This chapter includes a brief overview of Hawaii County and the Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) organizational structure.

For the purpose of this report, any reference to population is based on information supplied by the County of Hawaii.

The County of Hawaii contracts with HIHS to "carry out the County’s Animal Control program pursuant to Chapter 4 of the Hawaii County Code and Chapter 143 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes." HIHS is responsible for animal protection/control within the entire County of Hawaii (4,028 square miles). The History and Purpose of the Hawaii Island Humane Society, which appears within the agency’s Volunteer Handbook, offers the following summary regarding service delivery:

Animal Control services are provided under contract with the County of Hawaii. The extent of these services and the budget that supports them are negotiated each year with the County. The remainder of the programs provided by HIHS are funded by donations. It is important to understand that HIHS is not a county agency and that the cost of providing many services is not covered by the County contract. Though united in a common mission with many humane organizations across the country, the Hawaii Island Humane Society is a separate, individual organization, which receives no funding from national organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association or National SPCA. No donations are received from the Aloha United Way, the state or federal government. Private donations make the following programs possible:

• Adoptions.
• Spay/Neuter for our adoption program.
• Educational programs and shelter tours.
• Veterinarian care for our animals.
• Volunteer programs.
• Community programs to educate the public. (End of summary)

HIHS is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation governed by a 12-member Board of Directors. The Executive Director is chosen by the Board to manage all aspects of field and shelter operations and their personnel. A review of data confirms that the agency is managed by Grayson Hashida, who is the Executive Director. Positions within the organization’s operation are funded by taxpayers within Hawaii County and HIHS.

The Executive Director is responsible for a wide variety of administrative duties and directs the daily operations of the agency. The chart located at the end of Chapter 2, "Administration," details current organizational structures.

The State of Hawaii offers only 2 levels of government: State and County. The Island of Hawaii is one single governmental unit, with no individual city or municipal governments. The County of Hawaii County operates under a Mayor/Council form of government. This form of government is a representative system in which the Mayor and Council oversee the delivery of public services.

The County Council consists of a 9-member board representing 9 county districts, and the popularly-elected mayor.

The Director of the Finance Department, as the contract administrator, is responsible for overseeing HIHS. The day-to-day management of HIHS operations is the responsibility of the Executive Director.