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Committee advances $1.15 million federal grant to buy ADA paratransit vans for Hawaii County
Summary
The County Finance Committee forwarded a resolution and companion budget bill authorizing $1,145,239 in federal Section 5339 funds to replace aging paratransit vans and expand ADA service; the committee voted to send the measures to full council with a favorable recommendation.
The Hawaii County Committee on Finance voted on Oct. 1 to forward a resolution and companion operating-budge bill that would allow the county to accept $1,145,239 in federal Section 5339 funds to buy Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant paratransit vans.
Administrator Kendall told the committee the grant will address an “aged” fleet and support both replacement and a planned microtransit program. "We've almost doubled our ridership in paratransit," Kendall said, arguing the funding will help sustain current service and provide backups while newer vehicles enter service. He estimated roughly nine months from procurement to delivery.
Members pressed administration staff on where the local match would come from; Kendall said the source had not been finalized and that matching may be included in next fiscal year’s budget planning. Council members also asked whether the new vans would be zero‑emission; Kendall said county goals include reaching net‑zero emissions for its transit fleet by 2035 and the county is exploring battery and hydrogen options but that cost and manufacturing timelines made an immediate zero‑emission purchase less feasible for this procurement.
The committee recorded no public testimony on the measures. A motion to forward Resolution 636‑24 and Bill 210 (the operating-budget amendment to appropriate the Section 5339 funds) carried with a favorable recommendation to the full council.
