2018-03-20 Letter to Richard H.K. Onishi and Henry J.C. Aquino re HR 148/HCR 177 Relating to Helicopter Air Tours

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Harry Kim Mayor Courtfil Offirr of fkr 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 Wil Okabe i1anaging Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director March 21, 2018 Representative Richard H.K. Onish* Chair Committee on Tourism Hawaii State Capitol, Room 423 Honolulu, HI 96813 Representative Henry J.C. Aquino, Chair Committee on Transportation Hawail State Capitol, Room 423 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Onishi and Aquino, and Comrnittee Me be s: Re: HR 148/HCR 177 Relating to Helicopter Air Tours Hearing Date: 03-23-18 — 10:00 am; Conference Room 423 Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HR 148 and HCR 177. This HR and HCR are a perfect complement to SB 2474, HD 1 which would require the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation, to conduct a study on the impacts of aviation noise on residents of the State. That bill is presently on its way to Finance and hopefully will be approved and funded. This noise (and safety) issue is among the most vexing that we face. Helicopters have been a source of endless complaints from communities that lie in the flight path to HVNP, and there should be no doubt that noise can constitute both a nuisance and a health hazard, especially in otherwise tranquil rural areas. I have met with tour operators and asked them to develop a plan to address noise and safety issues. They have taken some initial steps, and 1 commend them for that. Moreover, lam hopeful that tour operators and community members can work together. However, the history laid out in HR 148 and HCR 177 is eye-opening. How can our residents be asked to tolerate the status quo when it has been 14 years since the Federal Aviation Asministration and National Park Service asked for comments on an Air Tour Management Plan Environmental Assessment, and seven years since a preliminary draft Air Tour Management Plan for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was published. That is an outrage. County of Hawail is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.