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Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />Wil Okabe <br />Managing Diredor <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />arlly Managing Director <br />Offirr �f1r <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 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 />March 23, 2018 <br />Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Chair <br />Committee on Government Operations <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 224 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Kim and Committee Members: <br />Re: SCR 183/SR 109 Relating to Helicopter Tours <br />Hearing Date: 03-27-18 — 2:55 pm; Conference Room 224 <br />Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SCR 183 and SR 109. <br />This SR and SCR are a perfect complement to SB 2474, HD 1 which would require the <br />Department of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of <br />Transportation, to conduct a study on the impacts of aviation noise on residents of the State. That bill is <br />presently on its way to Finance and hopefully will be approved and funded. <br />This noise (and safety) issue is among the most vexing that we face. Helicopters have been a <br />source of endless complaints from communities that Iie in the flight path to HVNP, and there should be no <br />doubt that noise can constitute both a nuisance and a health hazard, especially in otherwise tranquil rural <br />areas. <br />I have met with tour operators and asked them to develop a plan to address noise and safety <br />issues. They have taken some initial steps, and I commend them for that. Moreover, 1 am hopeful that <br />tour operators and community members can work together. However, the history laid out in SCR 183 and <br />SR 109 is eye-opening. How can our residents be asked to tolerate the status quo when it has been 14 <br />years since the Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service asked for comments on an Air <br />Tour Management Plan Environmental Assessment, and seven years since a preliminary draft Air Tour <br />Management Plan for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was published. This is just not fair to residents <br />who hope for fair treatment. <br />I hope you wiU approve SCR 183 and SR 109. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Harry Ki <br />Mayor, County of Hawaii <br />County ofHawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />