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Page 1 of 1. <br /> Pi(VFW <br /> Murashige, Laura COLA$4 IZ <br /> From: Beth McCormick[onionhousehawaii @earthlink.net] <br /> p <br /> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 6:54 PM , <br /> To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Subject: Resolution #302-12 SUSTAINABLE LIVING RESEARCH SITES <br /> Dear Council Members, <br /> I am writing in support of Sustainable Habitat Building Code resolution 167-11. I support the initiative proposed in <br /> the SUSTAINABLE LIVING RESEARCH SITES Resolution 302-12. <br /> We at the Permaculture Foundation of Hawaii would like to do research and demonstration <br /> projects aimed at developing sustainable building techniques using locally sourced wood. The <br /> aim is to share building designs that will allow others to construct sturdy, inexpensive, and <br /> aesthetically pleasing structures using local materials that are currently overlooked, such as <br /> waiawi, or strawberry guava. This would have the added benefit of harvesting an invasive plant <br /> from ohia forests, which opens up habitat for native species. By finding a practical use for <br /> waiawi, the forest would be benefitted, and people would be able to help themselves achieve <br /> economic stability by creating their own agricultural buildings. <br /> The cost of construction under the current Building Code is unaffordable for many small <br /> farmers. If Hawaii is to become more self-sufficient producing its own food supply, it is <br /> important for these efforts at agriculture and sustainable living be encouraged, since the high <br /> cost of getting started is one of the main obstacles. <br /> Many people who have built or purchased homes that are unpermitted would like to come into <br /> compliance. The current building code does not allow Hawaiian-style indigenous architecture,or Organic <br /> Architecture. If these alternative types of buildings are done well,they could give the island more of a"sense of <br /> place"rather than the depressingly generic look of many of the current buildings being constructed. <br /> Please support this resolution, and work towards an ordinance. <br /> Aloha pumehana, <br /> Beth McCormick <br /> The Permaculture Foundation of Hawaii <br /> Comm. No. 8" �I___ .. <br /> Ref. To: _ it& <br /> Ref. Date 0 r <br /> 10/1/2012 <br />