, the sink size kind of determined the whole spacing, but we keep them very efficient so that there's at least five restrooms or showers per unit. These costs only about $35,000. It's actually very affordable, but also they're heavy duty. So they can also withstand a lot of deep cleaning and These will last the state at least 10, hopefully 20 years. But we want to make sure we also apply by public health standards to maintain cleanliness with all these facilities. Next slide, please. The communal facilities, you know, it's one of the hallmarks of Calhalla is really bringing people together, finding spaces where we can build connections On the bottom right photo I mentioned that you know we have these pavilions and benches in the middle, so people can come out there's ample lighting at night and oftentimes it just becomes your social gathering spot. There on the bottom left is a pet park dog park and. Really, from who knew or nene we found that there was a lot of homeless, who were there actually just because they couldn't find a place, because the landlords wouldn't accept vouchers with pets. And so creating a pet-friendly cow holly was essential for the state to have, and we piloted here. There on the top is a community center and a little office area so they can use computers, printers, access internet. They can also reserve these communal facilities for classes or for gatherings. We do make sure that these communities are Truly it's empowering the residents to take ownership and to use these facilities as their own. So oftentimes shelter programs there. And this is not a criticism, but it's necessary. They have a lot more rules, a lot more structure, and that's necessary just to kind of stabilize behaviors. But here at the next step up in the housing ladder for deeply affordable, you want to start building more independence. And so for our jobs as property facility managers, It's really to facilitate these kind of communal events. So Kiara over here, who's our Senior Director of our Kalahali Management Services Program, she partnered with the BIA Hawaii. There were about 10 residents here who did not have jobs. Poverty or job loss or the working poor is actually the number one cause of homelessness for our residents here. And so there were about 10 residents who just needed basic skills. They would not sacrifice their time Because they were working other jobs are trying to do side gigs and so they could not commit to a six week program for a certification program. So we just gave them free rent. They stayed here for six weeks. They got their certifications are all guaranteed jobs in our construction trade industries. And then from there, they were able to stabilize themselves on rent. So it really allows us just for some. More flexibility and kind of brokering these deals with our community. We also work with Aloha House. There were some substance abuse users who went through their treatment programs. They wanted permanent housing, and we brought them in here and had a guaranteed place for them to land. There's also a couple relapses that actually happened, not just out of choice, but just because they were struggling. Being able to go back to Aloha House and deal with their treatment while holding their bed so they knew they had a place to come back to, that really motivated them and kept them going in terms of their sobriety. oftentimes you know we're really kind of thinking about um you know even though the holidays we want to uplift their spirits and make them feel like they're all part of a community and connected and you know sometimes just instilling a lot of fun and community relations it really just helps the the the vibe of the whole college initiative uh you go to the next slide please um this is what a kitchen looks like a communal kitchen uh so you have two stoves two sinks um kind of think like you know when you get back from college you're adulting and you're sharing you know like sharing roommates kitchen with your roommates, so it's kind of the same sort of feeling, I suppose. The decks, they open up, sorry, the kitchen and the community center opens up with the deck connected, so it really opens up the space, and it really provides just really kind of that connection. There was a resident who's been on the streets for over a decade, didn't even know how to turn on a stove, and you had another resident teaching them how to cook, you know, and so that's what community looks like in practice, and And I think that's where we're seeing transformation in people's ability to thrive much more. Next slide, please. There are community expectations. Kiara and her team, they make sure that there are monthly community meetings, they're checking on them, I just found out, every 30 days, just to make sure they're okay. We're connecting them, of course, with their services, case management agencies who are actually referring them, making sure they're just not forgetting them, they're continuing with their service plans. but the residents they also take ownership of the community we've seen call hollies across the state where residents have actually fired their security because they weren't effective and they actually took over security themselves we see other residents we bought them some weed whackers they're doing all the landscaping themselves or they're keeping up with the gardening oftentimes when you know you have you know as developers we realize we're the bones of the community but It's all those fine touches, the landscaping, the signage and the wayfinding, all the details that really kind of brings the beautification of the community together. It makes them feel more connected. So they take care of these homes as such. And then, you know, from there, we also are connecting them with a lot of the area businesses. They've come to me asking for There's a lot of vacancies that they're trying to fill. We are actually brokering deals where if we have case managers that can actually help support their ability for job placement, and if the HR department at the employer is struggling, we can actually use a case manager to actually help them with their behaviors, showing up to work on time, following through, resolving any conflicts. You know, it allows us to actually keep them employed. It also allows us to make sure that they're, you know, we're addressing their behaviors that we don't know about oftentimes in the community. That's not in the shelter program. The only thing that I will say that really makes the magic of this is instead of lease agreements, we have program agreements. So we're not looking to just evict someone if they can't pay their program fees. Instead, if someone is not able to pay or if somebody's struggling with breaking the rules, We don't just jump to eviction the way traditional property managers do. And lease agreements have the mandate to execute on. Instead, we show up and we say, look, what's going on? What can we do to keep you here? Let's put you on what's called a curable exit policy or a human contract where we can actually resolve your issues, maybe give you 60 to 90 days. We have a plan. You follow through on that plan. Essentially, if you don't follow through, we've already come to an agreement that this isn't going to work for you. But over 80% of those residents actually do follow through because it gives them that second chance or that opportunity to resolve their conflicts and issues. And it makes them actually motivated to follow through and to resolve their issues. So we're really trying, you know, it's not just innovative alternative housing. It's also innovative alternative property management that we're sort of, and I think for deeply affordable housing, it's the system strategy that's been missing for quite a while because Our community has favored single family homes and commercial developments and nothing in the middle. And so this is what alternative housing or missing middle housing looks like. Here's how it's addressing your county's homelessness. We think that it is an impactful program. I think it's the first time we've really added these type of beds to the system. And so far we're seven months in, fully occupied, and it's working well. Next slide, please. I believe the next slide has just some, oh, nope, FAQs you can go to our website homemade Hawaii.org go to the keep all the site and there's a lot of questions, but these are the top three that we are often asked next slide please. And just to wrap this up just some stats you know we've had 538 total applications in the last eight months since we started accepting applications. And you'll see the breakdown here, you know, back in November when FEMA had that scare that the leases were going to end, that became an influx of applicants that started. But for homeless that have been verified, homeless 175, another 264 who are truly at risk of homelessness, they're already, they were paycheck to paycheck, they're already in a crisis in debt. So there are some programs that probably needed to be able to support some of that ability to stabilize in their existing homes. During the winter months, we did see a little uptick in out-of-state homeless. It wasn't significant, but it's often the number one question. You have your demographics. Your average income is really that 30% to 40% area median income. So we're hitting the demographic that it's intended for. And then you have your reasons for homelessness and your top barriers. For your top barriers, the one thing I will say is Putle Road is probably one of the most, we really had to get creative with MOUs with different landowners to really kind of enforce that area with our security. Oftentimes it's external negative influencers that are trying to come and sell drugs or try to, I guess, connect in a negative way. So we're really trying to help our residents understand how to have healthy boundaries and relationships Oftentimes with their families as well, there's some conflicts. So it's a lot of hoʻoponopono and a lot of resolution. And we're leaning a lot to our case management partners to help with that. Higher levels of care, you know, I think psychiatry, even from the Puʻuhonua days, that was something that I struggled with is just trying to find those resources that our community is really good at navigating. We have a lot more navigators and it seems like we've lost the clinical muscle of our case management that's really able to intervene. And so finding those type of resources that can really provide for stronger intervention I think was something I struggled with but maybe also I just couldn't find. Anyway I think the next slide is just how to apply and how to learn more. And I'll stop there and take any questions. Mahalo.

Mahalo Executive Director Cavalio. Did Ms. Manoa Kaui wanted to add anything. Okay, members, we'll go to our county officials here and then we'll open it up for questions. From the Office of the Mayor, we have Ms. Naomi Crozier. Did you want to add anything to that? Okay, but you guys are here to answer any questions. Thank you. From the Department of OIV Resources, we have Deputy Director Robinson. If you had any mana unui,

I mahalo for this opportunity to speak today. is an incredible opportunity for people to have a space that they can call their own. I think from the Department of OEB Resources, we would really want to focus on the industrial look, the industrialness of it for our department specifically. Making sure that we, and I also heard during the presentation that the state is also committed to having people build pilina with that space, with their home that they've created and are living in. And so we would want to broaden that to the larger aina and find ways to create a cultural curriculum for them to build that pilina with the aina that they're in. And it's, you know, Puʻunene is beautiful moʻolela of that space. There are wind names and place names that can help them build pilina with a larger part of Maui. And so really think that that's important. Connectivity to land, to water, to traditional foods, and maybe opportunity to do that in those spaces really speaks to a ki puʻu ʻōla. or a space of peace and tranquility and a kauhale. The kauhale portion of community is wonderful. It looks like it's pretty impactful there, where you have to share chores and contribute to the communal spaces. But we would want to see that a little broader, bringing people to build pilina with land, to restore. their eco-social self and connection. So I think that's where the healing is going to come from for a lot of our people that have, you know, are being helped at the kīpūola. So mahalo nui. Thank you for the opportunity to share a little bit. But thank you, and thank you to the state.

Hi, mahalo, Deputy Director Robinson. Definitely kīpuka. Next, we have the Department of Housing Deputy Director Mata'afa for his comments.

Thank you, Chair. The Department of Housing has no comments, but we're here to answer any questions if you have them.

Thank you for being here. Okay, members, before we begin our discussion, let's take testimony for Wasap 1, Parent 22. Staff, do we have any additional testifiers signed up?

Chair, there is currently no one else who has signed up to testify. If somebody would like to testify, Chair, there is one individual who would like to testify.

Let me guess. No. Okay. Let me go ahead and read the testimony log. Okay, members.

Oral testimony via phone or video conference will be accepted.

Testifiers wanting to provide video or audio testimony should sign up. here at the conference room or join online meeting via the Teams link. For individuals wishing to testify via Teams, please raise your hand by clicking on the raise your hand button. Staff will add names to the testifier list in the order testifiers sign up or raise their hands in. Written testimony is encouraged and can be submitted via the e-comment link at MauiCounty.us slash agendas. Oral testimony is limited to three minutes. please ensure your name appears in Microsoft Teams as a name you prefer to be referred to or anonymous if you wish to testify anonymously. Once you're done testifying or if you do not wish to testify, you can view the meeting on Akaku Channel 53, Facebook Live, or maui-county.us slash agendas. Again, mahalo for your cooperation, and I will now proceed with oral testimony.

Chair, the first individual up to testify is representing the Royal Patent.

Aloha kakaiaka.

Aloha. I'm representing the Hawaiian Kingdom, this Royal Patented, a lot of you are titled Patented Kingdom, okay? And we love housing. That's cool. But... I just wanted to question about the area. What about the health? Is there going to be health effects from being over there? You know what I mean? From all the chemicals that is being sprayed right there in the fields. Because I'm pretty sure there's signs in every little small square that say you've got to wear a mask, everything. Would they have to be wearing masks and everything like that? Because chemicals and everything like that. And I heard a few cultural practices, whatever, that was named Ho'oponopono. Is there going to be someone truly a cultural practitioner not being paid or nothing or whatever doing all that? And also since Our Kanaka Maoli population is a big population of the houselessness. Can you guys, I'm requesting you guys to help them get really back on their land, on their royal patented, allotio titled lands, because they own all the lands in Hawaii, and more than 50% of our population is in the mainland, and more than 50% is houseless in Hawaii. like that's literally like when genocide happening like i don't know if you guys saw the wars and stuff and everybody's saying that you know you know what i mean and that's so hell about that they gotta really get back to their land the royal patented land because they own them forever it assigns forever um hrs 172-11 um that's um for them to for you guys to return the land back to the original title holder and their descendants yeah um because it's not supposed to be all these lands are not even supposed to be bought sold or traded like traded and it is being illegally traded sold and bought and um i yeah and i demand and i request you guys respectfully to return out of hawaii um out of hawaii Anakanaka Maoli back to their royal past and say aloha to their titled lands because they own them forever. Mahalo. RONALD MEDINA- Hi.

Mahalo nui. A royal house of Hawaii. And mahalo for the Niinau. Members any questions for the testifier? Seeing none. Mahalo.

RONALD MEDINA- Chair there is currently no one else who signed up left to testify. If somebody would like to testify in the chamber please let staff know or on Microsoft Teams please raise your hand. Chair, there is one person calling in by the number of 808. Please unmute yourself.

Hello, Mr. Langford. Or was it Mr. Langford? Good morning. Hello? Yes, we can hear you.

Oh, I thought you, I heard you say Langford. I'm sitting here pushing buttons on the phone, and it's like the computerized voice is talking, and I couldn't hear what, that wasn't, yeah.

So, okay, I called Langford.

Dawn from Shane Sinensi's office. And she's one of the only council people in the building that answers the phone anymore. And she's doing a very good job of that. So I want to owe my guy, her and Mr. Sinensi's staff, vote for Sinensi, that's all I can say. And she told me the agenda was about the Corona lows and the effects in the county parks, is that correct?

We're on the Kipuola Housing Project.

Oh, Kipuola. I have no... I don't know what... Kipuola. Oh, that's the state kind, the one over there, the one that... Yes. Over there where Ten City used to be. Hi. Okay. So, yeah, my testimony on that one is... Oh, boy. Kīpū ʻōla means to support, I think. It also means, kīpū ʻōla means support the community. That's the Hawaiian word of the day. I'm glad I got that in. Thank you, Mr. Sinensi, for that's a good way to start out the Monday morning. And also, kīpū means to sound, it means the sound of a gunshot. So if Mr. Ambassador is over there listening to this phone call, don't take it as a threat. I know you're under a lot of uh under the gun lately ha ha ha so um you're just making more trouble for yourselves in my opinion on putting up all the security stuff like that and by the way the um the door there behind mr sinensi i'm on the phone i can't see but i'm very familiar with the surroundings there in the office the door behind mr sinensi is an emergency exit door just in case anything happens you guys can all exit that door i was instructed by the previous planning director that that was not and um Also a long time ago, what's your name? No, hey, Lonnie. Ooh, Hodgins told me I'm not allowed to go through that door and then she was wrong because it's an exit for the public. So that's my public information statement for today. The Kīpahula is, I see people that it is helping. Personally, I see them mostly on the bus and I'd like, I think if Mr. Governor Green is involved with that project at all, at least they're doing something. The state is doing something to help Maui County. And the rules and regulations is probably kind of strict. So we have to watch carefully who we get to run that place because they're not from Maui. They might need a little bit of education from the families that are here on Maui. And I know we're all been one big family, but you Hawaiian people knows what I mean. I had a bad ex.

Let me check if there's any questions for you. Members, any questions?

Oh, is my three minutes up already?

Yeah.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Senesi. I feel better now. Yeah. I would have spent my whole message complimenting your Executive Secretary, Don, for at least letting me participate in the meeting.

Thank you for your testimony. Staff?

And I'll see you guys at 1.30. Chair, the next individual up to testify is James Langford. Would you please unmute?

Yes. Hello, beautiful souls. Thank you for dealing with Mr. Law in such an eloquent way, Mr. Semenci. To hear him joyful hopefully makes you guys have a better day. Thank you, sir. I've lived in these state facilities past post-wildfire without starting any trouble or anything like that. You know, I would love to have a dialogue with you folks in an appropriate way, not for any monetary gain, just to let you know some of the things that I've lived through, saw ignored, and that might be a way that we can... fix the net you know before we go fishing you know for our all of our collective success it's an election year you know the news cycle brings out a lot of information so you guys know that I am solid when it comes and ethical when it comes to doing business and government and every single way so heck I even do the homework first So I'm hoping that when you, you know, if you folks need to hear some real deal stuff that was going on with partnering with the state, I would love to give you just a real heart-to-heart, you know, Kanaka action, like, yo, you know, my name is what it is, and the truth of the matter is, this course of action requires a delicate ethical balance in order to maintain the peacefulness of Aloha that we all need to vibrate to go forward with the energies that we've had to deal with financially. So I invite everyone, uh, you know, you can go check out my website. I have a new way to process feelings that folks may be having with, um, the stress that you folks have to live through every day, other people only get glimpses of that. So I created an educational system to help with civics and information and how to see where things flow so that we have an educational vehicle. That's 12sgi.com. There's no fee here. So anyway, you're all loved. I understand what you all are going through. I've Went through it as a teenager and, you know, under different circumstances, but a lot more pressure. So when you need me, please call me and find out what really goes on. And I'm here for you. So love you. And I'm really proud of you guys. Walk it, you know, do your due this season. Just be the truth. Be the aloha.

Thank you, sir. God bless you. All members, any questions for Mr. Langford? Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.

I live in Lahaina now. I'm back in Lahaina, Tamara. So thanks for representing me, sis.

Chair, there is currently no one else who is signed up left to testify. If somebody would like to testify, please let staff know, or on Microsoft Teams, please raise your hand. This is the final call. Three, two, one. Chair, it appears that nobody wishes to testify today.

MEMBERS ANY OBJECTIONS TO CLOSING PUBLIC TESTIMONY FOR THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. OKAY MEMBERS WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS EACH MEMBER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR THIS FIRST ROUND AND WE CAN BEGIN WITH COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR JOHNSON FOLLOWED BY CHAIR LEE. AND WE HAVE ALL OF OUR RESOURCES HERE FOR YOUR QUESTIONS. Committee Vice Chair Johnson?

Yep. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. And thank you, everybody, for joining us today with the presentation. I only have three minutes, so I'll try to go quick. But I will first off say I really appreciate Deputy Director Robinson's beautiful remarks, and I totally agree with them. Thank you for bringing that lends to the table. I appreciate that. A lot of my questions is for Mr. Corbello. Thank you for doing that kind of work in our community. It's really needed. I really appreciate the idea that you're looking at a new way to do program management. So let's get into that. How many caseworkers are on the property working with the folks or wraparound services? And then how many security guards do you guys have?

Um, okay. So for security guards, they're 24 seven. There's always at least two. Um, I believe during the evening shifts, we have an additional security guard that also helps with monitoring the area outside of the community as well. Um, we took a responsibility to not just be managing a facility, but also to be good stewards in the neighbors in the area. Um, and then I'm sorry, could you repeat your first question?

Well you know I'm curious of like caseworkers do you have do you have enough caseworkers for the load that you're going to have to you know work with the people.

This is the largest excuse me this is the largest Calhalla in the state of Hawaii on a neighbor island which is great. It is requiring us to partner a lot with those who are referring to the community. So we do have three staff on property. That's just part of the contract with the state of Hawaii but we do have subcontracts with the case management agencies And of course, those case managers who are referring are paid by other resources and contracts that we leverage in order to support us. I don't have the number for that council member.

You know, I think, you know, if I back up a little bit, you know, I really appreciate the presentation and a new way to looking at this. Some of the criticisms of these is that it's that type of soft incarceration with lights out at this time and security guards yelling at the folks with their music too loud and all that kind of little things that they have to deal with. When you're dealing with folks who are on that benefits cliff and just reminding them of incarceration, I want to make sure it's more of a light touch instead of a heavy hand. That's really where the question's sprouting from. you don't want it to make it look like prison. You want to have a nice, um, landscape design, you know, shade places where people group, uh, and not just so industrialized, if that's the word, you know, and I think, uh, Deputy Director Robinson kind of brought up a beautiful point about that. So those were that's kind of where I'm leaning like I want to make sure that the folks feel like it's a home even if it is a temporary home at least it doesn't feel like soft incarceration. So maybe you can address some of the ways that you're doing addressing that.

I would say that it doesn't feel like incarceration at all. We are very intentional about the color scheme, the design, the spacing, the traffic flow. I think the aesthetics really came through. I believe that every one of our residents feel like they're dignified humans. At least that's what they're communicating to us. This is absolutely not about institutionalization. When I mentioned earlier, the crisis response system I think maybe traditionally has some of those feelings, but I think when you look at deeply affordable housing, we're actually lowering the barrier where we're infusing more independence. And so for a lot of the Calhoun across the state, we're actually empowering the residents to take ownership of their communities by creating their own rules, by collaborating. We have monthly community meetings where they talk and honestly, sometimes beef out some of their issues with each other, but by processing those issues and, resolving them together and creating rules and community aspects that makes this community thrive. That's the process. So I would say it's it's less institutions less rules more empowerment and more independence.

FRED PODESTA. You know that I appreciate all of that. You know it's it's really important to bring up. And I'm going to I didn't hear the time and Committee Chair Sinensi let me know if the time rings because I didn't hear any bells. Or did. Okay. I'll wait then. Thank you so much. Appreciate your response to me. Thank you.

Mahalo Committee Vice Chair Johnson. Next we have Chair Lee for her opportunity.

Thank you. Thank you Mr. Cavallo for your presentation. You went rather quickly through it and so I was wondering when you talked about the $22 million cost which which project were you talking about.

That was an example of a kohale on O'ahu that's just it's it's the next largest one. The what the the message was that that project would have cost taxpayers 22 million dollars had we not.

DIRECTOR RIVERA- Okay let's move on moving on Kīpahula the 64 unit one. How much did that cost.

MR. Just under 9 million.

DIRECTOR RIVERA- Under 9 million. And and who paid for it. Where did the 9 million come from.

State of Hawaii paid the cash, and then there is additional funds that were paid by the private sector.

So you don't know what the breakdown is?

I don't off the top of my head. I can absolutely get that for you guys.

Okay, could you? Could you? And then is this pretty much the standard for most of these types of units, you know, 100 square feet per unit? their clusters and that they have communal restrooms and showers and kitchens and so forth. Is that the standard for these types of homes?

It's the initial phase of our Calholly developments. Single adults are one of the largest homeless populations and so that was one of the quickest deployment strategies for row homes that could quickly move a lot of people at a cost effective rate.

Okay, you talked about lasting 10 to 20 years. Is that the economic life of these units?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. And then where our units are situated, they're exposed to a lot of wind. So I was wondering, you know, like up to what miles per hour wind can it withstand?

Yeah, up to Hurricane to there was a lot of thought that went into these units being placed there because of the areas environmental conditions. It's not just when it's sun. There's also, you know, that area did get flooded a little bit. So we wanted to make sure it was positioned in the area with proper drainage. We want to make sure there wasn't any contaminants to the earlier comments. But nevertheless, yes, there was a lot of thought that went into the longevity of these units. being placed here on this island in this neighborhood.

And then you talked about 80 percent men and 20 percent women. So is that representative of the homeless population in general or it's just in these types of situations.

I'm going to defer to the county administration to answer that but that is statistics specifically for Kīpahola.

So the 20 percent women include children.

There's no children at Kīpa'ola. The next, and maybe to your earlier question, we are currently designing the next iteration of Kalahalli to include couples and families with children. We have not deployed those yet. Under Governor's first term, our goal was 30 Kalahalli across the state within the first three and a half years that we had. So this was the quickest deployment, but we are...

Okay, and then do you take... Are there restrictions on the people that you take such as? Do you take sex abusers or hardline felons?

As long as they're homeless and they have the connection to services. I see.

Okay. Well, thank you. Appreciate that information. Thank you, Chair.

Yes. Next, we have Member Poulton followed by Member Rollins-Fernandez.

Thank you Chair. I was wondering about the modular portion and the emergency proclamation. Is it like HPM built and is it only allowed to be used during an emergency proclamation when the emergency proclamation ends then what happens?

So in terms of the it's modular it's these are staus Korean manufactured built. Factory built. Yes. There are some of them also at Caleola. In terms of Yeah we did go through the county's special permitting process to get them approved under the emergency proclamation. This is state owned land so the state does have full entitlement but we did collaborate and coordinate with the county in order to access infrastructure primarily. And then, of course, for the modular to make sure that the units were, for lack of better words, permittable to.

So this couldn't be recreated in absence of an emergency proclamation or would it need like a special conditional permit or something?

My philosophy is there's always a way and I would love to have that conversation because I do see a path forward. And a responsible one where it's not just any modular company. There's actually quite a vetting process and standards that I would recommend to the county. Yeah.

Okay. And then it looked like 538 people initially applied with 64 units. Does that mean 474 were turned away?

Majority of them were wildfire survivors that were through the FEMA program. And then the rest that were turned away. Actually, I would say, let me correct that. They weren't turned away. They were they decided not to continue with the application due to them wanting to accept vouchers.

And do you know the annual operating expense for this?

We just got to capacity, so we're just learning the numbers. But it's going to be somewhere around, I believe, 1.2. The majority of that is going to be security and electric. We're trying to resolve that through some new development options.

And then for your caseworkers, are they... What EMI would they qualify that you're paying them for? Do you pay them more than minimum wage? Do you qualify for 80% EMI housing?

I believe so. Again, I think there's always a way. It's going to take some creative financing.

And then the sobriety, like the location, you cannot drink or do drugs, but you don't have to be 100% clean. Like, how does that get regulated?

Yeah, there was a guy who, you know, he consumed alcohol. We asked him, look, you know, why don't we step off the property? Let's have a conversation, brought him back to his unit, sobered up. You know, I think we're willing to work with everyone on a case-by-case basis. And of course, in that case, working with Aloha House to see what his options were after we de-escalated and could stabilize the situation so you know we we of course of course want to be a dry campus we want to encourage good behaviors but these things happen and we want to make sure that we're um flexible to accommodate we got one more question second round second round yeah follow member paulton next we have member rollins fernandez followed by a member sugumara mahalo chair

And mahalo to all of our resource folks for the presentation and for your comments and ideas. I wanted to ask some follow up questions to our Deputy Director Robinson regarding what type of staffing and resourcing you would you're thinking that the department would need to advance some of the ideas that you shared in your opening remarks.

Thank you for that question. We have been working with different departments in the administration to kind of conceptualize what that would look like for the County of Maui. I am not sure of a cost. That's kind of where we're at. We've kind of talked about uh, how to do so, why it's important to do so for our community, um, some opportunities that the county has to, uh, you know, create something along the lines of what the state has done with their kauhale and, um, you know, like at Pu'unene, um, or the Pu'uhonuaunene. And so, um, thank you for that question. I can get back to you. I would, we are working towards, um, figuring out what staffing would look like, what costs would be, and, you know, what that could look like for the county.

Mahalo, Deputy Director. And perhaps, I don't know if there would be, like, potential partnerships with organizations like nonprofits. I'm trying to think of some off the top, you know, like, that, like, Maoli Nui, Meta Kuhui, or I might have said that wrong, or like the Wisdom Circles folks, like they do like artwork, but there's culture in the, infused into the artwork.

Yes, thank you. Absolutely. We look forward to working together in a co-management way or co-stewardship way of our people. I know we look at that for INA, but I think partnerships between the county and nonprofit organizations that do good work, they are have already built up trust with the people. A lot of our nonprofits, like the Grassroots Hui, we have been meeting with to see how can we be good partners together. They have great ideas, they have been taking care of people, Malama Aina, and they really just love people. I think you mentioned some really good groups, like the Maui Medics Hui. I know we have some meetings with them, as well as some other providers that the county already works with. I think for the Department of OIV resources, what we really wanna see is culture and education integrated into those spaces and a deep connection to aina. And we know that many of our houseless are native Hawaiians. And so if we can give them connection to culture, connection to land, to education, we hope they could be comfortable in those spaces. And when we look at what is already provided, as far as a shelter, a safe place, security. Also, I think they had made mention of things like, you know, community meetings and sharing the care of common areas and kindness and respect. I think we can also add to that, you know, culturally grounded education, an opportunity to have elders guide the space and be there for people to bring in folks that are culturally grounded that could work with the people who are there. Even really just building pilina with each other and aloha. Cultural curriculum for supportive housing is what we would support here. And traditional foods, traditional landscaping, and then opportunities to just grow in that space and to feel proud of that space and connected.

Yeah all of that is so important to when the individual healing. I just I want to hop by that when the appropriate time when you folks are ready. Chair I don't know if the timer went off but I didn't hear. I assume it did because that was kind of a long time but.

Yes okay. Followed by Member Rollins Fernandez. Next we have Member Sugimura followed by Member Uhu Hodgins.

Thank you Chair. So interesting. I'm really glad that we have Kimo here Carvalho to share the progress of this because we saw it coming up and I was just wondering what the overall impact. We did hear when the subject matter came up the concerns of the surrounding businesses. So my question to the executive officer Carvalho is Carvalho is what kind of outreach have you done Or is it a question for the county? Oh, I can answer if that's okay. Okay, thank you.

Thank you for the question. So we started the community outreach with the businesses when we took over Project Vision's contract from Puʻuhonuaʻonene. And since then, we've maintained those relationships and we've become part of the business association, sort of an ad hoc grassroots group, and we actually listen to a lot of their concerns. We've done training. We respond immediately if they actually call our security for any issues. So there's a strong relationship, and I think we're very proud of having turned a full 180 from where it started to where it is today.

Oh, that's good news. Does the county have any comments regarding this presentation? And is it only Naomi Crozier or do we have our Department of Human Concerns able to provide us more information?

Today we have Ms. Naomi Crozier. Do you have a question? And the Department of Housing.

Okay, interesting. Then I would like to... Also asked then of the Kala'i Loa, which is the Lahaina project, how long were you planning on keeping that? I think you said it's going to last 20 years?

Kala'i Ola you mean? The Kala'i Ola development is 450 homes and that is

HHFDC leased the land to DHS for five years ending June 2029, at which point it will be transferred to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and it will fast track the development of Leilei Phase 1B by 17 years.

Okay, so this is not under your kuleana then?

I was just the developer for Kala'i Ola interim housing as the nonprofit developer, we're focused on emergency housing only.

I guess then, Chair, at another meeting, I don't know where it would be appropriate, what will happen to all of these 450 families there after 2029, if that's the overall plan? That's a question. Thank you. and appreciate this appreciate you working with the community and the extra work that's going in to make this a viable place for us in Kahului. And I think we see a need for something like this to also happen with the project vision which is across the street from the church there. So looking forward to you expanding your knowledge. And my last question is how many Kauhales has the governor achieved?

We are too short of our 30 goal. How many on Maui? Maui County. Yeah. So Kīpa'ola was the only development but there are contracts, if I'm not mistaken, for existing facilities that have been converted to Kawhale.

Okay, so two more. And you say that on Maui, did you say that we have possible three?

Yeah, the other two are existing facilities that they converted to Kawhale contracts, so there was no development involved. But this is the only development of Kawhale on Maui County. What are the other two projects? We'll get back to you on that. I just wrote it down.

member we can and we'll send your question via correspondence thank you thank you okay thank you very much can you guys hear the the bell remember as you guys cannot hear no we cannot hear it and i think the item the agenda item says update on kaohale maui's first kaohale

community. So I don't know if like asking questions about other projects would be appropriate under this agenda item.

DIRECTOR HERSEY- Staff. Okay we'll keep it narrow members. Thank you. Can you can you.

DIRECTOR HERSEY- We're going to do one quick timer test. Let me know if you guys can hear the timer.

No.

I heard it but I'm in the room.

Yeah. Okay. We'll we'll do the the timer. Okay. We'll we'll go to member Rollins. I mean excuse me. Member Uhuhajens for her opportunity.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Mr. Carvalho. Thank you, Kimo, for being with us today. I appreciate your hard work and your presentation. So there's a program fee associated with this space. Can you tell me what the program fee is?

$450 a month, all included.

Okay. And then are they, when they do like grocery shopping or do you guys provide food and then do they have their own spaces in there? How does that work?

They have their own spaces. They purchase their own groceries. They cook their own food. If they need any assistance with cooking essentials, we might be able to provide that. But it is independent.

Okay. And then... What kind in your weekly and monthly community meetings, like what are they doing in those meetings? And do you guys provide people service for like for people to get on some sort of food stamp benefits like Medicare? Do you guys help set that up for people?

In terms of the monthly meetings that we have, we facilitate them. We ask questions, but also we discuss issues that have been brought up. by each other, suggestions that have been brought up through their suggestions box, and we facilitate those conversations. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes they're also kind of scrapping about some of the issues that they have with each other. We resolve that. We kind of help them through it. So, you know, it's adulting in a different way. In terms of services like Medicare and benefits, we work with the case managers to assist them with that when they need it. Okay, cool.

I do believe that rules and structure do provide some sort of normalcy for people's adulting life. Like we all have rules and structure. We must follow. My children have rules and structure. They must follow. I do think it's a part of normalizing adult behavior. So I understand where that's going to come in.

um besides these four rules that you folks shared and like a sober facility is there any other rules you guys enforce um it's primarily around safety just making sure they're not breaking the law making sure they're not creating an unsafe environment for for themselves or others um and otherwise it's really just identifying and intervening ahead of time on where they have barriers that need to be addressed and then making those um preventative measures immediately so that we don't have to create a facility with a lot of rules they're the ones who's actually creating more of their own rules by empowering their those community meetings we empower them to create structure in a way that's healthy for them okay and then um this seems minor but um for cleaning supplies like when they have to do their own chores and stuff do you guys provide cleaning supplies there they can get expensive at least

At least the good kind cleaning supplies get expensive. Oh, yes.

I'm very aware. Okay, good. Yeah. We are thankfully getting some donations by the hotels, but this is actually another costly item for the state budget, but yes. Okay, cool.

Thank you.

I don't remember. I just had a couple of follow-up. Most of my questions were answered, but Mr. Cavalli, you mentioned 60 to 90 days. There's a time limit of staying here.

No, their program agreement is actually for six months, but we check in on them every 30 to 60 to 90 days. So we just do these check-ins just to make sure their transition is smooth.

Okay. And then you mentioned also Aloha House. So you're working with them as far as transitional housing for those people that are in their programs? Yes.

One of the successes that we've seen is, and we've learned this across the state of Hawaii, is that when a homeless individual is actually going through a traditional shelter or treatment program, and then they're stepping up into deeply affordable housing, that transition is actually a lot smoother than going directly into affordable housing that's subsidized. What we are doing is we are empowering the service system to refer residents, and that way it attracts those who are on the streets to want to work with them so that they know they can come in to keep all of

Got it, okay, thank you for that. Okay, members, for a second round, we'll do two minutes by a show of hands. Oh, we have Member Poulton followed by Chair Lee.

Thank you. 64 units 450 a month maybe that doesn't come up to the 1.2 million so is the rentals going in to subsidize the 1.2 million is that what it goes towards correct and then the other portion of it comes from uh state yeah it's the state coholly initiative that funds the operations for the delta okay and then um This will take single women and single men and you said 80-20. How many restrooms are there and do they specify like men only or women only and showers?

Three sets of restrooms and showers for all five. Oh my gosh, thank you. That's why she's here. And there's five stalls per facility. So there's ample ratios. One of the things we've learned is that you want to keep your bathroom showers in proximity to literally within a distance of 50 feet in order for them to actually want to use it one and two, because they're individual stalls that lock, it's unisex.

And then you said five stalls per facility, that's five stalls for all 64 or per the four by 16? There's five.

Sorry, Chiara, you're gonna have to step up. Sorry.

Not a problem. So there's five stalls of bathrooms, five stalls of showers. um the clusters of 16 units so the total project has um 20 okay 20 bathrooms and 20 showers and then in the layout are you keeping does it matter if men and women are next to each other it doesn't matter no and are you full up right now yes okay and then as

if someone voluntarily or doesn't voluntarily leave, how do the, are you in coordination with the homeless coordinator to let everyone know that you have an opening?

We have been working with the homeless coordinator very well since. But yes, we are always looking at the inflow and outflow based on success or issues. How long does it take to get in? Like, Well, we opened applications in December. We just got full last month. We are just learning about the turnover rate currently. So ask me again in six months and I think we'll have a more clear answer on that. Okay, thank you. I heard the time. Okay.

Model Member Palten, next we have Chair Lee.

Hi, do you take people on a first come first serve basis? Yes. That's one question. Yes. Yes. Okay, so it doesn't matter what their qualifications are, it's just who signed up first. Okay, so then you mentioned a six-month program. Is it subject to extensions?

They sign a six-month program agreement and it's renewable monthly as long as they need to.

As long as they need to, okay. And then do you help them find permanent housing? You know moving moving to the next step from transitional to more permanent housing rental housing.

DIRECTOR HERSEY- Great question. The goal here for Kīpahōla is upward economic mobility. We want to ensure that they're able to save money earn more save more. So instead of traditional public housing is 30 percent of your income toward rent. So the more you earn the more you pay that is a disincentive. So we do fix rates so that it's the more they earn the more you save. the more they save, then they start mobilizing. What we've seen at other villages across the state is they usually break poverty right around year three if they stay that long, which shows that traditional transitional housing for two years is actually not sufficient. Usually they're just kind of out of the crisis around year two, two and a half, but year three, we're really seeing mobility. And they bypass housing and they go into apartments.

Yeah, but if they stay with, so you're expecting them to stay beyond six months, right?

Well, it's a pilot. We're testing out the Calhalla Initiative. It's an innovative program of governors, so we're going to learn from it, but we're also keeping it flexible enough and not defined by a federal system in order to.

Okay, so what kinds of people generally, you mentioned the working force, so those who are maybe down on their luck but have jobs.

Is that the type? Yes. So when we broke down the demographics, one of the things we've learned in terms of causes of homelessness is the number one applicant was the working poor.

Okay. Thank you. Can I just ask one more question, please?

Go ahead, Shirley.

So you don't really appeal to the people who are sitting on Pulejo Road then by Safeway? No.

Not at all? They are part of our applicant.

That's a different crowd. That's a different crowd.

It's just a different crowd. Yeah.

Okay. Maybe you can. try and address that different crowd. Thank you.

Mahalo, Chair Lee. Members, any other questions for Mr. Covalho? I have a follow up. So they need to be actively either hired or looking for a job?

Yeah, there's residents who were unemployed when they came in, but they're motivated and they want to and we want to help them. So, you know, there's most of them actually came from clean and sober treatment programs. But we're not restricting our access to employment. It's just a factor that we happen to get in terms of our applicant poll. Yeah.

Thank you. And then I just had a quick follow up with Deputy Mata'afa. Is the housing department looking at any kind of similar ideas like the Kauhale initiatives?

Thank you, Chair, for that question. And yes, we are looking at everything on the table. As you know, Department of Housing is responsible for housing across the spectrum and mainly pointed towards the 0% AMI to 140% AMI. And I can kind of talk a little bit about what we've done as a department on some projects relating to houselessness. So we do have one federal allocation that comes in. That's the housing trust fund model. And that mainly funds projects and units aimed at 30% of the AMI and below. So what you'll see is some, like, for example, some units in Haleo P.E.K.A. are designated specifically for people who fall under that category because it uses HTF funding. We also use HTF to help with rehabilitation projects and partnering with entities like Haleo Akiola to rehabilitate units there. More recently, last year, there were some allocations that were provided to the county where we've actually helped Maui Grassroots Collective purchase a home to continue the work with emergency housing. And the last one that comes to mind is Huliao. So Huliao, as many of you know, is a 12-unit multifamily project here in Kahului, and a big population that's served there are women and children. and they are at the 30 to 50 percent AMI category. So those are kind of the efforts that the department is currently supporting. But we do collaborate a lot with Department of Human Concerns and trying to figure out the solution as well and how the department can be a piece and presence in this discussion. So I hope that answers the question.

MR. Yeah. Mahalo for that, Deputy Mata'afa. Members, any other questions for our resources? I see Member U'uhajens. Go ahead.

Thank you chair. Last question for Kimo. So I know that this is a state project but how can we best partner with you folks and what do you need from us to move forward successfully?

There are four things that make me successful at this job. Number one is access to land and often the public lands are really the best resource so it's entitled to the public. Number two is our emergency proclamations or at least the ability to and there are emergency proclamations on county levels as well. But really being able to creatively redesign a process that usually takes a lot of permitting time that also saves costs and also find alternative methods in agreement with the counties. Number three is going to be the public private partnerships and really bringing down the cost of construction. That's where we believe our nonprofit model. It's a niche that we have in the market, but value engineering the cost through philanthropy, through builder discounts and being able to augment that with the public resources. So to Deputy Director Robinson's earlier comments. When we're looking at the financial capital stack and county government is only limited, you wanna be able to really leverage the private sector. That takes a little bit of negotiation. And number four, which I think the county can really help with is being open to recalculating our infrastructure calculations for water and sewer. When we look at our development, you know, we're not talking, so we're not looking at single family homes and commercial property calculations. We're looking at tiny homes. Those 20 bathroom facilities, when we look at the rates that we're actually utilizing, we're really looking at a very different demand. And so I think being open to just alternative housing, alternative methods, alternative or a different set of facts based on a different style of homes, that is where I think the county can really support us. It's more of a, and I don't mean this with disrespect, but it's really bringing a mindset of how can versus why no can.

Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Thank you, Chair. Thank you. Looks like I sparked more questions.

I'll look for that question, Member Huchins. Member Poulton?

Thank you. I just was wondering, are you looking at recreating Kipu Ola Kauhali on Maui? I guess it's a survivor Ohana Hope village across, and people have approached me that when that ends, they have no plans on how they're going to survive after that. is there opportunity for public private partnership there as well or it would depend on the landowner which I believe is the church continuing it.

DIRECTOR RIVERA- We would like to see how we would like to see the ability to shift from public to private lands and still have fairness and maybe longitudinal. So if a private landowner wants to commit 20 years at minimum to the use for homeless housing I think that's something the county should absolutely permit. I think that there's opportunities.

Or EP kind of permit?

Yeah, it comes down to the basic uses of the community infrastructure and approving the types of housing and developments that we're executing.

What kind of zoning are you looking for for that?

So for that one, you know, that was, it's ag, but it's not prime ag, and it's previously disturbed. It's actually prime for development. It's the best spot.

I mean, because like our zoning allows certain amount of density, which isn't like the creative creativity that you're speaking to this to like create another type of zoning category for cow holidays, or would you prefer like conditional permitting special use permitting? Like, what what kind of creative solution? Would you recommend like its own homeless village zoning category or

Yes, so at the state level, you know when when at the time governor abercrombie launched the Hawaii clean energy initiative time within the State Department of energy officers actually a special permitting process for those energy projects. And it was specialized to that that industry if you're able to segment a permitting process for housing within that area that actually allows you to fast track systematically more projects. So the answer to your question is probably both. You have your short-term solution that's really going to allow Ohana Hope Village the ability to continue but at the same time you're developing more of a systemic solution for your county. That experience we have. We'd love to have that conversation.

DIRECTOR RIVERA- Thank you so much Chair. Thank you Mr. Carvalho.

DIRECTOR HERSEY- Okay we have some a couple more questions. Committee Vice Chair Johnson. And then member Sugimura.

Thank you chair. I know we're moving on to other topics but I'll just be real quick maybe make a statement. But I think the 100 acres behind South Maui Police Station county owned sound like that would be something that this would work well with. And you know I know the Department of Housing is here and you know with these guys here I think it'd be great if we all work together on finding county lands that could actually replicate this. Thank you chair.

Follow Committee Vice Chair Johnson. Next Member Sugimura.

Thank you. Very productive discussion. I like hearing what Deputy Director Mata'awa has shared and different projects that you know direction that the department is going. One of the questions that we have for Kimo is Because of the success and what you're seeing is there any effort to codify. Is there a need for us to codify or are you planning on doing that with the counties or recommending that.

FRED PODESTA. As of today Councilmember I don't have any recommendations formally. I think coming out of this hearing I'd love to have a continued dialogue however hearing where each of the council members are with this topic.

Yeah, so important. Thank you very much. And I'll get in touch with you after this meeting. Thank you.

Member Sugimura. Member Rollins-Fernandez, did you have any questions? Okay. Seeing none. Mahalo members.

I mean, sure. Okay. Since you asked me. I have one question. Go ahead. Regarding the turnover rate. Do you folks track like if, you know, folks are going into housing and that's why they're leaving Kīpahula?

We have only had three successful exits into permanent housing thus far. No one to the streets from Kīpoholo.

DIRECTOR RIVERA- Okay.

Mahalo.

Mahalo Chair. RONALD FERNANDEZ OK members thank you for all your questions and your comments. And if there are no objections I'll well before I do I wanted to Mahalo Ms. Crozier Mr. Cavallo and Ms. Manoa Kau'i for being here in person this morning. Also. Deputy Director Robinson, Deputy Mata'afa for being here with this, answering all of our questions. So with that, without objections, I'll defer this item.

No objections.

Thank you, members. And as we swap out for the update from the Parks Department, we'll take a 10-minute recess till 1040. The What's Up Committee meeting is now in recess. Aloha kakaiaka and welcome back to the What's Up Committee meeting of Monday, July 27, 2026. It is now 1042. Mahalo for your patience and for that quick break. Our next item up is an update on Konalo Storm's impact on Maui County Parks, What's Up 1, Parent 22. Members, the Conolo storms this spring impacted some Maui County parks. Today we'll be receiving a presentation for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Deputy Director DuRoy is here with an update. And we also invited representatives of the Department of the Managing Director, the Office of Recovery, and the Department of Public Works to comment if they like and to answer any questions that you may have for them. So with that, we'll ask the Department of Parks and Recreation for their presentation. Aloha and welcome.

Aloha and welcome, Chair Sinensi and Council Member Paulton here and the rest of you on TV. Aloha, welcome. I also have with us Meredith Sanders, who we lean on. She represents as one of the representatives for Tetra Tech. Helps us get through the paperwork in a timely manner and it's much appreciated. You can go next, Mara.

Sorry.

Okay. As far as closures, as you can see, our Kula Gym of the Waiakoa Gym is closed. We are working with FEMA and Tetra Tech. Our damage inventories were all due last week Monday. So everything that was damaged was turned into FEMA last week Monday. Our damages to the Waiakoa Gym, roof systems, our truss rafters had suffered severe damage. The structural framing throughout the impacted areas have been compromised. The south-facing wall is structurally compromised and requires bracing, sheeting, structural reinforcement to support the eventual rebuild of the end truss where and when feasible. We do also have some lead-based paint present on our exterior surfaces. FEMA requested to temporarily or threw an idea at us to temporarily stabilize and protectively tarp to deter from further damage to the gym. Only one contractor submitted a bid, and that was $1.9 million to try and tarp the open area at the gym. We are still working on that. I don't think that's a good idea. But we can move on to the next slide. That's just a picture of the damage to the gym. And as you can see, what would need to be tarped. We've got FOSTO here, Genevieve is on its way as well. Not sure how much tarping would solve it. After the Kona one and two, we also did have rain that impacted the floor and areas in that gym. Next slide, please. That's just another slide of our Kula Gym. Next. So our South Maui District parks that remain closed, the ADA access at Kamaole I remains closed. Kamaole II, they have put the sand back last week. I'm headed down there after this meeting to work with them and how we are going to stop the sand from running away with the wind and keep it on Kāmaole too. And then Kālepolepo remains closed. We've got a lot of natural springs that are down in that area. So in order to protect these, we need to speak with our cultural advisors and see how we can move forward to protect those. Next slide, please. Kanaha Beach Park, yeah, flooding, downed trees, water, heavy precipitation and stormwater as, you know, the trade winds kind of hold things up one way and the Kona winds come, blows it over the other way. And we've, I think we've got 14 Calve trees, two Milo trees and an Ironwood tree that were removed. Due to the size and number of down trees, we felt it was necessary to hire a contractor to remove that, and that cost us $62,800. Next slide, please. Ukumehame gun range. We did receive quite a bit of, not complaints, but I would say inquiries of when we were going to open. If you see that picture that's on the right, that was of May 5th this year that it was still flooded. We did ask Public Works to assist us with filling a bunch of berms on a few of the ranges and there are some deep holes that cost us $16,000 and our total man hours for ourselves and for Public Works who, I mean, we thank for coming out and helping us when they were also trying to fix everything else in Lahaina. So we can move to the next, please. Kipaniwai Heritage Park. It took its liggins. We did open it on June 6th. We did block off pavilions one and two. but as they drive through there on the weekends, people don't listen and they still try to go in there. So we are working on a solution to order it up so no one will be at risk. The first one started undercutting the corner retaining wall. The second low already had saturated, pushed the undercutting of the pavilions even further. As you can see, the pine trees that we needed to remove The cost for the tree removal was at $17,000. And then to reshore under the pavilions, we're kind of at an estimate of between $5 and $6 million. And that was based off the storm that went through maybe six years ago, seven years ago, that cost us around three, three and a half million dollars. So the cost of inflation, I mean, it's just an estimate, but we are waiting to have a contractor come in and give us a cost. Next, please. Weyhu Golf Course, Chair Lee's favorite golf course in the world. We have a lot of ponds out there. We did have a lot of ponds out there. Flooding, fallen trees, damage to fencing on the number two hole and damage to fencing at the driving range. We had closed for a total of seven days. The removal of the downed trees and debris were done by our in-house golf maintenance crew. They weren't as big as the ones down in Kanaha. waiting for the water to subside and for our course to be playable again. Next slide, please. Oh, this is the number three hole actually, the fence protection and next slide. This is the driving range and we did have a quote, estimated cost to repair of $657,000. Next slide, please. Expenses and FEMA reimbursement status, and Meredith, jump in any time. Our team is proactively coordinating with Tetra Tech and FEMA to gather, prepare, and submit all required documentation to ensure that we receive full eligibility from FEMA reimbursement for these damages. Please be advised currently we have not received anything, no state, no federal reimbursement. Everything has been done through our districts. All repair and mitigation recovery expenses incurred so far have been done through us. And we are, like I said, last week we turned in our damage

inventory now we have there's a 30-day clock now to do our site inspections and in that is also to get the paperwork for the projects to fema do you want to add anything in absolutely so we have 30 days to complete all of our site inspections that's county-wide not just for parks uh we're well on track to do that that shouldn't be an issue that does not include the technical aspects of the the Kula gym um that report that's coming out that does not fall within that 30 days however it is imperative we do it as quickly as possible and that is in the works um and then the other thing that really impacts the the financial recovery right now is that when FEMA declared this event they did not include parks as part of the categories of work we've been able to move a few of the facilities into acceptable categories. For example, the gym is not a park facility, but rather a building. And so by just positioning that differently, we're able to receive recovery for facilities that could fall into a different grouping. The appeal for all parks is still currently under review. The state has submitted that to FEMA. FEMA has asked additional questions, which is a good sign. It's not just a flat no. So we are hopeful that that appeal will be granted. However, we do not have a timeline on when that would occur if it is granted.

So with that, Chair, that's the end of our presentation. We welcome any questions.

Okay. Mahalo, Deputy Duruwa. Next members, we have Ms. Kao with the Department of the Managing Director, Office of Recovery. Did you have anything to add? Thanks for being here to answer our questions. Meredith, did you want to add any more? Meredith Sanders is with Tetra Tech.

No additional comments.

Okay, thank you. We did see them in Louisiana last week. And then I believe Deputy Director Barney is online for any opening comments for the Department of Public Works.

Nothing additional to add for Department of Public Works.

Okay. Mahalo, Deputy, for being here to answer our questions. Steph, is there anyone wishing to provide testimony for this item?

I didn't see any slide regarding Lahaina Civic, the driveway, which is kind of an ingress, egress to our first responders. Is that not under parks?

Mr. Barony? Would that fall under your department?

Yes. So that portion there, our engineering division has has contracted out and is underway to repair that. DIRECTOR RIVERA- Thank you.

I'll ask questions when the appropriate time. DIRECTOR DEWOLF.

Okay. Model Member Poulton. Staff. DIRECTOR POULTON.

Chair the first individual signed up to testify is calling in with the last four digits of 4965. DIRECTOR DEWOLF.

Did they just drop.

Aloha, Mr. Seneci, can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you.

Okay, thanks for that. I understand the agenda is about the phone on low in the parks facilities in the building. I'm actually over here in High School Park now and I'm out here on the bus so I can recycle, so that's my first thing. As you all know, one of my priorities is I would like to see more recycling in the parks. That's the first thing I can say. And then, good. The second thing about the parks is, oh yeah, so I don't know, I haven't been in a loop lately because you all know the folks office has illegally had these restraining for the meetings and now I gotta go to the Justice Department and the Police Department to try to be allowed without being arrested to be there in the meetings. Forget what the state code is under open meetings laws, but I'm being violated all over the place. I know that's not your problem, it's actually more Mr. Robson's problem than anybody else.

I've been trying to call him but he don't answer the phone.

And so that's, having said that, so my third I heard Mr. McCall, thank you, Mr. McCall for continuing your service.

Pat?

Oh, I thought I heard Pat McCall on the line. So yeah, so the guys that are working for the county parks department, I appreciate what you guys are doing and I was at some of the meetings before and I realized they're very shorthanded and they need help. So I'm doing what I can to try to keep the park so clean. And I heard him talking about the cooler gym and there's a couple of things in my speculation is that when they cut down all the trees that are behind the cooler gym, they kind of cut the windbreak and then the storm came in and blew the roof off. So it's probably that guy, I think it was the guy that There's the side there in the fire department and the insurance department that the glassmaker guy complained that some of the trees were fire hazard. So I think that's an expectation. There's no way we'll ever find that.

Chair.

I'm just talking about what I heard on the phone, Mr. Chair.

Let me ask if there's any questions for the testifier.

The point I tried to make was, excuse me, please don't interrupt me, whoever that is. My other point I was trying to make, along with this recycling, there's no recycling at Kula, and I feel like it's pretty much the negligence of the upcountry representatives of why the Kula gym got destroyed like that, and it's red all over the place, and it's just a shame.

Thank you for your testimony this morning. Staff can call the next testifier.

Chair, the next individual to testify is by the name of Quinn C. Aloha.

Good morning. You're unmuted on our end.

When will you be able to unmute on your side?

Now can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you now. Go ahead.

So sorry about that. Just a concern, Kula resident. I heard the update regarding the Kula gym and the FEMA-related aspects of it, and I'm not even sure this is answerable, but just wanted to confirm that the plan is to rebuild that gym and what we think the timeframe for that would be.

Yes. Mahalo, Mr. Quincy. We'll extend your questions to the department. Thank you.

Thanks.

Chair, there is currently no one else left to testify. Please let staff know or on Microsoft Teams, please raise your hand. This is the final call. Three, two, one. Chair, it appears that nobody else wishes to testify.

Members, any objections to closing public testimony for this item at this time? Thank you. Okay, members, we'll open the floor for questions and comments. And we'll start the first round with three minutes. And we can begin with Committee Vice Chair Johnson, followed by Chair Lee.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Deputy Director DeLuan for joining us today and everybody else who came. to give us the update as we're waiting for another storm to come through. Obviously, that's on my mind. It's on a lot of people's minds. And what happens to, say, for example, that gym in Kula, if it does get a double tap and gets hit again? You know, these are the concerns that I have. Maybe you guys can talk a little bit about that first.

I can take that. So One of the things that's critical is for us to go out and do those site inspections and to gather the status of the facility as quickly after an event. Because of that, we can identify what additional damages do occur. So if there is another declared event with FEMA, we are still able to receive funds for the additional damages as well.

Okay. I know that's a funding concern, and of course we're all concerned about how we're going to pay the to fix these things, but also for the community. Are you I mean, are we going to block off this area in case this storm does hit? And are they I don't want, you know, people walking on the sidewalk along this dilapidated or not dilapidated, but just damaged building and then it falls on them. You know, we don't want that. So you guys preparing for any type of heart? I don't know what it's called hardening, but just being prepared for if it does hit again.

Thank you for that question Councilmember Johnson. Right now we declare that we declare the gym as being unsafe for anyone to do any work on it even to go up there and remove things. I know hope is not a good strategy but we need to deal with it as it happens. As far as the funding we are hoping to get the funding through FEMA. I'm not sure if it would hurt us if we tried to do anything to the gym if FEMA would decline our claim to do it. I am not positive about that.

I understand that part of it, but just simply some cones and some signage, some tape that says don't come near this building, I think is a concern that I have. All right, moving on. You know, we were just at NACO and I know Council Member Sinitsi mentioned it. And one thing I was really fascinated with was there are folks out there that buy and sell used county municipal vehicles. And boy, does that cut not only the cost, but it cuts the time. I mean, what's it take to get a fire truck? Two years? You know, those kinds of things are what I'm concerned about. That maybe if you guys are needing any type of bucket trucks or anything for cleanup or anything that The parks is like waiting to get these specialized vehicles and they take so long that just to let you know that I found out that there's a like an auctioneer that they all specialize in municipal vehicles. I thought that'd be a fascinating route for you guys to take if you are waiting on these trucks that take so long to get to us, just to let you know that I found that out. Maybe you guys... know about it or not, but we can follow that up in emails. It's important. I hate the fact that it takes so long to get in some of these vehicles when we got a big hurricane barreling down. I heard time, but I just wanted to make that little information for you guys. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chair.

Follow Committee Vice Chair Johnson. Next, we have Chair Lee, followed by Member Poulton.

Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you, Deputy Dudua, for bringing up Wahoo Golf Course. Do you know when the pond project is going to be done? Or you're expecting it to be affected by the oncoming storm?

Thanks for the question, Chair Lee. We expect the pond project to be done Beginning of September, we had refilled the pond and it is safe right now as we were able to pull a lot of water off of holes two, three, and four to irrigate the water. So it is on schedule. We're working with our contractors to keep the course as green as possible for as long as possible and for the project to take as short as possible to not affect our golfers.

Oh, good. Thank you very much for all your hard work. As far as Kula is concerned, is there another gym close by that the kids in Kula can use?

Unfortunately, no. And to go back to Council Member Johnson's, it is already coned off and blocked off. So we do not have a gym.

Yeah. What about the school, Kinkakaliki?

We could use those if we need to for any of our parks programs, but right now it's not really an option.

I hope you find an alternative because it seems that the damage to Kula's gym is so extensive that it's going to take a long, long time for the kids to have a place to play basketball and volleyball. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Charity. Thank you. Next, we have Member Poulton followed by Member Rollins-Fernandez.

Thank you. My first question would be for Mr. Barany. I may have missed it, but, you know, the stretch of road from like the post office to the Civic Center or the EMS, lahaina comprehensive health center is closed off as well as the sinkhole on the south side of the the tree there and um i hear that it's under rfp is there a timeline and and what is the reason that people cannot traverse from like the tennis courts to the comprehensive health center because At one point, there was barricades that you could drive around, and now you cannot drive around it. And so, I mean, there hasn't been much information to the public about what's going on, what the timeline is, and the Civic Center and that whole area is heavily used. The ingress, egress for police, fire, medics, and like that is a little bit compromised because they don't have the light exits. for them or entrance, I guess, you know, and they have to everybody has to loop around to use that other entrance, which is full of potholes, which is not great for like brand new equipment. So those are my questions, Mr. Barony, to start off with.

Yes, thank you, Council Member Poulton. We actually are you're talking about it's a Coacoa place, which is adjacent to the Comprehensive Health Center. We actually have a pre-final inspection for the construction project happening on Wednesday. So the projects under construction is the reason why the roadway there has been closed. I don't have a final completion date, but pre-final inspection is typically about two to three weeks ahead of the project being fully closed out.

Oh, that's good. And then I guess maybe for Miss Meredith, when we were in Louisiana, they said that they expect Mr. Cam Hamilton would be taking over for Mr. Fenton for FEMA overall, and that FEMA is trying as hard as they can to get all of their non-emergency funds out because they expire in September. Do you anticipate any changes with like a permanent

by re-stepping up to be the the in charge person for fema or not too much change because mr fenton knows what he's doing i think it's been a benefit to have mr fenton leading fema the last uh period of time because he does have the most experience especially with region nine um FEMA's cadence with this event has been extremely fast, and given that, I do not think we'll see any changes. I also think that the county is proceeding as quickly as possible to receive any funding before any potential lapse in funding.

Thank you.

Mahalo member Paulton will skip to member Sugimura, followed by member Uuhachins.

Thank you. I will ask the testifier's question about Kula Gym. Does the Parks Department have any time schedule or any thoughts on the demise of the gym?

Thank you, Vice Chair Sugimura. Right now, we do not have a timeline. We have had companies come up and look. FEMA's been up there. And like I mentioned earlier, they had this idea to tarp just the opening part of that. And it came in at $1.9 million. So it's in their hands whether or not they want to spend the money to do that, knowing we're going to have to remove it later to redo the gym.

Okay. So no time schedule set until you can get this next phase done. Yes. Okay. And you're waiting for a response now from FEMA to proceed with the tarping. Is that what you're saying?

So right now we are working with FEMA to determine if FEMA, if tarping would be a cost effective measure for this facility. So we've been meeting with FEMA every week and discussing this with them to see if this makes sense. And if so, then they'll let the county know to proceed with that as soon as they do approve.

Okay. Thank you very much. So I guess, Deputy Director or Parks Department, if you could keep us informed with Kula because we're getting questions about this treasure. Thanks.

Absolutely.

Hello, Member Sugimura. Next, we have Member Uhu Hutchins for your opportunity.

Thank you. And thank you, everyone, for being with us. When do you think we will be reimbursed by FEMA? Do we have an anticipated timeline?

That's always an excellent question and I wish I had a crystal ball. What we do know is that for the emergency work, the category A debris and category B emergency protective measures, those projects will be completed into FEMA with all the costs within the next 30 days. We expect FEMA will move quickly on those and given our current cadence with Hyema, which is much faster than we've seen with the fire, do think that within six months we'll see some of those emergency protective measures be reimbursed as long as the county has already incurred the cost and so that'll be quickly now for any of the repair work as long as we have the invoices I think probably six to nine months after us being able to provide those full invoices to FEMA we can expect reimbursement given this new cadence okay

And then in the interim, Deputy Director Doudoua, how's your guys' budget doing since this was an unforeseeable large cost?

I can get you a better answer for that question. I think we are okay. Okay. And I think we will be okay granted that we get the funds received from FEMA. Sure.

Okay. Thank you. That's really the only questions I have. Thank you so much.

Member Uhuha-Hudgens I see Member Poulton for a second round.

Thank you chair. One of the I didn't realize you're going to call me so fast.

We can go to committee vice chair Johnson for his second opportunity.

Thanks.

Well, you know, all the lessons we learned from FEMA. I'm curious of how it seemed like the department did a lot of contracts to fix some of this damage. Does that affect how we get any FEMA money?

There are certain requirements to receive federal funding on it from contracting. We've met regularly with each of the departments reminding them of those. And then anywhere where it was emergency work and we weren't able or the county wasn't able to do a full competitive bid, then my team and I can draft very specific to bypass those federal rules and still receive the funds without full compliance with every rule?

It's unfortunate that this system sounds so weird, but now we're going through these disasters over and over again. We kind of get better at it, I guess. So I really appreciate you navigating that because if we do, we fall in that trap all the time where you can't get reimbursement because you tried to do something before and what a mess. But I'm glad you guys are here. Thank you so much for doing that kind of work because it's really important. So in the meantime... It seemed like you did contract some work. Where are we getting these pots of monies from? Is that just from the parks? Maybe you can tell us which pot you guys are pulling those funds from.

It is from our parks budget. Just the amount that it costs to remove these trees. And one of the things we're fighting now is that We needed to GPS mark every tree, circumference of every tree, length of every tree, where did we dump it, how did we dump it, and all these things that we are, but we did, our funds did come from our general funds in our budget. I can get you a better answer to that, talking with our budget person.

Sounds like you guys need some arborists.

We do have one, should be coming out soon. Hope you can cut trees.

All right, thank you so much. Those were my questions. Thank you, Chair.

Follow Committee Vice Chair Johnson, and then we'll go back to Member Poulton.

Thank you. Sorry, I blanked when you called me the first time. But to my understanding, the County Parks Department has issued right of entry for the shipwrecked boats from the Kona storm, and we're just waiting on the salvage companies I just was wondering because it's so frequent that we get shipwreck boats during Kona storms, has there been created an expedited process on the salvage rate of entry because Unfortunately, I think another boat just beached this past weekend in that area. So thank you so much for issuing the right of entry. Have you guys figured out an expedited process so like we're not waiting? I think it happened in March and this is July and people are continuously asking me like, I guess now there's graffiti and laundry photo shoots and daily issues with the boats. So just wondering if we've streamlined the right of entry process for salvage out of our county parks.

I think that's a great idea. It depends on what company is doing the work. So every different right of entry. I think there's two or three companies that bid on the removal of the boats. So it also depends when they're going to do them and what company they're going to be.

So I only heard of the Washington Marine Department. dispose boat disposal and marine but then somebody also said there's a parker salvage yes of them get the right of entry yeah i'm not sure both both boats have right of entries to be removed and this was a while ago okay so now we have one more boat i don't know yeah i'm not sure

But I think it's us working with BLNR or the boating department of BLNR. Yeah, it was great.

Like if we're anticipating a Kona storm to just tell everyone, check their moorings or check their boats because it's like clockwork every time. The other question I had was, I thought we had approved the usage of emergency funds in result of this disaster. Are you folks not allowed access to it because parks weren't included in FEMA's PA

Would you be able to answer that?

Because, I mean, I don't know why you would have to pull from your budgeted money if this is a federally declared emergency and we released emergency funds for this particular emergency. Why are you not allowed to have access to it?

I think parks is allowed to have access to it. I think that at this point it's just waiting for those large, large, for example, repair of the actual Kula Gym facility that most departments are willing to tap into that fund.

Even the tree removal and stuff like that, is that not qualify for the emergency funds? Because it happened.

I don't think that there was any parameter that I'm aware of that was placed on those funds to be required FEMA reimbursement.

I can look into it, though. Yeah, I will. And I'll send you a reply.

Thank you. And yeah, hopefully the boat issue, because I think it's out of our hands right now, right? It's we did all of our part and it's, we're waiting on other parts.

Thank you. Mahalo Member Palten. Members, any other questions for second round? Okay, seeing none, we'll go to our, for any closing comments. If you have, with the upcoming storms that's projected, you mentioned Fausto and the other one.

We do and usually before any storm is upon us, we are in steady contact with MEMA. We do reach out to all our districts to make sure things are tied down, vehicles are gassed up, our generators are gassed up should we lose power. Same thing happening with these two storms that are coming, hopefully not, but we do have a process of what to do, when to do it, and get ready. And we do have employees that will be on standby, and we are ready to shut down parks, should it be for the safety of our community. Okay.

Mahalo, Deputy Duruwa, for that. Ms. Sanders, any closing remarks?

No additional remarks. Thank you for including me today.

Thanks for being here. Ms. Kao? Nothing? Okay, thank you. And then, Deputy Barony? Any additional comments, closing remarks?

No additional comments or closing remarks.

Thank you. Okay, great. Thank you for being here this morning. Members, any other questions or comments for our guests or to the public in general? Seeing none. Okay, with that, members, any objections to deferring this item? And staff, did we defer the first item? We did?

Yes, Chair.

Do we have anything else before we adjourn this meeting?

No, Chair. There's no further business before the committee.

Okay. Mahalo, everybody. And we wanted to thank Deputy Durois, Ms. Sanders, Ms. Cao, and Mr. Barony for being here this morning to answer our questions. With that, members, this concludes the What's Up Committee meeting of Monday, July 27th. and this meeting is adjourned. Be safe out there, everybody.