Public asks whether anonymous recommendations and stakeholder representation could skew SPEED; lawmaker says process is transparent

During the public‑comment period, Chuck Flaherty asked how the SPEED task force would prevent special‑interest 'stacking' of anonymous recommendations, why Office of Hawaiian Affairs and native Hawaiian organizations were not task force members, and how the task force would preserve county home‑rule given Hawaii's island geography.

Representative Gregor Illigan replied that the task force operates under Sunshine Law and that most testimony includes names, but he said the dedicated recommendation form is intentionally anonymous to ensure "the recommendation of the idea and the merit really shows in SHINE" rather than the identity of the submitter. Illigan added the task force can consult additional agencies, councils and experts as recommendations are evaluated.

"If you want to, submit a bunch of recommendations that are same thing, it must be very important for you, and we will definitely look into why those recommendations are repeated and really investigate how important that recommendation is," Illigan said. He also said county‑specific differences will be considered and that the task force can learn from other states and adapt approaches to Hawaii's island circumstances.

The exchange left open questions about which specific stakeholders will be members of the task force going forward; commissioners did not add a formal referral or motion on representation at the meeting.