HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0103.032 2020-2022 J rc,
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From: Alayna DeBina
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2021 11:10 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Hawaii County Budget Testimony
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Aloha,
I am excited to see that the public is invited to the Hawaii County Budget Council Meeting on Tuesday May 17`x'.
I would like to submit the following written testimony for review at that meeting.
My concern is something that I have discussed through written correspondence with Councilwoman Maile David and 3
a telephone call with our Mayor, Mitch Roth. I am happy to see that the budget has fees for Waste Services on the
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docket. This is exactly what I have been concerned with lately.
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I am active and founding member of the non-profit organization Ho'ala Kealakekua. We area small group o f 3
volunteers that have adopted the Kealakekua Bay State Park and have been caring for and clearing away the invasive
vegetation that impacts the sacred sites at that Wahi Pana. I am including this in my testimony because I am not just
someone who is complaining about this issue. I am someone who takes action on a regular basis to do my Kuleana in
our community.
My concerns have been expressed with relation to all the illegal dumping that is occurring on our island The
problem seems to be out of control in South Kona especially. I feel that a lot of the illegal dumping is exasperated by
the limited hours of operations at the Waste Stations as well as all the ever changing "restrictions" that are enforced
with little to no notice.
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In most communities, municipal trash service is an integral part of the county services. Obviously this is not
available to us here, and it is understandable why it is not. What is not understandable is that our county makes it
harder and harder for each of us to properly dispose of our trash. It's nearly impossible to dispose of tires, and they
end up littering the roadsides all over the place. This is a health hazard as the tires hold water and become breeding
centers for mosquitos, which spread disease. But even if we took the more difficult items to dispose of off the table for
discussion, lets just talk about how difficult it is to dispose of every day household items, or green waste from our own
yards. And then there is the issues with recycling(that is a whole other episode).
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It is my hope that the hours for the waste stations will be expanded to include all days, except State and Federal
Holidays. If that is not possible due to budget restrictions, I feel that at the very least, there should be additional
hours to accommodate greater access. And some of the restrictions should be lifted As an example, today is Friday,
May 14th. The Ke`ei Waste Station is CLOSED. There is no notice as to why it is closed today. This station is only
open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Yet today it is closed with no notice. Also,for some unknown reason, you
are no longer allowed to put your recyclable cardboard in the appropriate bin after 3:00 pm. Why? We live oil an
Island. We should be doing everything reasonably possible to encourage and promote recycling at every turn
possible.
I also think it would be so awesome to have a community group start a campaign to encourage the people of our
island to do their Kuleana and stop the disgusting practice of illegal dumping. Something like the Campaign to
encourage everyone to do their Kuleana and wear their masks and social distance. This issue is just as important, if
riot more important. Perhaps that is something that Mr. Mark Benioff would be interested in being part of It is my
understanding that he has funded much of the COVID-19 campaign and programs for the Big Island. I feel like he
would think that this would be a good cause and want to be part of it. Comm. No. Ao-�
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Ref. Date MAY 1 8 2021
I have suggested to both Maile David and Mayor Mitch Roth that if an expansion of Waste Station hours is not on the
table, at the minimum signage should be placed at all the feeder roads for both the Ke'ei and Keauhou Manka
Stations that CLEARLY spell out the dump hours and limitatons so that people know before they head to the dumps
with their rubbish to dispose of Whose roads would include the following intersections:
For the Ke'ei Station: Napo'opo'o/Ali'i Drive, Mamalahoa Hwy/Middle Ke'ei Road, Mamalahoa Hwy/
Keala Q Keawe Road,
For the Keauhou Mauka Station: Mamalahoa Hwy I Kuakini Hwy (Honalo), Kuakini Hwy/Telephone
Exchange Road(No ofHigashihara Park), Kuakini Hwy/Holualoa Entrance (near the new Dog Park).
I thank you for allowing me to submit my testimony and thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration. I
am looking forward to being on the "call" on the 17th for the upcoming meeting.
Aloha!
Alayna DeBina
Manager- Project Administration
1250 Oceanside, LLC
808.930.4105
www,hokulia.com
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