2019-01-03 Public Testimony Transcript - Piilani Partners SMA 18-070

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My biggest concern is where are we going to put the waste that we are going to generate when we create this facility. I am flabbergasted that we are going to ban polystyrene and then we're going to move forward with creating a water bottle facility. As you can see next to me, I have brought my props. This bottling facility will indeed be bringing in super sacks full of plastic pellets [holding up a container of plastic pellets and a large, white plastic sack]. These super sacks are non -recyclable whether we have the facilities or not to process them. These are going to fill up in our landfills, the landfills which are closing which are meeting maximum capacity, and we have no more room to put stuff Furthermore, as a volunteer for Hawaiian Wildlife Fund, I spend hours on the beaches every single month picking up thousands of pounds of plastic waste. I have personally picked up thousands of plastic water bottles myself, and so I just think it's common sense going forward on, being an island in the middle of the Pacific where we're supposed to be the front leaders as far as like loving our `aina and, you know, malama pono. I just can't use any other word then asinine to describe the way that I feel about us putting forth a water botting facility. We don't have the space to put—[brief interruption of audience clapping]. We don't have the space to put the waste, and furthermore, if we're looking at creating eight jobs, I can tell you that we can create eight jobs very easily in other sustainable practices. So, I will be back at the next testimony, but I think you all know how I feel about it now. CLARKSON: Thank you, all. I know emotions are running high and that you want to applaud and yell and clap, but every time you do, whatever the testifier is saying is obliterated from the record, so in courtesy to them, you may want to hold back a little. BENJAMIN (from audience): They can pause what they're saying, and it will still be on the record. We just want you to know how we much we support what they're saying. CLARKSON: Okay. BENJAMIN (from audience): Carry on. CLARKSON: Will the next four testifiers please come forward? That would be Gary Harrold, Hank Fergerstrom, Ellen Schomer, and Julie Stowell. HARROLD: Good morning. CLARKSON: Please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter before the Planning Commission today? TESTIFIERS: Yes. CLARKSON: Well, whoever is going first, I'd like to start with this gentleman on my left. Please speak into the microphone. Introduce yourself and proceed. You have three minutes. EXHIBIT C 5