Video by David Corrigan/Big Island Video News | Special to Hawaii 24/7

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247 Contributing Editor

The council’s Finance Committee came up short Tuesday in recommending changes to the county procedure for selling its land.

Bill 132 calls for the administration to reveal the potential buyer, sale price and intended use before finalizing deals that include more than 10 acres of land or that are valued at more than $500,000.

While the council already must approve any such deal, the administration is not required to make public the details.

Mayor Billy Kenoi already has gone on record saying he would veto the measure as the council already has authority over land sales and rezoning applications.  A two-thirds majority, or six votes, overrides a mayoral veto.

Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong’s bill is timely as it coincides with Kenoi’s intention to sell off more than 700 acres of county-owned agriculture land in Hamakua.

Yagong said Tuesday his bill gives residents the information they deserve.

Voting with him were Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann, South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford, and North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell.

Opposing votes were cast by Hilo Councilman Donald Ikeda, Ka‘u Councilman Guy Enriques and Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole.

Hilo councilors J Yoshimoto and Dennis Onishi were absent for the vote.

The resulting 4-3 vote was one shy of the majority five votes needed to recommend the measure be adopted.

Among those who testified, 17 of 19 supported the bill, which now goes to full council.