HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0642.057 2020-2022 bill 12!5
COMM,
James Weatherford
Sent: Mon���mMan� O� �22 �11AM
`'
To: 7077 r"`°R 7 A"rR 9-
Council
Testimony
Subject: Bill 125 Support
lsupport Bill |25and ask the Council topass it.
Please read the story below, aoexample ofthe problem and the resulting human consequences.
"Wedged between the carrots and onions, the orohids, and the fresh-roasted Island coffee beans at Hilo Farmers K8arket, the
sign on the onno||table read. "Chocolate TrufDen.,Standing behind the table were a middle-aged woman and her man
Bubbling with enthusiasm (and pride)for their chocolate truffles, she offered me a sample. He remained quiet, smiling and
watching on | took the first bite; and he did not seem surprised when | rolled my eyes and howled with pleasure at the tante—
chocolate on the outside, chocolate on the inside, and terrifically delectable throughout. YUM!
A few nights bofnre, for the second timne, my family and | had watched the movie, "Chocolat". | asked Mr. and K8m. Truffle if they
had seen it. Yoo, they had. We all laughed. | paid for mnychocolate truffle and said goodbye.
That was early 2004. For months afterwards, I bought chocolate truffles from them at the Hilo Market and at the Makuu Market.
Chocolate truffles became our family favorite for a treat during the weekly DVID movie.
The line of customers in front of the small table grow longer each week. New flavnn;, coconut and |i|ikoi, were mixed with the
ohoon|ato, and they seemed to be selling well. | stuck with the Original Chocolate. YUK8!
When they weren't too busy, I talked briefly with them, as I often do with entrepreneurs trying to break into the market with a new
ornot-oo-nevvidea.
|nAugust | could not find them atthe markets. Nnchocolate truffles.
It didn't seem likely to me that their business would have folded along with their table at the end of the last market day, as so
many small, home-based family enterprises do. The chocolate truffles were e good product. The phoo provided a fair return to
the entrepreneurs and value for money to customers. They knew how to market their product and were as naturally friendly as
people come.
In September I saw her walking in Makuu market, and asked where their table was so that I could go buy some chocolate
truffles.
She explained they were not selling chocolate truffles that doy, and had not sold chocolate truffles for some weeks. Not since
she was attacked by dogs and mauled in the street near their home, one-half mile from the ocean in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
She pointed toher legs, covered tnabove the knees byshorts. There were teeth marks, gashes, and bruises. Certainly, there
was more and worse the public could not see. The dogs had not been destroyed after attacking her, and had attacked another
person afew days later.
Even as she recalled the incident, her eyes had the shattered look ofsomeone who has suffered o vio|ent, traumatic attack.
Stunned, | comforted her as best | could. That seemed inadequate. VVewent our separate ways in the bustling market. |wished
her well and said | looked forward to more chocolate truffles. That was the last time | sovv her.
The next time | saw him was in November, at&1akuu Market. The chocolate truffles were on the table. Mymouth was watering. |
asked about her.
He looked down at the chocolate truffles, "She passed away October 16."As a result of the injuries from the dog attack, she had
experienced complete liver failure and died. All | could do was offer condolences and another inadequate effort at comforting an
innocent person suffering osenseless tragedy. He said hewas going to keep making and selling chocolate truffles.
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Ref.To
Ref.Da
i
was the right thing to do, paid for my two Original Chocolate truffles, and said goodbye. That was November 2004, and my last
opportunity for any of those Original Chocolate Truffles. The Truffle table folded for the last time at the end of that market day.
Today, 17+years later, the Hawaii County Code continues to be tolerant of dog attacks on humans and it remains silent
regarding the victims of those attacks.
James Weatherford
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
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