As stated the commission, by law, can only review the budget and make recommendations to the mayor.   They cannot  direct how HPD's budget is spent.  Any deal they made is strictly between them and Kealoha. Thus the only money they have control over is what is in their own pockets.  So, they can pay it themselves, request the mayor to give the money with city council approval, or start a "Gofundme" account.  This is nothing more than Sword doing Caldwell's bidding, in exchange for the building permits his employer needs to do $100 million renovation for the Reef Hotel.  $250,000 out of $100 million isn't much. so maybe outrigger an fund the "Gofundme" account. This needs to be taken to court, or to the FBI for a RICO investigation.