Hawaii County committee hears support for disaster‑recovery ordinance, postpones vote to June 2

Chair Professor Onishi convened the Hawaii County Policy Committee on Health, Safety and Well‑Being on May 19, 2026, to consider Bill 157, an ordinance that would create a county disaster recovery program and authorize a mayor‑appointed recovery officer to coordinate interim and long‑term recovery efforts.

Public testifiers emphasized the long road to recovery after the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and urged the council to move quickly. Amadeo Markoff, executive director of the Pahoa Lavazon Museum, said the eruption showed that recovery “is not a temporary process. It's a generational process,” and argued the recovery officer should have stronger administrative authority and “expedited operational powers” during declared recovery periods. He added, “Recovery delayed is recovery denied.”

Susie Osborne, who said she lost her home in the eruption and helped lead local recovery work, told the committee Bill 157 “would help ensure that the county…has an immediate and structured framework to guide future disaster recovery efforts, preserve institutional knowledge, and support timely coordinated action during times of crisis.” Eileen O’Hara, a resident testifying in support, urged clearer financial reporting and an audit of recovery fund expenditures, saying delays and lack of transparency had cost the county money.

Sponsor Council member Ashley Kirkowitz described the ordinance as a framework built from lessons learned during the Kīlauea response and the pandemic. The draft places the office within Civil Defense and authorizes activation after a federal declaration, a state proclamation, or at the mayor’s determination. The bill requires an interim recovery strategy within six months and a recovery and resilience plan within 12 months to be adopted by council resolution.

Kirkowitz said the recovery officer is written as a cabinet‑level, mayor‑appointed position with defined qualifications and responsibilities to lead planning, interagency coordination, community engagement and funding management. She acknowledged some stakeholders—particularly Civil Defense leadership—advocated making the position permanent and civil‑service, but she and others favored an approach that allows the mayor to appoint an exempt officer who can be rapidly stood up when needed.

Thomas Magno, Hawaii County civil defense administrator, told the committee that after‑action reports are produced “as soon as possible” after an event but that hard deadlines are difficult because the scope and duration of disasters vary. Magno said early damage assessments and continuity of knowledge are critical, and he noted some recovery functions begin while response operations are still underway.

Council members pressed for clearer language on removal authority, oversight of departmental staff and resource commitments, and timing for after‑action reports. Several members suggested friendly amendments to specify that the officer is exempt from civil service in the draft text, add clearer oversight or audit language for expenditures, and place a firmer deadline or progress reporting requirement for after‑action reviews.

Kirkowitz moved to postpone consideration of Bill 157 to the committee’s June 2 meeting to incorporate friendly amendments addressing definitions, oversight and reporting timeframes. The motion was seconded by Council member Cherry Nava. The chair called for the vote; those present said “aye” and the motion carried. No final policy decision or ordinance adoption occurred; the committee will revisit the measure on June 2.

The meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.; a separate public hearing on proposed tax rates for fiscal year 2026–27 was announced for 5:30 p.m. in deliberation chambers.