Hawaii County committee postpones formal action on ad hoc grants review, names three volunteers

Hilo — The Committee of Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions for Hawaii County postponed formal action on Communication 359 and identified three volunteer members to form an ad hoc group to review the county's 2025–26 grant application process, Chair Councilmember Heather L. Kimball said at the committee's July 9 meeting in the Hilo Chambers.

Kimball, the author of Communication 359 (dated June 19, 2025), told the committee the ad hoc "would evaluate and review the 2025, 2026 application process, discuss and provide recommendations for improvements to the 2025, 2026 application process, and make recommendations on the 6 month progress report and review process." She said she would continue to chair the ad hoc and asked for three volunteers.

During the meeting Councilmember Inaba moved to close the file on Communication 359; the motion was seconded as recorded. After discussion and volunteer sign-ups, the committee instead moved to postpone consideration. A motion to postpone Communication 359 "to the call of the chair" was seconded and carried. The clerk, Mr. Cook, announced seven ayes; Councilmembers Onishi and Kanyeli Glanfelder were excused from the meeting.

Committee members who volunteered to serve on the ad hoc, as recorded at the meeting, were Councilmember Kaguata, Councilmember Inaba and Councilmember Galimba. Kimball said the ad hoc's work should include evaluating the application process for the 2025–26 cycle and recommending improvements as well as reviewing the six-month progress report procedure.

The meeting record shows the committee opened at 9:00 a.m. in the Hilo Chambers and adjourned at 9:03 a.m.

No formal vote to close the file was recorded before the committee adopted the postponement; the postponement places formal action on Communication 359 under the chair's future call rather than disposing of the file at the July 9 meeting.