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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> DATE: April 20, 2008 <br /> <br /> TO: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann & Council Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> <br /> FR: Loren Amaral, Keaau Youth Business Center, REAL <br /> <br /> RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224 (in its current form) <br /> Relating To Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawaii <br /> Motion to Reconsider and Override Veto, Public Hearing Tuesday, April 22, 2008 <br /> My name is Loren Amaral; I am with the Keaau Youth Business Center and REAL. <br /> REAL is a statewide youth led movement against the tobacco industry. I strongly <br /> support Bill 224 and commend the County Council for moving this visionary measure <br /> forward in its current form. I applaud you for showing true leadership and vision in <br /> passing Bill 224. I strongly urge you continue to show your leadership and override <br /> Mayor Kim's veto. I want Hawaii County to be a clean and healthy place for my family <br /> and I to enjoy. Bill 224 will protect my right to breathe clean air at all County of <br /> Hawaii parks, beaches and recreational facilities. <br /> <br /> I am in support of this Bill passing because the littering from cigarettes ruins our beaches. <br /> My dad use to smoke, but when I was born he quit because he did not want to contribute <br /> second hand smoke to me, and didn't want me around smoking. Despite progress made <br /> in successfully legislating indoor tobacco smoke in workplaces, our keiki continue to be <br /> exposed to the hazards of second-hand smoke in public places. Second-hand smoke is a <br /> Class-A carcinogen - same as asbestos - there are no safe levels of exposure. <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 /> <br /> In conclusion I am in support of Bill 224 because I hate all the littering that comes from <br /> smoking. I really want everyone to be able to breathe clean air, without second hand <br /> smoke harming our health. Second hand smoke it a known health and environmental <br /> hazard. The public's health should be protected wherever, possible, including while <br /> enjoying Hawaii's parks and beaches. <br /> <br /> Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill. <br /> <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br /> Loren Amaral <br /> P.O. Box 562 <br /> Volcano Hi 96785 <br />