HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0097.001 2024-2026Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Aloha, my name is Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian. I live in Hilo. Full disclosure, I'm the principal
contractor for the statewide Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, but I'm here on my personal
accord on Comm. 97 in support of the appointment of Laura Acasio as Administrator of the
Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience.
I'm going to be honest with you, in 2023 when OSCER was formed. I was not convinced that the
county would proactively, appropriately and transparently utilize the office for meaningful,
coordinated action for environmental justice, equity and resiliency. Sustainability and resiliency
are common agency buzzwords used today to seek and channel money for seemingly good
ecological purposes but often have questionable real net effect on the marginalized
municipalities through which such funds flow. Chair Kimball was steadfast in her intention for
this cabinet level office to ensure coordinated action both within County departments as well as
externally in the community, boots on the ground. Councilwoman Villegas you were exuberant
about this office offering opportunity for federal funding and grants, positive change and
conscious choices. We haven't seen any of that over the last year. It was all talk, and I've been
pretty smug in my original assessment OSCER`s impact.
Until Mayor Kimo announced his choice to appoint Laura Acasio. I met Laura Acasio in person
in 2018, when I posted in an online group that I needed a ride to a multi -day meeting in
Waikoloa. Laura responded she had room in her minivan. She picked me up from work, and I
hitched a ride with her and her kids. I learned quickly then, that's the essence of Laura Acasio.
A lifelong community activist and advocate, she shows up, invites you right in, always helpful,
honest and open, a willingness to lend a hand. Boots on the ground.
As a former State Senator representing Hilo, Acasio`s experience in tracking policy, coordinating
with federal, state and local government and community partners, experienced in working with
diverse working groups, she nerds out on climate action and on educating herself and the
networks she finds herself in. If you have 5 or 500 minutes, ask her about EPA Region 9, or her
experience informing County R&D, DLNR, HTA, County and State reps and others on issues of
equitable policies that prioritize the life of the land and all of Fa `Amos. She's helped create a
waste to wealth program, informed decision makers regarding appropriate demolition of Uncle
Billy`s and so much more. A lot of her work and ideations have been cockaroached as others`
accomplishments, but those, like me, who are present with her and have watched over recent
years know her value in our community. Seemingly tireless, her hard working, family
values -good people vibe is infectious in all that she does. She understands the complexities of
for example, cesspool conversion and solid waste management issues, bioremediation and
places the importance of being informed first by Hawaiian cultural practices and understanding
of the interconnectedness of all life. Laura Acasio, like some others in this room, seems to have
more time in each day than the rest of us to attend every community meeting and event. Always
listening, always learning, always growing. Eyes and ears in the community. Boots on the
ground.
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