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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Puna c/o Jenna Way, Treasurer RR 2 Box 4515 Pahoa, HI 96778 5/13/17 Topic: Support for Restoring Funding of Free Bus Service in the 2017-2018 County of Hawai'i Budget To the Honorable Mayor Harry Kim,and the Hawai'i County Council, This letter is testimony in regards to the new budget. As a religious organization, the congregation and the board of the Unitarian Universalists of Puna wish to express our strong support to restore the practice of providing Hawaii County bus service free to all riders. Our second guiding principle is justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Providing transportation services to all people relates directly to this principle. The County of Hawaii had free bus service, but our previous Mayor chose to enact rider fees again, much to the detriment of many of our County's most vulnerable citizens. Please include funding in the new budget to restore the Hele-On bus service as a free service to our people. We do understand that funds are needed to repair and maintain our bus fleet and to purchase smaller para-transit vehicles to go into the many off highway subdivisions throughout the County. These needs should also be funded in this budget. However, restoring free bus service will help reduce transportation costs for Hawaii's most vulnerable and young residents. It will promote commerce and access to educational,medical and employment opportunities. These are opportunities that enhance the economic and human health and welfare of the whole County. All residents of Hawai'i are entitled to access to good transportation. Providing a comprehensive bus system for all residents will reduce costs for all taxpayers in the long run. The lack of income from riders can be offset by not collecting and handling the fees collected by staff. Other road-maintenance costs will be reduced for each car that is not driven on our roads. Reducing the need for more highways and roadways is another benefit of an enhanced and free bus service. The County of Hawaii has the third highest number of millionaires per capita in the US (http://www.cnbc.coin12016/01/20/these-states-have- the-highest-density-of.-m.il.lio.naires.html)but it also has some of the poorest census tracts in the US. Those residents in the poorest census tracts face long commutes to Kona or Hilo Of the 36 census tracts with a population poverty rate exceeding 20 percent, 22 were located on Oahu, ten were on Hawaii Island, two were on Molokai, and two on Maui. Mayor Wright Housing on Oahu had the highest population poverty rate, 65.4 percent. http://hano-hawaii.org/n.ewhano/news/255-census-i.den.ti.fies-hawai.is-poorest-and-wealthiest-areas Providing transport for all people in this county promotes the well being of all residents and allows all people to access employment, shopping, medical care, cultural events, family events and other public services. Many of our residents are stuck with inadequate transportation and providing bus service helps residents overcome this obstacle. We would also encourage the expansion of bus routes for all the underserved areas of this island. In conclusion,please work with the County Council to restore the bus service as a free service to our people. Please include the funding for free bus service in the upcoming budget for the next year. Mahalo, Bob Jacobson, President Unitarian Universalists of Puna Cathy Young, Vice-President Beth Motoki, Secretary Jenna Way, Treasurer and, The Congregation of the Unitarian Universalists of Puna Cc to Hawaii County Council