Committee forwards mutual‑aid pact with Army, urges state on universal free school meals, and approves extra litigation funding

The Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs forwarded three substantive items to the full County Council on Jan. 7.

Mutual‑aid with U.S. Army, Waikoloa Training Area Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe described a formalized mutual‑aid agreement with the U.S. Army Garrison at the Waikoloa Training Area (PTA). The agreement updates and extends an existing operational arrangement so PTA resources — including fire and emergency personnel and training facilities — can support county 911 responses and long‑duration incidents by mutual request. Volpe and Army Fire Chief Mike Deel said the agreement also expands training opportunities: PTA maintains an established live‑fire training area that county firefighters have used for recruit and refresher training.

According to the draft agreement described on the record, the PTA may respond within a defined area (Saddle Road corridor and adjacent zones); Hawaii County Fire Department remains the primary 911 responder in county jurisdictions. The committee voted to forward the resolution authorizing the mayor to enter the agreement to full council with a favorable recommendation.

Resolution urging universal free school meals Council Member Kristen Kerkowitz introduced Resolution 42‑25, asking the State Legislature to establish a universal free school meals program that promotes nutritional equity, supports local agriculture and enhances student success. Testimony included Patty Hazeeta Baracus of the Hawaii Public Health Institute, who said universal meals remove stigma and help working families who do not qualify for current free‑meal programs but still struggle to feed children.

Kerkowitz cited an estimate used during the meeting that a universal program might cost roughly $26 million per year — a small share of the state Department of Education budget — and noted local pilots that used largely Hawaii‑sourced foods with positive student response. The committee forwarded the resolution to full council with a favorable recommendation.

Special counsel funding — Hui Malama Honokohau v. County of Hawaii Deputy Corporation Counsel Larissa Harrell briefed the committee on litigation with Hui Malama Honokohau over the Kealakehe wastewater treatment plant. The county previously authorized $200,000 for outside special counsel. The department requested an additional $300,000 (for a total not to exceed $500,000) to continue the contract with a private law firm that has particular experience in this area and to support settlement negotiations during the remedies phase of the case. Harrell said significant progress has been made and settlement talks over remedies and penalties are ongoing; she requested the additional funds to allow those discussions and the county’s defense posture to continue efficiently. The committee voted to forward the funding request to council with a favorable recommendation.

What happens next Each of these items will be considered by the full County Council at its next meeting. The committee’s favorable recommendations send the measures to council for final action. No final settlement or funding decisions were made on the Kealakehe litigation at the committee level; Harrell indicated the matter remains active and may be discussed further in executive session at council if needed.