Friends of Heather Kimball

Reelect Heather Kimball for Hawaii County Council District 1

Experienced

I am currently serving in my third term as the Hawaii County Council member for District 1. It has been an honor to serve the community in this position, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to make a difference.

Council Service

Council Member 2020-present
Council Chair 2022-2024
Chair, Government Operations Committee 2020-2022
Chair, Legislative Approval Committee 2024-2026
Served on the Grant-in-Aid Committee to help local nonprofits
Directed contingency relief funds to community programs

Leadership Roles

Hawaii County Council Member and President of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties (HSAC)
Member of the National Association of Counties (NACo)
Vice-Chair, Energy, Environment & Land Use Committee
Vice-Chair, Resilient Counties Advisory Board
Selected for Smart Growth America training (1 of 20 officials nationwide)
Member, EPA Local Government Advisory Committee

I would be honored to continue to serve as your voice on the Council and work hard with you and for you on behalf of our community. I humbly ask for your vote to continue to serve as your representative for Hawaii County Council District 1.

“I was born and raised in Ninole. For a time I left to serve in the US Peace Corps and also continue my education. I moved back to Ninole in 1980. My most valuable influence was growing up in a cohesive plantation community, all connected like a lei, from Wainakau to Kukuihaele. We were once Hamakua strong, but not anymore. Heather Kimball will make us whole again. She will be the string sewing us together into a Community-First District.”

— Bob Nishimoto

Trusted

“Heather Kimball has shown that she cares deeply about our community and is willing to work hard and smart to make improvements. Heather is truly inspiring with solid plans and practical means to help her plans succeed. ”

— Jeri Gertz

“Heather values people and community above all. Heather is compassionate, focused, intelligent and a very hard worker, qualities she will apply in service to our community.”

— Quince Mento

“Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. My experience and observation are that Heather Kimball shows up and gets to work, taking action to help people in our community. ”

— Miles Okumura

Effective

Legislative Actions:

HOUSING & PERMITTING - Created the housing preference program to ensure affordable housing developed by the county goes to residents first. Made ADUs easier to build, increased the dollar amount exempted from requiring building permits, created multi-family approved plans and increase the time that a building permit is valid
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF - Increased the homeowner's property tax exemption for the first time in decades and increased exemptions for kupuna. Circuit breaker to freeze assessments for seniors based on income (in progress).
SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE - Allowed farmers to get the benefits of both the homeowners' tax class and the agricultural programs, reducing assessment increases when neighboring properties sell at market value. Reformed the agricultural tax programs to reduce speculative investment and land banking of productive agricultural lands. Created the senior farmer tax abatement program to remove the financial burden when farmers retire. Created the Community Food Sustainability Program for homeowners who provide food to the community.
GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY & COSTS - Reformed the county's nepotism policy. Introduced a county manager charter amendment. Required an audit of the county’s Homeless and Housing Fund. Secured the county-level TAT ($30+ M per year).
PUBLIC SAFETY - Created the Animal Control and Protection Agency. Funded multiple programs and projects for police, fire, and civil defense. Brought in emergency communications training for the council and administration.
SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT - Created the self-funded Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience. Created public EV charging infrastructure requirement. Established funding for shoreline access and maintenance. Secured the purchase of 80 acres under the Public Open Space Fund (Kawainui).

Projects Funded and Facilitated:

COMING SOON - Roof Repairs and Community Center