[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6510906,"mediaKeyId","5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be","parentId",5345985,"title","Committee to form ad hoc to recruit County auditor’s successor after auditor announces July 25 departure","audioSeconds",497,"startMs",4802000,"endMs",5299000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be&start=4802&end=5299","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be/thumbnail_4802000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510906/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Committee-to-form-ad-hoc-to-recruit-County-auditors-successor-after-auditor-announces-July-25-departure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510906-b139796a4906ab0375e73bede7e65c8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775160859&Signature=hIYjmTjyd1-eHEVmLltb6aGe3nHgwD9eb6YxV~Yndp5SRbNPjFldXipaqBq16caoGwX5zI07eO1I-snqLsz0eTjsq4v~9djTzxrjC309qQ8Y8TjIXN-TDzWIC3MwynIbgoqqyScF24V1M5XYDPw66N2RRjjhQRMmyolTcVsGeon~tzc7Oo02iTfvpZcJ1s0BxXyntN3EWsPRD5vR40oFK2wJNuC1wz2sFv1mLF7rN-gJI0ul6CcMc14CQNAlwF2DW16xrQY1hwuHbHrX~FKBp23hR2UOrkMZguNN6i6qQmyvamwXcJMdsDUx~dXq2mKKaCY0hWxUnzgsVq4q-yr64A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii County","date","2025-07-08T08:37:00Z","article","The committee agreed to a process to recruit a successor to County Auditor Robert Benner, who told the committee his last day will be July 25.

Why it matters: The County Auditor oversees government audits and accountability work that support transparency and oversight across county departments. Filling the post is a multi-year appointment (the auditor’s term is six years) and the committee intends a thorough, open process.

Committee action and process

Councilmember Goro Inaba asked the committee to form an ad hoc or permitted-interaction group to solicit, review and interview applicants, score candidates and forward finalists to the full council. Inaba said she will chair the ad hoc; Councilmember Kirkowitz indicated she wants to serve and Councilmember Eustace volunteered to participate. Auditor Benner appeared and offered brief remarks thanking council members and staff; he said the prior recruitment process had been thorough and open and expressed confidence the council would find a qualified successor.

The committee voted to postpone taking further action on communication 358 to the call of the chair so the ad hoc can be organized and the recruitment timeline established. The clerk recorded eight members in favor of postponement with one member excused.

Provenance: The request to form an ad hoc was introduced at s=8402.775–e=8432.375 and the committee action to postpone occurred at s=8719.511–e=8733.435.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hawaii County - Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers agreed to stand up an ad hoc committee to manage recruitment for a successor to County Auditor Robert Benner, who confirmed he will leave his post July 25.","taxTitle","Hawaii County, Hawaii","taxId",12825,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510911,"Committee approves MOU allowing UH–Hilo cohort program for Hawaii Police Department officers to earn bachelor's degrees",309,2161000,2470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be&start=2161&end=2470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be/thumbnail_2161000.jpg","/articles/6510911/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Committee-approves-MOU-allowing-UHHilo-cohort-program-for-Hawaii-Police-Department-officers-to-earn-bachelors-degrees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510911-1ee03ba38a88d570691b21dc34aeab6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775160859&Signature=JqoabxZUlGxAqQCIH34Xlh7HDND5jadfiiRyf3J~aJpkMk-58lQ-dTRuuyQdI6UZl8dV-zOAOrHcJKNEYDXhLfAZM5rKFNSZ2tq7JllBNE9s-R8iFO3ldwokp4mlGOKnGMff~Zb9fCw-YpAk2oL-0oJlGeDEGtqMpYZvdS5k7PSToMN0Kn029Y1ZA0PjYwRlzmxTy~DMqIOK15F~iZGEugbtOzFOA8Vltc1Tsu4VqlbRZd4L~UyxJGGOl60PZ9UTYG1CiqWbZh-mddCi8T7kmNGgd0ZMkkImsRzUkxzNA6slmbS6u4Jv1~9zk3k5KDkVnvjh0vqMNwI0VhKM83cMZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee unanimously voted to forward Resolution 233 to the full council with a favorable recommendation after a presentation from the Hawaii Police Department and administration.

What the resolution does: Resolution 233 authorizes the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the University of Hawaii at Hilo to support a continued partnership enabling Hawaii Police Department personnel to enroll in a Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice cohort program offered by UH–Hilo. The program is designed as asynchronous coursework to accommodate officers’ schedules.

Why it matters: The program aims to increase educational opportunities and leadership preparation for law-enforcement personnel. Committee members asked how tuition and payment would be handled; Major Jeremy Evangelista of HPD’s Administrative Services Division said students would be responsible for tuition but reminded the committee that county employees may be eligible for the county’s tuition-reimbursement program.

Presentation and committee discussion

Major Jeremy Evangelista (Hawaii Police Department) described the cohort as an asynchronous bachelor’s-degree pathway intended to help prepare officers for leadership and advancement. The managing director and corporation counsel were present; no substantive legal objections were raised. Councilmember Kaguata and others expressed support and asked whether the county or the department would cover tuition costs; the department said student payment is expected but the tuition-reimbursement policy could be used.

Vote

A motion to approve Resolution 233 and forward it to full council with a favorable recommendation passed unanimously in committee; the clerk recorded nine members in favor. The committee noted the benefit to officer education and leadership development.

Provenance: Resolution introduction and presentation began at s=2221.99–e=2258.655 and the committee vote occurred at s=2449.965–e=2465.95.","The committee voted unanimously to favorably recommend Resolution 233, which authorizes an intergovernmental agreement between Hawaii County and the University of Hawaii at Hilo to allow Hawaii Police Department personnel to enroll in a BA in Administration of Justice cohort.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510921,"Hawaii County committee splits over whether public works director must be an engineer; two charter amendments debated",1642,2469000,4111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be&start=2469&end=4111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be/thumbnail_2469000.jpg","/articles/6510921/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Hawaii-County-committee-splits-over-whether-public-works-director-must-be-an-engineer-two-charter-amendments-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510921-ebda6be5f22b43d616044f9ce0d5accd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775160859&Signature=czm3y-T8Sq4nHizRzIg6B40vTBQe6gUysF9r2VC5scchNpyAlreGiQmn8uv0zQwzneu8A1i0Faw8eSaqDhjjAZqAC~cN7A6wY3LWvUkfCDBUXQ54kFjNQ1Z6FFS9o1ob3biSUiw2E32VAXGP1Lo0pAnJleWsnT0JtOEqOlDcvQyR4r0yBMthSIHEnxekLbpTBETFfMjr83QuJeTWHwAQiA0ozj007o1pSj2XqwaAg3uTaQBsnFaLP33oYLGY6UqICcdz5JOvHbSGF5eJtoc2ztXf79KHQwmZJMlSPrQY-DlttR11zkLaTZyH-W3n8lFHCwg6q6Ez0wqfvXTxmqfgNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A contentious discussion over who should lead Hawaii County's Department of Public Works — and how the county should choose that person — dominated the July 8 Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs meeting.

Bill 64, introduced by Councilmember Ben Inaba, would amend the County Charter to allow a candidate for director of Public Works to qualify with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, public administration, a law degree, or a professional engineering (PE) license and require five years of managerial experience including at least two years in public works or construction. Bill 65, introduced by Councilmember Heather Kimball, would create a county Public Works Commission with authority to hire and fire the director and provide oversight of the department. Both proposals were discussed together and drew sustained debate about public-safety risk, managerial skill sets, recruitment, and county hiring practice.

Why it matters: The director position oversees engineering, building permits and major infrastructure projects that affect public safety. Committee members and witnesses disagreed whether the county should insist on a PE license for the director, or instead broaden candidate qualifications to expand the applicant pool and prioritize managerial skills.

Committee discussion and testimony

Three public testifiers addressed the bills before the committee hearing. John Olsen (public comment) voiced support for a separate nomination earlier in the agenda. Hugh Ono, who testified in person, said he supported both bills generally and asked the committee to consider alternatives to the strict PE requirement because of recruitment difficulty. Curtis Beck, a licensed professional engineer representing the Big Island Engineers Association, testified in opposition to Bill 64 as drafted and in support of Bill 65, telling the committee a licensed engineer serving as director “makes for the best possible safeguarding of the public interest and safety.”

Council members split on the policy tradeoffs. Councilmember Kimball, sponsor of Bill 65, described her draft as “boilerplate” to form a commission similar to the police commission and said a commission could make the director a merit hire rather than a political appointment. Kimball also offered two amendments intended to clarify Bill 64’s educational categories and to require any technical engineering decisions be delegated to a licensed PE if the director lacked that credential.

Supporters of retaining a PE requirement said engineers provide needed technical oversight for bridges, culverts and other infrastructure. Councilmember Galimba and others highlighted continuity and technical safeguards as a reason to keep engineering expertise central. Opponents emphasized recruitment challenges, managerial responsibilities for a department with multiple divisions and roughly hundreds of employees, and examples where strong management (not necessarily engineering credentials) was successful.

Administration perspective and recruitment

William Brillante, the County Managing Director, and Deputy Managing Director Merrick Nishimoto briefed the committee on recruitment. Brillante said the county has had difficulty attracting licensed engineers for the director job because private-sector pay and job security are generally higher. He said the county needs a strong manager able to work with staff, the public and contractors, and that prior recruitment outreach had yielded few viable applicants.

Corporation Counsel Renee Sean and the county HR director, Summer Tokihiro, told the committee there is no formal internal appeal mechanism for staff who disagree with a director’s technical decision; employment-related protections or collective-bargaining dispute processes would apply, and building-code appeals from the public go to the Board of Appeals. That exchange framed Councilmember Kimball’s amendment to require delegation of engineering-specific decisions to a licensed PE when the director was not a PE.

Votes at a glance

- Bill 65 (create Public Works Commission): Motion to approve and forward to full council was made, then a motion to postpone the bill to the call of the chair passed (9 in favor) and the bill was postponed for further work. Outcome: postponed to call of the chair.

- Bill 64 (director qualifications): The committee considered two amendments (communication 334.1 clarifying allowed degrees; communication 334.2 requiring delegation of engineering decisions to a licensed PE). The first amendment (334.1) failed on an initial roll call (5–4 in favor but later reconsideration produced a 4–4 tie with one absence and ultimately the motion failed) and then failed again on reconsideration; the second amendment (334.2) failed (3 in favor, 6 against). A motion by the bill sponsor to recommend passage on first reading did not receive a majority; that motion failed and, per the clerk’s announcement, the item will move to the full council with an unfavorable recommendation.

Dissenting and cautionary voices

Councilmember Onishi and others argued a director without technical expertise could be hamstrung overseeing division chiefs who are licensed engineers. Councilmember Kirkowitz warned against delegating final authority away from the director. Councilmember Villegas and others said management, personnel and community-skills are also essential and that strict PE-only requirements have limited the county’s applicant pool in prior recruitments.

What’s next

Committee members proposed further work: an ad hoc or intercommittee process to jointly examine the department’s structure, potential separation of divisions, and whether an appointed commission, a revamped qualification standard, or organizational changes would best balance technical oversight, recruitment, and managerial capacity. Bill 65 was postponed to the call of the chair; Bill 64 will go to full council with an unfavorable recommendation from this committee.

Provenance (transcript excerpts): first related remarks introduced at s=2469.7048–e=2497.105 (bill 65 introduction and initial motion) and discussion continues through s=8196.745–e=8237.346 (final vote outcomes).","A contentious discussion over who should lead Hawaii County's Department of Public Works — and how the county should choose that person — dominated the July 8 Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510916,"Committee confirms several local nominees and forwards them to full council with recommendations",4150,352000,4502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be&start=352&end=4502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345985-c61b5f0b5fe36aba382dbcf9121306be/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/6510916/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Committee-confirms-several-local-nominees-and-forwards-them-to-full-council-with-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510916-420b50db99b4e3c709915f456c9fb60b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775160859&Signature=QKgwAAqW6n3H9IQneqJu5diXmFWTa4xLUhGhKVRMMaciybiY98iD8gyKexTQE0veqGf1kI3JzAuZortOUSsmHUjjhPpYmSp035tvLO8fNQrhDm~0FIxNzD5ycpPJuZf6S7RLEUwKrarrVNBPjDKR1qT2DKG7r7mpwd6wQ5PPK2EwNdm23JJprI1QiMIy3xCDNllDxQ9uks7puW07M4xdgkP8i3D0t6I4hrna7FTBBgs6zgvFyCGqpW4mT9WhyUwefhfLMDx2EFAn1AHCFBysi8jQZgiyDPHRET0toRITDxwjUYWnskTbaCHxd42LPWvh5Cfat75LGbdk6xagGLmNIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs on July 8 closed files and forwarded nominations for four local appointments to the full County Council, each by voice or roll-call vote.

Why it matters: These appointments fill local advisory and regulatory posts — the youth commission, veterans advisory committee, liquor commission and police commission — which advise county government and oversee matters ranging from youth participation to liquor licensing and police oversight.

Nominations and committee action

- Ryder Beechler (Youth Commission): Nomination (communication 356) from Councilmember James E. Eustace was moved, introduced by the administration, and discussed briefly. Beechler, a Parker School student participating in the press club, spoke briefly by remote connection. The committee voted to close file and forward the nomination; the clerk recorded 7 ayes with Councilmembers Connelly Kleinfelder and Kirkowitz absent.

- Wayne T. Nishijima (Veterans Advisory Committee): The managing director presented the nomination (communication 363). Nishijima, who joined remotely and described long-term local residency and service with the Big Island National Guard Retirees Association, answered a question about current active projects (he said he is retired from the University of Hawaii and not currently leading field projects). The committee voted 8–0 (one absence) to close file and forward a favorable recommendation.

- Alan Okamoto (Liquor Commission): The administration introduced Alan Okamoto (communication 364) and noted the appointment is for a five-month term that expires in December 2025; Okamoto spoke about his lifelong Kona roots and small-business background. The committee voted to close file and forward the favorable nomination to the full council (clerk recorded 8 ayes, one absence).

- Bernadette Irvin Smith (Police Commission): The managing director introduced Bernadette Irvin Smith (communication 365). Smith said she had not formed an opinion about ongoing matters involving the current police chief and planned to attend the next police commission meeting for more information; she emphasized concerns about recruitment and staffing and said she could contribute ideas for hiring and retention. Members questioned her about programs such as the Hawaii Police Activities League and immigration enforcement; Smith said HPD involvement with ICE enforcement is not something she supports in its current practice. The committee voted 8–0 (one absence) to close file and forward a favorable recommendation to the full council.

Quotes

\"He's already been sworn in,\" Chair Jen Kaguata said of Beechler’s Youth Commission appointment, noting Beechler’s expected participation at the next meeting.

\"I am anxious to be a representative for the retired National Guard members,\" Wayne T. Nishijima said when introducing himself remotely.

\"I feel the biggest contribution I could give towards the police commission is an insight on the hiring process and retaining employees,\" Bernadette Irvin Smith told the committee.

Provenance: nomination introductions began at s=352.055–e=369.48 (communication 356) and the last confirmed nomination action occurred at s=2193.86–e=2202.935 (communication 365 vote).","The committee closed files and forwarded favorable nominations for several local advisory and regulatory bodies: Ryder Beechler to the Youth Commission, Wayne T. Nishijima to the Veterans Advisory Committee, Alan Okamoto to the Liquor Commission and Bernadette Irvin Smith to the Police Commission. All were advanced by committee votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee to form ad hoc to recruit County auditor’s successor after auditor announces July 25 departure

Committee approves MOU allowing UH–Hilo cohort program for Hawaii Police Department officers to earn bachelor's degrees

Hawaii County committee splits over whether public works director must be an engineer; two charter amendments debated

Committee confirms several local nominees and forwards them to full council with recommendations