Ka'ū News Briefs Wednesday, September 6, 2017

   Attorney General Chin said, “With cruel indifference the President has taken an action that immediately robs hundreds of Hawai'i residents of certainty in their future. Many of these people, who have done nothing wrong, have only known Hawai'i as their home. I am grateful to Governor Ige for his leadership and clear-eyed dedication to supporting the Dreamers and protecting DACA. Following his lead, I have joined this lawsuit not only because it is the right thing to do, but because the way the President has proceeded is illegal.”

Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar  delivered free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū,  from Miloli'i through Volcano. Also available on  stands throughout the district.  See it online at kaucalendar.com

     According to the statement from the governor's office, Hawai'i is home to nearly 600 DACA grantees. "Hawai'i DACA recipients have had their protection renewed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security more than 1,700 times. According to the Center for American Progress, 97 percent of DACA grantees are employed or go to school. In Hawai'i alone, it is estimated that ending DACA would cost more than $28 million in annual GDP losses. Over the next ten years Hawai'i stands to lose more than $126 million in tax revenues if DACA is rescinded."
     The complaint Hawai'i joined today was led by the attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, and Washington, and joined by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. Today’s lawsuit also includes declarations from businesses, academic institutions, local governments, DACA grantees, and others impacted by the Trump administration’s decision.
    See a copy of the complaint at
ag.ny.gov/.
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Visitors from Japan, like part time Ka'ū resident Minako Yamazaki, right, often support local events, such as this activity at the annual Ka'ū Coffee Trail Run, coming up on Sept. 23. Photo by Pam Taylor

HAWAI’I COUNTY COUNCIL BILL 13, a bill meant to reduce styrofoam use on Hawai'i Island, received strongly supportive written testimony from Hawai’i Wildlife Fund’s Megan Lamson today.

Megan Lamson (left), of Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, is regularly involved in cleaning-up Kamilo Beach (makai of Nā'ālehu) and strongly supports Hawai'i County Council Bill 13 with her written testimony. Photo by Kurt Lieber of Ocean Defenders Alliance

     Lamson wrote that she was asked by Maui County earlier this year in May to “present scientific information supporting their proposed Bill 127 on polystyrene food containers (which parallels Bill 13).” She stated that, at that time, she “provided clear examples of scientific studies and technical reports outlining the 3 reasons their council members should support this reduction bill. After a special two-day hearing, Maui Council Members voted in unanimous support of this bill.”

     Those three reasons being: “negative impact to [Hawai’i’s] marine environment, [the island’s] economy / solid waste management, and common sense.”
     She continued that, “Numerous scientific journal articles have reported on studies that found negative interactions between marine wildlife and plastic marine debris. I also shared examples of how polystyrene "PS" microplastic pieces (5mm and smaller) affected the development and behavior of fish in a laboratory study (perch). Another study conducted locally found evidence of polystyrene microscopic plastic particles in beach sand and water samples from the Hawaiʻi Island and O'ahu.

Trash found at HWF Kamilo Beach clean-up. Photo from Hawai'i Wildlife Fund

     “I noted the recent report by the Hawai'i Department of Transportation - Highways Division in O'ahu that included recommendations to support ordinances that reduced plastic bags and foam containers to prevent litter along the highways. I also provided information from a California study prepared by the Natural Resource Defense Council (2013) that estimated the true cost of litter removal along highways and waterways in cities across that coastal state astronomical. Comparing a California city with a population similar to that of Hawai'i Island (population range: 75,000 – 249,000), they estimate an annual cost of debris management at $1,131,156.00 per year.

     “In addition, our current recycling system will only take #1, #2, and #5 plastics, and certain #4 if dealt with properly. Polystyrene foam is a #6 plastic and exceedingly difficult to recycle, despite what the opposition may tell you. Even large municipalities in states like California and New York are unable to recycle PS foam, and it becomes even harder to deal with for containers that are food-contaminated. Our 2009 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan clearly shows a pathway for the County of Hawai'i towards zero waste.
     “Need I remind you that years ago, COH Council Members passed the plastic bag ban here on island and that program has been nothing but successful, decreasing bag litter and environmental hazards for native wildlife. The passing of Bill 13 is the next logical step in this direction towards counties goal for zero waste. It is the right thing to do.

Hawai'i Wildlife Fund's Megan Lamson carrying marine debris  that washed up on Kamilo Beach (makai of Nā'ālehu). Photo by Kurt Lieber of Ocean Defenders Alliance

     “A vote against this bill is a choice by representatives towards prioritizing corporations, pocketbooks, and businesses that refuse to change over prioritizing our children, our island communities, and our native wildlife. We have identified nearly 150 restaurants and vendors on island who have already committed to using foam alternatives. There are viable options available, and there should be no more excuses.
     "Please let me know if you would like any of the references to any of the facts I've provided within this testimony. As a scientist by training, I like to support my statements with documentation.

    “Last but not least, I think you reach should consider the scale of the marine debris problem on this island. In 2017 alone, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund and volunteers have removed over 50,875 pounds of marine debris from our shores. Debris that is full of plastic, debris that includes polystyrene foam. Even if foam is a small percentage of this waste (estimated at ~5% for Hawai'i County), it is something that we can do here locally to reduce our input and contribution to this global marine debris problem.”

Marine debris collected by HWF. Photo by Hawai'i Wildlife Fund

    In the final sentence of her testimony, Lamson invited council members to join HWF in future cleanup events to see for themselves what “improper waste management looks like at the end of the line.”
     Bill 13 is on the agenda for tomorrow’s HCC meeting beginning at 9 a.m. HCC’s agenda describes Bill 13 as follows: “Prohibits food vendors from dispensing prepared food in disposable polystyrene food service ware effective July 1, 2019. Exempts ice chest and coolers; packaging for raw meat, fish, and eggs that have not been further processed; County facility users and food vendors with approval by the Environmental Management Director; and County facility users and food vendors procuring supplies during an event declared as an emergency by the Mayor.”

     Emailed testimony was accepted until noon today. The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at hawaiicounty.granicus.com. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building or by attending the meeting held in the Council Chambers in Hilo. For more about this bill see yesterday's Ka'ū News Briefs.

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See details below.

KA'Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN was considered for adoption at the Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee's meeting today in Hilo. See tomorrow's Ka'u News Briefs to read about the outcome. The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at: hawaiicounty.granicus.com. The Ka'ū CDP Steering Committee agenda can be found at: hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/.

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WILL PONC FUND WAIKAPUNA PURCHASE? Waikapuna, a coastal property located below Nā'ālehu, is on the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission list. It may receive a resolution from County Council member Maile David, asking for the county to help fund the purchase of the property, during PONC's upcoming meeting. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, at the conference room in Building G. See the full story in the September print issue of The Ka’ū Calendar or read the Ka'ū News Briefs from August 23, 2017.

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                                    UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS: