Laserfiche WebLink
AWEEMC-5 Page 2 April 9,2019 <br /> island waste, and the liability posed to our County, as well as the effects on our environment and <br /> our future generation. Nominee Burns replied that issues like this are relatively complex and <br /> dynamic wherein it poses a rather large problem. Being that his work includes the study of <br /> diseases of corals and other organisms specifically on our coastline, he sees how it has been <br /> fundamentally exasperated by waste and the development of our coastal communities. He noted <br /> that there tends to not only be one solution to problems like this as one needs to weigh out <br /> additional factors like costs, community opinion; determining what is reasonable and feasible. <br /> He added that it is often evaluating the options and seeing what works, i.e. budget, manpower, <br /> facilities, etc. He also stated that he hoped to bring his expertise to the table to help guide those <br /> decisions to hopefully come to some effective solutions. <br /> Council Member Kierkiewcz further asked Nominee Burns his position on what the County <br /> should be doing in planning ahead in relation to the cesspool closures that are upcoming. <br /> Nominee Burns shared that evaluating the numbers in a larger island wide perspective is <br /> important. He cited the watershed management process and the understanding that it could be <br /> quantified; same with cesspool closure. If the number of homes and amount of waste produced <br /> are known, one can be able to determine which options would be best, for example, septic <br /> solution or a full on waste water treatment process. One must first start by determining what the <br /> absolute need is and what is the best financial process would be, and in doing so making certain <br /> to our valuable resources going forward. <br /> Council Member Kierkiewcz thanked Nominee Burns for his expertise and his willingness to <br /> serve. <br /> Council Member Poindexter thanked Nominee Burns for committing his time. She further stated <br /> that with his skill set,he will be a great addition to the EMC especially with his watershed and <br /> coastal management knowledge; a knowledge that can understand the concerns affecting the <br /> Hamakua Coast. Council Member Poindexter expressed her support for his nomination. <br /> Council Member David also noted her appreciation to Nominee Burns stating that his <br /> background is exceptionally appropriate to the EMC. Council Member David inquired of <br /> Nominee Burns as to the controversy of cesspool vs. septic and what his thoughts were on the <br /> topic. Nominee Burns replied that in his experience at the once-beautiful Wai Opae in Kapoho, <br /> where he studied corals and organisms, it is important to note that in determining what is best <br /> would be taking into consideration the specific location and its characteristics. Environmental <br /> issues like these are always location specific. At Wai Opae, it was detrimental as it took simply <br /> minutes for the waste to be evident in the marine system, and there are many areas on the island <br /> just like that. However,the goal is to do all that we can now to protect our resources. Nominee <br /> Burns shared information heof from a specialist who was at Wai Opae, who said this: In <br /> g P P <br /> looking at a scale between 1 and 10; cesspools rank between 0-1; septic tank is maybe at 3-4; <br /> with full waste water treatment moving the scale to a 10. He believes this information is <br /> important to know in prioritizing the areas that need to see effective change immediately. He <br /> reiterated that work must begin now. <br /> Council Member David noted her support for Nominee Burns,thanked him for recognizing the <br /> complexity of the concerns, and looks forward to his expertise in the EMC. <br /> AWEEMC Report No.: 5 <br />