HILO, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi County Council passed four significant ordinances on their second and final reading at their meeting on May 7, 2025. These measures address a range of critical county functions, including government ethics, employee compensation, the annual operating budget, and infrastructure financing.
Ordinance 25-38 (Bill 21 Draft 2): Amending Nepotism Regulations This ordinance amends Chapter 2, Article 15, of the Hawaiʻi County Code 1983, specifically relating to nepotism. The goal of this amendment is to enhance ethical standards within county employment practices. The measure passed unanimously with all nine Council Members present voting AYE: Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba.
Ordinance 25-39 (Bill 36): Adopting The Salary Ordinance of 2025 This ordinance establishes the pay plan for County employees whose compensation is not otherwise specified, designates payroll periods and pay days, and outlines requirements for official fidelity bonds. It also repeals the previous Ordinance No. 24-28. This ordinance, now known as The Salary Ordinance of 2025, passed with eight AYE votes: Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba. Council Member Kimball was absent for this vote.
Ordinance 25-40 (Bill 37): Amending the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget This ordinance amends Ordinance No. 24-32, which serves as the Operating Budget for the County of Hawaiʻi for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This amendment indicates adjustments to the county’s financial plan for the current fiscal year. The measure passed with eight AYE votes: Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba. Council Member Kimball was absent.
Ordinance 25-41 (Bill 43): Financing Wastewater Public Improvement Projects This ordinance further amends previous ordinances (No. 23-40 and No. 22-125) that authorized the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement for a State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan. Crucially, it also re-authorizes the issuance of $17,000,000 in General Obligation Bonds. These bonds are intended to finance qualified Wastewater Public Improvements for the County of Hawaiʻi, supporting essential infrastructure development. This ordinance passed with eight AYE votes: Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba. Council Member Kimball was absent.
All four ordinances passed without any “NO” votes or “EXCUSED” absences, demonstrating broad council support for these measures.