2014-07-16, Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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Marianne Hodapp wanted to add that there is still no way that a disabled person in a wheelchair can get to and from the airport. She shared a European magazine where it was reported that everywhere in Europe they make barrier free possibilities for visitors and accommodations for disabled people. There is no need to come there on a special day to get a wheel chair. It’s easy to visit a city and go to a companion bathroom. There is nothing here in Hilo and the companion bathroom in Honolulu is a disgrace. J. Floyd stated that there is no place on the agenda for suggestions about agenda topics. Wes informed him that because the agenda has to be posted one week before the meeting date, any item for the agenda would need to be turned in by then. J. Floyd suggested one item for the agenda would be public accommodation. He also suggested something like Friends of the Beach like Friends of the Highway. (Adopt a Highway) W. Tanigawa stated that some of it will probably come about when different departments of the County are invited to the meetings to address the committee’s questions and concerns. Jesse felt that sometimes it would take a little too long to wait for the departments to come to the meetings. C. Cholas responded to that – “We are only an advisory committee - we advise, we send recommendations.” But the other avenue is to go straight to Mass Transit and say I cannot get around, I’m in a wheel chair - whatever the problem is. Let them know so they keep getting hit with people needing their services and they’re not getting them. And the other way is to go to Council members and say, I live in your area, this is a serious problem for me. I can’t make appointments, I can’t do this, I can’t do that, whatever it is. But start using the people that are actually the change makers because this committee is just advisory. J. Floyd announced that the County Council meets the first Wednesday of the month, and it will be 9:00 a.m. at 25 Aupuni Street. V. Nelson spoke about the difficulties and expense she had trying to find transportation for her group from Fukushima (3 adults in wheelchair). She said she called everywhere. Roberts of Hawai‘i sent her next door to the school bus place, who would charge $210 from the airport to her home in Ainaloa. She was very thankful to Coordinated Services for transporting all of them. She stated that people with disabilities need to be taken better care of, and that she would like to help in this area. J. Souza stated that it is so ironic that Hawai‘i is “aloha,” but people are constantly after them to make it “aloha.” He stated that growing up disabled, he has seen where there is only one thing to do, and that is to survive. And they have. He would like to start an ad hoc committee for transportation and accommodations for the disabled. 3