16 Budget and Finance Committee - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the Budget Finance Economic Development Committee. It is now 09:15. Apologize for the delay. We had some technical difficulties. My name is Yuki Lei Sugimura and I'm the chair of the committee. This meeting is being conducted in accordance with the Sunshine Law. As a reminder, when your name is called, if you're not in the council chambers, please identify by name who, if anyone, is in the room, vehicle, or workspace with you today. Minors do not need to be identified. Good morning Vice Chair Batungen.

Good morning Chair. Good morning Members.

Good morning. Good morning Member Cook.

Good morning, Chair.

Good morning, Member Gabe Johnson.

Aloha, Chair. Good morning, council members, committee members. There's no testifiers at the Lanai District Office, and I'm here and ready to work.

Thank you. Good. Member Palton, good morning.

Aloha. Shimmy, live and direct from the council Chambers.

Good morning, Rollins member Rollins Fernandez.

Aloha. I'm at my private residence alone, and I'm looking forward to today's meeting. The weather is good. The clouds are high. So Mokulele should be flying so that everyone can get here safely. Mahalo.

Thank you. Member Sanenci, good morning. I don't see him.

Aloha, kakaya, kakako here at my home office. I'm here by myself. No testifiers in honor chair. And yes, welcome to the Sunday morning slot.

Then good morning to Chair Lee and member Woo Jin who I think are joining us in a bit. Oh no, he's on. Oh, I don't see her. Okay. Member Woo Jin. Sorry about that. Good morning.

Good morning, Chair. Good morning, everyone. I'm at my private residence and I have two adult males at home for the time being. One is my husband, Koa Hajens, and the other

one is my son, Mokoa'u Hajens. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. Our invited resource persons from the administrations include budget director, emergency management agency administrator, director of OEB resources, deputy director of deputy corp counsel Wigglesworth, and of course we have our staff here.

Please see the last page of the agenda for information on meeting connectivity. Thank you members for attending today's BFED meeting. We have one item on today's agenda, which is BFED one proposed fiscal year twenty seven budget for the County Of Maui. As a reminder, oral testimony was closed on April 10, but written testimony will continue to be accepted. Members, today we'll continue our deliberations on the fiscal year twenty seven budget as this is a recess meeting.

We have Maui County Emergency Management scheduled to be followed by the Director of OEB Resources to discuss bill 63 on amending the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund. So we kind of targeted that for bringing them into this meeting. And that's it. So at this time I'm going to do rounds of questions. We have no public testimony. And so I'm going to start with Member Patongen. Going to start with Member Palton because this is your committee.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Administrator Lonokelua Hue. Given the experiences that we've this past fiscal year with the Kona low storms and the tidal wave warning, I believe, a couple fires, I was wondering if you could briefly summarize what's going right and what still needs to happen. Allah, thank you for the question. Oh, and the cost of, additional cost of whatever needs to happen.

Okay. Can I begin with introducing my team? Yes. So, Please hello everybody. Amos Tonokalo here at the administrator. To my right is Peter Cono Davis, my deputy, as well as to my left is Mary Eusebio, which is my finance coordination section chief that. We've

And

And

we've

increased activations that we have been experiencing over the years and I want to say increased both because we've been just experiencing changes in environment and weather, but also the change includes what the community we the community is asking for. And so, what Nima has done, we posture forward more than we've had in the past, which means that we activate earlier and we activate with more people for fires specifically. And that's created an increase in budget request because we do that. So, just in general, just so I can answer your question, there is an expansion of a request for six positions. Three of those positions are also related to specifically the hazard mitigation section.

There's just been recurring, excuse me, there's been a need to address the wildfire risk, hazardous fuels countywide and up until this point there hasn't been real stable way, consistent way that that's been conducted. And Mima has kind of filled that gap for now. And that requires us to do a lot more than we've done related to hazard mitigation. Currently, there are 10 high priority parcels in the county that reflect 1,100 acres that need to be addressed. And that's only wildfire risk.

We also are requesting a specialist for flood risk and we know that we've been getting a lot of floods and rains government.

So,

with

a the able so,

are

to

supply chain. We

We

are not

And that requires funding in the form of consulting, in the form of overtime as well. So I'm going to stop right there. Hopefully, I've answered your question on what is changing or happening within our colony specific to emergency management.

The 10 parcels that you had referred to,

the if one of them is North Of Clip Mountain, as we talk about it or watch it, it seems like more and more hazardous, fuels are are stocking up. Is there plans to try and, like, you know, block the entrances so it doesn't get super out of control

and the side road. And

And do

the

other of of the of work that

so, we're

ir able going to then you're looking at anywhere from 15 to $20,000 an acre. If you're looking at 10 parcels, 1,100 acres at $3,000, that's 3,300,000.0 just for the 10 parcels. And there are all, I think we assessed over 900 parcels countywide. And that's just going to give everybody an idea on what we're up against and adjustments that we have to make related to hazardous mitigation, wildfire risk reduction.

So the million is what can realistically be achieved in one fiscal year?

'20, to to that. And the funding first piece would we're likely be what would hinder us from achieving those goals. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next, I'm going to go to Member Johnson, Fernandez Cook, Uh-huh.

You, Jerry. Good morning, Administrator and team. Thank you for joining us. I know you guys are super busy, especially after this weather. But you're here today and I'm glad you are. Do And And do

So,

community resiliency hub as a definition has been not clearly identified. I think the resiliency hub as a term began under office of economic development. It's since moved to my emergency management agency, which means that the goals and or alignment of community resiliency hubs has changed. As we engage with all of the community resiliency hubs that is it was established before it moved over to Nima as well as before it moved over to me before I got here, there is maybe confusion on what we're going to do moving forward. And so what we had done with the monies that were moving over, we wanted to honor the community resiliency hub agreements that was set forth before I came here.

And we had taken care of that. Even though documentation was scarce, we wanted to meet those agreements and we did. There was a remainder of $150,000 was a remainder from that fund and we wanted to pursue a strategic plan. And we have been with an RFP, we've been going back and forth with procurement on this RFP for the past four months And we're likely, we're trying to get a strategic plan organized with nonprofits and collectively with all of our partners define what a community see resiliency hub, community resiliency hub actually means to all of us. And then how it works now under emergency management versus economic development.

And so 're able to do And first And able that. And

going to to wait do for my second question until the bell. And Thanks, Chair.

Thank you. Three minutes goes fast, Next we have member Rollins Fernandez followed by Cook Oh Hodgins.

Aloha, administrator, and team. For being with us, today and for all your work in, keeping our communities safe, especially in this last, three konolu. Okay. My, my first question is one that we, the, administrator and I spoke about a little bit offline, but I wanted to give you an opportunity to share a little bit here publicly. We love our Mima specialist at Mogaday, who's full time, mister Newhart.

And when we went to Hana last Monday, we got to meet the part time Hana, Mima specialist and understand that both, do not have office space. So would you please share with us some comments regarding that and how we can help?

Thank you for the question. Yes,

we've been pursuing office spaces. It's not a lack of funding at least we've identified funding for rental space in lease space. We just haven't been able to agree upon space. I think there are some solutions related to Molokai and East Maui. We are having a conversation.

I will send out an email to General Logan and believe taking potentially taking advantage of the current armory space as a option. I know there are different details to that piece, but I believe that was the agreed upon best pathway forward for Molokai. I know that there is a office space in East Maui with the Hana Business Council on a property next to the airport that we were trying to pursue. Might need to follow-up on what the status is on that one. With our new newly promoted, actually full time emergency specialist for East Maui, we can get that squared away faster than we have in the past.

But there are some spaces. I just got a follow-up with Akaneki in East Maui to identify that space and take the next next steps.

Wonderful. I'm I'm so glad to hear that, you know, as far as budget or funding goes, that's not the obstacle. It's just securing the location. And as we spoke offline, I'm happy to help however we can. This past Saturday, we had to transition to an online Zoom meeting with Congresswoman Tukuda, and the community did bring up about shelter and having it at the armory.

So having that, you know, just a multiuse space for our MIMA specialists to be positioned there, that to be a shelter above flood zone, for that to be a distribution center with a commercial kitchen, for that to have the supplies in case of emergencies, just like all of that would, I think, work out really well there. So I heard the timer. I'll wait for my next round.

You. Member Cook followed by Member Woo hodgins.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you for being here and all of your work. It's been quite the roller coaster with the fire and now these floods and the intensity and the volume. So very complimentary and stoked with what your department's doing, pretty much with all the county is. And that's think question.

That's

that's

the

point. And

having those overlapping interconnectivity defined. And so, similar like to be proactive risk reduction model reduces long term. I see possibly what MEMA could be doing to assess public works and identifying and cleaning out. And I assume when you're doing it, it's going be contracting a lot of this work and not necessarily getting a bunch of employees doing it. But collaborating for cleaning out some of the gulches, cleaning out some of the culverts, identifying risk issues to bring to either the state or the public works attention, manhole covers that is doing the street drainage, they can fill with sediment, they can fill with debris.

It's not very obvious. I believe public works does go, pop the covers and do a reconnaissance. They also are relatively understaffed for that type of work. So I see that as being a legitimate positive overlap. With office of recovery, that's a little more vague.

Recently, at the Keyhei community meeting that the mayor had with all of you folks, which I really admired the fact that everybody came and speak to the community. A little unfortunate the Keyhei community was a little agro. But one of the questions was I can't quote it exactly, so just run one of the issues with damage and how to report it and how to address a potential hazard. And Mima referred it to public that's that.

I a

point. Clarify and address this. And But could you give me thumbnail sketch of how you have discussed with Office of Recovery and Public Works this interaction of proactivity and not getting too heavy handed with the overhead employment? Thanks.

Yes. So a couple of thoughts come to mind. Firstly, our flood risk specialists would support that coordination with the flood plain manager and really identifying in a more strategic play with action critical actions identified looking at flood, obviously, to Sao Paulo is a heavy flood prone area. That gives us a better chance to organize contracts and work and funding sources to hit projects that are long term, right? I think that we work really, really well with DPW.

DPW is in our EOC and always connected to what response do able do that. To able And you know, being able to get identify that line a sense when response or short term recovery overlaps with midterm recovery and long term recovery, that's a gray line versus a black line in our response and this is the first time that that's been really exercised to where officer recovery is part of this transition now and within the storms. And so, I think we'll improve on how we coordinate moving forward, but officer recovery and Mima are always seeking to connect and protect our community. Like I said, we'll probably get better at what that means and where that those lines lie and what partnerships are required to do what things long term. I hope I answered the question.

No, you did. And I can clarify a little bit on my next time, but no, it's very good. Thank you very much. Thank you. You, Chair.

Thank you. A member, Hodgins, followed by Sannensi then Batangan.

Thank you, chair, and thank you. Aloha, Memawang gang. Nice to see you guys virtually. I think I was gonna ask some questions too about, you know, how everything is overlapping. We see, like, OOR and MIMA becoming a bit more robust as a department, but member Cook did.

And I'm in ways, I'm happy to see it, become more robust and even OOR, it is unfortunate that we have to, but this is just where we're going right now. We have so many disasters. In the last few years, I'm so tired of living through unprecedented times, and I know we all are. So, you know, I would love some precedent to be sent. But I wanted to talk to you guys about goal number four on page one ninety one, about the public siren system.

So you folks know that the Kuau siren is down and has been down for years. And Haima, we're still waiting with Haima to figure out when the siren is coming on. I wanna say they keep quoting us, like, a year or so. And in that year or so that it's gonna take to revitalize that siren, how do you think Mima folks are gonna best communicate with the residents of Kuau to let them know, you know, what's happening, how to be safe, and all the things.

Thank you for the question. My thoughts go two ways. Let me begin first

question is the sirens, repair sirens, sirens, so on and so forth.

I

In my brain, it is attached to funding is what at least that's a big deal of it. Right? And so I know that we've had conversations about is there another way to get funding so we can stand up sirens in critical areas needed by our community. I know I've engaged in a, adopt a siren program initiative where communities could buy their own sign or fund their own sign that goes on the statewide system. That was met with opposition.

Okay. And so I am left to follow their current process. From Nima's side, and this is also in our budget, there's twofold. What we're trying to do is we're trying to establish a radio system that is used by our community. It comes in twofold.

The cools system that police department is proposing as well as our mobile radio excuse me, our portable radios that we are requesting in our budget. And those are caches of radios that we give out to our community pre storm or just stays with the community. And we use our comnet or community network to communicate via cell phone until that system is disrupted and we move into our radio system.

Okay. I

hope that answered your question.

It did. Thank you. I know the considering the proximity between Kualao and Holmoor Road and the hundreds of fires that have been on that road, it is a really scary situation for them. And we have been communicating with them and how long it's gonna take and what they can do in the interim. But I just wanted you folks to say it you know, out loud and for the record. I know I heard the bell, chair, but, one real quick request. Can, Mima please send over the list of the 10 parcels that you folks evaluated for fire concern if you haven't already?

Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you. We'll do it by today.

Thank you. So we got that right for in writing. Okay. Thank you. Member Sanenci, member Batanglan to to follow.

Aloha, Chief Lonoa and Mima staff. I too wanted to express my gratitude for the first konolulu storm in East Maui. As you know, we were out of electricity for about three days, and ICO is still kinda putting up some of the power lines. But I think some of the things we learned from that first was about, you know, having enough generators kinda to keep the kupunas, their dialysis machines, those types of things. Getting the information out, so maybe getting more starlings in East Maui.

And then, of course, after three days, the water pumps, you know, we had to try and get generators out to have the run the water pumps. Those are just kind of the things we learned at the the first Konolol storm. For having Akaneki kinda take take the wheel from here on out. One of the other things was and for sending all the food supplies after the third day. I think one of the stores have has an agreement with Red Cross.

So all of their foods, they'll give it to Red Cross and then Red Cross can kind of distribute them at the shelters. Is there any funding that could at least acquire the perishables at some of the stores so that we can access I mean, we're grateful for sending all the food out. But in the interim, is there something that the department can help with acquiring the perishable foods at the stores?

I got to check on that exact situation you're talking about. I am unaware of that particular thing. I think what I want to say is that is also captured in our budget is the $380,000 has been identified to support activations. And that would be how we would support all of the communities, dollars 180,000 is actually a smaller number. But whether it's refrigeration trailers, whether it's generators, whether it's fuel forth.

Finding out and identifying what East Maui needs and all of our communities need sees as they're cut off is something that we still have to explore. Our staff specialists allow us to get closer and closer to those details because we actually have now people in those communities that know the communities very well. I'm not sure about the pressure of both food situation in specific, but the idea is to be able to support our isolated communities with resources like refrigeration and generators in activation.

Okay. Mahalo. Yeah. We can work think point. Point.

That's traffic out for at least for a couple of days helped to get very all those first responders and to get out there and kind of clean the road and fix that. Mahalo for that. Thanks, Chair.

Thank you. I will

pleased

the

progress And

to of get to

And the we're

do So two of the four are going to be filled with county full time county positions. The other two is which includes myself is Okay. I'm the

Okay. All right. And then how many of your employees regularly go into the field?

So for hazard mitigation, that's a big change that we've made. A lot of us go into the field. Now, I mean all of us, our whole team Ukumehane and Waiale project, It requires coordination from it requires coordination for all of the partners doing various tasks, includes a management team, which is our Mima staff that support the partners doing what is being as necessary to So, be the field, hazard mitigation is where we go in the field more so than others. And then in isolated communities, those three positions are all field positions. Okay.

And the uniform allowances are for individuals or is this department wide like vest or jackets or something that you would give whenever a person needs to go out into the community?

Yes. So the uniforms that you see, the navy blue, that's our official MIMA uniforms. We have broken that into operational and administrative positions, which means that the operations guys get in our four polos where an administrative like our finance chief would have won.

Okay. Okay. And then I think I understood what you were explaining to member Cook on the recovery side. But on the mitigation side, I don't think I'm clear yet on Mima's role and how it coordinates with different departments and even some community organizations because I see elsewhere in the budget that there are grants to help with some of these same activities. So I guess I'm just trying to understand what is duplicative in the budget and then what is unique to Mima?

So, let's go with Ukumehame as a hazard mitigation project. That one involved cultural site protection. That one involved wetlands and which we would deal in our it includes DEM and DPW have responsibilities to different aspects of an encampment clearance, which also brings in human concerns. The police department also have a core program that is part of the notification side of a mitigation project with an encampment. The mayor's office also participates in that.

Our outreach specialist also participates in that. NEMA is responsible for the collective coordination of all of those partners.

Thank you, Administrator. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you. Next we have is Shirley here? No, she's not here yet. So I have a couple of questions. Grateful that there's a presidential disaster declaration that was signed. So that's what we were all waiting for in order to get federal funding. So once this is signed, how does MIMA interact with this? Or do you not? Is it just financial and money flows through that? Or are there any specific things that MIMA must do in order to activate the funding?

It's primary cost recovery. What happens in different ways like a presidential declaration would enable a PA program. The PA the public assistance program, it also enable hazard mitigation program. What happens is departments apply for different projects in hazard mitigation program. We facilitate the grants portion of that the request of the department.

So, we just connect to make sure that the cost recovery pieces are being addressed following within FEMA reimbursement guidelines and being able to provide support to the collective reimbursement process.

Okay. So, so, sense to you have office of recovery as well as MPD and Maui fire department as a critical piece. If there's an activation that the EOC then is set up, who does what and who how do you interact with all of this and who listens to who?

Thank you for the question. So in general, the Maui And do And we're basically coordinate support all of the departments working together. So we don't move resources, command resources and position resources without our responders, responding agencies weighing in on all of those things. I think that was a common problem in the past where email fulfilled a more command and control function and that's not the function of emergency management. So, police and fire and every department works in coordination with MIMO.

All we're doing is aligning those actions and activities to support life I think

very point. Know, just three And minutes again. I think think everybody has plenty of questions for this.

Thank you, chair. Thank you, administrator Long Kailua Hue. Following up on member U'uhadine's question for the 10 sites, if you could put estimated dollar amounts for those cleanups. If our priorities are certain sites in certain districts, It's been asked by the administration to give a white paper. But since you know, like, 3,300,000.0 is the total and 1,000,000 is being requested, if council members put in money for additional contracts to clean up additional sites maybe in their district, would you still need a white paper or you already know because you know?

I think we know.

Okay. Main thing. And then, I've seen in the program budget, I think we give 55,000 to American Red Cross, and I think that says about operating the shelters. And with the frequent activations, we had other people come in to operate the shelters. How does the money get allocated? Like, if other groups, would they receive some of the other

we're growth

that we're the but is in transition. The And their capacity to fund or shelter multiple shelters

the

That's correct.

By searching. That's correct. They did not apply. No. Wow.

Could it be available to some of the other groups that stepped in to operate the sites? Would it require, like, a budget amendment?

I I guess I could look into that. I I definitely don't want to necessarily pull away from work we're

of to to And

do that. Comes into it. Oh. We wanna and Sorry.

And then one other question. Sorry to interrupt. I'd ask, I think, parks because most of our buildings are being retrofitted to get a category category three hurricane. But when hurricane lane was category five, and they wouldn't recommend putting folks in a rated category three shelter for, like, a category five. I don't think we have a category five shelter. And so what would you do?

That's a good question. I mean, we when I first got in, we explored category fives and wasn't able to find a reasonable pathway of retrofitting to Retrofitting or brand new as well simply because it's super expensive and then the pet spaces are limited. So I have to explore again where we go from three to four to five and what is what is reasonable across the county, how we achieve that. I think there's some other solutions that may be available. But I

mean, because you don't need it until you need it. And then when you need it and you don't have it, then you're in a problem.

Yeah. I think potentially new facilities Better. And then being able to get that to a higher rating would probably be the best idea. And where that goes, how does that contribute to the actual project funding, you know, that's something that I got to figure out.

Thank you. Thank you. Member Johnson followed by Member Rollins Fernandez.

Thank you, Chair. My second question was basically answered through other council members, but I do have another question in regards to the CARP, the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, that is with EPNS. Are you guys coordinating with them

point.

Company.

And

leader point. In

station work with with those nonprofits that are up in the mountain doing that point. Kind of work. I know long term that's important to to stop the big disasters coming. Are you guys doing any kind of work in that regard? The long term type of planning, coordinating?

Honestly, have not been in the way that we should be.

I know that the reforestation, it's it's there's not immediate, right? You do but it will eventually help with the flooding. So I know that this might be room to to move, you know, and if if it's a budget thing, if it's a financial thing, let us know it's budget season if there's a I know I'm really impressed with the idea of bringing in a flood coordinator. What's the status on that? Are they hired? Are they in process? Do have to do anything with personnel?

Are they part of the FY '27 proposals as soon as we get that position and those approved positions or funding then we will pursue hiring.

Okay. All right, great. Because it's all interconnected, The fires and the droughts are all interconnected. So we have more people who are specializing in fires and droughts and reforestation. I think there is we're creating resiliency in many ways.

So I just I wanted to bring that up. It sounds like there's we all have room for improvement, right? But there sounds like there could be something we could look maybe pivot towards long term. And if there's anything in the budget that you think we could do more, let us know because I am going to use one of my priorities for the Nahulu Cloud And then to And And part part

Next we have Member the Rollins Fernandez followed by Cook and Uhu Hodgins.

Hello, Chair. Member Cook kind of started asking, the other question I had regarding, like, the, how it's gonna how the collaboration with NEMA and Office of Recovery is gonna work. So I'll let him continue, that line of questioning on his next round. So for instead, I wanted to follow-up on, your goal four and five in the program budget. Goal four, enhance public information, alerts, warning systems, and goal five, strengthen hazard mitigation strategies to reduce disaster risk.

In the Molokai community plan, chapter four, hazards. Issue number one is, there's low public awareness about hazard preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. And then the proposed policies for our community plan, one, promote public education about natural and human induced hazards to improve preparedness and response to reduce hazard risk and impacts. Two, support a more coordinated emergency response system that includes clearly defined evacuation routes and Red Cross approved shelters located away from areas susceptible to natural hazards. And three, support and advocate for better preparedness capacity by improving interagency planning, coordination, and implementation.

So, goals four and five in the program budget, I I think kind of, like, speak to to this. Do you have an update on, like, the evacuation routes and educational campaign for, like, the community, just keep everyone informed on what to do and how to be best prepared?

So thank you for the question.

Part of the answer is related to our inability to get our position staffed for various reasons. I'm happy to say that we have staffed the internal like the entire, excuse me, external affairs sections with three personnel that allows us to effectively engage in the public education piece. Our public information officer was hired in March. Part of our strategy more than a year ago was to open up workshops per district, which brings the community in to collectively identify the different threats that exist in each geographic location. Not all threats threaten each geographic location the same.

There's also situational awareness pieces like prevailing winds and different rivers that flow and the names of those rivers and that education of what that is. And then there's an in that workshop piece, there's really understanding the vulnerability and engaging with the community in that. There's also understanding what the services available are. And in that piece, you're going to see a gap and we want to be able to educate the community on this is a gap that collectively we have to find a way to solve until more long term solutions can be available to us. So there is a plan into FY '27 for this public education campaign that includes district, geographic specific workshops that bring in all those pieces.

What I also wanted to say is that what gives us a best chance to bring education and hazard mitigation programs into alignment with response is isolated community specialists. Without isolated community specialists, I do not know and cannot know what is specific to Molokai. And now that gives us the best chance with Justin and Molokai and really helping us through that. The expansion of the hazard mitigation section also gives us a better chance to identify hazard mitigation projects that can support all of our community, as well as hazard mitigation grants that could fund an ongoing responsible flood program and wildfire risk program. But without these positions, they remain ideas and nobody can hold on to it.

So I think we're in a position to do better work for Molokai and for the collective community regarding public education and hazard mitigation.

Mahalo, administrator, for that, comprehensive response, and I hope that the, salaries and benefits isn't one of the reasons that you're finding it challenging to fill those positions. It could be, and we're trying to figure out a way to address that. And then, Mahal, for bringing up the rivers because there has been new rivers with this, last flood. And and so I'm I'm I'm working with, chief Ventura on trying to get cameras up to the places that often flood the roads, making it impassable, specifically our highway, our one highway. And so I don't know if that's something that's been on your radar, But if we wanted to all work together on that, that would be incredible.

Especially Kankakei River, that one often overflows, then that cuts off the island.

Thank you. You. Next, we have Member Cook, followed by Member Woo Hodgins and Sanenci.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you for this very dynamic, constructive conversation that's exciting. How much do you use GIS? And I want to keep this I want you to be brief because I want to get a lot on this conversation, okay? I feel that that's one tool that can be amplified and used more comprehensively.

I asked public works when they were here. They had their they've done 3,000 feet of sidewalk and they've done this and that. I said, Is there a map in a way that we could see that so the constituents would have a better understanding? And it's like they don't really have that up to speed. I think planning has the GIS, but it's not county wide.

I want to also just state security is a big issue with these things. You can't have every single aspect of water, wastewater, electric and everything just totally transparent. So you have to have layering of security for who can see it and who can use it. But do you use GIS and would that technology assist your department and the interface with public works and with everybody. Yes. So,

we have a GIS analyst in Nemo and that was part of our expansion last year. So, yes, GIS is super important to us. Our GIS analyst has been working on a couple of things. One of the things that he's been able to do for us among a list of things, but one of the things that stands out is being able to create a flood overlay into our connected to our dam information and how those things are overlaid into our Genesis protect. So we can actually look at protect, use Genesis protect and flood overlay for a dam overtopping to evacuate folks way faster than we ever could.

And so that's true GIS. GIS is also supporting the wildfire risk reduction program, which is to identify all of the parcels and some so there's all of our parcels as well as there's wildfire corridors, is two different things. And we are attempting to map out all of these things and then the project work as far as maintenance of all of these parcels and being able to get feeds into the information related to the just overall well-being of I'm going to interrupt you. Great.

That that's you're correct. You're saying all the benefits. So do you feel that it is a active work in progress countywide? Or could there be some attention to improve it so that just broadly? I mean public works, when you're going to do all the flood mitigation stuff. And to abuse my time, working your department, working with the state, the LNR, and the county, and the ranches to address the issues up the mountain and to be a catalyst or implement the political will to actually address these issues because they're never going to be solved from the P. I. Lani down. Okay. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you. Member Woo Hodgins followed by Senensi.

Thank you, chair. Obviously, we had those Kona lows that brought all the rain, and now everything is green, lush, and growing, which we love for now. And then in a few months after it's all grown, it's gonna be dry and dead and a huge wildfire concern. So what's our plan for the next few months for mitigation, for communication with the community, on our end? And what should the community do to ensure that, we are as safe as we can be?

Yeah, thank you for that question. Yes, you're correct. The green grasses will dry out and become a wildfire risk and that is countywide and therefore how do we address it. Some of the key areas like Kolomor Road or off of Borden is private. So, there's an opportunity there with private owners that have resources to address some of the wildfire mitigation.

We do have a wildfire coordination group for the county which includes DLNR Dover, HWMO, Mima, as well as Bowie Fire that meet and discuss priorities on areas of concern. What we need to add to that group is the private landowners in a better way, utilizing and leveraging GIS to help us understand the common operating picture would also be a part of that as well. That would have exact actions. Okay. But we are working Awesome.

On the

Thank you. Yeah, I think we're just going to have to plan for the eventual dry summer. Since Charlie is not here, I'm gonna ask a question about Piihana Farms and the coordination it requires between, like, private land and she just brought that up, and then, like, public interfacing and, like, the responsibility to the community. So Piguyana Farms, as you know, is, a concern, but it is private land. Where do we work out the balance between public safety and then private lands? And where does Mima fall into that?

Thank you for that question.

What I would want to say is that what I want to say is that my particular focus is the threat. And therefore, the threat in Piano Farms exists. The threat in Holomua exists. The threat in Cut Mountain exists.

I

if I had identified funding, then I would take action. I could take action related to clearing up or reducing those risks. I think for my part and for everybody's part, I need to have a comprehensive action plan that involves the 10 priority parcels as well as the five high risk corridors and the pricing that councilman tomorrow is asking for to effectively take reasonable and responsible actions for all of us. And those things are almost complete. There is a presentation to the mayor as well soon that brings all the pieces together and tries to give us a pathway forward.

Thank you for that. We have private lands that are a concern when it comes to mitigation, and we have public lands that are also a concern, for safety. But it's interesting finding the balance of what we can and cannot do and the differences between private land and public land. I appreciate your answer. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, we have Member Sanensi followed by Member Batangan.

Hello Chair. Chief Keanu or Member Rollins Fernandez talked about some new streams that are occurring on Molokai, and we're seeing the significant damage of the stream. When we're addressing streams, does the department have to go through sea worm if we're if we're conducting any type of stream removal, those types of things, or or having to write permits to access first water streams?

Thank you for your question. I'm understanding you say if people are operating in the streams to divert or alter the streams, then yes, there is a permitting process that we would need to follow. Is that was that your question? I'm so sorry.

Yeah. Yeah. Unless unless in this case, a disaster emergency, is there room to quickly go into the streams in case of an emergency or do we need to go through that arduous process?

Yeah. The HRS one twenty seven a allows us to Oh. Take immediate action to work within the streams for that

to extent doesn't do too much of the long term recovery. They're always having to get ready for the next emergency, the next hands of certain areas and then let whether it be office of recovery or public works or other departments take over the long term first

19. Of we're still engaged in recovery. One of the critical actions that Nima takes place or participates or leads is the damage assessment piece. And once the joint preliminary damage assessment is done with the Haima and FEMA, that's a critical milestone within the recovery piece where it draws some kind of line when it starts to turn over more of recovery. But like I said, it does overlap and I think the more important thing is that human officer recovery work together to find the best time to transition and not leave any gap in service to our community.

So we basically, nemo holds on until we get it stable and then a seamless transition into the office of recovery. And we meet on those things and discuss what that may be in points of time.

Okay. Thank you for that. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Member Senecchi, Vice Chair Batangan.

Thank you, Chair. Minister, when do you guys anticipate moving into the new EOC?

That is a wonderful question. Okay.

So all of the equipment in the budget, specifically for the new EOC, is that needed this fiscal year? There's quite a bit of it in there.

So, okay, so let me ask the first question. The first question is we're supposed to move in June. Okay. It was supposed to be in early April, there's some spectrum cable piece that dictates final inspection, so we're waiting on that. As far as the furniture, the original furniture, we had to increase that because the original layout of the EOC was built for 12 and now we attempting to move to '31.

So, a lot of our offices had a change order in furniture. All the furniture is in right now. I think there's some technology pieces that need to be finalized and some final finishing work that needs to happen with floors.

But you guys do anticipate needing all of the equipment for the EOC in this current fiscal year?

Yep. Okay.

And then regarding trainings, there's I see $92,000 for travel alone. I see $30,000 for registration. I don't see, like, anything else related to accommodations that you would need for these trips, but I'm I'm having trouble getting a sense of how many trainings you're proposing, who's proposing to go and like how much this is all adding up to.

Okay. So related to training, I can produce this document for you as well of the minimal trainings. It's actually it's in the training exercise plan I can share with all of you. But the idea is 31 persons being able to train at a minimum training requirements to just sit in the ELC. And then there are opportunities for lower level positions to also TA temporary sign up to section chief positions and then there's that opportunity as well. Okay.

Would it be possible for us to get a breakdown of what you're proposing for Sure. Your Thank you. That's all I have.

Okay. Very good. So, I just one of the problems that we're having are electric batteries or cars with electric batteries are not being towed. And I noticed that you have 70,000 EV battery response specialized consulting services to address incidents involving electric vehicle batteries including fire suppression, support safety protocols and technical expertise. I'm wondering if you are working with DEM to figure out how we can solve this electric battery

concern. Thank you for the answer. And the answer involves us working with DPW, DEM, fire, DOH, and Mima actively engaged in any kind of electric vehicle battery response. We just had an incident the other day with 10 electric vehicles, batteries left on the side of the road across Walgreens. That just requires specifically trained persons to address them.

And then there's the concern of transportation. There's a concern of storage, there's a concern of deconstruction and then disposal. So currently, Mima falls in as a second responder, meaning that the fire department responds, they call DOH, DOH calls Mima, and fire calls Mima and we take care of the transportation and storage until the battery can be deconstructed and disposed of.

So there were 10 batteries left on the side of the road, but none of the cars. Right? It was just the batteries?

Loose batteries on the side of the road, all electric vehicle.

And so in that case, what is the lot lot world.

People in which means that they have the potential to cause harm to the public within thermal runaway or through a fire producing toxic gases. There is an end of life program that we are supporting DEM and DPW to develop and stand up. So, is an end of life program. There is a model we did it in Okumehame as a temporary facility. We deconstructed 30,000 pounds of electric vehicle batteries.

They were deconstructed and approved for disposal, transportation and disposable. So, there is a method and a process for the county right now. We just got to establish program, end of life program with a facility or some private service that does it for us. And we're exploring both sides.

That's great. End of life. So that means DM is now hauling away electric vehicles and taking it to for disposal. There is a solution.

Well There is a pathway.

Working on it, though, right?

Yes.

Still not done. Thank you very much for that EV battery response answer. Members, another round. Member Palton.

Two minutes. Thank you. I did see the six expansion positions. I think two have eight months funding, three have ten months, and one has twelve months. And I think the answer should three of them require a reorganization.

Given that DPS says it takes them, like, ninety seven days to onboard, I just was wondering if your eight, ten, and twelve months with higher dates, what that was based on. And if given your past experiences with with DPS, that seems reasonable, or were you planning to d m 89 somebody into the twelve month position right away? Because I'm I have no problems giving the money, but it's not gonna be filled in in eight, ten, or twelve month or sorry. Zero, four, or two months after July 1, then it's excess excess money.

I think the twelve month position is already being funded by my United Way. Oh. And so that position would likely go right into a county position that wouldn't need a reorg. So that one has

a warm body already? It

does. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. The reorganization would happen with the hazard mitigation positions. Do you know which which positions are the ones that require a reorg? The hazard mitigation positions. The the three hazard mitigation positions would require the reorg.

With union consultation or no need union consultation? I'm so sorry. Oh, does it do the reorg positions require union consultation? I will

I can double check. But I would imagine so.

Okay. And then you think that

start those processes now and gives us the best chance for it, but we hope so.

Can you fill a not creative position with a DM 89 or it has to be created before you can fill it with a d m 89?

To my knowledge, we can't fill a with the d m 89. Even though

you didn't formally create it with d p I

gotta check up on that. I'm not sure.

Okay. Is it okay to send that in writing as well?

Yeah. Okay.

You got that? Yeah.

Okay. Because they have money, and they can put somebody in there even if DPS didn't create it yet or what.

I see member of a Tonkin has his hand up. Okay. I'm sorry.

Thank you, chair. Administrator, can I ask about the adoption of, I think it's pronounced Genesis Project? Are there any estimates on the number of users Maui County has versus the number of mobile devices? Is penetration in the app? I don't know. Ten, fifteen. I don't know. Like, what percentage of Yeah. Is in adoption.

I would estimate based on our email alerts. So Genesis predict doesn't have the currently doesn't have the ability to tell me how many users and we're working on getting that number. Based on the email alerts. Most recent number which is somewhere close to 30,000 subscribers, which is still a low number but we've made progress from when we started to what we have now. So I cannot tell you what the Genesis Protect number is, but I'm going to guess that it's similar to our Meme alerts number. Okay.

Thank you, Jerry.

Thank you. Anybody else have questions for Member Cook?

Thank you. So I read your outline of the challenges with DPS and it seems to resonate throughout all the departments. I think, hopefully, your department is going be one that can be I don't want say tip of the spear because I don't want to sell an average average sale, but the wedge to basically To get the PS to basically be enabling the departments to do hiring. Instead of being a dysfunctional filter. To being able to hire.

You outlined it really well as far as like the criteria for your I able to do think The departments that's are the most experienced and appropriate to basically be saying this is the function we need this employee to do to provide, perform. So anyway, keep it up. Hopefully, I'll do I'm supportive of DPS. I really want them to be successful. I want them to basically be able to not constantly be under stress

to

get the the employees employees we we need. So thank you for what you're working on, I think, is really the best example I've seen to date of really clarifying this is what we need, this is what's approved, okay? How are we going to fix it? Thank you for all your work.

Okay. Anybody else have round three questions? I don't see any. Okay. So we have some questions that we'll be sending the department. Anybody else, please send by 09:00 tomorrow morning. It's still good for you guys? Okay. And I guess I want to just add that we appreciate all the work that you're doing. I think you've been filtering in and helping with land management concerns and in my community that I've seen you help through disaster and even the talks that you've given to the Kula Community Association.

I appreciate that a lot. I'm going kind of over and beyond. All right. So if there's no other questions, I'm going to recess the meeting, take a break, and then come back to then talk about, talk with OEV resources. So it's now 10:34, 10:45.

We'll come back. Welcome back to the Budget Finance Economic Development Committee. So today we've asked because of conversations from last week and we're looking at the managed retreat fund and discussions regarding how the managed retreat fund impacted a well the department that was handling the managed retreat fund in this case would be OEV resources. We asked them to come. It's in relationship.

The department of management handles the managed retreat fund. Are you talking about

the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Hawaiian Cultural Restoration. Yeah. Oh, okay. Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Fund. Sorry. So therefore, so I don't have my summaries. Do you guys have the summaries? That sheet. So this impacts bill 63, which is a bill for an ordinance amending section 3.38.10 3.38.10 and 3.38.20 Maui County Code on renaming the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund and using the funds to expand the rural Lahaina complex area. So it is relationship to this and the use of the funds.

So I think member Palton, you want to take over in terms of our first question. We'll do three rounds three minutes per round.

Thank you, chair. The the last times we amended this, fund, the first one was to include, Pacala, and then the other time was to have the administration of the fund to go from parks and recreation to department of OUV. And I think, department of parks and recreation to department of OUV was done during budget and adding Pakalawas in, committee. And so, this looks to be a department proposed bill because I don't think one of us proposed it. And, some of my questions were, has, you know I think friends of originally created this fund and has the Lahaina community been, out reached to about it and not clear on the overall direction of how it will go.

I understand it's to include spending for all of the Lahaina Royal Complex area, but there's the revenue generation of the fund is from the parking lot, and there's nobody managing or no revenue coming in from the parking lot at this time. And I had even heard from some folks that that parking lot is not really appropriate continuing forward. So, I asked for clarification because, I don't see the vision of how we're going. Like, is the idea that we're gonna expend all the money of the fund and then just go to general fund, which I don't have a problem in. I just wanna know what direction, what the vision, how we're gonna go forward.

And I did see also in the expenditure of the fund, they said and canoes. And I my understanding of how it is now, canoes wouldn't be appropriate because it's for Park, not for items, I guess. And so is that one of the things that's going to be changed by this legislation as well?

For the question. There there's a series of questions within the question that you asked, and so we're going to try and see if we can go through them systematically. Currently, the 500 Front Street parking lot is it's not used as a parking facility for our community and not generating any funds. The current bill that is the Lahaina Royal Complex revolving fund, which used to be the Moko'ula revolving fund, was at one point designated just for Moko'ula, Moko'inia prior to Royal Complex coming on to even consideration. And so

we're

we're going to sure make sure And we're to to we're third complex, Pakala, Kamehameha Iki, Mukoola, and Mukohinia. And so that is the current area that we're looking at utilizing that particular revolving fund for. In regards to the parking situation, we did have a conversation with the Department of Transportation, which they were very open to being able to help support the continuum of a revolving fund with their parking structures and facilities within the Royal Complex. And so it's roughly about 120 parking stalls that are within the Royal Complex that will be then allowing for that monies to be circulated back into the revolving fund, which would then be able to help all of the programmatic needs that are necessary for the Lahaina Royal Complex. In terms of I'm not exactly sure the verbiage for canoes.

I'm not sure what that verbiage is about, but I'll take a look on that. Also agree that it should be taken care of for the facility of the parks and the lands that are part of the Lahaina Rail Complex.

And then just the part about community outreach.

Yes. So we have our community advocate, Kayem Aderas, who's out there usually weekly working with our community in terms of in terms of the group, Kupuna Lahaina, also with our group Hui Wa Akaolua, well as reaching out with Lahaina Restoration Foundation. And so he's continuously in the loop with the community weekly, if not daily.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. So members, the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund, Chapter 3.3 Maui County code, there's $1,100,000 in there and it specifically says funds must be used for the implementation of the management strategy and restoration of Moko'ula and Mokuhinia through community input and participation. Number eight, that's one. Number two is a semiannual report must be submitted to the council of the use of these funds and up to $200,000 for Hui'o Wa'a Ka'ula for restoration and maintenance of canoes and canoe sites. So that's what's in the bill now, which caused us to have this discussion, ask you to come forward.

Director, thank you very much. So at this time, I'm going to ask Member Rollins Fernandez, then go to Koku, Hajan, Sanenci, Batangen, Lee Johnson. Member Rollins Fernandez.

I don't have any further questions on the purpose. I guess okay, I lied. And it's not for Department of OEV resources because we spoke about this last Thursday, and we were trying to, understand why this fund was created in 2011. So my question is regarding the purpose of creating this fund, if anyone was able to find more information. I looked for a little bit, and then I stopped.

Okay. So I guess the department doesn't have that information.

Yeah, I said not the department.

Yeah. So I will tell you that in the years that I've been in council and from listening to testimony from the community, This fund was actually created by I want to say Mayor James Kimo Apana, the 120 parking stalls that was in vibrant Lahaina at that time, he wanted those funds to go towards the use that's in the ordinance. So that's why the public parking stalls which gave money to this fund was created and was used by for for the restoration

There of of are two funds. That's what member Paulton that's that was the discussion. There's that fund for the parking lot, and then there's a fund with the same name as our district funds. And so we had a discussion about why that existed and if it meant the same thing and if the council members created that in 2011 so that those funds would revolve, not the parking lot fund.

Okay. From what I know is that there used to be an organization called Friends of Moku'ula that was led by the late Akoni Akana. Mhmm. And then

Right. And then anti blossom.

There was another leader before anti blossom, and and they would receive all the monies, from the parking lot. And then, I think it was council member Guzman and, Cochrane brought into question, I guess, the activities and what was, happening with the funds. And, then Friends of Muku'ula dissolved, and the money kept going into the fund from the parking. I think there was a month to month lease with Diamond Parking. And, every year, Parks and Rec tried to do, like, a study or something, and and I don't think anything ever happened.

But the two funds, one Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund was always named that. The other fund, I think, is called, like, economic development, cultural restoration.

The fund I'm talking about is three, chapter 3.81, economic development and cultural programs revolving fund.

Yeah.

And that that was the discussion that we had last week. So I'm super clear on the parking

lot

fund. I understand the purpose of that, and I hear the timer, but everyone took up my time. So, if anyone has that information, that would be great. And if not, I can, like, do my own research. But we had discussed that fund being zeroed out. And so if it's zeroed out, we discussed, like, what's the purpose of it? Should it continue, or should we just end it? But we didn't know the purpose of it, so we didn't want to do away with it when we don't know why it was created back in 2011. So that's question about that 3.81 in our code. And if again, does anyone have that information? If not, I can go and look for it myself and then figure out whether we should close it since it's all zeros.

Budget director, do you have any comments on it?

Thank you, chair. No. I do not have any comments on that at that time. I know we discussed the other day. I'm happy to assist council member Ramos Fernandez in looking into that and determining if the purpose well, think based on some of the purpose we've discussed, just obviously economic development and cultural programs still remain very important to the county, but we have a lot of other funding sources outside of that revolving fund now that fund those programs. So it may not be necessary to have a dedicated fund anymore. Thank you, Chair.

Mahalo, Budget Director.

All right. Anybody else have questions for the member, Patangan?

Thank you, chair. Okay, director. So within this revolving fund, I see $200,000 for Huiowa Kaolua. I also see a general fund grant to the same organization for a $180,000. Is this for a different purpose? There's no description for the general fund one, but I just wanna make sure that the the appropriation under the fund that you manage is not duplicative.

We're we're

to

that 200,000 that is in there is for the area of Pokala. That's what's in that revolving fund. For the line item area that you're talking about, that 180,000. I believe that is for the work that is being done over at that particular complex. Also, in regards to some of the things that they have lost in regard in recapturing that particular in the future.

Future. So I believe that some of the discussions that's been had with that particular organization.

And did I understand correctly in your response to Member Palton, you weren't clear on what the language in the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund was related to the canoes because it's for restoration of maintenance of canoes and canoe site. So you're clear on the canoe site, but you have to look into the canoe portion of itself to make sure it's not double dipping with the general fund. Okay.

Even allowed under

Or even allowed under the yeah. Okay.

Unless you separate, like, the general fund for the canoes and the rest revolving fund for everything else.

Yeah. Okay. So I guess can we just get written clarification that there's no double dipping and that everything that's being proposed to be funded from the respective funds is allowable? Yes, you will get written confirmation for that. Okay. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, I'm honored.

Great. Anybody else have questions?

Member Johnson? Thank you, Chair. Just a quick question for you guys that I've been asking some other departments. But basically, I what to get get a a what the then, in do And

first

that's

the

On our first, year, which was fiscal twenty six I'm sorry. Excuse me. Fiscal twenty five, we had 23 applicants. The amount, was a little bit over a million dollars. Sorry, I'm flicking through this thing, trying to find the information specifically. It was a little bit over a million dollars in requests. We awarded 444,000 out of our $500,000 county grant subsidy appropriation. In fiscal twenty six, we had 24 applicants. 80% of those applicants were new applicants. They weren't repeat applicants.

We were able to I think it was $1,200,000 of requests and we were able to award, I think, 450,000 for, again, county grant subsidy appropriation. Okay.

So you asked for 200 ks more.

Yeah.

And is there a reason you didn't go up to the around 1,000,000 because of capacity of staff? Or is it just you felt that was or what was the reason?

Mahalo for the question. You know, I think for the most part, we're trying to also find grant funding that we can pass through to grant applicants. Those totals of 444 and 450,000 for the last two years came from the county grant subsidy. They didn't include what you folks provided via proviso, and it doesn't include grants that we found and that we are able to use to support natural culture resource restoration and preservation and all of the department's strategic goals. And so we have asked for some additional grant writers to beef up our grant department so that we can continue to find funding to hopefully support these programs or pass through to our community.

Why we didn't ask for a million dollars? I think I mean, I think we could ask for a minute. Why why you never ask for a million dollars? I don't know. I

don't know.

We're trying to be, you know, fiscally responsible is what my director says. And also, you know, we are getting a hold and a handle how important all of the departments and and all the different ways they serve the community. So we wanna be fair and, you know, be a part of the team.

I understand that. We're overseeing a billion 6 budget. So for me, if there's a need, I would support it if the department thinks they can handle it and if they have enough grantees applying. Sounds like you did. Sounds like you need some more staff. I don't know. You that's what you guys are telling me. So I'm willing to, you know, help you guys achieve your goals if you need if you feel that you're ready to take it on. So I just wanted to bring that up and the members can hear all that. So thank you for your time. Thank you, Chair. No further questions.

Thank you. All right. So any more regarding, the revolving fund? Member Bolton.

So I heard the 120 parking lot could be replaced with 120 other spaces within the Royal Complex. I just wanted to clarify because I think Lahaina Restoration Foundation also bring are those parking separate from their parking? It's not like we're gonna take their parking revenue away. Department.

Hi. Mahalo for the question, council member. Yeah. It's separate. And so the 120 stalls that we're talking about are within the Royal Complex. The current 500 parking lot does not have 120 stalls.

Oh, that's 500?

No. No. That's the address, That's 503rd Street.

How much does it have?

I I don't Like about 60 or so. Yeah. About 30 or 35 stalls.

And then the semiannual or annual reporting, are you not doing it because no money was spent and the report could be as simple as no money was spent? I

we apologize for, miscalculating that report, and not getting it in in a timely manner. But, Polole, there's nothing to report because there is no money coming in at this moment. Okay.

And then just following up on member Johnson. To me, natural and cultural resources is really similar to environmental protection and sustainability. Do you have any ideas about what if you took EPNS into you guys? Like, is that something you guys could oversee? Because, I mean, there's wastewater and there's solid waste overseeing environmental protection and sustainability, and you guys are overseeing natural and cultural resources, It seems to

me a better fit. No? Thank you, chair. I think we would need to look at the charter. If I remember correctly, DEM, it does say they have oversight of environmental. I think if we want to have a discussion about maybe what the separation would be between environmental and natural and cultural resources, that's a conversation we can certainly have. But I wouldn't move it wholesale.

You. Charter amendment. Okay. Got it. Thanks.

Any other questions?

Chair, I have some non revolving fund related questions. Am I able to ask them since we have the department before us or is this something you got to kind of in writing for Sunshine purposes?

I think we have to for Sunshine purposes submitted in writing.

Okay.

Because this is a recess meeting, we said we're gonna do this. So I don't wanna deviate from this, which we're doing. Understood.

Okay. Thank you. Thanks.

Chair. Member Rollins Fernandez.

Can we get, one of our attorneys to weigh in on that? Because I don't agree with that position. We have the entire budget on the agenda. That's sunshine law. I know what we said we were gonna do. I mean, I I was only gonna ask revolving fund questions because that's what we asked the department to prepare for. But as far as your position on it being a violation of sunshine law, I don't agree with. Okay. So if we could have, like, attorney weigh in on that, please. Thanks.

Mister Hanano.

I'm sorry. What was the

So the question is whether or not I'm able to ask questions about the department outside of the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund. Would it be a violation of Sunshine Law given the way that we agendized the meeting?

You slip on it there. Mr. Hanano?

Well, I mean, the BFID one has quarter

little 20,

that's

good

And so for Sunshine Law purposes, you could ask that question, member Baton Gon.

You did note that we didn't ask them to prepare

for it. Consideration for the department. We didn't ask them to prepared for that. We only asked them for that specific thing. Out of consideration,

I would not want to ask those questions.

Thank you, Member Rollins Fernandez. I will transmit my questions in writing.

Thank you. We'll take up Bill 63 when we do all the bills and go through it in that way. Anybody else have any more questions for the department On the revolving fund? And 63. Keeping

I just had one more question. I did ask if there was outreach and you did say that I'm a advocate. What what is the feedback? Like, I would like, yes. Let's do it. Let's use this fun for all the whole Royal Complex and switch the parking, or was it like, no. Don't do that. Or

I'm waiting for the question council member. I don't believe there is like really big feedback that we've gotten so far or I know that there's been discussion about what I I'm not thinking about one think, specific space. I'm thinking about the entirety of the complex. And so if we can utilize the revolving fund to be able to access or to use it for all of the areas that are in need, then we're gonna look at how we can coco and help support that all the way through.

And I've heard from some of the folks your vision for the rail complex. Would the fund always be limited to just parking revenue? Or, like, you know, I had heard there may be, like, vendors, authentic, and whatnot. Would if they were to pay, like, rent or something, could that go into the fund as well? Or could there be other, revenue sources to continue, I guess Generating? Yeah. Generating other

road. Think a And that. To

when the Royal Complex is

Makoko, that. What are other avenues of generating resources for the continuing care of the space. And one is definitely parking, but I do believe that there are avenues for conversation. And we're to

think, this is a little gray area, I guess, but the proposed security and whatnot would come out of the fund because there, Kuleana would be the entirety of the Royal Complex

area. Mahalo councilwoman. Yes. That's correct. That the, positions that we are asking for EP in that area, if we were to fund them through this fund, they would be responsible for the entirety of the Lahaina Royal Complex and not just local Mokuhimiya and Pakala.

So we were hoping that the fund would match the work that's happening in that area. And I think also there would be opportunity at a later time. Our master planning process is slated to be completed next summer twenty twenty seven. And if if council is open to it, maybe through committee, perhaps with council member Rollins Fernandez, we could give an update on the master planning. But we realized that we needed to focus as a county on getting people home first, and we wanted this culture restoration plan for the Lahaina Rural Complex to be able to be ready for them when they were ready, when the community is ready.

And so there's a lot of considerations, we are looking at how we can bring in revenue to continue the revolving fund. And then, one last answer, each time we've designated with you folks and the community, uses of the revolving fund, the office of recovery has come in and they've swooped in and provided funding. So, planning, funding, we pivoted to allow for another amendment so they can help us with artistic renditions as we complete the engagement process. Yes. Yes. So to pull So didn't have to use from the fund.

And then that 2,000,000 to grant from National Historic?

That's correct. And then we have, also, obtained a grant from the National Park Service to, apply to the restoration of Moko'ula. So we're excited to implement that. It's three years, and sorry to take off your time.

Just one last. So I think when it was Diamond Parking, the expense for doing the parking came out and the profit went in. Is that the 120 other stalls, is there gonna be a think, ir

uses Park Maui I their particular vendor. So when that discussion actually happens and that agreement happens, then I think all of that details will be fleshed out.

So you have no intentions at this time of how the vending would be paid for? Okay. Yeah. Let know. Keep us updated. You. Thank

you very much. Do you want to go over bill 63, which was, also why it I don't know if it's budget director or

Thank you, Chair. Yes, I will point out I did receive a note from Corporation Counsel. We do need a slight amendment to the title. We inadvertently put Royal before Lahaina instead of after Lahaina. So if we can just add that to the committee's radar, it would be appreciated. The purpose of this ordinance is to update the name of the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund to the Lahaina Royal Complex Restoration Revolving Fund and also to expand the area that these funds can be used in to encompass the entirety of the Royal Complex area. Thank you, Chair. Thank you.

Can she replete, which is the correct one? Royal First or Lahaina First? Lahaina First

in the title.

So I have a question, Director. The purpose then also includes Kamehameha three School And Library Area Makai Of French Street at Lahaina Maui, Hawaii, including maintenance of the site, which is in 3.380.03 for the oh, 020 for the purpose. Can you speak about that? Kamehameha? And the Kamehameha that's the old area, right? The old area where Kamehameha School was by the harbor.

Mahalo, Chair. Mahalo to you for the question. So let me see if I got this correct. It's in regards to those properties which include Makai Of French Street, which is the old library area, which also includes Kamehameha third, Kauiki O'oli's Royal Complex or Kamehameha third School,

it's adding, right, Cam 3 School And Library Area's Macao Front Street, which is all encompassed of the Lahaina Royal Complex

And

to that. 63? And we will vote do on it when we vote on all the bills. So anybody else? If not, we

can right. To they're they're transmitting and writing to be solely on the general fund side. Right? That's already Yes. We got that. Right?

Yeah. They're nodding.

Yes.

Anybody else had questions? Member Batongen?

Thank you, chair. Okay. So the conversation that director and member Palatin had went kind of quickly. So can I just confirm there are EPs that you're proposing to fund through this revolving fund? And those are the ones for maintenance of the royal Complex. Is that correct?

Thank you for that question. We are asking for EPs. You will see it on our budget as security officer, a supervisor, and park caretakers. We are calling them Aloha Aina ambassadors, and we are not asking for funding at this time. We work in partnership with the department of management and the department of parks and recreation.

And we're trying to be prepared in case that Kulena gets is is offered to the department of o a v resources. And then, yes, we would want those positions to serve when the time is appropriate because right now after the wildfires, none of the parking spaces are being maintained or anything like that. I mean, it's been kind of a soft opening in that area. Everybody's trying to be very sensitive. But I do understand that folks are are accessing the area and parking kind of all over the place.

So I guess I understood the requests in the budget. One of the questions I hadn't asked previously was the coordination between you and Parks since it sounds like Park caretaker in the job description kind of falls under their Kuleana. But if you guys are having those conversations, great. But I I guess I'm trying to understand the funding for them. So you're not asking for general funds to support these EPs. You guys would be looking for this revolving fund to the fiscal source.

Thank you, council member. We are not asking for funds to fund these jobs at this time. And we are opening we are open to considering using the revolving fund to pay for these positions in the future.

I guess part of my thinking though is if it is funded through a revolving fund that you oversee, then it makes sense for the positions to be in your department. If it's not, I can see the argument for funding it under parks. And that's why I'd like to know upfront whether or not your intent is to ask for the revolving fund to be the fiscal source.

That budget director?

Mahalo for the question. Will say this in a couple of different ways that I'm hearing your question.

Going to

a half

20.

Sense of

so,

that particular funding that we would request would probably come within the revolving fund to be able to continue that particular work.

And management and the unions are on board with this plan?

I think I would have to go ahead and ask budget director to weigh in on that.

That would be part of the process of creating the currently unfunded positions and another reason they're created unfunded because that won't be a short process. Thank you, chair.

Thank you. Director, director.

Just to speak to member Batangan's point, pre fire, that area was was managed by parks, you know, the tennis courts, Geshwa Kee, the tennis courts and whatnot. And there were, and and nothing against Parks, but there was sentiment that it wasn't, managed in a way that respectful to our former, royal Complex area. So for me, I would I would be supportive of the revolving fund because it's not just any, park lands, and it shouldn't be, caretook in the same manner as any park lands. And we already saw what that looked like pre fire, and it wasn't up to, royal royal complex standards. It wasn't it wasn't even up to veteran cemetery standards, which I don't know how you rank things, but I would say it's it's different.

It's not it's not parks and recreation. It's historical, cultural resources more so.

Hello, council member. I would have to say and agree with you 100% that these lands are of historical monumental significance. The way that these lands are looked at from the perspective of currently, we have an opportunity do that. I

to

to what this monumental space could look like for generations to come. I will agree that if we take the the western construct of what monument and historical spaces look like going to places like across the continent to DC and what they consider monumental spaces and historic value, places like Mokula, Mokuhemia should have that highest of respect and highest of value and dedication to not only land conservation but to to one of the or one of the the main reasons why we are looking at this Lahaina Royal Complex is to be able to enhance that particular story that allows for the elevation of our cultural excellence, our cultural heritage, and our history of our people.

Thank you. Very good.

Member Batongan.

Thank you, Chair. I just want to say I also support putting the Haina ambassadors in your department. I understand the gravity. I understand the significance. My I keep saying my family's traditionally from Lahaina. We have ancestors in Waianae. So part of our, you know, reunions often involve going to clean grave over there. And I think, think, I

Wonderful. Okay. Anybody else? Okay. No. Seeing none. All right, members. So thank you very much department for coming in to talk to us on this particular item. And we look forward to the amendment to the bill. Are you sending that amendment, Budget Director?

Thank you, Chair Yos. I'm putting together a list of requested amendments and I'll discuss with you and the BHI staff the appropriate way to transmit that. Okay. Thank you, Chair. Very good.

All right. Very good. Thank you very much, everybody. So we are we will be in Molokai for the 06:00 residency area meetings. Members, I've been asked to remind you to check on your flights with Mokulele because we're seeing some delays according to staff. So we want to make sure that you're there we all go appropriately at what time. I, is there anything else we need to talk about for that? No. That's it. Chair.

Yes. Member Rollins Fernandez. Aloha, chair. Related to, flights, to Molokai, make sure you take snacks with you in case you are delayed, which chair Sugimura already said that staff checked on. Make sure you have drinks. You can take it on the plane. There's no TSA. But there isn't anywhere to get food. So just make sure you have sustenance. And I look forward to greeting everyone when

you arrive. Yes. I hope your shop at the Kanaka Kai Airport is open. I love to shop in that little shop in the corner across the check-in areas. It's my preference. Members, so see you all in Kanaka or Metropolitan Community Center for the 06:00 meeting and pray that weather stays sunny as the clouds have been lifted. Alright. So this item is now deferred.

Yes. Real quick. I mean, when you're at the Maui Airport waiting to fly to Molokai. Oh. And I'm happy for you when you're at the Molokai Airport to support our our shop there. Yes. But on Maui, there is no shop. So at the commuter airport terminal at Maui to have snacks. Okay. Mahalo.

We'll be ready. All right, members. Thank you very much department. Thank you very much for being with us. Appreciate you adjusting your schedules. So this meeting is now adjourned and this item is now deferred.