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From: Chuck Flaherty
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 12:23 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in support of Bill 145 with recommended amendments
April 16, 2024
To: Hawaii County Council, Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee
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Re: Bill 145 - Support with comments
Aloha Madame Chair and members of the GOEA Committee,
Kala mal for my late written submission.
I support Bill 145 with recommendations for amendments as follows:
In Section 1:
Section 6-7.3(c)(1): "Traditional and customary practices" inherently encompasses "traditional Hawaiian
land usage", so it is redundant and removing it may prevent future misunderstanding.
(4) Replace 1eland" with "nature". Nature conservation is more expansive concept and
encompasses land conservation, in that nature conservation focuses on protecting species from extinction,
maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystems, incorporating ecocultural practices and
identities, protecting biological diversity, and mitigating climate change. In addition, environmental
science and environmental protection are mutually inclusive with nature conservation.
In Section 2, I would recommend the same two amendments for 6-7.4(c)(1) and (4).
In addition, since food self-sufficiency is always high on the list of major concerns by the residents of
Hawai' as a result of our massive dependence on imported food, the planning commissions and our island
would benefit with an amendment that would require a member who has expertise in restorative
agriculture.
Cornet. o
Ref. Ta-
Ref. Date R 2024
Mahaio for this opportunity to testify,
Chuck Flaherty
From: Chuck Flaherty
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 2:58 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in support of Bill 145 with recommended amendments
Aloha Madame Chair and members of the GOEAC,
Unfortunately, agriculture is primarily in conflict with the environment when considering habitats and
ecosystems and should not be combined into one qualification requirement.
Mahalo,
Chuck Flaherty