HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0819.011 2020-2022 1 oounb
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From: Megan Lamson
Sent: Tuesday,June 14, 2022 11:18 AM
To: Council Testimony; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Lee Loy, Sue; Inaba, Holeka; Kanealii-Kleinfelder,
Matt; Kimball, Heather; David, Maile; Villegas, Rebecca; Richards, Tim; Chung, Aaron
Subject: SUPPORT for Bill 180 (COH Council Hearing June 15th)
Aloha Chair David,Vice Chair Chung, and members of the Hawaii County Council,
After reading through Wednesdays agenda, it is with no hesitation that I submit this testimony of
wholehearted support for the proposed County Bill i8o - related to the water board and the
dept of water supply.
This bill adds five important items to the Hawaii County Charter:
1)A non-voting representative of DHHL(perhaps a community member or someone within one of the
Hawaiian Homestead Associations on island) as a non-voting member;
2)An additional reference to the relevant Public Trust Doctrine provisions of the state constitution to the
list of"shalls"that the water board should do;
3)A requirement for the manager-chief engineer to report back to the County Council with updates with a
report annually;
4)A training for water board members about Native Hawaiian law; and
5)An addition of a section entitled "Native Hawaiian Water Rights".
Each of these above additions are important in and of themselves, but the combination is outstanding!
While I am in full support in Bill 18o as written, I do think that perhaps a community member with
experience in water conservation or management,that is also a Hawaiian beneficiary as determined, and
who was nominated by DHHL(versus a staff member) could also be a good candidate for the #1 non-voting
change above. It would also be helpful, in the future,to have a rep from DLNR`s commission on water
resourcement management at the table for such discussions.
Best,
Megan -
p ,
Megan R.Lainson Leatherman,M.S.
&MEHANA CONSULTING
mehana.constilting@gmail.com
hap:z mehanaconsulting.weebl .corn
Post Office Box 1127
KEALAKEKUA,HI 9675o
c: 808/217-5777
Sent with aloha from cyber space.
Co o.
Ref. o• 4lAhQ
Ref. Date JUN 1 5 2022
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