HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0269.013 2022-2024 P /Gourd
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From: Antu Harvey
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2023 4:10 PM wn
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony- RES 163-23 - Oppose
"AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LANCAsfER
NAMIE TOWN PURSUANT TO HRS 46-7, TO FORM THE PACIFIC HYDROGEN ALLIANME
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
I Oppose Resolution 163-23 (Hydrogen Alliance)
, This rushed proposed resolution, which will only have one hearing, authorizes the Mayor to formally execute
an agreement with terms undisclosed with cities in California and Japan. The purpose is to"work together
to implement hydrogen project deployment to advance towards a hydrogen society."
Last November, the US Department of Energy announced that the "H2 Trans Pacific Team' (Cities of
Lancaster, CA, Nannie, Fukushima, and County of Hawaii (as Mentee)) was granted one of their two 2022
'H2Twin Cities Initiative' awards.
Earlier in 2022, there must have been some sort of understanding worked out by County Department of
Research & Development with the two cities as to what our County commitment could entail.
This Resolution does not provide that information.
My deep concern is that even within the intervening five months, our Council has not been provided
any additional information about this alliance, or the staff resources we need to contribute, or the
projects we are likely to undertake to fulfill our role as 'mentee' - AND now, this Resolution is being rushed
through as 'Urgent', "that a breach be authorized to submit this Resolution after the ... deadline" and to "waive
it from the Finance Committee in order to place it on the Council agenda".
It is not public knowledge why this Resolution was not processed in a more timely and compliant manner -
with good information presented to the Finance Committee so they could make an informed and thoughtful
decision. This rush job after five plus months seems to gives us the perception of unskilllful management or
more of the "trust us mentality" rubber stamping through pro forma approvals.
_If you have not received information so you can confidently answer the following questions, please
oppose passing this Resolution at this time and have it handled through the well-ordered
process other Resolutions follow.
• Even if Hawai'i County may receive $100,000 from US DOE for our role in the 'H2 Twin Cities Initiative',
what County controls will ensure no existing staff resources will be diverted or distracted from current
more pressing needs?
• Does this Alliance agreement place us in competition with, or exclude us from participating in the State
level efforts on the "Hawai'i Pacific Hydrogen Hub"?
• Do you feel confident that this won't become yet another "shiny penny/ silver bullet" short term
commercial exploitation of our lands, energy, and water?
Please vote on this matter bearing your integrity and wisdom and confidence that the outcomes will be pono.
Comm. NA,. 1191-
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Ref. To:
Ref. Date MAY - 3 2023
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Mahalo nui for your dedicated service.
Antu Harvey
Holualoa - 96725
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