Committee advances five mayoral nominations and approves $25,000 grant for GoFarm Hawaii

KONA — The Hawaii County Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs advanced five mayoral nominations to the full council and approved a $25,000 agreement with the University of Hawaiʻi on April 15 during a meeting at the West Hawaii Civic Center.

The committee voted to forward mayoral nominees for seats on the Leeward Planning Commission, the Board of Ethics, the Cultural Resources Commission, the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC), and the Real Property Tax Board of Review. Members also voted to authorize county funds to supplement GoFarm Hawaii, a University of Hawaiʻi program that trains beginning farmers.

The mayor’s nominees drew questions about local experience and priorities for each commission. Micah Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor, introduced the slate and provided biographical details for each nominee. Council members asked nominees about how they would balance competing interests — from community access and cultural protections to housing and land-use planning — before voting to forward the nominations to the full council with favorable recommendations.

Alexandria "Lexi" Ayers was nominated to the Leeward Planning Commission to represent South Kona, replacing Barbara DeFranco, for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029. Ayers, who told the committee she grew up in South Kona and plans to remain there, said the decisions made by planning bodies “may not affect us right now, but it is going to affect my children, your children, our grandchildren.” Council Member Inaba moved to close the file and forward the nomination with a favorable recommendation; Council Member Eustace seconded. The committee recorded nine votes in favor.

David F. Bruno was nominated to the Hawaii County Board of Ethics to replace Denise Nakanishi for a term expiring Dec. 31,…