2018-07-26 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Chair Bennett told the Commission about his experience reporting an abandoned vehicle. He called the Police non-emergency number to report the vehicle and explained that he is the chair of the EMC. He had to answer several questions about the vehicle, and 24 hours later, it and several others were marked with abandoned vehicle emblems and stickers. In his case, being a squeaky wheel, and perhaps identifying himself as being on the EMC, got the grease. A couple of days ago he saw two of the recently tagged vehicles being towed, so it appears to be working. Director Kucharski said he hoped any citizen that calls in an abandoned vehicle would have the same results. In addition, the Council’s Environmental Management Committee passed Bill 154 (regarding removing abandoned vehicles from private roadways), with a couple of minor changes, and also added to the bill EMC’s recommendation to include a public education component. It received unanimous approval and is moving forward. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Neff said she wanted the Hū Honua incinerator project on the next agenda. Chair Bennett asked if she could give a presentation, and she said yes. Commissioner Fritz said he read about sewage digesters in Honolulu converting sludge into fertilizer and wondered if Director Kucharski could provide input in regard to what kinds of profit-making waste management opportunities exist here. Director Kucharski said that regarding Honolulu’s sewage digesters, he believes the City and County of Honolulu treats over 100 million gallons per day of raw sewage, whereas the County of Hawaiʻi gets only 2 to 3 million gallons per day. Their treatment systems also are different, such that Oahu has a much richer source of biological material for digestion to function with. Economy of scale is such that the minimum type of facility would take a lot more sewage waste than what Hawaiʻi County has. However, he will accumulate some information and report on it at the next meeting. Commissioner Fritz said the east side has seen transfer station improvements, and he asked whether there were any improvements planned for the West side. Director Kucharski said that Puakō is not a great location and is not particularly expandable. There are no plans to expand it. If Commissioner Fritz wanted to discuss alternatives, they are in preliminary stages, not far enough along to discuss. Commissioner Gaffney said he would like an update on other commissioners who have been suggested, as Dru Kanuha had recommended someone several months ago and she has not heard back. Director Kucharski explained that all appointments to the EMC are done through the Mayor’s Office and do not come to him. However, he will check with Rose Bautista on the status and report back.