HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.042 2022-2024 (NI 48
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From: Ellen Okuma
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 12:16 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support for Bill 48: Creation of the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and
Resilience (OSCER)
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Aloha Honorable Members of the Government Operations and External Affairs Committee,
I strongly support Bill 48,which,if passed,will establish the Office of Sustainability,Climate, Equity,and
Resilience (OSCER) in Hawaii County.This bill is critical in addressing the challenges posed by climate
change, promoting sustainability,increasing food security,and building resilience in Hawai'i County.
By establishing OSCER,the County of Hawaii shows a commitment to our Island's role in mitigating the
effects of climate change.The Office will serve as a catalyst for positive change,enabling us to make
conscious choices that benefit our environment, economy,and social well-being.
One of the key strengths of Bill 48 is its focus on equity and environmental justice.The bill recognizes the
need to address impacts on lower- and middle-income individuals and historically marginalized groups,
and aims to ensure that the benefits of the Office's programs reach all residents of the County.This
commitment to inclusivity and fairness is commendable and sets an example for other jurisdictions to
follow.
Having OSCER established at the cabinet level is critical because important and timely actions will be
coordinated between County administrators and staff,and relevant community organizations.This
integrated approach is vital for effective policy implementation and achieving meaningful results in
sustainability and resilience.
Establishing a Climate Action Revolving Fund,as the bill proposes,is innovative and will effectively
support policies and programs that align with the objectives of OSCER while generating cost savings for
the County. By collaboratively reinvesting these savings into new climate action programs,the County
and its communities can create a self-sustaining cycle of progress and ensure the long-term success of
our sustainability efforts.
I am particularly impressed by the design of OSCER,which is based on the collective impact model.This
model,with its emphasis on collaboration (ie, not individual agendas),shared metrics,and stakeholder
communication,has proven successful in achieving transformative change.The seminal work on
collective impact,by Kania and Kramer (2011),has been cited numerous times for its successes and was
recently revisited and updated in the Winter of 2022
(ssir.org/article/entry/centering equity in collective impact).
By adopting the collective impact model,OSCER will serve as a coordinating and administrative entity,
enabling us to pursue funding resources such as grants,to maximize our impact and effectively address
the implementation gaps in our sustainability, climate,and resilience plans.
Passing Bill 48 and establishing OSCER will position Hawaii County as a leader in sustainability, climate
change adaptation,and community resilience. By taking proactive measures to protect our environment
and promote equity,we can serve as a role for responsible and forward-thinking governance.A Q
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Ref.Date MAY 1 6 2023
I urge the Government Operations and External Affairs Committee to support Bill 48 and recommend its
passage to the Hawaii County Council. Please take this opportunity to safeguard our future, preserve our
natural resources, and create a thriving, sustainable community for generations to come.
Mahalo for seriously considering the passage of Bill 48.
Ellen Okuma
P.O. Box 10766
Hilo, HI 96721
Ellen Okuma
Project Director
NO POHO
ph. 808-896-1010
Instagram @no.poho
Ellen Okuma, Project Director
NO POHO
ph. 808-896-1010
Instagram @no.poho
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