Hawaii County committee reviews CTAHR extension‑agent contract changes, hears program updates

On Oct. 21, 2025, the Hawaii County Communication, Reports and Council Oversight Committee in Kona received an update from the county Department of Research and Development on changes to the county’s contract with the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and on two county-supported extension agent positions. Committee Chair Michelle Galimba presided; the committee voted to close the file on Communication 549 by voice vote, with eight in favor and one absent.

The county review removed county-funded payment of state benefits from its CTAHR supplemental agreement while retaining a 50% salary share and a travel allocation for the extension agents, Deputy Director Dennis Lehi said. "We kept the 50% of the salary and kept the travel allocation," Lehi said, adding that the county removed benefits because "those should be paid by the state and the university." He said the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will “endeavor to fill all remaining vacancies” while the county’s funding supports two extension agents.

The committee heard program details for the two county‑supported positions. A livestock extension agent, who began Aug. 1, holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine but is not licensed in the United States, Lehi said; the agent’s focus includes small ruminants (sheep and goats), artificial‑insemination training, disease research and newborn‑livestock support. Since beginning work, the livestock agent has supported producers and organized or assisted with events including a ruminant workshop and a backyard poultry basics workshop that Lehi said drew about 135 attendees.

The second agent, Laura Reiber, coordinates the East Hawaiʻi Master Gardener program and provides outreach on Pacific crops. Lehi said that in her first 14 months Reiber has provided technical assistance to more than 950 participants, led 37 workshops, managed a three‑acre farm infrastructure training site, and run trial plantings of ulu, ʻava, kalo and Samoan coconut. Reiber’s outreach partners mentioned in the presentation included the Oʻahu Cooperative and GoFarm Hawaiʻi.

Glenn Sacco, an economic development specialist in agriculture with the county, told the committee that when a CTAHR employee retires the position reverts to the university department for prioritization, and the department decides whether to replace the role. "It doesn't mean that because he had a full time livestock position at the time when he retired, does not mean that it will be replaced," Sacco said, describing CTAHR’s internal staffing process.

Council members asked procedural and budget questions. Members sought clarification on whether the agreement shifts payments from calendar to fiscal year; Lehi confirmed the contract was now aligned to the fiscal year. Council member Eustace asked about a roughly $5,000 reduction in a supplemental draft; Lehi said the change is a reallocation within R&D and "it won't change the extension agents." Council member Onishi moved to close the file on Communication 549; Council member Eustace seconded the motion.

Committee members directed staff to follow up on outstanding items mentioned during discussion: the county is awaiting a written supplemental from Dean Grewal of CTAHR for review, staff agreed to check whether Reiber has been working with Kau High School’s agriculture program, and R&D said it will help connect members of the public to the extension agents. Chair Galimba also noted that "Mr. Mahathu did reach out to the ranching industry" to offer assistance.

The committee closed the item on Communication 549 by voice vote with eight in favor and one absent. The meeting adjourned its agenda items and scheduled the next committee session at 2:30 p.m.