County of Hawaii 1996 - 1997 Annual Report: Hawaii County Council

	Council Chairman James Y. Arakaki is a 1958 graudate of Hilo High School. He attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1965. He is the President of Dodo Mortuary Life Plan and currently serves as the Hawaii County Council Chairman. A United States Army veteran, he has been very active in many community organizations such as the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Island Japanese Community Association, Hui Okinawa, Hilo Junior Golf, Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, Ahualani Kumiai, Hawaii Allied Memorial Council and the Kanoelehua Industrial Association. He has also served on the State of Hawaii Contractors Licensing Board. Council Chair Arakaki and his wife, Grace, have two daughters and a son.
	Councilman Al Smith was elected to represent the lower Puna area in November of 1994 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Council and as Vice Chairman of the County Housing Agency. He is presently the Secretary-Treasurer of the Hawaii State Association of Counties and the Vice Chair of the Public Lands and Steering Sub-Committee of the National Association of Counties. A resident of the community for over 29 years, he built a successful small business in Pahoa. He has helped start several youth programs including the Pahoa Little League, the Babe Ruth League, and Pahoa High baseball programs. He is a former President of the Pahoa PTSA, a member of Paradise Park Hui Hanalike, Hawaiian Paradise Park Road Maintenance, B.P.O. Elks, Lodge 759, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #3642, and the Puu Wai Opio Softball Club. Councilman Smith and his wife, Jan, have two children and two grandchildren.
	Councilman Dominic Yagong is a 1977 graduate of Honokaa High School and attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He currently serves as the Hawaii County Council's Public Works and Parks Chairman, as well as Vice Chairman of the Human Services and Economic Development Committee. Councilman Yagong has been actively involved in several community and civic organizations throughout the Hamakua Coast, including Hamakua Lions's Club, Mauna Kea Jaycees, Vice President of Honokaa Elementary Association, Fundraising Chairman for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Founder of the Green and Gold Forever fund, and Chairman of the Honokaa School Centennial Celebration. Councilman Yagong is known as the "voice of the Honokaa Dragons," as he does the broadcasting for Honokaa High School sporting events. He resides in Honokaa with his lovely wife Hilda, his daughter Chelsea, and his son Jeremy.
	Councilmember Bobby Jean Akane Leithead-Todd was born in Kokura, Fukuoka, Japan. She is a graduate of Hilo High School, the University of Hawaii and the William S. Richardson School of Law. In law school she received the prestigious Susan B. McKay Award, was a member of the National Moot Court Team and was the Editor of the UH Lawletter. Currently in private practicce, she is a former County Legislative Auditor, Deputy Corporation Counsel, served on the Supreme Court Committee on Gender and Other Fairness and is a prior Chairman of the Hawaii Board of Ethics. Councilmember Leithead-Todd serves on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation and is a member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, HIEDB Science and Technology Committee, Hawaii State and County Bar Associations, the Big Island Women's Legal Association, Keaukaha Canoe Club, and the Kaumana Ainako Athletic Association as well as numerous other community organizations. She and her husband, Steve Todd, have two sons, Kazuo and Christopher, and one daughter Katherine, who keep them busy on weekends with soccer, baseball, football and canoe paddling.
	Aaron S.Y. Chung is a first term councilmember of District 4 (Waiakea, Keaukaha, Panaewa and Downtown Hilo) and presently serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Finance. Born and raised in Hilo, he is a graduate of Hilo High School, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the UCLA School of Law. He previously served as a law clerk for the Honorable Ernest Kubota and as a Deputy Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaii and is currently an attorney in private practice. Of the various civic associations in which he has membership, Aaron finds most enjoyment in those which serve to further the recreational opportunities in the community, particularly for youngsters, hence his involvement with the Big Island Public Links Committee and numerous youth athletic organizations.
	Councilman John Santangelo, Jr., was born and raised in New London, Connecticut. He served four year in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics technician, then graduated from the Hawaii Institute of Electronics with an Associate's degree. He worked at the Sony Corporation of Hawaii as a service manager, and since then, has owned and managed several business including, Doron Electronics, Audio Center, and Na'alehu Appliance Repair. In 1979, he opened the Na'alehu Fruit Stand and later, Santangelo's Pizzaria in Ocean View in 1987. A resident of Hawaii for over 30 years, Councilman Santangelo has been very active in his community. He has served as Chairman of the Head Start Policy Council, President of the Naalehu Community Club, President and Treasurer of the Naalehu School PTA, Secretary of the Kau Lions Club, Finance Chair of the St. Joseph's High School Board of Directors, and District Chairman of the Kau-Puna Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) and as a member of the Board of Directors. Presently, he is serving on the Board of Directors for the Puna Federal Credit Union and the Vulcan Athletic Booster Club. He and his wife, Dorene Puanani, have two children, Shon and Noelani, and one grandchild, Nadia Lilinoe Santangelo.
	Councilman Joe Reynolds was elected to District 7, the southern portion of North Kona and the northern portion of South Kona, in 1996. A native of Centralia, Illinois, Joe was called to active duty in the Marine Corps at the start of the Koran War in 1950 while attending the University of Illinois. Joe obtained a degree in Government and a Master's Degree in Health and Safety Education after the war and attended Loyola University of Los Angeles' School of Law. He became a high school teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1959. In 1964, he became an Administrator in the Special Education Division and finished his 22 year career as a high school principal. Joe was awarded Doctoral Fellowship at new York University's Center for Safety in Education for 1963-1964, and in 1979 completed the University of San Francisco's Multicultural Education Program. Councilman Reynolds was the coordinator and professor of California Lutheran University's Continuing Education Program in Los Angeles, and taught part-time at new York University, California State University Los Angeles, UCLA and Pepperdine University. Joe has also been a Locomotive Fireman for the Santa Fe Railroad, a Claim's Adjustor for State Farm Insurance, and a Real Estate Broker in California and Hawaii. Since becoming a full-time resident of Kona in 1986, Joe, also a pilot, has been active in the community as a member and Commander of the Kona civil Air Patrol Squadron, a current member and Governor of the Hawaiian International Billfish Association, member and former Commander of Kona American Legion Post 20, member and former President of Kona Shrine Club, Past Exalted Ruler of Kona Elks, and is a Big Island high school football official. Joe's wife, Mary, is also very active in Kona, and two of six grandchildren and two of four children life in Kailua-Kona.
	Councilmember J. Curtis Tyler, III, represents Hawaii County Council District 8 (North Kona) and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Council Planning Committee. He is a 1964 graduate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy and a 1968 honors graduate of Williams College in Massachusetts. He served as a line officer in the U.S. Navy and is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. A lifetime Kona resident, Councilmember Tyler has been a small businessman and community leader for over 23 years. He currently chair the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. He is also a Director of the Kona Hawaiian Civic Club, member of the Kona Community Children's Council and the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. He previously served as Chair of the Kailua Village Design Commission, President of Konawaena Elementary School PTSA, Director of the Ironman Triathlon, and member of the Kona Traffic Safety Committee. In 1993, Councilman Tyler was name an Outstanding Citizen by the Hawaii County Council. He and his wife, Lesley, have a daughter and son and reside in Kalaoa, North Kona.
	Councilman John Ray was born in 1947 and raised in Virginia. He majored in history at the University of Virginia, served two years in the U.S. Army Infantry and moved to Hawaii in 1972. He lived on Oahu for four years and worked for Kuluwai irrigation, a firm specializing in drip irrigation sales and installation. Councilman Ray moved to Waimea on the Big Island in 1976 and has owned and operated several businesses during the past twenty years including Paniolo Pizza in Kailua-Kona, Paniolo Country Inn in Waimea, Johnny Ray's Original BBQ on Oahu, and ORCA Sea Farms on Moloka'i. He has been active in numerous community projects an organizations, Waimea School SCBM, Waimea Outdoor Circle, North Hawaii Rotary Club, Anuenue Playground, Waimea Main Street, and the Kahilu Theatre Foundation. He is married to Denise ray and has two daughters and one granddaughter.
	Donald Ikeda was appointed County Clerk on August 15, 1996. He is a graduate of California State College at Los Angeles with a Bachelor's degree in business with a major in Accounting. Mr. Ikeda's work experience spans both the private and public sector. Prior to returning to Hawaii, he worked in the Audits Division for the State of California in Los Angeles. He also worked in the private sector for twenty years as the manager of S. Ikeda Factory, Ltd. Mr. Ikeda's positions with the County of Hawaii include being a Legislative Assistant and later Fiscal Program Review Auditor in the Legislative Auditor's Office.
	Constance R. Kiriu, Legislative Auditor, graduated from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon with a Bachelor of Science Degree in sociology and education. She taught in the Minnesota, Washington and Hawaii school systems before working as Legislative Assistant with the Hawaii County Council for two years. Her move to the County Planning Department spanned a period of eight years where her responsibilities as a planner included Coastal Zone Management, Planning Commission and State Land Use Commission matters, agency rulemaking, environmental assessment reviews and preparation, General Plan, Zoning Code amendments, and emergency management operations and disaster response plans. She was subsequently appointed as Deputy County Clerk for two years with the Council, and later as Legislative Auditor.

The Hawaii County Council, consisting of nine elected members, is vested with the legislative powers of the county. Its primary function is legislation and public policy formulation. Councilmembers serve a term of two years and are elected from nine single member districts and must reside within the district. An election held during the 1996-1997 Fiscal Year resulted in six new Councilmembers.

In its continuing efforts to bring government closer to the public, the Council and Committee meetings continue to be televised on the public access channels in East and West Hawaii. Each meeting is aired twice and the broadcast times are published with the agendas in both the West Hawaii Today and the Hawaii Tribune Herald. In addition, the broadcast times are published in the television schedule in the West Hawaii Today.

Notices and agendas of meetings are printed in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today in advance of meeting dates to allow the public a greater opportunity for participation in the Council decision making process. The publication dates of the Council and Committee agendas are announced at the beginning and end of Na Leo's broadcast of the Council meeting.

The Clerk's office continues to work towards the implementation of an imaging, archival and records retrieval system, which will significantly improve access to public records. Some of the records available at the Clerk's Office are current and pending bills and resolutions, communications, Council and Committee agendas and minutes, Ordinances, Council Rules of Procedure, County Charter, County Code Chapters, Disclosures of Financial Interest and Gift Disclosure Statements, and the County Operating and Capital Improvement Project Budgets.

An informational video, "Your County Government", is available to schools and organizations to disseminate information on the functions of local government. The video tape is part of the voter education program and is also shown at introductory government workshops and tours. The tape is also available at the Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Thelma Parker (Waimea) and Pahala public libraries or may be ordered through the State Library System.

The support services for the Hawaii County Council are provided by: the Office of the County Clerk, Donald Ikeda, County Clerk; Connie Kiriu, Legislative Auditor; and respective support staff. The major assignments of the office were accomplished through its Council Services Division (clerical), the Legislative Auditor's Division (research and drafting) and the Elections Division (voter registration and elections). Also within the County Clerk's Office is the Machine Room, which provides reproduction and postage services for all County Departments. The Office of the County Clerk operated with a permanent staff of 39.

During the year the Council held 25 regular meetings, seven special meetings, seven Committee of the Whole meetings, and conducted ten public hearings. The Council's Committees conducted a total of 79 regular and special meetings, two public hearings, and six workshops. During this period, the Council processed approximately 2000 public communications, approved 184 resolutions and enacted 178 bills into law.

The County Council hosted a Telecommunity Networking Conference, which brought together a cross-section of people from local, state, and federal governments, businesses, internet service providers, utility companies, and communications consultants. The conference was designed to inform the community what an electronic village was, how it could work, and what the benefits were. The conference also sought to identify resources to design a road map towards establishing an electronic village on the Big Island.

The County Council hosted the Year-end Conference of the Hawaii State Association of Counties, which was held at the Hilo Naniloa Hotel. The conference explored the controversial issue of privatization from the view of the Unions, the County's administrations, a private attorney, a State Legislator, and the County Councils. Conferees were also given an overview of specific Big Island economic initiatives and the Hawaii Convention Center.

The numerous meetings, subcommittee meetings, public hearings and workshops held in the past year are indicative of the Council's desire to provide meaningful participation in the formulation of legislative policy and program development for its citizens.

Of the 178 bills which were passed, those most noteworthy accomplished the following:

The Council also initiated the first phase of a water improvement district for the Kona Coastview and Kona Wonderview Subdivisions. Another critical component of the island's infrastructural networking began with the process of acquiring and improving the Puna Emergency Access Road, which would provide access for residents in lower Puna to Volcano Highway. A land acquisition process was initiated at Pohoiki to replace park land lost to lava flows. Finally, the Council authorized the negotiations of month-to-month licenses or permits for County acquired properties from Hamakua Sugar Company.

As a result of sound and conservative fiscal management over the past years, the Council and the Administrations worked to adopt a balanced County budget without the need to increase real property taxes.

In its review of proposed development projects, the Council balanced its decisions of allowing quality growth with the opportunities created for jobs, affordable housing and improved infrastructure. The Council also recognized that the expansion of the County's real property tax base as a result of increased assessments for highest and best use through zoning would support, in part, the demands placed on the delivery of services to residents. Over 1,800 acres of land were rezoned to accommodate various agricultural, residential, resort, commercial in industrial projects in the county. Every project was reviewed on its merits and against goals, policies and objectives in the General Plan. Those change of zone applications that were approved contained conditions, as necessary, addressing water, traffic, solid waste, drainage, parks, police, fire, historic sites and affordable housing.

Funds generated from the fuel tax continued to pay for the maintenance and repair of roads throughout the County. Approximately $5,300,000 was appropriated for the fiscal year.

The Council also appropriated major funding for capital improvements projects in every district. Projects included, but were not limited to:

As part of its legislative program, the Council developed these target priority items:

Because of the concerted lobbying effort of the Council and other counties, the County will receive TAT revenues from the current formula, which translates to a consistent and reliable revenue source for the next fiscal year.

Elections Division is responsible for all election activities in the County, including the administration of State and County elections, registration of voters, voter education, conducts absentee voting, establishes new polling places, recruits and trains precinct officials, tabulates ballots, redefines district boundaries during reapportionment, proposes election legislation, verifies signatories on petitions and nomination papers, and maintains the regular and OHA voter registers. The Division also acts as an agent for the State Campaign Spending Division and the Ethics Commission by taking receipt of reports that are required to be filed by these agencies. It assists the Office of Elections in State election matters.

The office implements its programs with a full time staff of four: Deputy County Clerk, Elections Administrator, Elections Assistant, and Senior Elections Clerk. In election years, this staff is incrementally augmented by (13) full-time temporary positions: (8) Election Clerks, (1) Elections Supervisor, and (4) Election Warehouse Workers.

A new precinct will be established in Pahoa for the 1998 elections, bringing the total number of polling places to 57.

During the 1996 elections cycle 38,648 votes were cast at the primary election and 50,464 votes at the general election. This office recruited and trained 689 officials to conduct the elections, processed 25,000 transactions to the voter register, and 18,490 applications for absentee ballots.

Dominic Yagong	District 1, Hamakua, North Hilo, and portions of South Hilo (Hakalau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Papaikou, Kaiwiki)
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd	District 2, South Hilo (Amauulu, Puueo, portions of Downtown Hilo, Lanakila, Waianuenue, Kaumana, Ainako, Piihonua, portions of Waiakea Homesteads)
James Arakaki	District 3, South Hilo (Waiakea Homesteads, Waiakea-Uka) and Puna (Keaau)
Aaron S. Y. Chung	District 4, South Hilo (Keaukaha, Panaewa, Waiakea Houselots, portions of Downtown, University and portions of Waiakea Homesteads)
Al Smith	District 5, Puna (Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Beaches, Pahoa Village, Nanawale, Kapoho, and Kalapana)
John Santangelo	District 6, Puna (Kurtistown, Mt. View, Volcano), Kau (Pahala, Naalehu, HOVE) and South Kona (Milolii, Hookena, and portions of Honaunau)
Joseph Reynolds	District 7, South Kona (portions of Honaunau, Capt. Cook, Kealakekua) and North Kona (Kainaliu, Keauhou, Kahaluu, Holualoa)
J. Curtis Tyler, III	District 8, North Kona (Kailua, Kealakehe, Kalaoa, Puuanahulu)
John Ray	District 9, North and South Kohala (Waikoloa, Waimea, Hawi, Halaula)