HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.130 2024-2026November 5, 2025
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I/
RECEIVED /
To: Hawaii County Council Time f0:y9a.M. HY
From: WyattAkahoshl Date NOV 0 4 2025
Sandys Drive In
RE: Bill 83 - Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
Position: Oppose (with recommendations)
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice. Chair Onishi, and Members of the Committee:
My name is Wyatt Akahoshi, and I am the Manager at Sandys Drive In. We are a small
family run restaurant that serves local food to locals and tourists alike. We do cater as well
for Events, Parties, Funerals, etc., and have been owned by one person, Sandy Iwashita,
since 1966. 1 believe that SN 83 would create problems for local businesses and raise food
prices -without helping the environment in a tangible way. The cost will unfortunately have
to be passed on to the end consumer which is the people of Hawaii and tourists.
No Composting Facility
Hawaii County does not have a composting facility that can process the containers
required under this bill. That means even "compostable" packaging will end up in
the landfill. If the County wants to ban certain materials, there should first be a
system in place to process the new materials properly. Otherwise, we are adding
costs without reducing waste.
2. Higher Costs for Businesses and Families
Restaurants and takeout spots depend on the containers and utensils this bill would
ban. The compostable versions are much more expensive:
a. Compostable forks cost twice as much as current plastic forks.
b. Compostable containers cost at least 40% more than the containers most
places use today.
When small businesses pay more for supplies, they have no choice but to raise
prices. That means families and up paying more for meals, at a time when everything
is already more expensive.
3, Food Safety and Quality Problems
Compostable containers do not hold up well in real life.
a. Hot or oily food leaks through or melts the lid.
b. Compostable forks and spoons break or get soft in hot foods or soups.
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