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Committee forwards five mayoral nominees to full council after unanimous votes
Summary
The committee advanced five mayoral nominees — to commissions covering open space, environmental management, planning and fire services — voting 8-0 in favor of forwarding each with a recommendation to the full Hawaii County Council; confirmations are due by Feb. 28, 2026.
The Hawaii County Council’s Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs voted unanimously Wednesday to close files on five mayoral nominations and forward each to the full council with a favorable recommendation.
Chair Jen Kogiwada opened the meeting in Hilo and the clerk read five communications from Mayor Kimo Alameda nominating candidates to boards and commissions whose confirmation deadlines fall on Feb. 28, 2026. The committee voted 8-0 on each item to send nominees to the full council.
The nominees and the posts they were nominated for were: - Jennifer L. Lawson, Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (term through 12/31/2030). Mr. Alameda said Lawson is executive director of the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative and has lived in Waimea for 16 years. Lawson said she was “really grateful for the nomination” and confirmed she could attend the Monday, in-person meetings.
- Luisa Sasa Anthony Lee, Environmental Management Commission (term through 12/31/2030). Alameda described Anthony Lee as a longtime Hawai‘i Island resident and educator; Anthony Lee said she was grateful for the opportunity and cited local wastewater and solid-waste concerns as areas she hopes to help address: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to learn more about what’s happening, maybe contribute to some innovative ideas.”
- Kanoe Suganuma Wilson, Windward Planning Commission (term through 12/31/2030). Alameda noted Wilson’s decades of service on county boards and her work with Kamehameha Schools; Wilson said she was “humbled to be before you today to be nominated” and pledged to represent Puna.
- Sean Kele Makayao, Leeward Planning Commission (term through 12/31/2030). Alameda highlighted Makayao’s Kona roots and experience; Makayao said she was honored by the nomination and wants planning decisions to balance culture and growth.
- Raulin Rabara, Fire Commission (term through 12/31/2030). Alameda described Rabara as a longtime law-enforcement professional and community member; Rabara said he was “very, very humbled by the opportunity.” Council members noted the fire commission’s upcoming role in selecting a new fire chief.
Throughout the morning, several council members pressed nominees about meeting attendance and the challenges of maintaining quorum for boards and commissions. Council members and Mr. Alameda said the administration is looking at options to reduce quorum problems for volunteer commissions, including expanding remote access; Alameda said staff are discussing how to provide Zoom or other remote options for some commissions.
Each nomination was moved, seconded on the record, and approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded eight ayes on each item with Council Member Connelly Kleinfelder absent. The committee concluded at 9:50 a.m. and the nominations now go to the full council for final confirmation before the Feb. 28 deadline.
The committee did not take other substantive actions at the meeting; the next committee meeting was set to begin at 10:30 a.m.
