MIN CHARTER 2018-10-12 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -4 October 12, 2018 customer. For their careful vigilance I am grateful because water service is critical to my daily hygienic cooking and most of all my personal need to drink water straight from the tap unfiltered. From 2007 to 2016 I want you to know that 1 served DWS as Administration Division as Public Information and Education Specialist. In that time my lay person understanding of Water Supply grew to a higher level of awareness because I needed to work closely with my coworkers from all areas of the department to field unique inquiries from the media, customers and concerned citizens, and associations. 1 learned a lot while working with my administrators and my coworkers and 1 just respectfully support the work that needed to happen that didn't quite fit the usual ordinary work flow of department. These communications carne from County, State and Federal partners, from other commissioners, from auditors, and from legislators. Often times the concern was environmental governance and planning that was either needed information from the 20 -year water master plan, or needed custom -fit information. For example, the Ocean View water system was successfully built at the request of Mayor Kim's previous administration in order to mitigate the potential of thousands becoming isolated without drinking water access in the event of an emergency. That was not included in our 20 -year water master plan. Another example was working for many years to respond to National Park Service's Keauhou Aquifer Designation application. In a way that supported and listened to as many community stakeholders as possible, the State Commission on Water Resource Management ultimately decided not to approve the application because area water use continues well within the sustainable yield. And as result of that application to designate, excellent custom fit outcomes were achieved for all sides of the issue with closer monitoring and reporting that ultimately empowers the community to steward their water sources in a way that's more sustainable and comprehensive. So for sustainable water resource management a commission already exists. Dismantling the Department of Water Supply would be unwise and irresponsible. There is an established long record of upholding its mission and maintaining a high quality service of its most precious resource to residents of Hawai`i. Thank you very much. CHR. ADAMS: Thank you. Do we have any other testimony? I understand we have testimony from Kona. MR. RUEDY: Yes we have Brenda Ford here to speak on Communication 1.8 as well as Communication 7.2. State your name for the record. Brenda Ford: Comm. No. 1.8, comment; and Comm. No. 7.2, comment. Page 7