
11/3/22 County Charter Amendments
Season 2022 Episode 41 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
County charter amendments.
If you haven’t filled out your general election ballot, there’s still time to cast your vote. Residents will also be deciding on proposed charter amendments in all four counties. EPISODE 2318
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi is a local public television program presented by PBS Hawai'i

11/3/22 County Charter Amendments
Season 2022 Episode 41 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
If you haven’t filled out your general election ballot, there’s still time to cast your vote. Residents will also be deciding on proposed charter amendments in all four counties. EPISODE 2318
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi
Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipIF YOU HAVEN’T FILLED OUT YOUR GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, THERE’S STILL TIME TO CAST YOUR VOTE.
BESIDES CANDIDATES, RESIDENTS WILL ALSO BE DECIDING ON PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
THE ISSUES VARY BETWEEN THE COUNTIES AND RANGE FROM HOW GOVERNMENT MONIES SHOULD BE SPENT TO SALARIES AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
OUR PANEL WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AMENDMENTS TO HELP YOU BE INFORMED.
TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.
¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI I'M OLENA HEU.
IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTION, VOTERS HAVE THE CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON SEVERAL PROPOSED CHANGES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTY CHARTERS.
THERE ARE 26 TOTAL CHARTER AMENDMENTS; THREE FOR HAWAII COUNTY, FOUR EACH FOR HONOLULU AND KAUAI COUNTIES AND 15 FOR RESIDENTS IN MAUI COUNTY.
OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL ATTEMPT TO BREAKDOWN AS MANY AMENDMENTS AS WE CAN GET TO.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.
YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.
AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.
NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.
SABRINA BODON IS A GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER WITH HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO.
BEFORE HER MOVE TO OAHU, SHE WORKED AS A GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTER AND WAS ALSO THE EDITOR AT THE GARDEN ISLAND NEWSPAPER ON KAUAI.
BRITTANY LYTE IS A GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER FOR HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.
SHE SPECIALIZES IN WATCHDOG REPORTING, NARRATIVE STORYTELLING AND COVERAGE OF NEIGHBOR ISLAND AND SOCIAL ISSUES.
SHE LIVES ON THE NORTH SHORE OF KAUAI.
AND ASHLEY MIZUO IS A REPORTER FOR THE HONOLULU STAR ADVERTISER.
HER MAIN FOCUS IS HONOLULU CITY HALL, REPORTING ON THE MAYOR’S ADMINISTRATION AND THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU LADIES FOR JOINING US.
VERY EMPOWERING TO HAVE ALL OF THESE JOURNALISTS TONIGHT.
WONDERING WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, HERE'S MY BALLOT.
FLIP IT OVER, YOU WILL SEE THE LIST OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR COUNTY.
OFTENTIMES, PEOPLE TELL ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS AND DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT TO VOTE YES OR NO.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN CLARIFY SOME OF THOSE THINGS FOUR.
FIRST QUESTION WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT WITH WHAT IS A CHARTER AMENDMENT AND HOW DOES IT GET ON THE BALLOT.
ASHLEY?
>> SO THE CHARTER FOR EACH COUNTY IS KIND OF THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH ITS GOVERNMENT IS BUILT.
BECAUSE OF THAT, IT'S THE WAY THAT THE CHARTER IS AMENDED IS NOT IN THE SAME WAY THAT THEY MAKE NORMAL LAWS OR PASS RESOLUTIONS.
EACH COUNTY KIND OF HAS ITS DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING IT.
BUT BECAUSE THE CHARTER IS SUCH A FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT TO THE COUNTY, VOTERS WILL HAVE TO VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT SUCH AMENDMENTS WILL BE HAPPENING AND THAT'S THE QUESTIONS YOU'RE BEING ASKED ON YOUR BALLOT.
>>Olena: SOME MIGHT QUESTION THAT THE QUESTIONS ARE VERY CONFUSING, THE WAY THEY'RE WORDED.
WHO ACTUALLY WRITES THEM?
>> WELL, THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS THAT A CHARTER AMENDMENT CAN GET ON THE BALLOT.
TYPICALLY, A COUNTY HAS A CHARTER COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSION WILL GET TOGETHER IN SOME COUNTIES, THEY MEET ALL YEAR‑ROUND AND OTHER COUNTY, SUCH AS MAUI, THEY GET TOGETHER ONCE A DECADE, THIS YEAR.
MAUI HAS SO MANY PROPOSALS BECAUSE OF CULMINATION OF THAT ONCE A DECADE PROCESS TO REFINE THE GOVERNING DOCUMENT OF THE COUNTY.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TOO.
COUNTY COUNCIL CAN GET PROPOSALS ON THE CHARTER.
AND THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING CALLED A CITIZEN PETITION WHERE CITIZENS CAN ACTUALLY PETITION SIGNATURES AND GET A PROPOSAL ON THE BALLOT.
THREE DIFFERENT AVENUES OF GETTING A CHARTER AMENDMENT IN FRONT OF VOTERS.
AND YEAH, IF YOU'RE READING THEM, SOMETIMES IT'S REALLY HARD TO UNDERSTAND, WHAT IS THIS EVEN TRYING TO DO?
WHAT PROBLEM IS THIS SEEKING TO SOLVE?
WHY, WHAT WILL THE AFFECT OF THIS WILL BE?
HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME AS A TAXPAYOR?
IS IT WORTH IT FOR ME IN MY OPINION.
A LOT TO UNPACK.
I THINK THAT'S A REALLY WORTH VOTERS' TIME, YOU'RE NOT JUST ELECTING A CANDIDATE TO A TERM, YOU ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING A POLICY IN ENSHRINING IT IN THE CHARTER.
GOING TO BE IN YOUR COUNTY'S CONSTITUTION BASICALLY.
POSSIBLY FOREVER.
I MEAN, CERTAINLY PARTS OF THE CHARTER CAN BE REVOKED BUT WHEN YOU PUT SOMETHING IN THE CHARTER, IT REALLY ENSHRINING IT INTO LAW.
IT'S A BIG DEAL.
>>Olena: SPEAKING OF MAUI, ACTUALLY GOING TO START WITH MAUI COUNTY.
AND SO THE FIRST CHARTER WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS CALLED COMMISSION PROPOSAL NUMBER 1.
WHICH IS RELATING TO DIVIDING HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IT'S TO CREATE SEPARATE HOUSING DEPARTMENT DEDICATED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
INCLUDING ADVISORY BOARD AND HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS LIAISON.
SHALL CHARTER BE AMEND EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024, TO ONE, DIVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HUMAN CONCERNS INTO TWO DEPARTMENTS.
CREATE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD TO ADVISE DIRECTOR OF HOUSE AND 3, REQUIRE A LIAISON WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOMELANDS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.
AND SO IF YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE GLAZING OVER, YOU CAN READ THE GRAPHIC ON THE SCREEN WHEN I READ WHAT IT IS.
WE'RE GOING TO SABRINA START US OFF TALKING ABOUT THAT ONE.
>> >> OF COURSE.
CURRENTLY MAUI COUNTY HAS ONE SINGULAR DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HUMAN CONCERNS.
THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT WHERE WOULD SPLIT IT INTO TWO.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN CONCERNS.
AND KIND OF WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM COMMISSIONERS ON THEIR CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION WAS THAT THERE'S A FEELING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HUMAN CONCERN LEANS TOO MUCH EITHER ON HOUSING OR LEANS TOO MUCH ON HUMAN CONCERNS.
SPLITTING IT INTO TWO WILL CREATE SORT OF ATTENTION AND FOCUS ON BOTH OF THE SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS.
AND IT WILL BE ABLE TO CREATE MORE RESOURCES FOR BOTH OF THESE TWO VERY IMPORTANT REASONS OR VERY IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE COUNTY.
SO THE AUDITOR EVEN CAME OUT WITH A PROPOSAL LIST OF HOW MUCH IT WILL COST.
COST ABOUT $2 MILLION TO SPLIT THESE AND SOME PEOPLE WILL MOVE INTO THESE SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS.
>>Olena: HAS THERE BEEN VERY MUCH COVERAGE OR OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS IN MAUI COUNTY TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THIS?
>> I THINK SO.
I THINK THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN SORT OF, THEY'VE BEEN GOING AT THIS FOR SO LONG.
MEET EVERY TEN YEARS.
AND I THINK THEY STARTED WITH MORE THAN 100 PROPOSALS TO START WITH.
AND THEN THEY WHITTLED THAT DOWN TO 85.
>> HAD COMMUNITY MEETINGS WHERE THEY TALKED WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND TO SORT OF SAY, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MAUI COUNTY DO BETTER?
SO WHITTLED IT DOWN TO 13 WITH THE I BELIEVE, THE COMMISSION AND COUNCIL ALSO PROPOSED DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS AS WELL.
>>Olena: THANK YOU.
MOVING ON TO ANOTHER CHARTER AMENDMENT FROM MAUI COUNTY.
COMMISSION PROPOSAL NUMBER 3, RELATING TO ETHICS AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
NUMBER 1, REQUIRE FILING OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT BY APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES PRIOR TO TAKING OFFICE OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY OFFICIAL CAPACITY.
NUMBER 2, PROHIBIT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FROM TAKING OFFICIAL ACTION IN WHICH OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE HAS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST.
3, PROHIBIT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FROM USING OR ATTEMPTING TO USE THEIR POSITION UNWARRANTED ADVANTAGE TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.
>> THIS PROPOSAL.
AGAIN, EXAMPLE OF PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ENSHRINE INTO LAW A CONCEPT THAT I THINK MOST US SUBDESCRIBE TO.
IT WOULD MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT ADVOCATING FOR YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST AS A ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL IS A NO‑NO. UNLAWFUL.
THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT THAT ISN'T THE CASE NOW.
BUT THIS IS JUST BEING EXPLICIT.
PROVIDING PROTECTIONS SO THAT I THINK WHAT THIS AIMS TO DO REALLY IS TO HELP RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST AND FAITH IN GOVERNMENT THAT IS SO ESSENTIAL TO DEMOCRACY.
I THINK THIS IS JUST A LITTLE CHECKS AND BALANCES EXERCISE THAT MAKES IT VERY CLEAR.
IF YOU'RE IN OFFICE, YOU CAN'T BE TAKING ANY ACTION ADVOCATING FOR A POLICY, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WOULD ENRICH YOURSELF OR BENEFIT YOU IN SOME DIRECT PERSONAL WAY.
>>Olena: DO YOU THINK IS THIS IN RESPONSE TO LAWMAKERS ACTIONS?
OR PREVIOUS LAWMAKERS?
>> I THINK THAT ACROSS THE STATE, BUT CERTAINLY IN MAUI COUNTY AS WELL, THERE HAVE BEEN GOVERNMENT SCANDALS.
WHEN WE HAVE A SERIES OF THESE, SITUATIONS HAPPENING, AND PEOPLE ARE READING WITH IT IN THE NEWS, AGAIN, JUST ERODES TRUST IN GOVERNMENT.
THAT IS SCARY.
SO YES, I DO THINK THAT THAT SORT OF WHAT INFORMING THIS.
>>Olena: HAS THERE BEEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER COUNTIES TO ADOPT THESE AMENDMENTS AS WELL?
SEE IT AS AN EXAMPLE, AND THEN.
>> YEAH.
A LOT OF SORT SHARING.
HONOLULU DID THIS, MAYBE WE SHOULD PIGGYBACK OFF OF THIS.
I THINK THESE DOCUMENTS ARE SORT OF LIVING AND BREATHING AND THEY'RE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES TO REFINE THEM.
YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE CHARTER COMMISSIONS WHERE FOCUS SPEND IN SOME CASES, YEARS REALLY CONTEMPLATING HOW DO WE IMPROVE GOVERNMENT.
SOMETIMES IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S A BLATANT PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO FIX IT.
OTHER TIMES BECAUSE, THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE MAINLAND.
AND IT COULD HAPPEN HERE.
SO LET'S HELP PROTECT OURSELVES.
>>Olena: CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MAUI COUNTY.
COUNCIL PROPOSAL NUMBER 12 RELATES TO WATER AUTHORITIES.
SHALL THER REGIONAL COMMUNITY BOREDS TO MANAGE WATER COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM AS ACQUIRED BY THE WATER AUTHORITIES.
INCLUDING STATE LICENSED AREAS IN EAST MAUI, AND TO PURSUE LONGTERM WATER LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH THE STATE PROVIDE LONGTERM RELIABLE SUPPLY OF WATER FOR DOMESTIC AND AGRICULTURAL NEEDS.
>> THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT IS FULL OF MORE THAN CENTURY OF HISTORY.
IN HAWAII, PLANTATION COMPANIES HAVE REALLY HAD A LOT OF CONTROL OVER WATER.
THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
EAST MAUI, FOR EXAMPLE, SO.
SMALLER FARMERS TARO FARMS FOR EXAMPLE, THEIR STREAMS HAVE DRIED UP IN RECENT DECADES BECAUSE OF WATER DIVERSIONS BEING DONE BY LEGACY PLANTATION COMPANIES.
SO THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT SORT OF SEEKS TO KIND OF GIVE SOME CITIZEN OVERSIGHT TO WATER CONTROL.
IT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNTY TO CREATE THESE REGIONAL ENTITIES TO CONTROL WATER, TO MONITOR HOW IT'S BEING USED.
AND IT WOULD START WITH EAST MAUI.
AND COUNTY COULD THEN GO AHEAD IN THE FUTURE AND CREATE OTHER REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITIES, LANAI, MOLOKAI, ELSEWHERE, ON MAUI.
AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOME CONTROVERSY AROUND THIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE YOU KNOW, DEPARTMENT HAS A DEPARTMENT OF WATER, AND THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF IS SAYING YOU KNOW, HOLD YOUR HORSES.
DO WE WANT TO TAKE CONTROL OF THESE ANTIQUATED WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE SO OLD THAT ARE LEAKING UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF WATER?
DO WE WANT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT?
HOW MUCH WOULD THAT COST?
ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY AUDITOR DID PREPARE A REPORT THAT SEEKS TO SORT OF PUT A FINANCIAL NUMBER ON WHAT EACH OF THESE PREPARES WOULD COST TAXPAYOR, HE WASN'T ABLE TO DO THAT FOR THIS ONE.
A LOT OF RESEARCH WOULD HAVE GO INTO FIGURING WHAT IS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT ASSOCIATED WITH CREATING A REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS THIS PUSH BACK, IS IT PREMATURE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD COST.
DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IT WOULD ENTAIL.
SO THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.
>>Olena: INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE RESULT WILL BE AS WELL?
>> YEAH.
>>Olena: WE'RE GOING TO MOVE OVER TO HONOLULU.
AND THANK YOU SHEDDING LIGHT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MAUI COUNTY.
SO FOR HONOLULU CHARTER AMENDMENT, WE HAVE CHARTER QUESTION NUMBER 1 WHICH RELATES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDAMENTAL.
AND SO IT READ, SHALL THE REVISED CITY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO INCREASE MANDATORY PERCENTAGE OF THE CITY'S ESTIMATED REAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUES TO BE APPROPRIATED ANNUALLY FOR DEPOSIT INTO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND FROM ONE‑HALF OF 1% TO 1%?
ASHLEY?
NICE RUN ON SENTENCE.
>> YEAH.
I THINK TO START, WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT WHAT IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.
SO BASICALLY, IT'S A FUND THAT IS WITHIN THE HONOLULU CITY & COUNTY, WHERE MOST OF THE COUNTIES, CITY'S REVENUE COMES BACK FROM PROPERTY TAXES.
SO IT'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND CURRENTLY GETS HALF A PERCENTAGE OF ALL REAL PROPERTY TAXES GOES INTO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.
THIS FUND IS ONLY TO BE USED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE WITH 60% AMI, OF THE ANNUAL MEDIAN INCOME AND BELOW.
THEN THOSE PROJECTS NEED TO STAY AFFORDABLE FOR 60 YEARS.
SO THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT BASICALLY ASKING VOTE FIRST THEY WANT TO INCREASE THE HALF PERCENTAGE OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES TO 1 FULL PERCENT.
WHAT LOOKS LIKE MONETARILY IS HALF A PERCENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES IS ABOUT $8 MILLION.
WE WOULD BE MOVING TO $16 MILLION.
PUTTING INTO THAT WILL AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.
THE REASONING KIND OF BEHIND THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT IS BECAUSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BECOME SUCH A HOT TOPIC, NEED IS THERE, EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT STATE STUDY THAT SAYS WE NEED OAHU NEEDS 21,000 ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS BETWEEN 2020 AND 2030 TO REACH DEMAND.
AND CITY COUNCIL KIND OF SAW THAT AND THEY DECIDED WE WANT TO POST IT TO VOTERS TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO ADD MORE MONEY TO THE FUND.
FUND KIND OF BEEN UNDER‑UTILIZED IN THE PAST.
TIME BEGINNING OF THE YEAR ABOUT 38 MILLION STILL IN THE FUND.
THAT HAS SINCE GONE OUT FOR SOLICITATION THROUGH MAYOR BLANGIARDI'S ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING TO DO USE THIS CURRENT AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND, 8 MILLION, THAT WE JUST GOT, DO ANOTHER SOLICITATION FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS BASICALLY.
WHAT PEOPLE KIND OF SAY THAT PROPONENT BILL SAY THIS WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE THAT'S JUST MORE MONEY THAT DEVELOPERS CAN COUNT ON TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH WE KNOW DEVELOPERS ALWAYS SAY IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO RENT OR SELL UNDER MARKET VALUE.
BUT OPPONENTS TO THE CHARTER AMENDMENT SAY WHEN YOU ALLOCATE FUNDS DIRECTLY TO ONE THING, YOU CAN'T USE THOSE FUNDS FOR OTHER CITY SERVICES.
SO IF WE WERE TO INCREASE THE CHARTER AMENDMENT WERE TO PASS, THAT $8 MILLION EXTRA, THAT WOULD BE GOING INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND, WOULD NOT BE USED ON OTHER THINGS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO USE IT ON.
BUT THAT WOULD MEAN THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CAN'T TAKE AWAY ANY, EXTRA $8 MILLION FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIFICALLY.
>>Olena: WOULD YOU SAY THAT THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS WHAT THIS AMENDMENT IS ABOUT?
>> I THINK ACROSS THE STATE, THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS ARE ALWAYS KIND OF JUST GLAZE DOLLARS OVER.
STATISTICALLY, THEY ALWAYS SAY THAT GENERALLY, COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS JUST PASS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS.
JUST VOTE YES.
CITY COUNCIL DONE SOME SOCIAL MEDIA I THINK, ABOUT IT.
BUT GENERALLY, IT'S NOT AS HIGHLY PUBLICIZED ESPECIALLY SINCE SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY OVERSHADOWED CHARTER AMENDMENTS PLUS THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.
>>Olena: IF IT'S A BLANK VOTE, THAT'S NOT COUNTED AS A NO, RIGHT?
>> NO.
>>Olena: IT'S EITHER BLACK OR WHITE, YES OR NO?
>> YES.
>>Olena: WE DO HAVE A COMMENT FROM A VIEWER.
HE SAYS, OR THEY, I WISH YOU DID THIS PROGRAM SOONER.
I ALREADY SENT IN MY BALLOT DIDN'T KNOW WITH BEANS ABOUT THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
GREAT SHOW.
THANK YOU.
YES, IN SPEAKING TO SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WERE DOING THIS SHOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THE AMENDMENT.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE ON TUESDAY OR DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT YOU KNOW MORE.
CONTINUING WITH HONOLULU CHARTER AMENDMENTS, NUMBER 2, IS RELATING TO THE MAKE UP OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCREEN, FOR GUIDANCE, IT'S UP THERE AS WELL.
SHALL THE REVISED CITY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAVE AT LEAST ONE MEMBER MEMBERS PRESENT WITH SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE OR EXPERTISE IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OR DISCIPLINES.
EACH OF THE CATEGORIES BE REPRESENTED BY A DIFFERENT MEMBER, AND THAT ALL OF THE CATEGORIES ARE REPRESENTED ON THE COMMISSION.
SO FIRST, A, NATIVE HAWAIIAN THAT TRADITION AND CUSTOMARY PRACTICES NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW OR TRADITIONAL LAND USES.
B, LAND USE PLANNING POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES, C, LAND DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION, AND D, CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE CAUSES EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION.
>> YEAH.
SO AGAIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS.
BECAUSE I THINK COMMISSIONS ARE KIND OF JUST WHO, THERE'S SO MANY OF THEM, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO.
PLANNING COMMISSION IS NINE MEMBERS, APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR, AND THEN APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
THEY BASICALLY ADVISE THE CITY AND THE MAYOR, CITY ADMINISTRATION, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, ON LANDS USE QUESTIONS, ZONING ISSUES, OAHU GENERAL PLAN, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLAN, ALL OF THESE THINGS KIND OF GO TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FIRST BEFORE BEING PUT INTO ACTUAL BILL TO BE LEGISLATED.
THEY DID A LOT OF WORK ON THIS NEW SHORT‑TERM RENTAL BILL OAHU EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL.
BIG HAND IN CRAFTING THAT.
SO CURRENTLY, THIS COMMISSION, PLANNING COMMISSION, USUALLY DOMINATED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT SECTOR.
AND CHARTER AMENDMENT WAS INTRODUCED BECAUSE CITY COUNCIL FELT THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION NEEDED TO BE DIVERSIFIED IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY BEING PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION, AND ARCHITECTURE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND SO BASICALLY, OTHER FULL QUALIFICATION.
LAND USE PLAN, POLICY PRINCIPLES, LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION.
NOT NEW.
ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
NEW THINGS ARE THE BACKGROUND AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN TRADITIONAL AND CUSTOMARY PRACTICE.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE CAUSES.
SEEING THESE TYPE OF ISSUES COME UP MORE AND MORE AND MORE WITH SHORELINE SETBACKS AND COUNCIL PASSED SHORELINE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE TO KEEP HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND CULTURAL PRACTICE.
>> FORMER DPP DIRECTOR DEAN UCHIDA ORIGINALLY AGAINST THE MEASURE.
TESTIFIED AGAINST IT AT THE CITY COUNCIL, SO DIFFICULT TO FIND PEOPLE HE SAID, QUALIFY PEOPLE TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION, UNPAID.
TECHNICAL WORK, ATTEND MEETINGS.
COUNCILMEMBERS DID FEEL NEEDED TO BE DIVERSIFIED.
IF THIS WERE TO PASS, IT WOULDN'T GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL THE NEXT VACANCY ON THE COMMISSION.
>> JUNE 30.
REQUIREMENTS CATEGORY BEGIN FROM SCRATCH.
THAT WOULD MEAN EVEN THOUGH NEED TO REPRESENT EACH CATEGORY WITHIN THE COMMISSION, IT WOULD START ALL OVER AGAIN.
SO THAT COULD MEAN THAT ANOTHER TWO PEOPLE WHO ONLY HAVE A PLANNING LAND USE PLANNING OR LAND USE DEVELOPMENT COULD STILL BE APPOINTED AND WE WOULDN'T SEE THESE TWO NEW ADDITIONS WITH NATIVE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL BACKGROUND OR CLIMATE CHANGE BACKGROUND UNTIL AFTER THAT.
THEY COULD DECIDE TO APPOINT SOMEONE WITHIN THOSE.
BUT THAT IS JUST HOW IT COULD ROLL OUT.
>>Olena: HOW LONG DO THEY SERVE FOR?
>> THEY SERVE FOR FIVE YEARS.
>> STAGGERED TERMS.
DEPENDS ON YEAR.
WHICH ONE ARE COMING OUT AND WHICH ONES ARE GOING BACK IN.
>>Olena: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO ANOTHER NEIGHBOR ISLAND.
AND THIS IS KAUAI.
SO FOR THE KAUAI COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS, FIRST ONE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE RELATED TO THE PROSECUTOR VACANCY.
SHALL THE COUNTY CHARTER BE AMEND TO DO REQUIRE FUTURE ELECTIONS FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME AS COUNTY'S REGULARLY SCHEDULED ELECTIONS?
SO RECENTLY, I GUESS, LAST ELECTION SEASON, WAS KAUAI HAD THEIR OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND JUST JUSTIN CALLER ELECTED FOR I BELIEVE THIRD TEAM.
RESIGNED FEW MONTHS INTO HIS TERM AND THAT WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS INTO THE TERM.
SO THIS IS ABOUT LATE 2021.
SO THAT SPARKED SPECIAL ELECTION.
AND THE REASON WHY THIS WAS A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BEGIN WITH, IN THE CHARTER, THEY DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO FILL THAT VACANCY.
SO WHAT HAPPENED WAS DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY REBECCA LIKE STEPPED INTO THAT ROLE.
STILL NEEDED TO SORT OF LAY OUT WHO WOULD BECOME THE NEXT PROSECUTOR.
AND IT COST TAXPAYORS ABOUT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO SET UP THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND INITIALLY THERE WAS A PRIMARY THAT FEATURED TWO PEOPLE AND THEN A GENERAL ELECTION.
WHICH FEATURED TWO PEOPLE.
THIS IS NOW FEBRUARY 2022.
AND THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT SORT OF COMES BACK FROM THAT DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE SAYING WHY ARE WE SPENDING THIS MONEY?
WHY DON'T WE HAVE THIS SUCCESSION LINE ALREADY LINED UP?
THIS PROPOSAL ESTABLISHES A LINE OF SUCCESSION WHERE THE FIRST DEPUTY PROSECUTOR WOULD SERVE AS THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY UNTIL THE SEAT IS FILLED IN A REGULARLY SCHEDULED ELECTION.
SO HAD JUSTIN CALLER RESIGNED IN 2021, THE FIRST DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WOULD STEP INTO THAT POSITION AND THEN NEXT ELECTION TIME, WHICH WOULD BE NOW, IS WHEN VOTE WOULD SEE ON THEIR BALLOT WHO DO CHOOSE FROM.
>>Olena: DOES IT SURPRISE YOU THAT IT WASN'T ALREADY ESTABLISHED LIKE THAT?
>> I'M NOT SURE IF SURPRISES ME.
JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THIS IS SORT OF UNIQUE POSITION.
I GUESS.
ELECTED POSITION PEOPLE DON'T REALLY EXPECT THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ELECT TO RESIGN FROM SOMETHING LIKE THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
>>Olena: THANK YOU.
AMENDMENT ALSO RELATED TO THE ISLAND OF KAUAI.
ALSO RELATED TO ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITIES.
SO SHALL THE CHARTER BE AMENDED TO REMOVE ARTICLE 30 WHICH ALLOWS COUNTY COUNCIL TO CREATE AN ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION?
>> THIS PROPOSAL HAS SOME HISTORY TO IT.
IT REALLY OVERALL, SEEKS TO PREVENT DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.
HISTORY IS THAT BACK IN 2002, VOTERS ACTUALLY GAVE THE KAUAI COUNTY COUNCIL THE POWER TO ESTABLISH A BOARD TO OVERSEE THE UTILITY.
THAT WE NOW KNOW AS KIUC.
KAUAI ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE.
REASON FOR THAT IS THAT DURING THIS TIME, IN 2002, THE ISLAND'S ONLY UTILITY WAS FOR SALE, CONNECTICUT BASED COMPANY WAS SELLING IT.
SO IT WAS A TIME OF IMMENSE UNCERTAINTY.
SOME FEARS ABOUT WOULD THERE BE DISRUPTION OF SERVICES?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?
SO AS SORT OF SAFEGUARD, VOTERS THROUGH A CHARTER AMENDMENT, GAVE THE COUNTY COUNTY COUNCIL, RATHER, THIS ABILITY TO CREATE THIS BOARD THAT COULD OVERSEE THE UTILITY TO KIND OF HELP KEEP IT GOING IF THERE WERE ISSUES.
NOW, THERE WEREN'T ISSUES AND TODAY, KIUC IS POWERED BY THE GREATEST SHARE OF RENEWABLES IN THE STATE, KAUAI MEMBERS, BECAUSE IT IS A CO‑OP.
MEMBER OWNED CO‑OP.
KAUAI MEMBERS PAY THE LOWEST UTILITY ELECTRIC UTILITY RATES IN THE STATE.
SO IT'S DOING WELL.
THE IDEA BEHIND THIS PROPOSAL IS, WELL, COUNTY COUNCIL DOESN'T NEED THIS POWER ANY MORE.
IT WOULD BE REDUNDANT IF THEY EVER CHOSE TO USE IT.
IT WAS GIVEN TO THEM FOR THIS SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME AS A SAFEGUARD SO LET'S REVOKE IT.
GET IT OFF THE BOOKS BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE A UTILITY WORKING WELL.
SO THAT'S WHAT'S BEHIND THIS.
>>Olena: DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING, SABRINA?
>> IN TALKING TO COMMISSIONERS ON THE GROUP, THEY KIND OF SAID THAT THIS IS SORT OF A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN KIUC.
THAT BY VOTING YES TO THIS, SORT OF SAYING WE AGREE WITH HOW KIUC IS GOING.
HOW IT'S WORKING FOR OUR ISLAND.
>>Olena: ONE MORE FOR KAUAI.
RELATING TO SALARY COMMISSION.
SHALL THE CHARTER BE AMENDED TO GIVE THE SALARY COMMISSION THE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM SALARY FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS?
>> SO KAUAI IS ACTUALLY THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE STATE THAT HAS NOT GRANTED ITS SALARY COMMISSION THIS AUTHORITY.
SO IF VOTERS SAY THEY WANT THIS, IT WOULD BRING KAUAI COUNTY SALARY COMMISSION IN LINE WITH OTHER SALARY COMMISSIONS AROUND THE STATE.
WHAT IS AIMING DO IS BETTER ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT, LEADERSHIP TALENT IN THE COUNTY.
YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LONGSTANDING ISSUE OF ESPECIALLY WITH LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN COUNTY AGENCIES OF HAVING LONGSTANDING VACANCIES.
ONE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS IS THAT SOME OF THE LOWER RANKING JOBS ACTUALLY HAVE HIGHER SALARIES THAN SOME OF THE HIGHER RANKING JOBS.
SO IT COULD BE DIFFICULT TO COMPEL SOMEONE TO WANT TO TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND TO MOVE INTO A GREATER LEADERSHIP ROLE WHEN IT COMES BACK WITH A PAY CUT.
SO THAT IS ONE THING THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS TRYING TO CORRECT.
SALARY COMMISSION ALL THEY DO IS STUDY SALARIES AND THEY HAVE ALL OF THIS DATA AND THEY PROPOSE MAXIMUM SALARY.
CAP.
SO THIS WOULD SORT OF ALLOW THEM TO PUT THAT CAP IN PLACE BASED ON ALL OF THEIR RESEARCH.
AGAIN, WITH THE IDEA OF HELPING TO FIX SOME OF THESE SORT OF INEQUITIES WHEN IT COMES BACK TO THE POSITION LEVEL AND THE PAY.
THERE IS A SORT A CHECKS AND BALANCES EFFECT HERE IN THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL OR THE MAYOR WOULD STILL BE, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE SALARY CAP.
IF THE SALARY COMMISSION SETS A CAP, THEY COULD OFFER A JOB TO SOMEBODY FOR LESS THAN THAT CAP.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE COUNTY DECIDES TO HIRE A MORE JUNIOR PERSON TO FILL A ROLE, SOMEONE WITH LESS EXPERIENCE MAYBE THAN THE JOB DESCRIPTION ASKS FOR, THEY COULD PAY THEM LESS.
SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO MEET THAT MAXIMUM SALARY.
SORT OF HELPS BRING THE SALARIES ACROSS THE COUNTY IN LINE, I THINK.
TO KIND OF HELP PEOPLE MOVE UP INTO LEADERSHIP POSITION.
THAT SORT OF WHAT IS BEHIND THIS.
>>Olena: ANY COMMENT?
>> SORT OF ON THAT CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE MAYOR AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE, I BELIEVE LOWEST WAGES AMONGST ALL OF THE ISLANDS.
AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS THE SALARY COMMISSION WOULD SORT OF SAY, THIS IS HOW MUCH WE WOULD RECOMMEND.
THESE POSITIONS BEING PAID.
WHETHER IT WAS THE MAYOR OR CHARITY COUNCIL OR COUNCILMEMBER.
AND THE COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD STRIKE THAT PROPOSAL DOWN AS A POLITICAL MOVE.
TO KIND OF SAY, WE AREN'T GOING TO BE INCREASING OUR BUDGET FOR OUR OWN SALARIES.
SO THIS WOULD KIND OF HELP THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, RETAIN MORE PEOPLE, GET MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS, IN LINE WITH HOW THE OTHER ISLANDS ARE GOING.
>> IN SOME YEARS, SALARIES MIGHT NOT INCREASE.
THEY MIGHT NOT GET CHANGED BECAUSE IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR.
FOCUS WHO ARE IN OFFICE DON'T WANT EXCUSE ME, VOTERS, TO THINK THEY'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY, LET'S VOTE THEM OUT.
SO THERE ARE THESE KIND OF POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND BY ALLOWING THE SALARY COMMISSION TO USE THEIR EXPERTISE TO SET THE CAP, WITHOUT NEEDING THE MAYOR, TO SIGN OFF ON IT, WITHOUT NEEDING THE COUNCIL TO SIGN OFF ON IT, TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF POLITICS OUT I THINK.
>>Olena: OKAY, LET'S MOVE OVER TO HAWAII COUNTY.
WE HAVE CHARTER AMENDMENT NUMBER 2.
RELATING TO DUTIES OF COUNTY AUDITORS.
SHALL THE HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO EXPAND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY AUDITOR TO INCLUDE INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD, WASTE, OR ABUSE, WITHIN THE OPERATIONS OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII.
SO LAST YEAR, THE COUNTY SET UP A PILOT WHISTLEBLOWER PHONE LINE FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
TO ANONYMOUSLY REPORT ISSUES AND SORT OF AUDITOR WAS GETTING THESE CALLS BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO LOOK INTO IT.
BECAUSE HOW THE COUNTY CHARTER IS SET UP, EACH YEAR, ANNUALLY, THE I BELIEVE IT'S THE COUNCIL, MAYOR'S OFFICE, EVERYBODY KIND OF GETS TOGETHER THIS LIST OF WHAT THE AUDITOR WILL BE GOING THROUGH.
THAT YEAR.
AND BALLOT PROPOSAL ESSENTIALLY GIVES AUDITOR ABILITY TO PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATION OF FRAUD, WASTE AND OTHER ABUSE AS THEY DEEM IT.
AND NOT JUST SORT OF WHAT IS PREDETERMINED ON THIS ANNUAL AGENDA.
AND THIS WORK FOR THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT WAS DONE WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR AS WELL AS WITH THE COUNCILMEMBER ASHLEY KIRKO WITS.
>> SET UP THIS PHONE LINE FOR PEOPLE TO CALL AND REPORT.
WASN'T ANYTHING IN PLACE REGARDING WHAT TO DO WITH THE INFORMATION.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS COUNTY EMPLOYEES WOULD MAYBE SAY, HEY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES DO RIGHT NOW, OR I SUSPECT SOMETHING IS ONGOING WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY AUDITORS HANDS ARE TIED WHERE THEY COULDN'T LOOK INTO ANYTHING OR GET FIRST STEPS ROLLING TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY ALLEGATIONS NEEDED TO BE INVESTIGATED.
>>Olena: WELCOME YOUR COMMENT AND QUESTIONS.
CALL IN, ALSO POST COMMENTS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
WE HAVE ONE RIGHT HERE.
TAKE A QUICK BREAK FROM HAWAII COUNTY AND HEAD BACK OVER TO MAUI COUNTY.
THE MAUI CHARTER DEALING WITH KALALAU COUNTY HAS TWO UNRELATED INITIATIVES ON IT.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU AGREE WITH ONE AND DISAGREE WITH THE OTHER?
>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.
SO AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE SHOW, THE CHARTER COMMISSION, THEY VETTED SOMETHING LIKE 140 PLUS PROPOSALS.
THEY WHITTLED IT DOWN TO 13 COMING FROM THE CHARTER COMMISSION.
SO IN DOING THAT, IN SOME CASES, THEY SORT OF PUT TWO DIFFERENT IDEAS TOGETHER ALL IN ONE PROPOSAL.
SO YES, IF THERE'S A PROPOSAL THAT HAS DIFFERENT COMPONENTS TO IT, AND YOU LIKE ONE COMPONENT, BUT NOT THE OTHER, WELL, THEY'RE MARRIED.
EITHER YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO RECKON WITH YOURSELF I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE PART AND I CAN DEAL WITH THIS PART THAT I DON'T LIKE, OR YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE IT DOWN.
SO THERE'S A FEW EXAMPLES OF THAT FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS THE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A WHOLE NEW DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES.
WHICH WOULD SORT OF OVERSEE THINGS LIKE INVESTIGATIONS INTO ANCESTRAL BONES THAT ARE DISCOVERED, HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE PRESERVATION, HAWAIIAN CULTURAL PRESERVATION.
THIS PROPOSAL IS ALSO MARRIED WITH ANOTHER IDEA WHICH IS TO MAKE THE COUNTY FUNCTION AS A TRUE BILINGUAL GOVERNMENT.
SO THAT THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO ISSUE ALL OF ITS NOTICES IN HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOME PEOPLE MIGHT REALLY WANT MAUI COUNTY TO EMBRACE THIS BILINGUAL GOVERNMENT, BUT THEY MIGHT SAY, WELL, BUT DO WE REALLY NEED THIS DEPARTMENT AND AGAIN, THESE TWO IDEAS ARE SIMILAR IN THEME AND THEY'RE MARRIED IN THIS WAY.
I THINK CHARTER COMMISSIONERS REALLY WERE JUST TRYING TO GET AS MANY OF THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES IN FRONT OF VOTERS IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T BOMBARD THEM.
DIDN'T WANT TO PUT 25 PROPOSALS IN FRONT OF VOTERS.
SO IN SOME CASE YOU HAVE MULTIPLE IDEAS ALL SMUSHED TO GO.
ON THE VOTERS TO DECIDE WHETHER THERE ARE SOME DEAL BREAKERS IN THERE.
EVEN IF THEY DON'T LIKE PART A PROPOSAL.
>>Olena: OKAY.
JUMPING BACK TO HAWAII COUNTY.
CHARTER AMENDMENT NUMBER 3.
WHICH RELATES TO ESTABLISHING A YOUTH COMMISSION.
SHALL THE HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO ESTABLISH A YOUTH COMMISSION WHICH WOULD CONSIST OF AT LEAST NINE BUT NO MORE THAN 15 MEMBERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 TO 24 YEARS OLD.
DUTIES WOULD INCLUDE ADVISING THE MAYOR COUNTY COUNCIL, OFFICIAL AGENCY OF COUNTY ON LEGISLATIVE AND BUDGETARY MATTERS.
ASSESS EXISTING PROGRAMS.
ADVANCE PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ENCOURAGE AND DEVELOP YOUTH COOPERATION AND INITIATIVE AND OTHER FORMS OF CIVIC ENGAGE.
>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS ARE WRITTEN A LITTLE CONFUSINGLY.
THINK THIS QUESTION KIND OF LAYS OUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD KIND OF IMAGINE ABOUT WANTING TO ESTABLISH A YOUTH COMMISSION, BE NO MORE THAN 15 MEMBERS OF KIDS AGE 14 TO 24, GETTING WIDE RANGE OF SORT OF TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO INFORM COUNTY ON DIFFERENT POLICIES THAT MAY BE COMING THROUGH DIFFERENT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT ISLANDWIDE YOUTH.
AND THIS IS ESSENTIALLY KIND OF THE COUNTY'S ATTEMPT OF KIND OF BRINGING IN YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO SORT OF KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE LIVES AND CREATE ENGAGE CIVICALLY MINDED KIDS.
>>Olena: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
THAT ONE IS GOOD BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE ALL THE DETAILS.
OKAY.
ASHLEY, MOVE BACK OVER TO YOU.
AND HONOLULU.
AND WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER ABOUT SOME OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS, AND THEN ALSO, TALKING ABOUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
CHARTER QUESTION NUMBER 3.
SAYS, SHALL THE REVISED CITY CHARTER BE AMENDED EXPAND PER MID USE OF FUND FOR THE CLEAN WATER AND NATURAL LANDS FUND TO INCLUDE FUNDING FOR COST RELATE TO OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF LANDS ACQUIRED BY WAY OF THIS FUND.
THAT ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT, MAINTAIN OR RESTORE RESOURCES RISK OF THESE LANDS SUCH AS INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION OR IMPROVEMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS AND USE.
>> THAT'S A MOUTHFUL.
THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT KIND OF LEAVES OUT SOME KEY DETAILS THAT I THINK VOTERS WILL NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE THEIR DECISION ON THIS.
SO I THINK ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS, LIKE A NEW TAX OR SOMETHING.
NO, THIS IS NOT A TAX.
CLEAN WATER NATURAL LANDS FUND IS ALREADY ESTABLISHED.
IT GETS .5% OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES.
SO AGAIN, ABOUT $8 MILLION.
BUT THIS IS NOT ASKING TO INCREASE THAT.
OR DECREASE IT.
THAT'S NOT WHAT'S ASKING.
IT'S ASKING IF YOU, THE VOTERS WOULD BE WILLING TO USE SOME OF THOSE FUNDS TO DO OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, THINGS LIKE CLEAN UP THE LANDS THAT THEY HAVE ACQUIRED OR BUILD PARKING LOTS PUBLIC CAN USE IT.
CAME UP WITH A LOT OF, FUND CURRENTLY IS USED TO ACQUIRE THESE WONDERFUL LANDS FOR PEOPLE IDEALLY TO USE AND ENJOY, BUT ONE OF THEM LACKS PARKING LOTS OR BATHROOMS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO USE THIS FUND TO MAINTAIN THAT.
THAT GETS THEN PUSHED ON TO SOMETIMES DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION AND KIND OF EATS INTO CITY BUDGET.
WHAT THEY'RE ASKING IF THEY CAN USE SOME OF THAT FUND TO COVER AT THAT STUFF.
BUT WHAT IS NOT MENTIONED IN THIS CHARTER, IN THE QUESTION, BUT IS IN WHEN THEY PASS RESOLUTION TO PUT IT ON, THIS AMOUNT WOULD BE CAPPED TO ONLY 5% OF THE FUND.
SO THAT MEANS OF THE $8 MILLION, GETS PUT INTO THE FUND, EACH YEAR, ONLY 5% OF THAT WOULD BE USED TO DO THIS MAINTENANCE OPERATION.
INFRASTRUCTURE, DEVELOPMENT.
>>Olena: KIND OF AN INTERESTING.
>> YEAH.
>>Olena: OMITTED PART THERE.
>> YEAH.
THAT WAS BECAUSE OPPONENTS WERE KIND OF, OR PEOPLE WERE LITTLE BIT CONCERNED BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS IN OF THAT THEY COULD USE IT FOR POSSIBLY IS ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION.
WHICH ACTUALLY CAN SOMETIME BE QUITE COSTLY AND SO PEOPLE WERE KIND OF CONCERNED.
LIKE THAT CITY WOULD USE LARGE MAJORITY OF THE FUND TO DO THAT, OR WOULD ACQUIRE LANDS THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF WORK SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
INSTEAD OF USING IT TO ACQUIRE MORE LANDS.
REALLY, ONLY 5% OF THAT.
COMES BACK OUT TO LIKE ABOUT $400,000.
THAT WOULD GO TO THIS.
ANOTHER THING TO ADD IS THAT IT TAKES A REALLY LONG TIME FOR THEM TO COMMISSION THAT GOVERNS THIS.
FUND.
TO PICK PROJECTS AND ALLOCATE THE FUNDS AND ACQUIRE THE LANDS.
SO CURRENTLY, WITHIN FUND, THERE'S ABOUT $31 MILLION NEEDING TO BE SPENT.
THAT IS CURRENTLY KIND OF SITTING IN THE FUND AND THEY'RE TRYING THEIR BEST TO GET THAT MONEY OUT.
BUT IT IS TAKING A LONG TIME.
THEY SAID IT'S PICKING UP TRACTION AS THEY ACQUIRE MORE AND MORE LANDS, PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT IT, SO IF YOU'RE LANDOWNER THAT HAS SOME TYPE OF CONSERVATION LAND YOU MIGHT WANT TO SELL TO THE CITY BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT ANY MORE.
CONTACT COMMISSION AND ASK THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
ANOTHER THING TO NOTE WOULD BE THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT WOULD ONLY PERTAIN TO NEW FUNDS COMING IN.
NOT 5% OF THE WHATEVER IN THE FUND CURRENTLY.
ONLY 5% OF INCOMING FUND.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
OF COURSE, TALK ABOUT CHARTER QUESTION NUMBER 4.
FOR HONOLULU AS WELL.
SHALL THE REVISED CITY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO UPDATE THE PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL SERVICES OR OCS SENATOR RESEARCH AND DRAFTING ARM OF THE COUNCIL TO REFLECT CURRENT FUNCTIONS, CONSOLIDATE VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE OCS SEPARATE CHAPTER REVISED CHARTER LIKE FELLOW LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AGENCIES.
INCLUDES OFFICE OF CITY CLERK, OFFICE OF CITY AUDITOR, PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT SALARY AND DUTIES OCS DIRECTOR AND EXPRESSLY RECOGNIZE AUTHORITY OF THE LICENSED ATTORNEYS IN THE OCS TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ITS MEMBERS?
>> THIS ONE IS AGAIN, MOUTHFUL.
BUT IT'S KIND OF LITTLE BIT OF A HOUSEKEEPING MEASURE BECAUSE IN THE CURRENT CHARTER, THIS OFFICE OF COUNCIL SERVICES, IT SAYS IN THE CHARTER THAT THEY ARE PERMITTED TO CREATE IT OR THEY'RE PERMITTED TO HAVE ONE, BUT IT'S NOT ENSHRINED IN THE CHARTER LIKE THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
WITHIN THE CITY.
BUT THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL SERVICES HAS BEEN QUITE VITAL IN GIVING ALL THE SUPPORT TO THE COUNCIL WITH THE THEY DO EVERYTHING FROM RESEARCH, HELP WITH LEGAL ADVICE, BUT THIS WOULD KIND OF ENSHRINE THAT IN THE CHARTER SO IN THE EVENT THAT THEY WOULD WANT ANOTHER COUNCIL COUNTDOWN THE LINE OR ADMINISTRATION WOULD WANT TO TAKE IT AWAY.
WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BE REVOKED.
ANOTHER THING, ABOUT THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT A LOT OF IT IS BECAUSE ANOTHER FACTOR OF IT IS CURRENTLY, THE CITY COUNCIL IS REPRESENTED BY THE CITY'S CORPORATION COUNSEL.
WHICH ALSO REPRESENTS THE MAYOR AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATION.
AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT HAVE COME UP IN THE PAST WHERE THE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE AT ODDS AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION THAT TRYING TO REPRESENT BOTH IS JUST VERY DIFFICULT OR CONFLICT OF THERE, DIFFICULT.
BUT CURRENTLY BECAUSE THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL SERVICES ISN'T ENSHRINED IN THE CHARTER.
TIMES WHEN CORPORATION COUNSEL CAN ONLY BE INCLUDED IN THE EXECUTIVE MEETINGS.
SO WITH THIS, THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO SEEK OUTSIDE COUNCIL BASICALLY, FROM OCS WHICH THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED DO.
I THINK I DIDN'T MENTION AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW, BUT THE WAY THAT THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS ARE EVEN PUT ON THE BALLOT IN HONOLULU IS USUALLY, THE COUNCILMEMBERS WILL PROPOSE IT AND THEN IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY A SUPERMAJORITY.
>> CAN'T JUST BE FIVE OUT OF NINE COUNCILMEMBERS.
WE WANT THIS.
NORMAL BILL.
IT HAS TO BE SIX.
THEN IT'S PUT ON THE BALLOT.
>>Olena: OKAY.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
ND ANOTHER COMMENT OR QUESTION ABOUT THAT RELATED TO MAUI.
SO THERE'S A TALK ABOUT PROMOTING CLIMATE CHANGE ADOPTION.
MAUI COMMISSION, NINE POLICE CHIEF PROVIDE WRITTEN REPORT TO POLICE COMMISSION WHEN THE CHIEF DISAGREES WITH COMMISSION'S FINDS.
OR 9A, ALTERNATIVE, POLICE CHIEF INFORM COMMISSION WHEN CHIEF DISAGREES WITH FINDINGS.
CAN YOU KIND OF EXPOUND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?
>> YES.
SO SORT OF HOW THE MAUI COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSION WORKS IS THE COMMISSION HAS THEIR OWN SET OF PROPOSALS.
AND THEN THE COUNCIL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF SAY, IF THEY DISAGREE WITH IT OR CHANGE IT UP A LITTLE BIT, SO MAUI COUNTY BALLOT, GOING TO HAVE A 9, WHICH IS PROPOSED BY THE CHARTER COMMISSION, AND THEN A 9A.
WHICH IS WHAT THE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED IN THAT SPECIFIC ONE, WITH THE POLICE COMMISSION, IN THE PAST, FOR THERE WAS A INVESTIGATION THAT THE CHIEF DISAGREED WITH, THIS IS SORT OF PROPOSING THAT IF THE CHIEF DISAGREES WITH IT, HE WILL HAVE TO WRITE UP A WRITTEN REPORT ABOUT IT, AND COUNCIL'S PROPOSAL, POLICE CHIEF WOULD ONLY HAVE TO SUBMIT A REPORT IF REQUESTED BY THE COMMISSION.
>> I THINK IT HAS A LOT TO DO TRANSPARENCY AND HELPING PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION.
>>Olena: WE HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT FROM A VIEWER.
THAN SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING WITH US TONIGHT CONCERNING HONOLULU CHARTER AMENDMENT 1.
RAISING THE AMOUNT GOING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING COULD THIS BE USED TO JUSTIFY INCREASED PROPERTY TAX?
JANET FROM AIEA.
>> WELL, THAT DECISION ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES WOULDN'T BE CONCERNED NECESSARILY WITH THE CHARTER.
PROPERTY TAXES CAN BE RAISED FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.
WHETHER THAT IS FROM USUALLY PROPOSED BY THE MAYOR.
HOWEVER, ONE THING THAT MIGHT BE KIND OF COMFORTING TO PEOPLE ON OAHU, ABOUT RAISING PROPERTY TAXES, IS THAT THE CITY HAS LAST YEAR, THEY APPROVED RECEIVING TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES THAT GO TO THE CITY, SO KIND OF LIKE A BIG JUMP IN REVENUE FOR THE CITY BECAUSE CITY REALLY ONLY HAS PROPERTY TAXES IF IT'S MAIN REVENUE SOURCE.
>> BEEN THAT WAY ALL THE WAY UNTIL VERY RECENTLY.
NOW THAT HAS T.A.T.
TAX COMING IN FROM HOTEL AND WHATNOT.
REALLY BEEN A BOOST TO THE CITY'S BUDGET.
SO MAYBE SOME COMFORT THERE WITH PROPERTY TAXES.
NO, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND INCREASE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE RAISING PROPERTY TAXES.
>>Olena: THANK YOU.
BRITTNEY, ANYTHING FROM MAUI COUNTY THAT YOU FEEL WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THAT YOU WANT TO MAYBE FOCUS ON SINCE THERE'S SO MANY FOR THEM TO CHOOSE FROM?
>> SO MUCH FROM MAUI COUNTY AND YES, ONE THING I CAN SPEAK ON THAT HAS TO DO WITH OUR QUESTION WE JUST HAD HERE, SORT OF HOW MIGHT THIS AFFECT ME AND MY WALLET QUESTION, THAT'S IMPORTANT TOO.
THERE MIGHT BE GREAT IDEAS IN THESE PROPOSALS, BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK VOTERS MIGHT LIKE TO CONSIDER HOW IT AFFECTS THEM OR COULD AFFECT THEM FINANCIALLY TOO.
SO ONE OF THE MAUI PROPOSALS WOULD ACTUALLY REQUIRE COUNTY TO TELL THE VOTER WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED PRICE TAG FOR EACH OF THESE PROPOSALS.
THE COUNTY VOLUNTARILY DID THAT THIS YEAR.
FOR MOST OF THE PROPOSALS.
AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER, THE PROPOSAL HAVING DO WITH WATER REGIONAL WATER CONTROL.
WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD COST.
THE PROPOSAL WE DISCUSSED EARLIER, THAT WOULD CREATE A DEPARTMENT SOLELY FOCUSED ON HOUSING SPECIFICALLY REALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PROPOSALS THAT WOULD COST $2 MILLION.
AGAIN, YOU CAN ARGUE THAT THE BENEFITS TO THAT PERHAPS OUTWEIGH THE INVESTMENT WORKFORCE ISSUES BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE ON THE ISLAND TO FILL JOBS.
EVERYTHING FROM WAIT STAFF AT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO DOCTORS AND NURSES AND TEACHERS.
SO YOU KNOW, LOTS OF WAYS TO LOOK AT THE COST.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SPEND SOME MONEY IN ORDER TO GET SOME RETURN ON IT.
BUT YES, ONE OF THE PROPOSALS THAT I THINK WOULD REALLY HELP FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THAT WAY WOULD IN FUTURE YEARS, COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT THESE PROPOSALS WOULD COST YOU.
>>Olena: WOULD THAT BE NOTED ON THE BALLOT?
>> I BELIEVE SO.
YEAH.
>>Olena: PARENTHESES OR SOMETHING.
>> YES, I BELIEVE SO.
SO THIS YEAR, THE AUDITOR DID CREATE A SEPARATE REPORT BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH INTEREST IN THIS.
BUT AGAIN, THIS WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT HAS TO BE THE CASE.
IT WOULD ENSHRINE THAT IN LAW FOR THE FUTURE.
>>Olena: THANK YOU.
SABRINA, ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT WE HAVEN'T BROUGHT UP?
>> NOT REALLY.
WITHOUT THEM IN FRONT OF ME, IT'S HARD TO THINK OF THEM OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
I'M SURE PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET THEIR BALLOT, YOU ARE ABLE TO SORT OF GOOGLE YOUR QUESTIONS, A LOT OF THE COUNTIES HAVE MICROWEBSITES UP, THEY HAVE EVEN DIRECT LANGUAGE OF HOW THE CHARTER WILL CHANGE.
SO YOU CAN EVEN SIDE BY SIDE, THIS IS CHARTER SAYS CURRENTLY.
HOW IT WILL CHANGE IF I VOTE YES OR NO.
>>Olena: YOU WERE TELLING ME OFF CAMERA, YOU MOVED HERE IN 2020.
SO HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING THAT DIFFERENT HERE IN HAWAII COMPARED TO WHERE YOU'RE FROM IN PENNSYLVANIA?
CHARTER AMENDMENTS IN TERMS OF LIKE WE OUR ELECTIONS SEASON.
>> AMENDMENTS AND PROCESS.
I DEFINITELY THINK THE DIFFERENT COUNTY COUNCILS AS WELL AS CHARTER COMMISSION REALLY DO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO FIX GOVERNMENT OR FIND WAYS TO BENEFIT TAXPAYORS OR SORT OF SHARE THE INFORMATION AS COMPREHENSIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
WHETHER THAT IS WEBSITES VIA NEWSPAPERS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE I THINK EVERY COUNTY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO SORT OF POST THESE QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING ON THE BALLOT, COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE IN THE NEWSPAPERS.
>> I WANTED TO ADD, THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS, GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THROUGHOUT YEARS AS IT GOES ON.
AT LEAST, I THINK IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.
ACROSS ALL OF THEM.
SO YOU KNOW, WE SEE A LOT OF THEM COMING THROUGH IN ALL OF THE DIFFERENT RESOLUTION, AND HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL.
SO MANY OF THEM KIND OF JUST END.
AND THEY DON'T MAKE IT ON TO THE BALLOT.
THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE SO HEAVILY VETTED AND YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT COSTING $2 MILLION, WE SAW THAT IN HONOLULU AS WELL.
WHERE TRYING TO POTENTIALLY MAKE LIFEGUARD SERVICES OWN DEPARTMENT, AS OPPOSED TO BEING ATTACHED TO EMERGENCY SERVICE.
ULTIMATELY, DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH ONTO THE BALLOT, COST SO MUCH MONEY TO SET UP A WHOLE DEPARTMENT.
HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE STAFFING.
PERMANENT POSITIONS.
>> AND SO THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.
>>Olena: WHEN YOUR GUYS THOUGHTS ABOUT ELECTION DAY COMING UP?
TURNOUT?
>> I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE TURNOUT IS.
OF COURSE, I'M HOPING FOR A HIGH TURNOUT FOR OUR STATE, FOR OR COUNTIES I THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL ADJUSTING TO THE OPTION OF MAIL IN VOTING.
YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S NICE THAT WE HAVE OPTIONS STILL.
BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH SOME OF THESE REALLY IN INDEMNITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS, I PERSONALLY LOVE THAT I CAN SIT AT HOME WITH MY COFFEE IN THE MORNING, AND LAPTOP AND RESEARCH AND FROM THE COMFORT OF MY HOME AND MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE REALLY IMPACTFUL.
>>Olena: FOR YOU GUYS, OBVIOUSLY FOR HONOLULU, JUST ON THE BACK SIDE?
BUT FOR MOTORCYCLE, YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL PAGES?
>> YEAH.
I BELIEVE IT'S TWO PAGES.
AND I JUST URGE PEOPLE TO TAKE THE TIME BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THEY REALLY AFFECT THE DAILY LIFE IN MANY CASES OF CITIZENS OF THAT COUNTY.
SO IF YOU'RE A VOTER IN THAT COUNTY, I WOULD ENCOURAGE TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT AND VOTE THAT WAY.
>>Olena: SABRINA, ANY WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO FOLKS HEADING TO POLLS OR DELIVERING BALLOT ON TIME.
>> NOVEMBER 3 LAST DAY TO SAFELY MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT.
AFTER THIS POINT, IF YOU CAN DROP IT OFF DEPOSIT SITES OR DIRECTLY TO VOTER SERVICE CENTER, VOTER SERVICE CENTER, BEST WHICH TO MAKE SURE YOUR BALLOT COUNTS.
>>Olena: HOW DO YOU ABOUT FINDING OUT WHERE TO DROP IT OFF?
>> SHOULD BE ON THE STATE ELECTION WEBSITE.
FOR EVERY COUNTY.
THEN EACH INDIVIDUAL COUNTY HAS ON THEIR WEBSITE PROBABLY AS WELL, WHERE THEY CAN GO AND DROP IT OFF.
WHATNOT.
FOR ALL OF YOU PROCRASTINATORS OUT THERE, SHOULDN'T PROCRASTINATE.
IF YOU DO, YOU CAN STILL VOTE IN PERSON.
AND ON ELECTION DAY, TOO, AND AS LONG AS YOU'RE IN LINE TO VOTE, BY 7:00 P.M., YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE.
THAT MEANS LIKE EVEN IF YOU'RE TRYING TO DROP IT OFF AND MAIL ONE OF THE BALLOT BOXES THAT ARE OUT THERE, BUT THERE'S A LINE, IF YOU'RE THERE BY 7:00, YEAH.
>>Olena: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND A REMINDER THE GENERAL ELECTION IS THIS COMING TUESDAY.
\YOU CAN STILL DROP OFF YOUR BALLOTS AT VOTING CENTERS AND YOU CAN ALSO VOTE IN PERSON.
THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS ‑ SABRINA BODON, FROM HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO, FROM THE HONOLULU STAR ADVERTISER, ASHLEY MIZUO, AND BRITTNEY LYTE, FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.
NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, THE ELECTION SEASON WILL BE OVER.
WE’LL BREAK DOWN THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION TO SEE WHO RESIDENTS VOTED INTO OFFICE.
PLEASE JOIN US THEN.
I’M OLENA HEU FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I, ALOHA AND AHUI HO.

- News and Public Affairs

Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.

- News and Public Affairs

FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.












Support for PBS provided by:
Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi is a local public television program presented by PBS Hawai'i