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MALAMA O PUNA
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Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
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;` Protecting Hawai`i's precious natural heritag? z
-12
June 16, 2023
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RE: Testimony in support of Bill No. 48 Draft#2 0
Aloha Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council,
Malama 0 Puna, has been an environmental educational nonprofit organization since 2000
and, as such, is very supportive of the creation of a County Office of Sustainability, Climate,
Equity, and Resilience as set forth in Bill No. 48.
It has always been our hope that the County would develop a means to effectively address
sustainability, equity, and resilience in light of rapidly advancing climate changes. Creating
this office, and properly staffing this office, will provide the assistance needed by County
departments to develop appropriate and technical plans to mitigate the impacts of climate
change and ensure future projects are implemented in ways that address sustainability and
potential environmental injustices. We appreciate the emphasis on environmental justice
represented in this bill given the diverse cultural base of our island's population. It appears
that this office will also be instrumental in providing technical assistance with grants needed
to carry out proposed activities stemming from adoption of new policies, as well as provide
an interface with the public to support a more resilient lifestyle for our island's residents.
We look forward to participating with the County in setting appropriate policies and
assisting with public education on these issues which supports our organization's mission
and goals. We fully support the passage of Bill 48, and the addition of this much needed
office at the County of Hawaii.
Mahalo,
al.PA9 4 /0)1a--
Eileen O'Hara, Ph.D.
Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
Executive Director, Malama 0 Puna
Comm. Ifo. Vol1 . 12.1
Ref.To: Pi UMW
Ref. Date JUN -2 fl 7023