Hawaii County Council adopts resolution urging review of local agreements with ICE, limits police role in civil immigration enforcement

The Hawaii County Council on Oct. 22 unanimously approved Resolution 3‑20‑25, a nonbinding measure that affirms the county's commitment to due process and multiculturalism and asks the mayor to review county agreements with federal immigration authorities. The resolution also requests the Hawaii Police Department limit its involvement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to cases involving criminal activity.

The measure drew extended public testimony in support from retired Judge David Wiseman, civil-rights attorney Elizabeth Fujiwara, immigrant-rights groups, the Legal Clinic and local chapters of Indivisible and the Sierra Club. In written and oral remarks, witnesses cited reported civil‑rights violations and called for clearer county policies and greater transparency. "I support the council's approval of the caption resolution 3‑20‑25," retired Judge David Wiseman said during public comment, praising the resolution for capturing "the very essence of the aloha spirit."

Why it matters: speakers said the measure is intended to protect immigrant residents' access to police and other services by reducing the chance local resources are used for civil immigration enforcement. Tina Sablan of the Legal Clinic said, "Resolution 3‑20 sends a powerful message that Hawai'i County stands for the values of fairness, safety, and inclusion." Supporters urged the council to follow the resolution with binding ordinances and greater county funding for immigration legal services.

Council discussion focused on both the urgency of issuing a public stance and limits on what the county can legally require. Councilmember Galimba introduced the resolution and successfully moved an amendment to distribute the adopted resolution to state and federal leaders and the Hawaii County Police Commission. Several members said additional, stronger measures could follow; others urged prompt adoption to send a quick, public message.

The council recorded the motion to approve Resolution 3‑20‑25 as moved by "council member Kalimba" and seconded by "council member Kaguata" in the meeting record; the resolution was amended and then approved unanimously, with the clerk announcing "Motion carries unanimously. 9 in favor. Resolution 3‑20‑25 is approved." The resolution is advisory and does not change statute or departmental policy by itself.

Supporters and several testifiers asked the county to back the resolution with concrete actions such as public disclosure of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with federal agencies, a 90‑day public accounting of agreements, and funding for immigration legal services. Chuck Flaherty of the Sierra Club and other witnesses also urged the council to detail alleged constitutional violations in accompanying language or future legislation.

Council members who spoke during debate emphasized both the political and practical steps that could follow. Vice Chair Onishi said adopting the resolution now would demonstrate the county's position and allow state lawmakers to see local concerns; Councilmember Kimball recommended coordinating with the state on transparency measures that would be legally enforceable.

The council passed the measure 9‑0, amended to include distribution to state and federal leaders and to the Hawaii County Police Commission. Because the resolution is nonbinding, testifiers and several council members said they plan to follow the vote with proposals for binding ordinances or requests to the state legislature.