REP RAWEEMC 009 2021/04/06 2020-2022

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, WATER, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DATE: April 6, 2021 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 2:00 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 182 Your Committee on Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management, to which was referred Communication No. 182, reports as follows: Communication No. 182, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated March 23, 2021, submits for the Council's review and confirmation the nomination of Carrie Hoopii of Council District 3 to the Environmental Management Commission. A motion to move Communication No. 182 to full Council with a positive recommendation was made by Council Member Lee Loy; seconded by Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Introduced by P6maika`i Bartolome, Executive Assistant to Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, Carrie Hoopii is a lifelong resident of Keaukaha, Hawaii, a graduate of Waidkea High School, and will soon graduate from the Hawaii Community College this spring. Being an energetic member of the Keaukaha Community Association and employed as a Housing Locator and Outreach Team Leader for HOPE Services Hawaii, Ms. Hoopii will bring a different viewpoint to the Environmental Management Commission. If confirmed, Ms. Hoopii will serve a term ending December 31, 2025. Nominee Hoopii addressed Your Committee of her desire to serve her island community further, and how the environmental aspect has always been a focus of Keaukaha residents with a wastewater treatment plant along their coastline. She elaborated that as an avid Keaukaha Community Association member, she is very aware of the water quality issues in our ocean and the continual efforts taken by the community to ensure the safety for its residents. Additionally,' she believes it beneficial in realizing the link between homelessness and the environment as it identifies added concerns that could potentially have been overlooked. Various Council Members noted the interesting perspective nominee Hoopii would bring to the Environmental Management Commission, having a sense of place and community connection, along with an understanding of environmental issues relating to our island's homeless population. They echoed each other sharing that a community perspective is just as important as a science perspective when addressing environmental management issues and stewarding our environment of our island. RAWEEMC Report No. 9