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Committee forwards $1M grant for rural emergency medical communications and preparedness
Summary
The Finance Committee forwarded Resolution 60-25 and companion Bill 20, accepting and appropriating a $1,000,000 federal grant for a rural emergency medical communications demonstration project to improve lifeline capabilities, community emergency communications, AEDs and training across Hawaii County.
The Finance Committee voted to forward Resolution 60-25, authorizing the mayor to accept $1,000,000 in federal funds for a rural emergency medical communications demonstration project, and companion Bill 20 to appropriate the funding. The clerk announced 7 ayes on the motion to forward the resolution; two councilmembers were absent for the recorded vote.
Thomas (Talmage) Magno, Civil Defense Administrator, said the grant arrived via the State Department of Health as a homeland security grant and that it supports nine objectives focused on communications and medical readiness in rural communities, including procurement of equipment, training and certification, and community emergency management activities. “It looks to basically the resilience of our rural communities in both communication and health,” Magno said.
Magno listed program elements that may include AED purchases and training, NARCAN kits and training, certification for instructors, communications equipment (including Starlink and amateur radio infrastructure), and community emergency management planning. The grant term referenced in committee discussion ends Sept. 29, 2026; Magno said the county remains in planning stages and will work with the Department of Homeland Security and community partners to finalize dates and operational details.
Councilmembers asked about the operational costs of maintaining equipment, such as service fees for communications hardware and AED maintenance. Magno said operational costs and ongoing budgeting would need to be addressed as the program develops and that property rules for federally funded items will be followed so community equipment remains serviceable and available.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 60-25 and companion Bill 20 — forwarded to council with a favorable recommendation; clerk recorded 7 ayes on Resolution 60-25 (Councilmembers Villegas and Connolly Lee Klinefelter absent for that vote).
