Hawaii County Council approves MOU with FBI for financial-crimes task force after executive session

The Hawaii County Council voted Aug. 20 to authorize the mayor to enter an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Honolulu Division to participate in the Hawaii Financial Crimes Task Force.

The MOU — introduced as Resolution 250-25 by Councilmember Kaguata — raised questions about confidential deputations in the council packet. Councilmember Villegas requested time to review the confidential MOU with counsel, and the council initially voted to table discussion. The resolution was later brought back to the floor.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Cody Frens advised the council that Hawaii Revised Statutes §46-7 requires county departments or agencies to secure council authority before executing intergovernmental agreements with state or federal entities. The council entered executive session to discuss legal parameters and returned to open session; DCC Frens told members that the executive-session discussion covered confidentiality parameters and the procedure for future MOUs.

On a roll-call vote following the executive session, the council approved Resolution 250-25 authorizing the mayor to execute the MOU, with the vote recorded as eight in favor and one opposed (Councilmember Villegas). The resolution was introduced at the meeting by request and was accompanied by staff counsel and deputy corporation counsel in chambers to brief the council.

What happens next: The county attorney’s office and the Hawaii Police Department will proceed with an updated MOU executed under the council’s authority; council members asked staff to ensure future MOUs presented to the council include required confidentiality labeling and updated dates as needed.

The council’s action reiterates the statutory requirement that county legislative bodies authorize intergovernmental agreements before departments finalize them.