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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> February 1, 2008 <br /> <br /> TO: Donald Ikead, Chairperson <br /> County Council Committee Members <br /> Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee <br /> <br /> FR: Leilani Kelekoma Keaau High School peer education <br /> <br /> RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224, <br /> Relating to Smoking Certain Places in the County of Hawai' i <br /> Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 9:30 a.m. <br /> Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation <br /> <br /> My name is Leilani Kelekoma I am a student at Keaau High school peer education. I <br /> strongly support Bill 224, which would prohibit use of tobacco products at all County of <br /> Hawaii parks and beaches, effectively providing clean and healthy environment for <br /> Hawaii's keiki, ohana, visitors and wildlife. <br /> <br /> I use our County beaches often. I strongly support Bill 224, which would prohibit the use <br /> of tobacco products at beaches, providing a clean atmosphere at our beaches. It angers <br /> me that some individuals do not have any respect for the AINA. The smoke cigarettes, <br /> and flick their waste everywhere, that contaminate our environment and its inhabitants. <br /> Some individuals have no respect for our land, our ocean and our people. I am a beach <br /> user, and I have seen individuals flick their waste with no second thought. If someone <br /> throws butts on the ground and a baby steps on it, they could get badly injured or even <br /> worse swallow the cigarette. I am asthmatic if I am exposed to second hand smoke I <br /> need to remove myself from the area. However, I do not feel that it is fair that I have to <br /> leave because someone else is choosing to smoke. I don't feel that I should leave I am <br /> not hurting anyone with second hand smoke <br /> <br /> Last year, Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kona went smoke-free let's do the same for the rest of <br /> the island. Passing Bill 224 will make visiting all County parks and beaches a more <br /> pleasurable experience. <br /> In conclusion I support Bill 224 because I am tired of seeing our land being disrespected <br /> by the litter. I am tired of the animals, people, and land alike having to be subjected to <br /> the harmful effects of tobacco. It is not fair that my right to breathe clean air has not been <br /> a greater priority sooner. My health is at jeopardy and I want to have the right to breathe <br /> clean air free from second hand smoke. Second hand smoke it a known health and <br /> environmental hazard. The public's health should be protected wherever, possible, <br /> including while enjoying Hawaii's parks and beaches. <br /> <br /> Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Leilani Kelekoma <br /> Hcr-2 Box 9610 Keaau, HI 96749 <br />