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v ocRoy Takemoto <br /> •N,h�'... alanaging Director <br /> Harry Kim <br /> Mayor <br /> „..4;4.• Barbara J. Kossow <br /> �rE cs'N►J!=' Deputy Managing Director <br /> County of Hawai` i <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 21, 2020 <br /> Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair <br /> Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair <br /> Committee on Finance <br /> Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members: <br /> RE: HB 2196, HD1 Relating to Water Quality <br /> HB 2196, HD1 calls for research, education, and outreach, with respect to the impact of <br /> cesspools on Hawaii's waters. While I applaud this initiative, I would like to ask for one amendment. <br /> HB 2196, HD1 talks about "conducting a two-year, statewide, systematic outreach plan <br /> focused on providing education and communication about sewage contamination and the need for <br /> statewide conversion of cesspools to protect the coastal and nearshore environment" and "research <br /> on the most cost-effective way to upgrade cesspools in the State." My suggestion is that this <br /> research could be more objective if one of its tasks was to determine whether there was a scientific <br /> basis for forcing the expensive conversion of"all" cesspools. <br /> I realize that present law requires such conversion. But objective research might reveal that <br /> geographic exceptions could be made without impacting waters and coral at all, thereby saving <br /> millions of dollars and a lot of heartache, with no countervailing negative consequences. <br /> Since you are funding research anyway, wouldn't it make sense to be sure that the premise on <br /> which the research is based is scientifically sound? <br /> I hope you will amend HB 2196, HD1 to make this simple but meaningful change. <br /> Alternatively, please include language in your Committee report that says the research may explore <br /> whether the universal requirement for conversion of cesspools should be modified to be truly cost <br /> effective. <br /> Thank you for your consideration. <br /> Respectfully Submitted, <br /> I <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />