An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, of the Hawaiʻi County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), Related to Animals

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Our office has worked with the Prosecuting Attorney, Hawai'i Police Department, Corporation Counsel, and community partners to draft and pass legislation that aims to increase accountability of dog owners as well as increase criminal liabilities in the event of vicious dog attacks.

In a legislative survey conducted by the Prosecutor's Office and completed by 1,422 individuals, 81% of respondents were in support of harsher penalties in dog attacks that result in serious and substantial bodily injury and even death.

In a nutshell, the Bill 125:

• Adds/amends definitions related to bodily injury

• Proposes penalties for negligent failure and habitual negligent failure to control a dangerous dog

• If charges are brought forward by the Prosecutor’s Office, and a dog owner is convicted, a judge may order penalties upon conviction.

• Clarifies language around immediate seizure of dog(s) that attacks by an enforcement officer

• Reorganizes Chapter 4 to include proposed new language and ensure clarity for reader

The bill was designed in response to events where Hawai‘i Island residents (and their animals) were severely injured, or even died, because of vicious dog attacks. In these situations, individuals were walking in their neighborhood and attacked by dogs that were unprovoked. This bill does not apply to situations where someone trespasses onto another person’s property and sustains a dog bite in the process.

An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 21-39, As Amended, Relating to Public Improvements and Financing thereof for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022

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In 2018, the County completed a Preliminary Master Plan for the Hawaiian Paradise Park District Park. Our office introduced a measure to take next steps to bring this park to life.

Bill 159 appropriated $235,000 to County Parks & Recreation for efforts associated with an environmental assessment (EA) for the HPP District Park. An EA is necessary for park construction. Now that the funds are appropriated, it’s on P&R to execute. As part of the EA process, the community will be engaged. I’ll be working with P&R to ensure timely completion so we are in a position to advocate for capital improvement funds from our State Legislature next session and apply for federal grants to bring this much needed park to life!

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 11 of the Hawaiʻi County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended) by adding a new article relating to Affordable Housing Production Funding

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My office is introducing Bill 160, which would amend Chapter 11 of our County Code, to appropriate $5 million to the Office of Housing & Community Development on an annual basis to facilitate programs that support, increase, and sustain affordable housing production.

Bill 160 was developed in partnership with the Administration to secure funding, and with the Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) to help inform program design.

Housing Production Program monies would be available to nonprofits, community land trusts, and government agencies. The RFP process would be similar to federally funded programs that OHCD has a depth of experience administering, such as the annual CDBG.

Funding would be used to increase affordable rental and owner-occupied housing supply through activities such as housing rehabilitation, property acquisition, planning/design/construction, and public infrastructure. Funding could also be used as leverage to braid other state/federal program funds together to expand housing opportunities.

In FY 2022-2023, $9 million was appropriated. Another $9 million will be allocated for the upcoming FY 2023-2024. OHCD will got out with an RFP at the start of the fiscal year, with $18 million to support housing production.

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7, if the Hawaiʻi County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), Relating to Disaster and Emergency Management.

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Our office collaborated with Civil Defense (CD) and Corporation Counsel to update Chapter 7 of our County Code related to Disaster and Emergency Management. Click here to read Bill 195 (Ord. 22-103), which was adopted by the Council on Oct. 5.

The impetus for this was the need to align our county ordinance with HRS 127-A, which was adopted by the State Legislature in 2014. Our island has experienced numerous natural disasters over the last decade, and this updated section of code considers all those experiences by clarifying CD’s duties and responsibilities, specifying coordination of disaster prep and response between CD and community partners, and mandating an annual report to Council on implementation of various emergency management plans.

As we prepare for a future that includes more natural disasters, it’s critical that we have the legislative framework and organizational capacity in place to help our communities prepare and bounce forward from anything that comes our way. Now that this bill been adopted, I’ll be using this as a tool to advocate for funding from our State Legislature to support initiatives and infrastructure that fosters resilience.

An Ordinance Amending the Parks and Recreational Facility Schedule, Chapter 15, Article 8, Section 15-68.1 of the Hawaiʻi County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), by Renaming the Pāhoa District Park in the Puna Region, the “William “Bill” Kenoi Park,” in Honor of William “Billy Punapaiaʻalaikahala Kenoi

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During his tenure as Hawai‘i County Mayor, Billy Kenoi displayed strong, passionate, and forward-thinking leadership, grounded in aloha with a dash of humor. One of his greatest achievements is the development and enhancement of County parks throughout Hawai‘i Island. To honor Mayor Kenoi’s contributions, I introduced Bill 212 to rename the Pāhoa District Park the William “Billy” Kenoi District Park as he was instrumental in making sure this park was funded and developed. It was a critical asset during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

Kenoi believed parks to be a pu‘uhonua – a place of hope, refuge, and safety – away from drugs where keiki could learn respect, sportsmanship, and teamwork. He saw parks as the heart of community, a space to immerse oneself in and reconnect with ‘āina as well as an opportunity to bring keiki, kupuna, and families together for active living and to create happy memories.

An Ordinance Amending Chapters 17 and 26 of the Hawaiʻi County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), relating to Fire

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Prior to introducing Bill 221, Hawai‘i County was operating under the 2006 National Fire Protection Association set of codes. This update was critical to ensuring our County is in line with the most current fire code regulations, which adopted by the State Fire Council in 2018. The state body adopted the 2021 NFPA in September 2022, and our County has two years to review, amend, and adopt it via ordinance. Bill 221 set the framework for future fire code updates.

The bill also cleans up language to connect with Chapter 5 (Building).

When fire fighters respond to calls to combat a fire, every minute, every second counts. The proposed changes are designed to keep buildings and people safe, while helping our fire fighters do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.