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-tV OF <br />Wil Okabe <br />Nkinaging [)irectot <br />"arry Kim <br />Nlqyor41 0 <br />Barbara J. K+ s+ <br />0 <br />Depuo,,� M(Incigring Dirt,voil <br />tett Of f r ffiavor <br />2,5 Au�pu'ni Street, Suite 2603 o Hilo, Hawaii 96720 o (808) 961-8211 o Fax (808) 961 -6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohok5liole Hlwy., Bldg, C o Ka,il�ua-Kona, Hawai"i 96,740 <br />(808) 323-4444 o Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />Senator Donovan Mi. Diela Cruz, Chai <br />1 <br />Committee on Ways and Means <br />I <br />Hawal'i State Capitol, Rololm 211 <br />Honolulu,I H! 916813 <br />Senator GilbertKeith-Agaran, Vice -Chair <br />I <br />Coimimlittee on Ways and Means <br />Hawai'i State Capitol, RoorrI 2111 <br />Honolulu, H11 96813 <br />Re: HB 2007, HD 1, SID 1 Rellatlng� to, GET'E,xemption on Aircraft Slerv*ic*ing and <br />Maintenance <br />Hearing Date: 04/013/20118 - 10:00 arn; Conference Room 211i <br />Helicopters are a vali ued component of our tourism industry. They also have been a <br />source of endless complainits from communities that lie in their flight paths,, and there should be <br />no doubt that noise can constitute both a nuisance and a health hazard,I especially in otherwise <br />tranquil rural', areias. <br />Helicopter companies are now asking the Legislature for more favoirabile treatment with <br />respect to the general excise tax. There is no suggestion of economic hardship -i there is no <br />I I <br />suggestion thati, new facilities will; be attracted to Hawaiil; and there is no suggestion, that the <br />� I <br />industry would use its savings to better accommodate those who live in their fly-olver country., <br />The exemption will simply add to the companies' bottom line, and reduce muchl, needed revenue <br />for the Statei. <br />The history of helicopters in Hawaii is laid out in SR 109 and SCR 183, (introduced by, <br />-open nig. How can our residents be asked to tolerate the status qu <br />Senator Kahelle) and is eyeI I <br />when it has, been 14 years Since the Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service <br />asked for comments, on an Air Tour Management Plan Environmental Assessment, and seven <br />years s,i�nce a preliminary draft Air Tour Management Plan for Hawal"I'Volcanoes National Park <br />was published, without further action. That is an outrage., <br />I don't think It would be unfair to say that tax g�iveawa,ys sh,oul'd'bie reserved for good <br />corporate citizeins,. Perhaps the helicopter tour industry 11 si cooperation with SIR 109 and SCR <br />183 <br />a 1 should be evluated before HB, 2,0017, HD 1 1 SD1 1 Is given any fuIrther consideration. <br />County of` flaw ai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Eniployer, <br />