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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.161 2024-2026Hawairi WiRife Fund PosE QFFcr. Bnx i 8o i, Kralakckua, h3wai; h/ ?6J5o �' %st QFF�e Box J90637, %'aia, Mau, %�l 9d779 Celebrating 29+ years of protecting Ilawaii's native wildlife through research, education and conservation. COUNTY CLERK COUNTY OF RAWAI'I 4 November 2025 RECBIVED Time Q,AI. By Aloha Councilmembers, Date NOV 0 4 2025 First, many thanks to Councilwomen Rebecca Villegas and Michelle Galimba for bringing this much - needed legislation forward. This effort to more sweepingly reduce the single -use -plastics "foodware footprint" of our island is long-awaited and has been envisioned for many years now. To be clear, this effort is nothing novel and similar legislation has already passed on Oahu in December 2019 and in Maui County in April 2020. Hawali County is following their lead with Bill 83, and Hawaii Wildlife Fund (HWF) fully supports this legislation (draft 2) being heard at full council tomorrow. The best way to reduce plastic pollution from the environment (and from its continued contributions to climate change) is to stop producing it. And as an island community, that means refusing any mindless single -use -plastic products we can (where clear alternatives exist) in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint. Here at HWF, we believe and have seen firsthand the damage that plastic pollution has had on our native wildlife and coastal / marine ecosystems. We also know that plastic pollution = marine debris, as over 94% of what we collect on our standardized shoreline surveys is made of plastics. While plastic pollution is truly a global problem, we must act locally to find solutions. That means more reusables and less single - use consumerism, wherever possible. HWF has been involved in large-scale marine debris removal efforts on this island since 2003. During that time, we have removed over 370 tons of debris (a.k.a. plastic pollution!) from along the Hawai'! Island shoreline, averaging 34,000 pounds annually. In 2024 alone, HWF and volunteers removed a total of 55,004 pounds of marine debris from the shores of Ka'u (89.7% by weight), Kona and Kohala districts during 58 cleanup events. With 537 participants (97 of whom were keiki), that is an average of 102 pounds removed per person per cleanup day. This figure should help tell the story of the true scale of the problem. Bill 83 is an opportunity to reduce some of the local sources of plastic pollution from our environment (and fro our households). Our previous efforts on this island to reduce cigarette butts on beaches, plastic www.wild6awaii.org Comm. Ref. To: Ref. Date NOV — 5 2025 bags, and polystyrene containers have already made a notable difference along our roadways, coastlines, within our dryland and mauka forests and within our communities. True, bans (or prohibitions) are not the only solution, but they are part of the solution and provide a great step in educating our island residents, visitors, and business members about better ways that we can all take care of our island, our planet and our people. Founded in 1996, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund is a nonprofit organization with a mission to conserve Hawaii s native vaildlife"thi''oUgk'7esearch and education. We engage and inspire communities through outreach, 11IFw"MI 3O i":01U00 education, vns%&gt,ion and habitat restoration activities, conducting environmental research, _supporting um c3Tnmunity- rivera©agdment efforts, and initiating advocacy campaigns: We have been working to protect native wildlife and restore coastal/nearshore ecosystems across the Hawaiian e:7GQ A�cliip`eiag'o fb`r the 05�t`29"years with community and partner support. Many thanks for your time and consideration. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me at megan(@wildhawaii.org. Sincerely, Megan Lamson Leatherman, M. Sc. Hawaii Wildlife Fund President & Hawai'i Program Director PO Box 1801 Kealakekua, HI96750 www.wildkawaii.orJ c . u7e