Committee forwards Nathan Gaddis to Banyan Drive redevelopment board

The Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted Sept. 4 to forward Nathan Gaddis’ nomination to the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency to the full Hawaii County Council with a favorable recommendation.

Pomai Bartolome, executive assistant to Mayor Roth, introduced Gaddis and said the administration seeks his confirmation for a term ending May 31, 2028. Gaddis told the committee he previously served on the redevelopment agency and helped shepherd proposals with the state legislature before the pandemic halted work. "Safety should be the first bedrock start — absolute noncompromised starting point," he said, citing preservation of shoreline access and concern for public safety as chief priorities.

Council members asked about community engagement and the authority needed to implement change. Gaddis said effective progress requires both local authority and technical expertise, pointing to the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) as an example of an entity with capacity to help. "If you have a mandate with no expertise, you're just making a mess," he said. He added that advancing change will require buy-in from the mayoral administration, the council and the state legislature.

Council member Kirkowitz and others praised Gaddis’ background and community work; one council member asked whether Gaddis, who works as a realtor, owned or managed properties on the Banyan Drive peninsula. Gaddis said he does not own property on the peninsula. Several members expressed support for his nomination, and the committee approved forwarding the nomination, the clerk reported 8 ayes with one member excused.

The nomination will next go to the full council for confirmation.