Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Good afternoon, we're convening the committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts on our 1 PM. Agenda here in State Capitol Conference Room 225. We have a number of nominees up for potential hearing and confirmation today. We'd ask everyone to be concise, make sure your written testimony has been submitted, which we have already for those who've signed up to testify.

We'll be asking folks to limit their testimony with the exception of the nominees themselves, to one minute to make sure that we have time to get through all the nominees and all the testifiers. For everyone wishing to testify, how we're gonna do this is we'll hear each governor's message. We'll hear from the public and go through the public testimony. And if there's questions, folks are gonna be able to ask those questions of those testifiers, and then we'll hear from the nominee themselves and repeat the process.

So with that, let's begin with Governor's Message 788, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnerships Commission gubernatorial nominee Karen Knudsen for a term to expire 06/30/2030.

And testifying first on GM 788 is the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Senator Lee and Senator Inouye. Dennis Ling with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which stands in strong support of this GM for consideration and confirmation of Karen Knutson to serve in the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnership Committee, commission rather. As you know, the commission reviews proposals for new sister states and international partnerships and establishes the criteria criteria for proposed partnerships, and they support DBEDT in its international relations outreach.

Karen Knudson, for four decades, has extensive Asia Pacific experience, thirty years at the East West Center, where she led inter major international conferences and worked closely with government officials. Apart upon her retirement from the East West Center, Karen served as an adjunct senior fellow, remains active on the East West Center board of directors, and the East West Center Association of Executive Committee.

She also is Chairman of the board of the Japan America Society. Thank you very much.

Thank you. That's everyone who had signed up to testify on GM 788. Is there anyone else wishing to testify this afternoon? Okay. If not, are there any questions?

Oh, yeah. Maybe I'm sorry. Can debate come up again? Sorry. The sister state relationship Yes.

Was done not too long ago. Right?

With who?

This the commission itself or the sister state.

Yes. The commission was established, last year. Correct. It was changed from a committee to a commission.

And, we are the previous committee, was abolished. So we're now, bringing a new commission before the, the Senate.

Okay. So with that change, we had a commission already established, right, under the old

Right. We had a committee established. Yes.

Okay. But they're still serving, and now it's called the sister city.

No. That committee was abolished. So this is the replacement for it, a commission that David established.

But we're only allowing according to what have we have before us on the GMs, only two members. Are we limiting that commission?

No. These are the two members appointed by the governor. The chair Senate chair of the international relations committee is ex officio. The chair of the international relations committee of the house is ex official. And the appointees by the Senate president and the house speaker are also appointed, but they don't have to go through confirmation.

There is another governor appointee coming from OHA, but they have yet to release.

Release the name.

So how many members then aside from the the other ones that you already identified? Five. Because you're saying it's non voting members.

The nominees.

Yeah. So there's five voting Members. Okay. Two. Yeah.

So five voting Members. So vacancy OHA. Where's the other two coming from?

Oh, the other two?

Because you only have two to start off the commission. Right? The voting Members.

Yeah. But we have already two sitting voting Members.

Oh, okay. Okay.

Yeah. They're appointed by the House and the Senate, and they don't need to go through confirmation.

Oh, that's interesting.

Yeah. It's the.

That's interesting.

It's the governor's appointee.

Okay. So this new state commission on international relay International Partnership Commission, It's five Members then, voting.

Five members voting.

So two already are in place from the speaker and the president. Yes. They don't have to come to the.

For confirmation.

For confirmation. So these two are the first one before this body?

First two, yes. Before.

And then there's a vacancy from

all the pod

that hasn't been filled.

That's correct.

Okay. Have I do you know if they're already came up with a name that submitted to the governor?

The name that they submitted to the governor, we were moving along, but the person declined to serve because of a conflict of interest.

Okay. Now the person appointed by OHA doesn't necessarily mean to be but that's a voting member. Right?

That would be a voting member.

So it's not a member of the OHA administration then. It's outside their recommendation.

Well, it could be. I don't think it precludes anybody from the OHA board.

Okay. Well, I'm kinda surprised because OHA has been trying to get into boards and commissions, as you know, from the administration side. And yet, when it comes to other commissions, they've kinda delayed in and we hope that they'd fill the positions.

Yeah. We hope so too. Okay. Because it helps to get quorum.

Well, good luck. And I do know, miss Knudsen, and I think she's done a fabulous job in her role in her prior activities and, qualifications. I think she's a perfect match for this. Okay. Okay.

Alright. Thank you. Thanks, Chair. Sorry.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions? Hearing none, why don't we bring the nominee up?

Aloha.

Aloha. Congratulations on your nomination.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Chair. I appreciate that, and thank you, committee. It is indeed an honor to be nominated to this position, and I hope should I be passed along and approved, I hope to do a good job for the state of Hawaii.

Do you want a longer statement? I don't think I need to do a long one.

Entirely up to you.

I am as Dennis said so kindly, I've spent 40 years nearly. A little bit more if you could include my Peace Corps volunteer Right. Experience. And I'm very excited to be part of this. Hawaii has so much potential, and I look forward to working with all of you, including Senator Chang and others.

Thank you.

Can I ask something? Please, please. Yes. And thank you for, your service, your history, and you've done just wonderful in your volunteerism and the work that you did. However, now we're going into the sister state relationships.

I'm just kinda wondering what the effect, and maybe Dennis can answer that as well, because the counties also do relationships With foreign countries. So I guess, I guess, when we look at sister state, so it's within our state, because on the county's relationship, we don't get involved. Right?

That's correct. Yes. We however, the relationship with the state, a lot of times set the basis for the relationship with the cities. So it serves as an entree for that relationship.

Okay. So with those that we already have relationship, like Taipei, and other some in Japan already, a sister state. So all of those will remain?

Yes.

Because it's technically a already established

Yes.

Relationship.

Yes.

Okay. So this commission will then look at the Pacific Region. As I read, the role is to probably, I guess, connect into establishing a relationship.

Yes. Looking at new relationships that might be appropriate for, the state to enter into.

What happened to the budget that covered the original commission? Because now it seems like you're doing a lot more, and so how's your budget?

Well, there was no budget for the previous committee. There is no budget for this commission. We use whatever funding we get for BED 101, which is the Office of International Relations, and we fund from there. So there's no specific for the commission.

Alright. Okay. Good luck. Thank thank you.

Thank you. May I mention one thing? Well, my primary background has been in the Asia Pacific Region. I think we also have a relationship, I think, with Morocco, the city in Morocco, and outside just the Asia Pacific Region. So we may occasionally be looking at something outside.

So but it's also nurturing the existing sister state relationships Right. In addition to looking at

Well, it's why I mentioned about the budgeting items because now you're going internationally, and I'm just curious to see how you're going to manage getting the initial invitation, so called. But I guess with communications now, you can always go on virtual communications, I guess.

Yes. Yes. I think there are ways that we can make sure that we communicate properly with our counterparts and colleagues overseas, either digital or face to face meetings, which a lot of them come into town. And when we have government groups going out of town to visit those places, they make the, communications link.

Was there any reason why we didn't include as part of a non voting member HTA on the board?

I think it's a broader than well, I don't know. That was alright. Up to the legislature.

Well, you're part of DBEDS so.

Yeah.

You can be in charge of tourism and everybody else. Thank you. I don't wanna delay this meeting anymore. Thank you so much, Karen.

Thank you. Alright.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Everybody. Any further questions? None. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Cindy.

Alright. Let's move on to the next, GM 788, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnerships Commission, gubernatorial nominee, Wesley Fong, for a term to expire 06/30/2030. And testifying first on GM 789 is Deepen.

Yes. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, committee Members, Senators Chang and DeCorte. Yes. DBEDT stands in strong support of this GM. You know, Wesley Fong, West Fong has served his country so much, we owe him a great debt of service.

And now he's serving his community here in Hawaii in many ways. And he has strong background in the military, as staff judge advocate for the US Army Japan, worked closely with international and multinational partners on legal matters, deputy commander of the Pacific Liaison Command, and many distinctions, including the Legion of Merit Bronze Stars and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. And beyond his military service, which we thank him very much for his service again, It's his knowledge of international trade, and we respectfully request your favorable consideration.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Can I ask you a question instead of him going back in here?

Well, he's the only person who signed up to testify. So please feel free.

And I we thank Mr. Fong for his volunteerism on this issue. However, Mr. Fong is on the state ethics commission.

Yes.

You cannot serve on any state boards two times. If you're on one commission, you cannot serve on another commission. So have you

researched Simultaneously. Yes. Yes.

Have you researched that if he's and or maybe we can we can Yes. Why don't we you can go ahead and continue stay here, Mr. Fong. Yeah. You can call him up then.

Thank you. First of all, anyone else wishing to testify on GM789? Hearing none. Okay. Mr. Fong, please come forward. Congratulations on your nomination.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much. We're proud that we have your status on on the commission.

Thank you very much.

Well, thank you. To answer your first question, I resigned as of the twentieth of this month in regards to.

Last week then or.

I found out I cannot serve on two.

Oh, okay. Alright.

Yeah. So I said no. And it's not fair to the ethics commission. I've been there eight years. And I said, you know, you left a new chair and at the same time carry on so you don't have to wait and to see if I get confirmed on this commission.

Okay. But I wanna thank the the governor for this opportunity to continue my state service. Sure. So

And you were on the AG. So I was What year?

So Let me let him okay. If there's anything else you'd like to add for yourself, feel free, and then we can get into Q & A.

Oh, I can get my spiel. Oh, real quick. Okay. I don't know if all of you read my my bio. I mean, I've been around the block a couple of times, but so I have gray hair.

At least I have hair. But anyway but actually, when the governor found out that my tenure at this ethics commission was running out in June, he said he wanted me to continue my service. I said more than happy if it fits within my qualifications that I can benefit the state. And looking at the mission of the commission, which basically is to review, to evaluate, initiate international agreements, as long as it benefits the state either, I think, it's economically, diplomatically, educationally, and also culturally.

I said, I think I can fit in there because of my background, both professional military and international community.

Let me just go back go through real quick. Besides the fact that I'm retired from the military as a staff judge advocate for The United States Army Of Japan, I'm very familiar with Japan. I've been also actually assignments in Thailand, in Korea, and, of course, Vietnam, which wasn't too pleasant when people are shooting at you. That's another story.

But at the same time, I have also experience in in other aspects of as you mentioned, I'm a supervising deputy attorney general for the state of Hawaii, so I'm very familiar with the state and also charge of litigation at a corporation called county level.

But I also now teach at the university, and I teach at the Tim School. Travel Industry Manager for the last, good gravy. I just saw one of my students. I feel so old. Twenty three years.

Well, that's good. That's tourism.

That's correct. Yeah. That's it. And, actually, the reason why I say it's it's important was having read the mission of this particular commission, one of my goals, if I'm confirmed, I like to push the University of Hawaii and promote University of Hawaii and also the products that we may have here in Hawaii like coffee. I heard that we may be running up too much we don't have that much coffee, but I just came back from Japan.

And, you know, if you wanna make a good friend, just give them a bottle of McCallons. Right? Single malt whiskey and a a bag of 100% Kona coffee. So I like to you know, it's a two Way Street. They wanna be partners with us, but what what does that take and they offer us?

So at my when I mentioned the fact that I teach at the University of Hawaii, my class, I have 60. One third of my classes outside the state of Hawaii, and most of them are from the Indo Pacific region. Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia. I even have one from Tibet and and all all different parts of the Indo Pacific. And to me, these are the leaders of the future for us in tourism and also economy.

Maybe we can learn from them later. But at the same time, what it amounts to is it generates revenue. For those of us who, you know, went to University of Hawaii, if you're out of state, you pay 30,000 in states 10. That's generated a lot of revenue. On the other side of the fact is that also my international community,

I have a Rotary Club that has sister clubs in Taipei. I have Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Makaki West, The Philippines. We for the last fifty years, I've been a Rotarian. We've had many joint service projects to promote friendship, etcetera. As a matter of fact, most recently, we had a supported a eye clinic in Jungsan China.

And that's one of my pets. I've been traveled, and I'm the past president of Chinese Chamber of Commerce. So and I know very a lot about China. And we just finished a project supporting a school for the disabled in Hanoi, Vietnam. At least this time, they're not shooting at me, but, again so I believe in this commission to go beyond just an agreement.

Because to me, if it doesn't benefit Hawaii, why are we doing it? I mean, I'm very pragmatic about it. Everybody wants to visit Hawaii. Okay? But at the same time, hopefully, I can contribute to the mission.

And to me, being a thirty year military, anything that helps me promote peace and stability in the Indo Pacific, I'll do it. And I think agreements are very important. Let me give you one last example. When I was the president of the Chinese Chamber, I had finished my tenure. The actually, an organization from China, actually, which I they call them an NGO, but they're all related to the government.

Asked me to bring back more invite retired generals and admirals to visit China so that we could establish a friendship and also an understanding, not only between the countries, but our military. It was very successful. It stopped after it was before the pandemic. So, again, you know, I've had my war. That was thirty five years ago.

Anything that could help is the stability and also the peace in the region, like these agreements. And what better place in Hawaii than, you know, the Crossroad Of The Pacific and also the center of our military power in the Indo Pacific. I'm for it. And I hope I can be of be an asset.

Just one more just one more question. Sorry? Yes. You'll probably be one of the best advisors for mayor Blangiardi. Help him to get the Chinese government, Taipei, or Taiwan that owns the cultural center building on Mauna Kea Street and South Beretania to make improvements and have them participate in taking care of their building on our on our that's here in Hawaii.

So I

can answer a question real quick.

Okay. Because then you can help him get the communication.

Real real quick. I don't wanna aye aye. Well, first of all, you know that the Chinatown Cultural Plaza is owned by the Taiwan government.

That's right.

And it's via the China Airlines because of the fact that China is owned by the government. I know that, mayor Blangiardi, and and he's been great trying to build up Chinatown, has tried to work with that group. And the director general now, and I think, Senator Chang knows it too.

Jerry Chang would be also they're sending a delegation here to try and remedy all of the problems that we have with that that area because we wanna develop that, the river wall, just like in San Antonio or Chicago.

I'm but , yes, I'm working

with the city. Good.

Yep. Anyway very much.

Rebuild the building. They need help.

Oh, yes. Okay.

Thank you. Thank you, chair.

Thank you. Any further questions?

Question.

Oh, Senator DeCora.

Thank you. Thank you, Wesley, so much for being here. Thank you for making a very diligent attempt to meet with me. I apologize with the calendar conflict, but I

don't know.

I appreciate the attempt. My question is very simple. Why would you wanna step down from the ethics commission to pursue membership on this board, which is also very important?

Actually, in two months, I would've been forced out. My tenure ends after two terms as, you know, one being the chair in June of the year. Anyway. Yeah. So that's when I was talking to the governor.

You know? He says, you you're finishing? How about continuing on? I said, well, if I can be of service and and I'm of benefit, I'll be more than happy to. That's in my mantra.

Let me tell you my last mantra. It's not your value is not how long you live, but how much you contribute. And if you look at my my resume or my bio, I've been my mother always told me, you gotta give back.

Thank you for that. I would just like to state for the record, and and I'm happy to hear that you're still staying in public service. But I have been very impressed by your work on the ethics commission and in just continuing to look into the work that you've done in the Ethics Commission. You have really tried to pursue anti nepotism laws in the legislature and also in the judicial branch.

Also you were quoted in a 2024 article saying that ethics is the cornerstone of good and honest government.

If you can't trust your state officials, who can you trust? And I think it's very important that we have somebody that has that kind of integrity, somebody that has that kind of moral values. I would I wish I could, like, split you up and put you on different commissions and different boards.

You said it'll be a felony.

Oh, yeah. Okay. But it's also probably not very ethical either. But I I do really wanna thank you for continuing your public service, and thank you very much for your time that you have spent on the ethics board. I've watched it, and I will continue to watch.

And I believe that you being here will be an addition to this commission. So thank you very much.

Well, thank you very much for your comments. I feel very humbled by your your your comments. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair.

There's no further questions? Alright.

Thank you very much.

Dennis, tell the governor where did you find him. This is a perfect fit for this commission. Thank you.

Thank you.

Let's take

Move on to GM769, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, gubernatorial nominee Patrick Bronco, for a term to expire 06/30/2030. And testifying first on GM 769 is the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the committee. I'm Karen Ewald, the executive director for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and we stand in strong support on and stand on a written testimony.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll also have testimony from the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the committee. My name is Sam Kim with the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. We're testifying in strong support. Mister Patrick Bronco's confirmation is not on our written testimony.

Thank you.

Thank you. That's everyone who had signed up to testify on GM 769. Is there anyone else wishing to testify? Hearing none. Any questions?

Alright. Hearing none. I believe our nominee is on Zoom. So, congratulations on your nomination. Please proceed.

Thank you, Senator. Thank you, the committee. I apologize for not being there in person. Currently on a temporary military orders on the East Coast, but we'll be returning shortly. My prior experience, you know, many of you are my former colleagues, but before that, I actually did a lot of public diplomacy work and was the cultural attache, in embassy crocus before the embassy got closed.

Did a lot with the Fulbright bringing, cultural exchanges, art, etcetera. But thank you for, considering me. Follow.

Thank you. Any questions for the nominee?

Well, Patrick, maybe now you can stay home a little longer. You've been traveling a lot.

Yes. Thank you, sir.

Yeah. Well, good luck to you and thank you for your service. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

everyone. With that, if there's no further questions, let's move on to the next. GM 770, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts gubernatorial nominee, Makanani Sala, for a term to expire 06/30/2030. Testifying first on GM 770 is the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Good afternoon. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts submits their strong support and testimony and strong support. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. That's everyone who had signed up to testify on this measure. Is there anyone else wishing to testify? Oh, please come forward.

Good afternoon.

Aloha. Aloha.

Aloha. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson. I am pleased to see doctor Makenani's name on the agenda for confirmation. I know her well and have worked with her in her past experiences at the county when she was teaching at the Windward Community College. And also when she and her husband organized the FestPAC Festival a few years ago, and I strongly support her nomination to this committee. I think she will add some good layer of Hawaiian culture and what that means for us statewide to this foundation. So mahalo.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else wishing to testify on GM770? Hearing none, are there any questions? And hearing none, thank you. Why don't we move on to our nominee?

Good afternoon, and congratulations on your nomination. Congratulations.

Chair, vice chair, members of the committee, Auntie Noe, thank you very much for those rousing words. In my previous life, I did a very similar job to director Ewald at the county. Funny enough, it actually did include Sister City. We had a little bit of a of a wider birth, not as deep in arts, but we also did cover arts and culture.

And I think the thing that I always lean back on is public private partnership and the ways that SFCA can help other governmental departments do their jobs better or help them when they need expertise, And so I think that's what our goal will be.

Thank you very much. Any questions for the nominee?

Yes. Sure. And, Noenori, I know her very well. But you mentioned Westpac. Is that the conference that came and was on the Big Island?

Yes.

It's what?

Oh, no.

No. Where did they go first?

Festpac.

Oh, like the Oahu.

Yeah. The one at the convention center.

And that was several years ago.

2024, we did Festpac. It was about 3,000 people from 28 different countries.

And I understand there may be possibility of returning? Or Actually, it moves every That's an independent group. Right?

It's an independent festival, and so it moves next. It's in New Caledonia, if I'm not yeah. Noumea, New Caledonia, and that's in 2028. And the festival director is back there.

I oh, okay. So internationally, they move around then?

Internationally, they take turns between Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. And so

because that was a very successful Yeah. We event here.

We had a great time. I think there's not as many times that we are able to celebrate the smaller nations in Oceania, so this was such a fun festival to bring to light all the amazing things that these you know, what we look at as tiny nations are doing philosophically and materially.

Thank you. Thank you Chair.

Any further questions? Hearing none, thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you. Good luck.

Thank you.

Okay. Let's move on to the next measure, GM 767 submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Land Use Commission, gubernatorial nominee Miles Miyasato for a term to expire 06/30/2029. Testifying first on GM 767 is the Land Use Commission. Good afternoon.

Thank you, Chair Lee. Vice Chair, Inouye. Members of the committee, Dan Orodenker, Executive Office for Land Use Commission. We stand on our written testimony in support. Thank you. Oh, and just one thing.

I did attend FESTPAC last year. It was really wonderful.

Thank you. Up next, signed up to testify again is the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters.

Well, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the committee. My name is Sam Kim, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. We're gonna be standing on our written testimony in strong support. Thank you.

Thank you. And signed up on Zoom is Avalon Development Company.

Not present on Zoom, Chair.

Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else wishing to testify in GM 767? Hearing none, are there any questions?

Hearing none. Thank you. Why don't we go ahead and bring up our nominees? Good afternoon, Mr. Miyasato. Congratulations on your nomination. Oh, you're There you go.

Okay. Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, committee Members. First of all, yeah, I apologize for not being present in person. We had booked this trip a while ago, so I'm not able to be there. Also, yeah, I just hope to do my best and hold the integrity of our commission. Thank you for considering my nomination.

Thank you very much. Very much. Are there questions for the nominee? I have Oh, Vice Chair.

Hi. Hi, Myles. How are you?

Hello. Yes. Okay.

Just just a question. Because your this is your second term coming up. Right?

I had term. I believe I had showed a remainder Oh, you were vacant.

Filling up a vacancy then?

Correct.

Oh, okay. Okay. Was that two years?

It one year, and then one year was a carryover.

Oh, okay. Okay. So you've been there for for a couple of years?

Okay. There's there's many since the wildfire on Maui, and there's been a lot of activity here between the Senate and the house with regards to housing. And our housing chair, Senator Chang, has been working real hard with regards to creating and ensuring that we proceed with assisting the development, not only on Maui, but also changing our rules and laws with regards to housing in its entirety throughout the state. Has there been any particular issue that has been bothersome to land use working with the counties?

Yes.

Or just just a question to ask because you've been there two years.

You know, it's a really hard question to answer because during my two years, unfortunately well, not really unfortunately, but majority of our petitions that have come before us mainly was petitions that were already entitled, and they just came for extensions. So, you know, in that regard for your question, we haven't come across any problems.

Okay. So no changes to the laws that land use commission administers or to make life much easier for the dedication of increasing our capacity in housing?

No. Because we we have to stay within our guardrails, yeah, of protection and preservation. So we pretty much mandated to that.

Okay. Well, another question too is that I've been a sort of a planner on a planning commission in Hawaii County as well. But, you know, they are there's an opportunity to make sure that there is laws that hopefully we can review and work with the administrator as well on trying to ease up some of our permitting system or working with the counties to ensure, you know, that things move out faster. You know, oftentimes we hear that government is very slow in doing the work, but okay.

That means that there hasn't been very controversial issues then, with the commission.

And I'm sure, you know, Dan has been actually making a lot of changes in the past years to make sure that, we don't delay in providing necessary housing so that we don't leave. We don't see too many of our our residents exiting outside of Hawaii. Okay. Thank you, and thank you for your service. Good luck.

Thank you, Chair.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Myles, for, again, your interest in serving, with, the Chair's indulgence. I have, three questions, if you don't mind. But my first question is, many of your supporters who had came out to testify pointed out your background in construction and development. How do you ensure that perspective doesn't lean you towards approving projects, especially when the impacts on communities are still unresolved?

Well, like I had just previously mentioned, we we operate within strict guardrails and guidelines under the HRS and administrative rules, and we're bound by the public, you know, to uphold the public trust doctrine. So I don't think there's there's not much room for us outside of the guardrails at all.

Okay. Thank you. A follow-up question, Chair. And for areas like my district, as example, we we are dealing with real limits. We have one road in, one road out, strain infrastructure, and safety concerns.

In your view, should the commission approve new development in places where the infrastructure clearly cannot support additional growth?

If it clearly cannot support additional growth, then no. Probably wouldn't get my vote. I'm not I can't speak for the rest of the commission. But

Thank you for that. And then my last question. Thank you, Chair and members. You've spoken about the need for housing, but is any housing the right kind of housing if it puts more pressure on already strained systems? Should the commission be willing to deny projects when roads are inadequate, water systems are uncertain, or emergency access is limited?

Yes. All those conditions need to be satisfied and presented before us. It's the obligation of the petitioner.

Okay. Very good. Thank you very much. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you. Further questions? Thanks for thanks for, the commentary. I had just two.

You know, there were a number of bills this year considered by the legislature that would have changed the powers of the land use commission or expanded its ability to do different things or expanded the power of counties and others to do things in the same realm as the land use commission and some of those were running into concern and opposition from various members of the, I think it's fair to say, agricultural sector about loss of potential ag lands and things like that.

And so those measures didn't make it. But I guess as that conversation continues because it appears to be coming up more and more each year, how do you balance the need for agricultural interests in that industry meant local food production and that sort of thing against the need for development and other land uses?

Well, I think we already have safeguards in place for important egg lands. I think a lot of those egg lands are, you know, privately owned, so I don't think they have the infrastructure to develop, first of all. Well, it depends on what county you're talking about. You know, it's a whole different answer for different counties. I'm thinking of Big Island where there's no infrastructure to support major developments on AG land unless you're gonna install your own infrastructure.

It's not just build and tap in. So depending on what county you're talking about, a lot of it is self regulating. But, I guess, other than that gee. Well, Honolulu, I think you're very limited in space already, but, you know, I guess, always gonna have to I mean, I'm a rancher. So I cannot see giving up my ranch for a subdivision.

You know? We need AG. We need AG in Hawaii, but it has to be sustainable. And I think that's where government comes in, to help make it sustainable and make it productive, which is the hardest out of the equation.

I guess let me ask it this way. Part of the discussions that took place here at the legislature and various committees revolved around this very question. But would you support, having a position on the commission, that is specifically from the AG industry, to help, I think, sort through some of those questions so they don't end up, I don't know, blowing up later on, I guess.

I've been a position from the AG you mean appointed by Department of AG?

Yeah. It could be a number of things, but I guess somebody somebody representing the agricultural industry on the commission so that there's a perspective there.

I guess if it's the will of the legislature, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I just say just keep it fair. Commissions are for the general public to participate, so just keep that just keep it fair. Just keep that's all. That's my only concern as a not as a commissioner, as a private citizen.

Just keep it fair. And I have we have no problem with it, any commissioner coming on board or or nominee being a commissioner.

Okay. Thank you very much. Any further questions from anybody? Hearing none, thank you very much, mister Miyasato.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Good luck.

Let's move on to the next GM 766 submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Land Use Commission gubernatorial nominee, Melvin Kahele. Return to expire 06/30/2030. Testifying first on GM 766 is the Land Use Commission.

Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair Inouye, Members of the committee. The Land Use Commission stands on its testimony and support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We also have testimony signed up from, oh, Mr. Gary Okuda. Good afternoon. Good afternoon.

Thank you very much, Chair. Thank you, Senators. I had privilege of serving eight years on the land use commission and several of those years with Mel Kahele. Let me tell you this. We are we who are lawyers tried to make sure we follow the law a 100%.

Mel made sure that the commission had an open mind, listened to everyone, took in all the evidence. Now I know he has a strong background in with the with union leadership. You could never tell that on the commission. He never favored or or went against anyone just because of their affiliation. He really kept an open mind.

In answer to one question I heard, he's also been supportive of some of the things the commission and execs, especially executive directors tried to do. For example, getting a specific position to kinda like concierge or move existing projects that have been approved to fruition because, there's many things that the commission can do and Mel has actually been supportive of that. So, I'd urge that you advise and consent to his nomination.

Thank you.

Thank you. Signed up to testify next on Zoom is Avalon Development Company.

Not present on Zoom, Chair.

K. And in the room oh, signed up on Zoom, but in the room with us, Mr. Golojuch. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Michael Golojuch Jr, he/him pronouns. I'm here in my personal capacity to advocate in strong support of Mel Kahele. Makakilo, my community needs a strong voice on the land use commission now more than ever as we saw last night. I've known Mel for, what is it, thirty plus years? Forty. Forty. I'm not that old.

So but, yeah. He he's a man that speaks his mind. He takes care of our community. He will he is a pillar of our community, and we definitely need someone like him who is willing to look out not just for construction, but also the Ina. And he will be he's done a great job, and he needs I hope he will be able to continue that to be that voice for our community as far as the entire state on the land use commission.

So I encourage you to advise and consent to his nomination. Thank you.

Thank you. That's everyone who had signed up to testify. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on GM766? Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Charlie, vice chairing away, and committee members. My name is Cliff Laboy. I'm here on behalf of t George Paris Ironworkers Union Stabilization Fund and also Building Trade Council. You heard the good talks about Mel.

Mel's a good straight up guy. He will definitely do a good term. He's just finishing his first term. We come here with 18 signatory unions, 34,000 construction workers, all supporting Mel. We ask you for your support. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. Anyone else wishing to testify? Hearing none. Are there any questions? Alright.

Hearing none. Thank you. Let's bring up our nominee. Mr. Kahele, good afternoon, and congratulations on your nomination.

Thank you, Chair Lee.

Good afternoon.

Vice Chair Inouye, Members of the committee. Any questions? No. You know, I appreciate the,

you know, governor nominating me and me being upfront of the the fine committee here. I spent four years almost on the land use commission. I've learned a lot. I have a strong background in labor. I've sat on many trust funds.

I've sat on Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corp for eight years. And I think the almost four years that I've sat on the land use commission, we've accomplished some stuff that I believe the other commissioners have not accomplished. They actually hired a person to dig up all of the old stuff that's been pending for, like, twenty years, has been resurrected. And some of the stuff that that this employee has resurrected. Actually, some of it got approved, finally.

There was one, I believe, that was in in the files for twenty seven years. So, you know, we've accomplished some some stuff there, and I ask for your guys' support.

Thank you very much. Any questions for the nominee? Question. Senator DeCorte.

Hi, Mel. Good to see you.

Hi.

Thanks for being here.

Yes. So I'm gonna bring up a topic that you know very well, the landfill. As you know, the city has proposed a new site out in Waianae, West Oahu, and the intention, I guess, is not to extend Waimanalo Gulch, but it's to make it a new site, which we all know is a lie.

They are literally extending Waimanalo Gulch, but I think that if they try to put a new name on it that the public is not gonna be inclined to be intelligent enough to identify that this is in fact an extension of Waimanalo Gulch. So with you being on the Land Use Commission, you guys are a part of these discussions.

And so I just wanted to get your thoughts on maybe what the Land Use Commission can do to hold the city more accountable. I mean, they're at this place where they are, in my opinion, strong arming the landowners to say if you don't sell it to us, then we're gonna condemn it. Again, forcing West Oahu to carry the burden of another landfill perpetuating probably another thirty more years of Waianae being the dumping grounds. So I just wanted to get your thoughts on that.

You know, thank you, Senator. You did a great job last night. I was on virtual watching the entire show after the entire meeting. You know, Senator, I've lived on the West Side for almost fifty years, and I understand what's going on. I understand all about what's happening with all these landfills.

I'm not sure that I would be able to answer these questions because they're gonna come to the Land Use Commission, and I don't wanna conflict myself. If I'm gonna put myself in a situation where I'm gonna have to recuse myself from a vote that they I might I might be asked to vote on on an issue regarding the expansion or the extension. I I I really wanna be part of that vote, but Yeah. I understand completely what's happening out there. And

Yeah.

And I think that you have made public remarks to your views or maybe your personal views on landfills out on the Waianae Coast, but I wanna ensure that the Land Use Commission not only is in lockstep with the community, which I know that you are out in West Oahu, but then also that the city is being held accountable to number one, a promise that was made by the city over and over again to the people on the Waianae Coast that there will be no more landfills in West Oahu, but then also to really maybe help the city to find another site because, again, we will perpetuate for another thirty years that we will hold this stereotype in our community, and it really is not fair for our community.

And the city has not made any attempts to have other options for our trash. So what happens when this landfill is full? Then what?

Yes. So, Senator, I believe some of the people here, some of the senators that were here several years ago, when the buffer zone bill got passed, act 73. We were and uncle George. Uncle George Paris for nine workers, local six two five step fund. He was the one that actually got senators to draft the bill, and and it got passed.

And now it requires any landfill, any any dump out there to be a half mile away from schools, from churches, residents. So I'm just gonna leave it at that so you know exactly my thoughts and my feelings about landfills. Then again, I don't wanna I don't wanna put myself where I'm gonna have to disclose that I'm I'm gonna be conflicting in a quote that I might be having to take at the commission. So yeah. Look at my history.

But I really appreciate the questions and the concerns. Like I said, I've lived up there many years, and I know what our community is going through.

Great. And, yes, I don't want you to have to recuse yourself, and I know that you hear very closely what the the frustration of our community. You've been following this thing longer than I have, so I know that you are, to everything that our community is going through. So thank you for that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

Any further questions?

Senator?

Well, I was going to say thank you for the service that you've had in the last several years and your confirmation. We was happy that you got back into being on the land use commission as well at that time on your first confirmation process.

Thank you, Senator.

But I certainly looking at the the the commission set up, I think it was appropriate at that time that we have the construction industry within the the system and the commission. And we just thank you for, you know, your past couple of years. And good luck to the next service.

Thank you, Senator Inouye. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair.

Questions? Nope. Hearing none. Thank you, Mr. Kahele.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

Okay. Let's move on to the next measure, GM 740, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, gubernatorial nominee, Michelle Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, for a term to expire 06/30/2029. And testifying first on GM 740 is the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Mr. De Fries. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Chair Lee, Vice Chair Inouye. Members of the committee, I submitted written testimony and stand by that testimony. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Also testifying, GM 740, Canada France Hawaii Telescope. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. My testimony will be for GM 740 and 741. So thank you, Chair Lee, Chair Inouye and Committee Members. My name is Jean-Gabriel Cuby. I am the Executive Director of Canada France Hawaii Telescope.

I stand by all the elements I provided in my written testimony in support to the confirmation of doctor Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, and Rich Matsuda. I want to emphasize the strong support that Mauna Kea Observatory Observatory is, attached to the MKSOA process and to its leadership, The success of MKSOA and of the trust building process is essential for the future of astronomy. Thank you for your support to astronomy, and thank you for the opportunity to testify.

Thank you. Thank you. Up next is the Mauna Kea Observatories. Good afternoon.

Chair, Vice Chair, Members. Ilihia Johnson on behalf of the Mauna Kea Observatories. You have our written testimony. I wanted to call out that the written testimony in strong support of MKSOA, Vice Chair, doctor Noe Noe Wong-Wilson is signed by nine directors of the Mauna Kea observatories. Just one more demonstration of the strong support of the observatories of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

We understand that that is the convening point where community, astronomy, and all the folks who love Mauna Kea can come together to find a a bright future and a path forward.

Mahalo.

Mahalo. We also have on Zoom, Leymomi Khan.

Not present on Zoom, Chair.

K. That's everyone who had signed up to testify. Is there anyone else wishing to testify? Well, please come forward.

Aloha.

Community Member. I just wanted to say that I think in the past fifty years, there's been no other hot button issue as big for the native Hawaiian community as Mauna Kea as we all know. And so to have someone like doctor Noe Noe who speaks fluent university is is upheld in the community culturally and who can, you know, move within all of these spaces equally, I think is very important, not just for the operation, but for the trust of the community as well.

So in strong support. Thank you.

Thanks. Okay. Anyone else wishing to testify? Seeing none, any questions for the testifiers? Hearing none. Alright. Why don't we bring up our nominee? Congratulations on your nomination.

Yes. Thank you. Congratulations to them as well.

Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, and, Members of the committee. I'm pleased to be here today from Hilo. I was a little worried if I was gonna get here because I understand Hawaiian Airlines doesn't always fly when the volcano is erupting, but, thankfully, true. That settled down.

I appreciate this opportunity to address you directly and hope that you can see that what we were able to demonstrate on Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is really a coming together of, different interests in our community that, as you know, started with very difficult times when our community felt strong enough that they had to stand on the road to to block a project.

And that has turned around due to the wisdom of the legislature, our government support, and the community to, come together where we have this authority, which is, of course, in its infant stages, as you know. Only three years that we've been actively establishing the authority and the first time a government agency has been created from scratch since the eighties, I believe. A daunting challenge.

But it I hope you can see that we have made significant progress in putting our administration together, bringing in the people that we we need to move forward, and being able to meet the goals that are set out for us by Act 255 and the establishment of the authority. So you can see from the support that I have from a community, but also from the, astronomy community back in 2019.

I don't think I ever dreamt that would occur. But we've come a long way because we are there for the same reason, and that's to make sure that Mauna Kea will be there for generations. And that we can, when good minds come together at the table, we can resolve problems and issues rather than have our community be torn apart by them.

So I really hope to receive your support and the support not only of myself, but the other members, who are seeking reconfirmation and for the authority in general in the work that we have to do. So thank you very much.

Thank you. Any questions for the nominee?

I have.

Oh. Let me Yeah. Sure. Sure. Senator DeCorte followed by Vice Chair.

Thank you so much. Yes. And thank you for flying here. We appreciate you being in person, so thank you so much. My question is, there is a few more years on the deadline for the transitional plan, and I just wanted to maybe see where you folks were at.

You might not be able to give me too much details, but primarily, like, when it comes to, like, staffing, rulemaking, management plan, operational control, those kinds of things. And what can you tell us today?

Our our management plan is well underway. We expect to have it, completed by the end of summer, I believe is the deadline for that. The administrative rules, we're in the process of, putting a consultant in place to be able to put that together for us. We're also taking on the responsibility of a comprehensive EIS, which we know will be required in the future in order to, you know, reconsider or to consider new leases and and things of that sort.

So rather than wait, you know, we are taking those steps.

But things take time, as you know, through the purchasing system or the procurement system. But those are the the key pieces that are underway right now. So I know that there's some consideration in another bill that's still alive in the legislature to perhaps give us a little bit more time for the administrative rules, to complete that in time. And barring any unexpected or unforeseen circumstance, you know, we fully intend to meet the deadlines that are set out for us.

Okay. Thank you. And not not holding this to anything, but do you feel confident in that 2028 deadline might potentially be completed sooner? Or are you gonna.

The management plan for sure.

Okay.

We'll be pushing to get the administrative rules in place. And then the EIS is not something that was required of us, but it's something we're we're launching to do. And we're doing this all with a great understanding of what got us here in the first place, right, to make sure that the EIS is comprehensive, that it in in it is done in a manner that our community feels confident, that everything has been done the proper way and with their manau in mind. Yeah.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Thank you.

Vice Chair.

Yes. Thank you. And thank you for the service that you've had provided already at the outset. Thank you. And, you know, keep on, doing the job that, is required and much appreciative.

One of my concerns, seriously looking at the reports of the annual reports to the legislature annually. And, one of the issues that sort of kind of bothers me, as well is the report of, regarding the 2025, I take it back.

So the year 2025, and one of the concerns, and I tend to agree with the university as well is the financial stability planning and, with a reduction in the federal funding, the impacts, you know, on the, on the reductions that affect the university research on the stewardship operations and is still emerging. But the funding, I understand from the university with regards to the RTRF, which is the training, the research and training, revolving fund.

But that the, the center for Mauna Kea, the CMS, has received in years past, but it, it seized already.

So they're not getting any of the funding, but the concern I have is for this year, the forecast, is without the replacement of the funding, the transition that CMS is supposed to be doing is assisting MQS in doing the work. So that's one of my concerns is that, that CMS I understand is already in a deficit. And so, and we're talking about already for this period, dollars 62,000 and more deficit forecast, for next year. And it goes in the millions of dollars.

So the university and MKS, you know, shared that mutual interest because in ensuring that the the reductions in the or the research part, do not impact current services provided by CMS because you already are proceeding, and they've been working with the transition period to assist you folks.

And so part of the act of two five five is, you know, calling for the equitable funding, during the transition period. So it kind of bothers me, but with regards to the university and, your the staff as well, in your discussions for the options, for the sheer operational, cost for the remainder of the transition period is a concern.

But I understand that you folks, the board, and, Executive Director De Fries, reported in your December 2025 meeting that, that this particular issue, would be considered at your January, 2026 meeting. So where are you folks at this point? And John, you can come up in case you need to share something.

Sure. But if things have been ongoing, because, you know, without having a good transition period to assist you folks in making sure that issues with regards to the deadlines and your mission, getting there is pretty important. And so we want to make sure that CMS gets its actual funding to be in that operation.

So last month, the authority voted to assist with that by coming by transferring 4 and a half million. Is that

4.8.

$4,800,000. That's for this year. For this

Effective May 2026 for all of next fiscal year. Yes. Fourteen months.

To make up the deficit that you're talking about on the university side.

Okay. Now with that said, does it go then to the university? Because they're the managing part. So you will give the funds to the university then?

Correct.

Oh, okay. But they haven't have they received the one as yet?

Actually, it is going before their board of regents in a special meeting that I believe will be scheduled on May 7, for approval. We're expecting it to get approved by the board of regents.

Okay. So you've already notified the university that the the the money is the funding is forthcoming. Right.

And there was board action last this last month.

Correct.

Oh, okay. And the board is to decide then. And I mean, it's They have to accept with their yeah. With up on their, agenda item. Yes.

Yeah. Our request of CMS was what is it going to take to keep the same level of service and the same staffing level? And so we've been working on this for quite a while. Since 2025. And then the situation got aggravated with the federal cuts.

Cuts. Right. Right. And that's kinda concerning me at this point. Now on the financial side right now, what is your budget?

14,000,000 less the restriction.

But you so right now, you still have $14,000,000?

No. No. No. No. That was our total fiscal year. We'll end up

Yeah. Because you didn't you got the first 14,000,000.

Right.

You didn't get the first the second 14,000,000.

You did?

We did.

Yes.

And no restriction from the government?

There was a restriction that took us to $12.03, I think.

So you were cut back to 12,000,000?

Yeah.

And that's what you're operating Correct. Now for the last so you're there three years. So or two and a half years. So you've got that amount. Okay.

So that's what you're going to use then to give to the university to make sure that CMS continue to operate for this transition period. Okay. Okay. That was my question. And I'm happy that it's kinda moving and being on the university's agenda on the board of regents

Right. You know, as as well. Okay. Thank you, too. Thank you so much.

Further questions? Hearing none. Thank you very much.

One other thing. In my letter of support for her, I said I've known her for fifty years. She was five years old when I met her.

And you're a foreigner. Well, let me say let me say when moved over from Oahu to the Big Island. Yeah. With a contribution of and she continues to do that since she's lived in Kailiki as well above where I was born. Yeah.

Okay. Let's move on to moving on.

GM741 submitting for consideration and confirmation to the amount of care stewardship and oversight authority, gubernatorial nominee Richard Matsuda for a term to expire 06/30/2029. And testifying first on GM 741 is the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

Chair and Vice Chair, Members of the committee, John De Fries, I stand by the testimony submitted on behalf of nominee Matsuda. Thank you.

Thank you.

Richard Matsuda.

Up next is Canada, France, Hawaii.

I'll send testimony. I'll provide you with

Okay. Stand on that testimony then. Thank you.

Thank you.

And also Mauna Kea Observatories.

Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, committee.

Aloha.

Ilihia Gionson again for the Mauna Kea Observatories in strong support of the nomination of Rich Matsuda, to continue his service as the astronomy representative on the MKSOA. You have the written testimony, again, signed by nine directors of the Mauna Kea Observatories. And I just wanna highlight that, you know, Rich has been such a fantastic conduit between the observatories and the authority.

We feel very well represented, and just the amount of work that he's put in through the authority and truly engaging with community around our island across Hawaii. You know, we really appreciate all the work that he's been putting into this, and thank you for your consideration for confirming him for another term.

Mahalo nui.

Thank you.

That's everyone who had signed up to testify. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on GM 741? Hearing none, let's bring up our nominee. Good afternoon and congratulations on your nomination.

Mahalo. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the committee. I'm Rich Matsuda.

Just wanna thank the governor for nominating me and to the committee for considering my nomination. Just had a few words to say about well, let me just add something about my co nominee here. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson that it's been a a pleasure to work with her in advancing the the goals of the the the authority.

But we have very, very important work to do. As one of the prior testifiers said, the Mauna Kea issue has been one of the biggest issues for the state. And together with community astronomy observatories, we need to find a positive way forward for for the Mauna, for the community, for astronomy, and I'm very dedicated to to doing that. I have thirty two years of experience working on on the mountain for my employer, Keck Observatory. Also, I'm a third generation.

So, you know, the the conflicts that we felt in community touched me deeply, which caused me to step up and serve. I know I talked about the the hard work we have ahead of us to complete this transition. And so I felt it was very important to continue my service if I do get approved. So open to to any questions, but I feel very strongly about the work and the importance of the work and to to continue it and to complete it.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Are there questions for the nominee?

I have questions. Sure. Rich, with tech I'm sorry. Keck Telescope

And the remaining those that would soon to expire leases.

Yes.

Yes.

CEC is you're one of the five?

I think there's 10.

There's 10.

Yes.

But the most immediate lease expiration, how many of the 10?

Everyone finishes at, 2033. So the I All 10. So under the current lease, the University of Hawaii has the master lease.

And then those of us who are not University of Hawaii telescopes have subleases where the university holds a master lease. Everything is coterminous 2033, December 2033.

Right.

So with that said, my understanding is that hopefully, the future continues

Absolutely.

And which is important to the world actually of the service that telescopes do, providing the kinds of unimaginable things on the operations that comes from telescopes.

Yeah.

So with that said, now with the future of, you know, with the there's a the bill that's before us also gives some leeway, we hope That would provide some, you know, leeway so that there's time for all of you, the the 10, I guess, to address your financial status, which is kinda concerning to me, which is a short period.

Yeah.

So hopefully, there are still interests in remaining on the island.

Absolutely. And

On the Mauna, especially.

The observatories are would like to see the lease issues and the, you know, certainty for the future to be resolved as soon as possible. At the same time, we understand that this transition is happening, and we have to work with the authority to figure out the pathway forward. But getting leases to get certainty for the future is a definite concern, And we're very willing to work with the authority to get there.

I think there's a couple things that are positive about what's going on right now, which is now I know I mentioned the working on the EIS. So this comprehensive EIS Sure.

Which is a long lead item to getting towards the lease because we gotta, you know, abide by Chapter 343. So that getting started, which very close now with the authority to get in the professional services to assist the authority.

So you're gonna contract it out or that's the plan? Yeah. We're contracting the services for the EIS application process.

And to do a comprehensive EIS rather than observatory by observatory because it's you know, the impact is comprehensive as well. That'll help get the ball rolling for that. And then we gotta work with observatory has gotta work with the authority to figure out the lease term structure. And I think as long as we continue to make progress on that, steady progress, then the concern about the long term uncertainty is is is that concern is lessened Sure. As long as we're making progress.

So

Okay. Working hard for us. That well, I guess I shouldn't be pre projection on on the EIS application. So is the because you got 10, now is the EIS and I can't remember what the law applies if it's the individual EIS with each telescope or it can it be into the entire well, whether well, if it's on that footprint Right. Or do you know when

We're trying to do it.

Maybe doctor could understand. I'm not sure. But.

We're trying to do it comprehensively with and.

The entire.

All of them all in one time.

Yes.

Yeah.

Okay. That makes more sense because you're talking about deadlines.

And to provide enough flexibility in how the and this is why we're hiring contractors because on the authority, we need to figure this out, is providing enough flexibility to not circumvent the management planning effort that's going on to figure out the footprint of astronomy.

Okay. Yeah. And just a word of caution. Yeah. Because you are representing Keck Telescope you're not representing Keck Telescope on the commission Absolutely. On the QOS because you are the representative.

For all of us.

Of yes. Of the nature of that appointment Right. Representing the telescopes.

Yep.

So just to make clear on the ethical issues when the application process starts, then just remember, get your ethical because you are a Keck Tellus Absolutely. Percent. So just make sure going.

To future talk about that.

Exactly.

And etcetera. Yes.

Absolutely. Thank you. Yeah. That's all. And good luck because that's.

Thank you.

Very important The tell you know, the industry has provided an unbelievable school kids that have visited, you know, the the Mauna and the telescopes for all the years that I remember and continue to do that. And that some of the students are already are in school at the at the campus in astronomy. Sure. And I know some of them who visited, and now they're attending college in astronomy.

And you know, we're talking about the future and all that you folks have provided, you know, for Hawaii Island and the state, and I would say, in the world.

Now, interesting, I am not sure. Now, the OHA funding that you guys have been paying, is that because of the 20%? Why are we paying OHA all the millions of dollars annually, financially?

Yeah. According to the report Yeah.

Oh.

Yeah. Yeah. Come on up then. No. I know.

Can I ask you?

And I'm wondering if it's because of the 20%. Because fiscally, yeah. It there's a lot of money that has been going to to OHA. And for the 2025, they already got $331,000, and then 9,000 for the fourth quarter, 320, and the payment of 11,000, and it continues on through the years. So is that the you guys are entitled to the 20% to share with them.

But you're not getting the.

Answering on behalf of the University of Hawaii Right. And CMS because that is their obligation to OHA not and we are in this transition period. We're still on our side of the of the line. So we're not directly involved with OHA payments. It doesn't come from us.

Okay. So it's the okay. Well, because it was taken out of this expenditures from the special fund.

Right.

The management special fund. So now But that's the CMS. Correct. So but because the CMS is not getting the contribution, so are we continue do you know? Or maybe we'll look forward to the university's reports then.

Yeah. They should speak to that.

They should speak to that.

Oh, okay. Alright. Good. That answers my question because that has been on my, questionable. So I'll just send a letter to the to the university.

And they are entitled as well to give us the background in which they did. And president Hansel, did actually, this is one of the first I've seen coming from the university. And she did a good job in this report. And so I'm glad that I kinda brought it up and see why OHA and what is the agreement. So I was thinking that are we obligated because there's no income coming in to defray paying OHA, but this is big bucks.

It's kinda like millions, you know, annually. So because if it'll continue, then transition, you know, who's gonna pay for it in the future as well?

Eventually it will become our obligation. But, yes, right now.

Yeah. Because then, you know, where you guys are gonna get the funding. I mean, I see with the income coming in from different areas. Okay. But I know we need we got one more, so I won't belabor the hearing.

Thank you very much. Okay. Thanks so much.

Okay. Yes.

Sorry to go ahead. Yeah. I'll make it quick. Thank you. Thank you, Rich.

Thank you for making the attempt to stop by my office and chat with me very quickly. So you've got about thirty years of experience with working with the observatory. So I find that to be serving two potentials. Right? Like, you have operational knowledge, which is very valuable, but then also there could be the potential of, like, institutional habits or assumptions.

And so with your experience and with your background, where do you think kind of, like, fell short? Like, how do we get here to this point? Was it enforcement? Was it community trust? Was it cultural in integration, like, transparency?

So you've been seeing this thing all the way through. So Yeah. So to continuing the same bad habits, because that was why the legislature had formed