Committee forwards five nominations to full council, including Game Management and CDP action committees

The Hawaii County Council Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted to forward five mayoral nominations to the full council with favorable recommendations on June 17, 2025.

The nominees and committee actions

- Abel Peter Kikahamanu Aquino III (nomination: Communication 3‑48) was nominated to the Game Management Advisory Commission. The nomination was introduced by Micah Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor; Mr. Aquino spoke about cultural stewardship, reef restoration and community programs. The committee voted to forward his nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation; the clerk recorded nine ayes.

- Taylor Spurgeon (nomination: Communication 3‑49) was nominated to the Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee. Alameda described Mr. Spurgeon as an active Ka'u volunteer and a former public‑works supervisor in San Diego; the committee forwarded the nomination with a favorable recommendation (clerk recorded nine ayes).

- Gilbert J. Aguinaldo (nomination: Communication 3‑50) was nominated to the Merit Appeals Board. Alameda noted Aguinaldo's business ownership and community service; Aguinaldo described local disaster‑response work and his background in construction and management. The committee forwarded his nomination with a favorable recommendation (clerk recorded nine ayes).

- Raymond J. Kirchner (nomination: Communication 3‑51) was nominated to the Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee. Alameda introduced Mr. Kirchner as an appraiser and 35‑year resident; committee members expressed support and the committee forwarded the nomination to full council (clerk recorded eight ayes; the transcript records Councilmember Inaba as excused for that vote).

- Stephanie Bath (nomination: Communication 3‑52) was nominated to the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee. Alameda and other councilmembers reviewed her past Puna service and planning work; the committee forwarded her nomination with a favorable recommendation (clerk recorded nine ayes).

Committee discussion and clarifications

Committee members asked nominees about their experience, possible conflicts and priorities if confirmed. For the Game Management nominee, members discussed the relationship between the county commission and state Department of Land and Natural Resources and asked how the nominee would support subsistence hunting, reef restoration and better meeting times for hunters. On the Merit Appeals Board nomination, members asked about Aguinaldo's district residency and disclosed a distant family relationship between a committee member and the nominee (Councilmember Kerkowitz disclosed a distant familial relation and said she cleared participation with counsel). Nominees outlined their relevant experience; staff confirmed that Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Juan is assigned to the Game Management Advisory Commission.

Votes at a glance

- Abel Peter Kikahamanu Aquino III — GMAC (Communication 3‑48): forwarded to full council with favorable recommendation; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes, 0 abstentions. - Taylor Spurgeon — Ka'u CDP Action Committee (Communication 3‑49): forwarded with favorable recommendation; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes, 0 abstentions. - Gilbert J. Aguinaldo — Merit Appeals Board (Communication 3‑50): forwarded with favorable recommendation; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes, 0 abstentions. - Raymond J. Kirchner — Kona CDP Action Committee (Communication 3‑51): forwarded with favorable recommendation; recorded vote: 8 ayes, 0 noes, 0 abstentions, 1 excused. - Stephanie Bath — Puna CDP Action Committee (Communication 3‑52): forwarded with favorable recommendation; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes, 0 abstentions.

Why it matters

These confirmations fill advisory and quasi‑judicial roles that advise county decision‑makers on game management, community development plans and personnel appeals. Several nominees highlighted community service, local knowledge and technical or managerial experience relevant to their prospective committees. The nominations will be considered by the full County Council at a later date.