2018-04-02 Letter to Rosalyn H. Baker re SCR 183/SR 109 Relating to Helicopter Air Tours

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Harry Kim lajwr Offirt fftc 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Idg 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 Wil Okabe Illanaging Director Barbara J. kossow Deputy Managing Director April 2, 2018 Senator Rosalyn H. aker, Chair Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health awail State Capitol, Room 229 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chai aker and Committee Members: Re: SCR 183/SR 109 Relating to Helicopter Air Tours Hearing Date: 04/03/2018 — 10:00 am; Conference Room 229 Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SCR 183 and SR 109. This SCR and SR are a perfect cam* ent 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 in Finance but is not yet scheduled for hearing. Whether or not it passes, SCR 183 and SR 109 should be supported. This noise (and safety) issue is a ong the most vexing that we face. Helicopters have been a source of endless complaints from communities that lie in the flight path to HVNIP, and there should be no doubt that noise can constitute both a nuisance and a health hazard, especially in otherwise tranquil rural areas. 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 co mend the for that. Moreover, lam hopeful that tour operators and community members can work together. However, the history laid out in SCR 183 and SR 109 is eye-opening. How can our residents be asked to tolerate the status quo when it has a een 14 years since the Federal Aviation Administration and ational 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 not acceptable. 1 also would note that HB 2007, HD 1 is a request from the helicopter industry for a GET exemption on helicopter servicing and maintenance. While that might be thought of as a separate issue, !don't think it would be unfair to say that tax giveaways should County of I lawah is an l'qual Opportunity Provider and Fmployer.