Hawaii County Council approves series of nominations, community grants and budget items

The Hawaii County Council voted on a range of nominations, resolutions and budget measures at its March 7, 2025 meeting, approving a package of confirmations and community funding and advancing several bills to later steps in the legislative process.

The council confirmed multiple mayoral nominations and approved several small grants for community events and programs, moved forward with budget adjustments tied to affordable housing and approved both first- and second-reading measures. A few items drew extended discussion and were either postponed or failed on a roll call vote.

Among the confirmed appointments were Philip Ipiayona to the Board of Water Supply, Brian Cushni to the Fire Commission, Daniel Thomas to the Merit Appeals Board and Bruce Heidenfeld to the Banyan Drive Redevelopment Agency. The council also approved a lease negotiation resolution that would allow Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Incorporated to develop a veterans center and housing at a Waikia, South Hilo site (Resolution 75-25).

The council approved several small community grant transfers: $5,000 to the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum for the Papaholua project (Resolution 84-25); $2,500 to the Lions Club of Kona for the Kona Waena High School Leo Club (Resolution 85-25); $5,000 to Bird n B Hawaii Animal Sanctuary for World Bee Day (Resolution 86-25); $10,500 to support a cultural entrepreneur hub in Pahoa (Resolution 87-25); $9,000 to the Alliance Club of Kona for the Kupuna Hula Festival (Resolution 89-25); $5,000 for an Easter Fun Day in the Kaʻū district (Resolution 90-25); and $5,000 for a Prince Kūhiō celebration (Resolution 91-25). The council approved a multi-year lease for a multifunction copier for the Department of Information Technology (Resolution 93-25).

On budget and housing measures, the council approved Resolution 94-25, which advances $451,221 from county housing accounts to repay federal HOME funds that could not be used because…