[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6614037,"mediaKeyId","2866331-eba85cc14e03570723f0cca28b5c0b6c","parentId",2866331,"title","Votes at a glance: Hawaii County Council approves multiple budget transfers, grants and ordinances including rezoning and land purchase steps","audioSeconds",5400,"startMs",6180000,"endMs",11580000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2866331-eba85cc14e03570723f0cca28b5c0b6c&start=6180&end=11580","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2866331-eba85cc14e03570723f0cca28b5c0b6c/thumbnail_6180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6614037/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Votes-at-a-glance-Hawaii-County-Council-approves-multiple-budget-transfers-grants-and-ordinances-including-rezoning-and-land-purchase-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6614037-35560429f86728d5db74c5f5bd627a1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152788&Signature=cz17jifQvpy~IcX0h7dXfCYEikSDx~TovNMJyjNHLBvweSHKA4GKgIPLGT7OJxoKBZOZ65rK-oQYohL4wGBDAyACG~Uu0Q9Z5aKBkL3vsr7COlHYLJ6MIseO0hUU7NuY~lY1ggwrxE520BqHKkNWf9TFw5-9H-~tX6NZSflNj1XxoMdmvdl5Bxvaci8Mc6Jzz6GSbP4V9yY5oPmpbzopOcTHm7luJfQPelpupJXZ-PFN8M-JfCrVQrLDcXWtyD98A0-qhLGmZfmKLb9mNo1xRP-OzTbuqzPuq8mh~vHsrFwF-Moynr6vQ9ajdqD5E6Nam2jJoGjSzzXEHdA7nLD4Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii County","date","2025-04-02T09:01:00Z","article","The Hawaii County Council on April 2 approved a cluster of bills, resolutions and budget transfers across public‑safety, land use, parks and community programs. The full meeting record shows votes on intergovernmental cooperation (Resolution 74, adopted as amended), two zoning and map changes, an authorization to begin negotiations to buy an 81.19‑acre parcel, and more than a dozen contingency relief grants for community events and nonprofit programs.

Why it matters: These votes authorize short‑term spending, grant awards and land‑use changes that affect community programs, parks, and planning. They also record the council’s position on cooperative agreements with federal law‑enforcement partners (Resolution 74), which generated extended public comment and debate.

Votes at a glance (item — outcome — key details):

- Resolution 74‑25 — Approved (adopted as amended). Council authorized the mayor and HPD to continue intergovernmental agreements and task‑force cooperation with federal partners, with an amendment clarifying that the MOUs do not authorize county enforcement of administrative immigration violations and requiring council review of substantive changes. (See separate coverage for extended debate.)

- Bill 30 (Zoning change at Waikaea / 900 Manono St.) — Approved at second and final reading. The council rezoned a 19,500‑square‑foot parcel in South Hilo from single‑family residential to neighborhood commercial to allow conversion of a dwelling to an accounting office; an amendment removed a DOT review condition because the roadway involved is county owned. Motion moved by Councilmember Kimball; amendment moved by Councilmember Kaguata; final vote recorded in the minutes.

- Bill 28 (Old Mauna Loa Highway — commercial bicycle tours prohibition) — Approved at second and final reading. The council adopted a local traffic restriction prohibiting commercial bicycle tours on a segment of Old Mauna Loa Highway in Honokaʻa. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 95‑25 (land acquisition negotiations for Kapainui parcels) — Approved. The council authorized the director of finance to negotiate acquisition of approximately 81.19 acres in the Hāmākua coast area for preservation and public access; the parcel was identified as a priority by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 96‑25 (5‑year lease for midsize trucks, Parks & Rec) — Approved. The council authorized multi‑year leases for nine midsize 4x4 trucks for Parks & Recreation vehicle needs. (Moved by Councilmember Connolly Kleinfelder.)

- Resolution 103‑25 (grant to arts center for traffic‑safety fair) — Approved. Transfer of $2,500 from contingency relief to support a local traffic safety fair. (Moved by Vice Chair Onishi.)

- Resolution 107‑25 (grant to Hamakua Harvest for tax‑classification education) — Approved. A $10,000 contingency transfer to support community education about agricultural tax classifications; staff confirmed materials will be coordinated with the Real Property Tax Division. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 110‑25 (grant to D.A.R.E. for Dare Day) — Approved. $2,000 grant authorization to support a D.A.R.E. celebration in East Hawaii. (Moved by Councilmember Kaguada.)

- Resolution 111‑25 (purchase goals/scoreboards for Hawaii International Futsal Cup) — Approved. Transfer of $4,300 to purchase equipment for an international futsal tournament; organizers said the event draws teams and spectators and benefits visitor‑economy spending. (Moved by Vice Chair Onishi.)

- Resolution 112‑25 (Aloha Aina grant to Paʻahǵna Oa Fishing Association) — Approved. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 113‑25 (Parks & Rec summer fund programs) — Approved. Transfer to support Parks & Recreation summer programming and equipment. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 114‑25 (grant to Hamakua Health Center for community festival) — Approved. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 115‑25 (grant to Aloha Animal Alliance for community‑cat pilot) — Approved. $20,000 transferred from contingency relief to support a pilot cat‑management program (TNR and caretaker training) focused on a peninsula and park area; proponents said the funds will finance tracking software, caretaker certification and initial field operations. (Moved by Councilmember Kimball.)

- Resolution 116‑25 (Keiki ID equipment grant for East Hawaii policing) — Approved. $1,509 approved to buy keiki ID equipment to avoid long drives for equipment borrowing. (Moved by Councilmember Galimba.)

- Resolution 117‑25 (grant for Okaukaʻu Independence Day event) — Approved. (Moved by Councilmember Galimba.)

- Resolution 118‑25 (grant to Kona Historical Society — beekeeping video) — Approved. (Moved by Vice Chair Onishi.)

- Resolution 119‑25 (grant to Merry Monarch Festival) — Approved. (Moved by Councilmember Connolly Kleinfelder.)

- Bill 35 (first reading) — Approved to pass first reading. Appropriates $7,100 in a state substance‑abuse prevention coordination grant account to the operating budget. (Introduced by Councilmember Connolly Kleinfelder by request.)

What to watch next: Several of the contingency relief grants will be followed by staff review and event reporting. The land‑acquisition authorization (Resolution 95‑25) starts a negotiation process; no final sale was approved at this meeting. The amended Resolution 74 will require HPD and the mayor to return to council for substantive changes to the MOUs.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hawaii County - Hawaii County Council - Apr 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hawaii County Council on April 2 approved an amended resolution authorizing HPD cooperation with federal partners and a slate of local grants, equipment purchases and land‑use decisions; key votes included adoption of Resolution 74 as amended, zoning and public‑land actions, and contingency grants for community events.","taxTitle","Hawaii County, Hawaii","taxId",12825,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6614042,"Hawaii County Council narrowly adopts amended MOUs allowing continued cooperation between HPD and federal agencies",5304,6214000,11518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2866331-eba85cc14e03570723f0cca28b5c0b6c&start=6214&end=11518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2866331-eba85cc14e03570723f0cca28b5c0b6c/thumbnail_6214000.jpg","/articles/6614042/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Hawaii-County-Council-narrowly-adopts-amended-MOUs-allowing-continued-cooperation-between-HPD-and-federal-agencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6614042-273ab176cc76f48e29b425ccf9ab7b05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152788&Signature=WSjXch~yfi6IqkLfdcbw00n7QwWcZqh0UJnu6SW8qNInhId~YuiayDXG-Lp00NiNleN4CMczKkuh4YMYfucnunMbe1-6gUW5HzzarNuk9UJF8ykzHI555woGFtg145CZJQM-7Rf~FCVFFH-ZsBNPg4ofjT43FycD47o45qNpUQKRWCdVagr-nD7OgNgGI0oMu9wSGVhbympvxtdXpJbSDVQU6TJVylxVTxjeFCukj3wLZLTkAb8WJK3W9~L-ETgRvA5EfuH09mwm5VxpnuiCYSZsRa7ptxjMdLw56V~aRwqNJCArP9UDhkks9qj3wDhYDrXddOeaJpiSZeOrz7SJzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaii County Council adopted an amended resolution on April 2 that authorizes the mayor and the Hawaii Police Department to enter or continue intergovernmental agreements with federal partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, \"to support their continued cooperation with the Hawaii Police Department for the safety of the County of Hawaii.\" The measure passed after council members added language clarifying that the agreements do not authorize local officers to enforce administrative violations of federal immigration law.

Why it matters: The measure and the day-long public discussion that preceded it touched on a major local policy fault line — whether local police should collaborate more closely with federal immigration and criminal investigators. Opponents said deeper cooperation could chill reporting and harm immigrant communities; supporters and police leaders said targeted task-force arrangements help the county investigate serious federal crimes and improve public safety.

Council debate and amendment: Councilmember Kaguada introduced the resolution and later withdrew an initial motion before reoffering it; Councilmember Kagiwara moved an amendment that the council ultimately adopted. That amendment added a new whereas clause stating, in part, that \"none of the agreements…authorize Hawaii Police Department officers or other personnel to take any enforcement action against administrative violations of federal immigration law,\" and required that material changes to the agreements return to the council for reconsideration. Kagiwara said the language was intended to clarify county intent in response to public concerns.

Police and legal counsel response: Chief Bruce Moskowitz of the Hawaii Police Department told the council the department could \"definitely work within the constraints of the amendments,\" adding that the language matches longstanding practice in HPD task-force agreements. He also described existing administrative safeguards for task-force officers and said that task-force officers are authorized to wear body cameras under HPD policy when equipped.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Cody Frens told the council the HSI agreement language and the related ICE Form 73‑001 explicitly disallow the conveyance of authority to enforce administrative immigration violations. \"HSI is not conveying the authority to enforce administrative violations of immigration law,\" Frens said, characterizing the amendment's text as making that restriction explicit in the county's record.

Public testimony and council concerns: Dozens of residents from across the island and remote testimony sites addressed the council during the public-comment period. Opponents — including immigrant-rights groups, attorneys, social workers and religious leaders — argued that any perceived collaboration with federal immigration authorities would erode trust between immigrant communities and local police, discourage crime reporting and risk family separations. Several speakers urged the council to reject the MOUs outright. Supporters, including representatives of police-affiliated youth and community programs, described benefits of federal partnerships for tackling large criminal investigations and recovering evidence that the county alone could not handle.

Operational details discussed: Chief Moskowitz said HPD currently has a small number of task-force officers (TFOs) assigned to federal partnerships — he estimated five officers in total, with \"about 2 part-time and 3 who are effectively full time\" on federal tasking while remaining HPD employees. The chief said overtime and some TFO operational costs are reimbursed by federal partners, and that individual TFO agreements include the checks that prevent administrative immigration enforcement by county officers.

Vote and outcome: After extended discussion, amendment and a roll-call vote, the council adopted the resolution as amended. The amendment to the resolution passed earlier in the meeting by a recorded 7‑0 (two members excused). On final adoption of the amended resolution the council recorded the motion and roll call; the presiding officer announced the measure had carried and directed staff to proceed with the administrative steps authorized by the vote.

What the resolution does and does not do: The council-recorded language and the amendment require HPD and the mayor to return to the council for any substantive changes to the agreements. The adopted documents, as amended, and HPD officials’ statements make clear that the MOUs are framed to support criminal-task‑force cooperation on federal crimes (Title 18 and Title 19 matters cited by HPD) and to exclude county enforcement of administrative immigration violations. The amendment also explicitly attaches the existing MOUs as exhibits and instructs the department to seek council review for material updates.

Looking ahead: Council members and administration officials said they will monitor implementation and expect HPD to raise any operational issues with the mayor’s office and the council. Managing Director Brillante said the administration’s position is that public safety is a priority and that the county must balance community concerns with the operational benefits of federal cooperation. Deputy Corporation Counsel and HPD promised to provide follow-up reports and to work on communications to address community fears.

","The Hawaii County Council adopted an amended resolution on April 2 authorizing memoranda of understanding with Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI that continue task‑force cooperation with the Hawaii Police Department, while adding language that the agreements do not authorize local officers to enforce administrative immigration violations.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Hawaii County Council approves multiple budget transfers, grants and ordinances including rezoning and land purchase steps

Hawaii County Council narrowly adopts amended MOUs allowing continued cooperation between HPD and federal agencies