HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0313.022 2024-2026COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
June 17, 2025 20?5 JUG! 16 ARC 8:
Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
Subject: Testimony in Opposition to proposed Bill 060 an ordinance amending Chapter
25, Article 1, Article 2, Article 4, Article 5, and Article 7 of the Hawai'i County Code
1983 (2016 edition, as amended), relating to zoning district regulations for meeting
facilities, churches, temples, synagogues, and community buildings.
I am writing in opposition to the proposed Bill 060 that would prohibit churches from
gathering before 8:00 AM and after 9:00 PM
My church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a daily scripture study
class for youth (called Seminary) between the hours of 5:30 AM and 7:30 AM Monday —
Friday. My husband, myself and all 3 of our boys have participated in the past in early
morning Seminary. It has been a great blessing to our family to be able to meet early
before school starts to study the scriptures. The fact that any teenager is willing to get up
early before school to study ways to improve their behavior and relationships with others
(which is basically what scripture study does) is a miracle and is nothing but a blessing to
the community. It would be devastating to the hundreds of youth on our island that
currently participate in Seminary if we were no longer allowed to hold these classes.
This bill may additionally affect my churches youth and sports activities which
sometimes extend beyond 9:00 PM. Our youth groups meet weekly in the evenings and
have several large special events through out the year. Youth dances especially would be
a big area of concern as these typically go into the late evening past 9:00 PM. Again this
is something that my husband and I as well as our 3 sons have enjoyed in the past and
continue to enjoy. My husband and I often chaperone the dances and our youngest son is
still in the youth program. There are not many activities for youth to do on the Big
Island and to limit this even further, I think, would be detrimental to our community.
There have also been various occasions in the past where my churches worship services,
meetings, service projects, and activities have been scheduled before 8:00 AM or after
9:00 PM. I believe that this proposed bill is in direct opposition to our constitutional
religious freedom -and I hope that you will reconsider the implications of this bill. I am
not sure what your originl intent was- but there needs to be a way to accomplish your
goal without infringing on religious liberties and affecting the community in such a
negative way.
For these reasons, I humbly request that you VOTE IN OPPOSITION to Hawai'i County
Bill 060.
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Sincerely,
Angela Woods Comm. No D• IL
Hilo, HI
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