HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0497.005 2022-2024 P /ctoEAG
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From: Bob Douglas 4 n
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2023 9:49 AM ��
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To: Council Testimony
Subject: County board and commission meetings (Resolution 287-23)
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Aloha members of our Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee,
Thank you for allowing me to testify. s--,/ —-
I am urging the Mayor's administration to ensure virtual access for all County board and commission meetings,as outlined in
Resolution 287-23.
Access to virtual access offers equal access under the ADA for the deaf community. Not all deaf persons know ASL. Many of us
rely upon closed captioning.
Currently,some boards and commissions have reverted to in-person meetings only since the pandemic ended.Considering the
modern options available to facilitate broader community participation,this forces residents to travel to Hilo or Kona to testify,
which is impractical and inequitable.
An unfortunate example is Kauai,where Zoom meetings and online testimonies have been eliminated as options, limiting
access for people across the board after COVID restrictions were lifted.This misuse of power suppresses and marginalizes the
people of Hawai'i.We should be enhancing, not restricting, resident involvement.
I request your support in championing the voices of our residents. Please encourage the Mayor's administration to establish
virtual access for all County board and commission meetings, making Zoom participation a standard practice by law.
Mahalo
Bob Douglas
Pana'ewa, Hawaii Island 96720
Aloha,
Bob Douglas
danhieux18@icloud.com
Instagram.com/danhieux
808 333-0402
Comm. Na. q . S
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1 Ref.'Dote 10V 1 4 2023