[{"_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",6645945,"mediaKeyId","3457789-cbde1f315d6eb08df7905e4d0010ed85","parentId",3457789,"title","Council amends capital improvement program; adds funding for Waikoloa road study, pool repairs and Puako sewer planning","audioSeconds",4019,"startMs",7681000,"endMs",11700000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3457789-cbde1f315d6eb08df7905e4d0010ed85&start=7681&end=11700","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3457789-cbde1f315d6eb08df7905e4d0010ed85/thumbnail_7681000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645945/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Council-amends-capital-improvement-program-adds-funding-for-Waikoloa-road-study-pool-repairs-and-Puako-sewer-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645945-45b493793e3f2b16df9d049d22f1e91f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138972&Signature=K29Ldjr5-lF~HoDTvMp5WCZ-dxnhbsA0PjzZjkDy3Mq0pkrldaBiZnRY208VxT-MgTfVFAb9PdjPuSVzTXuCVbVfxfZMc7v67iAu~Yfso96a6EHmM~pG1Yp5IOktzvslgcxNQyH0o0MAN-u63p0iLznSLRa6YVySvIMgexTDx3hCgICLCBg1wdYcyMNDmehM518RBO-6RL1FTwhVqs7s-JP1~Yi8MBTIsmwEqp~JHiwkNeBLPnxnncyjUw3swLeosHgZgfSpjvLgX22aG-zb58~Ss1ITbtGUoEWvShztBqwnGiEgwlNNcVF4oCxmtQDi9p-MOPrdjhqYIzdL21HU2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii County","date","2025-05-22T08:34:00Z","article","The Hawaii County Council on May 22 amended Bill 32, the county's capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal 2025'26, and adopted the measure on first reading with several member-proposed additions.

The amended capital budget (Bill 32 Draft 2 as amended) increases total appropriation and adds specific community projects. The administration's draft listed 84 projects and identified proposed funding sources including bonds, federal and state grants and other funds. During the council session members moved and the council adopted multiple amendments to add or reappropriate funds for projects identified by community members and council districts.

Why it matters: The capital improvement budget sets the county's planned multi-year capital spending. The council approved money to begin engineering and environmental work on alternate emergency access in Waikoloa Village after extensive public testimony from Waikoloa residents who said a second road is needed to reduce wildfire evacuation risks. The council also reallocated lapsed CIP funds for park improvements and pool repairs in Kohala and for a pilot revolving fund to support community-led cesspool closures in Puako.

Waikoloa second road and Paniola widening: Council member James Eustace introduced an amendment to add $2.5 million for the Waikoloa Arterial (Kamakoa Drive) to fund engineering, design and environmental review. Dozens of residents from Waikoloa testified in support, describing repeated evacuations and urging the council to begin county-led work on a second arterial. Aslan Chalker, identified in testimony as a longtime Waikoloa Village resident, told the council, \"Please pass this amendment and give the Waikoloa community enough hope to allow us to take a deep breath.\" Planning Director Jeff Darrow said portions of the alignment and prior planned-unit-development conditions exist; the developer and other stakeholders have discussed options but a county-funded step could accelerate studies and permit work. The council adopted the $2.5 million amendment after debate.

Council member Eustace also successfully moved a complementary amendment to add $5,000,000 for Paniola Avenue widening in the same general area; the amendment sponsor said the work would match existing roadway capacity and address localized flood and safety hazards.

Parks and pool reappropriations: The council reappropriated $5 million for Kohala Swimming Pool repairs, a project parks staff said includes pump and water-line work and will include ADA improvements. The council also reappropriated $5 million for Spencer Kalani Shuru District Park improvements and expansion; parks officials said a nonprofit partner has completed design work and the reappropriated funds will preserve the county's ability to move the work forward.

Puako sewer planning and community revolving fund: Council members approved a $1 million appropriation to support design and planning for sewer improvements and to seed the development of a county-level revolving fund for community-initiated cesspool closures in Puako and other at-risk coastal communities. Testifier Barbara Bell, speaking for Puako for Reefs, said the group seeks a revolving fund to finance cesspool closure and a low-pressure sewer line recommended in the county's regional wastewater master plan prepared by AECOM. Acting wastewater division chief Chris Garber said ownership and long-term operation of any collection lines would be worked out in the project development process; at present the area relies largely on on-site disposal systems.

Council action and votes at a glance: After amending Bill 32 draft 2 with the amendments described above, the council approved Bill 32 on first reading. The clerk recorded the final vote as 7 ayes with two council members excused. The record for several individual amendments showed the motions carried and were adopted; specific roll-call tallies were recorded on the floor for some but not all amendments.

What the council asked of administration: Planning, public works and the wastewater and parks departments were asked to work with council members and community groups on the design, permitting and funding strategies for the newly added projects. Planning Director Jeff Darrow and acting wastewater chief Chris Garber answered technical questions about developer responsibilities, community facilities districts and how county-owned collection lines might be sited and operated.

Ending: The amendments mark a significant step toward addressing local infrastructure and public safety priorities raised by residents in Waikoloa Village, coastal Puako and other districts. Bill 32 as amended passed on first reading; the council will take additional action at the scheduled second reading on June 5, 2025.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hawaii County - Hawaii County Council - Special Meeting - May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hawaii County Council on May 22 amended the county's capital improvement budget and added appropriations for a Waikoloa arterial road study, Paniola Avenue widening, Kohala pool repairs, Spencer Kalani Shuru District Park expansion and planning for Puako sewer improvements.","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},6645949,"Hawaii County council advances $953 million operating budget after debate on reserves and services",5520,1930000,7450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3457789-cbde1f315d6eb08df7905e4d0010ed85&start=1930&end=7450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3457789-cbde1f315d6eb08df7905e4d0010ed85/thumbnail_1930000.jpg","/articles/6645949/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Hawaii-County-council-advances-953-million-operating-budget-after-debate-on-reserves-and-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645949-1ba6f8aebcaaa8dc0564d013d828a4c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138972&Signature=mnLRC1-CZgs6m1UvZ~juH9Vq8GGfNK13789-NWIZLUZF5~LbbglbtGcWLA2~eSG7NU8teVUNSMX3COWVcOa8-auQh3CrqhxN~ns9TGs8BnGh6NgPT0L~z~rax68dBXQ8I~DsVkw29-1Xi5B908cSyRAmrsI0R0zF4RyX3XZKMS-wN9FMmN82h1GmoN1GmT1Gh8yMCiX4f8BXyiqYeCZekt4XayDdjpa0VfIfMJLfumZ6LVxi7gPWLUIwjP9e-x-cC~Jsz9k-rHJwOUpwBYrS-OdYdyXNnq73emnPZLuKbpCEarGT29rSEVUHO3krVAPgk7eGHNlIDUH0ckNigwn~vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaii County Council on May 22 approved Bill 31 on first reading, adopting an amended operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 that the administration said contains estimated revenues and appropriations of $953,268,869.

The budget, transmitted by Mayor Sekimo Alameda and presented by Managing Director William Buranti and Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, reflects a proposed increase in estimated revenues and appropriations from the mayor's draft and adds about $15.5 million over the first draft. The administration described the plan as fiscally conservative, with a 3.5% increase in total appropriations and a projected general fund balance equal to about 10.4% of general fund expenditures.

Why it matters: The operating budget determines staffing, public safety, maintenance of county facilities and the county's immediate fiscal posture. Council members focused questions on the administration's proposal to limit reliance on the current-year fund balance, the county's ability to respond to potential federal benefit cuts, and how vacancy and hiring challenges affect service delivery.

The administration framed the amended budget as focused on repair and maintenance, public safety and stabilizing reserves. \"We're preparing the county for future years,\" Managing Director William Buranti said in presenting the amendment, adding that the budget aims to \"be less reliant on that fund balance\" and to keep a fund balance within the Government Finance Officers Association's recommended range. Finance Director Diane Nakagawa said the draft keeps approximately $4.3 million of the recent revenue gain in fund balance rather than programming it into new departmental spending.

Council questions and clarifications: Members pressed officials on the county's planning for possible federal cuts affecting SNAP and other benefits. Buranti said the issue was discussed at a recent meeting with the governor and other mayors and that the state has a plan; Nakagawa said the budget increases the budget stabilization fund by $5 million and retains the additional fund balance for use if needed. Council member Kajiwara said that keeping just $4.3 million in reserve would not be sufficient if federal food benefits were reduced for tens of thousands of county residents; Nakagawa and Buranti replied that the county and state are coordinating, and that the administration was intentionally holding some of the revenue increase in reserves.

Staffing and vacancies: The administration said the county currently has a large number of vacant positions (roughly 600 vacancies were discussed) and described an HR task force to speed hiring and update position descriptions. The budget adds positions targeted at high-priority needs, including recruitment and retention incentives and additional public safety and emergency management staff. \"We've been working on scaling and expediting the time it takes to onboard our employees,\" Buranti said.

Debt and capital: Nakagawa said draft 2 reduced next year's debt service by using a 25-year amortization for a previously authorized bond issuance; she and Buranti warned the council that planned wastewater and other capital needs will likely require additional issuance over the coming years and that final debt-service levels depend on interest rates, amortization and timing.

Council action: On a motion to amend Bill 31 to the mayor's draft 2 and to adopt the bill on first reading as amended, the council voted to approve the amendment and passed Bill 31 on first reading. The clerk recorded the vote as 8 ayes and 1 excused member on the final first-reading passage.

What's next: The council scheduled the second and final reading for Thursday, June 5, 2025, when members may propose and vote on further amendments before final adoption.

Ending note: During the hearing multiple council members stressed the need to pair investments with continued attention to vulnerable households and to consider non-county partners for food security and resilience programs. The administration said it will continue intergovernmental work and explore private and philanthropic partnerships.

","The Hawaii County Council on May 22 approved Bill 31 on first reading, adopting an amended operating budget for fiscal year 2025'26 that projects $953,268,869 in revenues and appropriations.","actionData","errors"]

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Council amends capital improvement program; adds funding for Waikoloa road study, pool repairs and Puako sewer planning

Hawaii County council advances $953 million operating budget after debate on reserves and services