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Council committee forwards four community nominations to full council
Summary
The committee forwarded four mayoral nominations — to the Environmental Management Commission and two Community Development Plan Action Committees — to the full council with favorable recommendations and recorded voice votes at the July 22 committee meeting.
The Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted to forward four mayoral nominations to the full Council with favorable recommendations.
Michael Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor, introduced the nominees. Justin Canelas was nominated to the Environmental Management Commission to represent Council District 6; if confirmed he would serve a term expiring December 2029. Canelas told the committee he operates an off‑grid farm in Nāālehu, works for Recycle Hawaii as operations director and wants to represent Kaʻū on environmental issues.
Gary C. Davis was nominated to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee for a term expiring January 2026. Alameda described Davis as a near‑50‑year resident of Kaʻū who recently retired from County Environmental Management’s solid waste division and volunteers with local food distribution and kupuna food programs. Davis told the committee he has been active in local CDP meetings and is pushing to keep the recently renovated Waiʻōhino transfer station open more days.
Ivana K. Wilcox and Bambi Lau were each nominated to the South Kohala CDP Action Committee. Wilcox, if confirmed to a term expiring January 2028, said she would push for progress on longstanding CDP priorities such as road improvements and water projects in Waimea. Lau, nominated to a term expiring January 2026, described herself as Waikoloa‑area human resources manager and community volunteer and said she would use her local networks to broaden CDP participation.
Committee votes: - Justin Canelas (Environmental Management Commission): motion to close file and forward nomination — recorded as 6 ayes, 0 no, 2 excused (vote taken by voice). - Gary C. Davis (Kaʻū CDP Action Committee): motion to close file and forward nomination — recorded as 7 ayes, 0 no, 2 excused. - Ivana K. Wilcox (South Kohala CDP Action Committee): motion to close file and forward nomination — recorded as 7 ayes, 0 no, 2 excused. - Bambi Lau (South Kohala CDP Action Committee): motion to close file and forward nomination — recorded as 7 ayes, 0 no, 2 excused.
Clerk notes show confirmations are required by Aug. 16, 2025. The committee repeatedly commended the nominees’ community volunteer histories and said the nominations will be considered by the full council at its next meeting.
