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HCDA delegates authority to executive director to track and testify on 2026 legislation
Summary
The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority voted to delegate to Executive Director Craig Nakamoto (and designees) authority to track, draft, submit and present testimony on legislative measures affecting the authority during the 2026 legislative session; the motion passed by roll call, 10 yes, 7 excused.
The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority voted on Jan. 7 to delegate to Executive Director Craig Nakamoto authority to track, draft, submit and present testimony on behalf of the authority for the 2026 state legislative session.
The board approved the delegation after a staff presentation and without extended discussion. Nakamoto said the legislative session begins Jan. 21 and that the bill filing deadline is Jan. 28; staff will report back to the board in February on bills affecting HCDA and recommended that the board formalize the prior practice of delegating testimony authority to the executive director.
Member Evans moved the motion and Member Forsyth seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded 10 members in the affirmative; several members were recorded as excused. The motion carried with 10 yes and 7 excused.
Board members who were recorded as voting in the affirmative during the roll call included Member Evans, Member Forsyth, Vice Chair Hsu, Secretary Lidstone, Member Miranda Johnson, Member Anderson, Member Strikes, Member Sarvis, Member Duvasha and Chair Sterling Higa. Members recorded as excused during the meeting included Member Chena, Member Sakoda, Member Gordner, Member Leong, Member Light, Member Kabibi and Member Yamasaki. The board did not record further amendments to the delegation at the meeting.
The delegation authorizes the executive director and the executive director's designees to act "in accordance with the positions and policy directives of the board," meaning staff are to follow board policy when filing testimony but can file, track, and present testimony on the board's behalf during the 2026 session. Nakamoto indicated the board would receive a summary of relevant bills and proposed testimony at the February meeting.
The vote concludes formal approval to continue the practice of having staff represent HCDA on pending legislation for the current session. The board adjourned at 12:05 p.m. and moved into a Kakaako meeting immediately afterward.
