Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.163 2024-2026Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce 1321 Kino'ole Street - Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Phone (808) 935-7178 - Fax (808) 961-4435 - Email exec@hicc.biz Executive Officer November 4, 2025 Carla Kuo RE: Hawaii County Council BILL 83 (Draft 2) 2025-2026 Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste Board of Directors OPPOSE with Recommendations www.hicc.biz CD �- o e Q z r C-. D� 3J r D� w v -� President David Kurohara Aloha County Council Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Council Members, President -Elect Dennis Lin On behalf of the Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 350 member businesses and non-profit Vice President organizations, individual members, and thousands of employees Bonnie Irwin primarily on the East side of Hawai'i Island, I respectfully submit this written testimony in opposition to BILL 83 (Draft 2) relating to the Treasurer prohibition of disposable plastic and polystyrene foodware and Joshua Vierra serviceware. Immediate Past The Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce supports the County's President Keith Marrack commitment to environmental stewardship and reducingwaste. However, we have significant concerns about the practical and economic impacts of BILL 83 on our local business community, Directors particularly our restaurants, food vendors, and small businesses that Mary Begier are still. recovering from recent economic challenges. Vanessa Carlson Rebecca Choi ECONOMIC IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES Jeremy Chong Our member businesses report that compostable and alternative Chelsey Chow foodware products cost 2-4 times more than traditional plastic Mark Chun options. For small restaurants and food vendors operating on thin Dean Fuke margins, this cost increase could be devastating. Many of our Larisa Hamamoto members have expressed concerns that: Dayna Kawazoe . The additional costs cannot easily be absorbed or passed on Daniel Kea to customers in our price-sensitivernarket Randy Kurohara . Small LocaL businesses will be disproportionately affected Geoli Ng compared to larger chains with greater purchasing power Matthew Pickett . Food trucks and small vendors may be forced to reduce James Staub operations or close entirely Jase Takeya NimrTamimi SUPPLY CHAIN AND AVAILABILITY CONCERNS Jennifer Tobey Joni Waltjen Hawai'i Island faces unique supply chain challenges due to our Irene Yamanaka geographic isolation. Our members report: I Tracie Yoshimoto Comm.RefTo: L202h *0-- Ref. Da Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce 1321 Kino'ole Street - Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone (808) 935-7178 - Fax (808) 961-4435 - Email exec@hicc.biz - www.hicc.biz • Limited availability of compliantcompostableproducts from Local distributors • Longer Lead times and higher shipping costs for specialty items • Inconsistent product quality and durability issues with some compostable alternatives • Concerns about supply disruptions that could leave businesses unable to comply The one-year implementation timeline may not provide sufficient time for our supply chain to adapt to meet the increased demand for compliant products across the entire island. INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPOSTING GAPS While the bill requires compostable alternatives, Hawai'i County Lacks the comprehensive composting infrastructure needed to properly process these materials. Without proper composting facilities: • Compostable products sent to landfills may not break down as intended • The environmental benefit of using compostable materials is significantly diminished • Businesses and consumers may be paying premium prices without achieving the intended environmental outcomes IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES Our members have raised concerns about: • The complexity of verifying compliance with ASTM standards, BPI certification, and CMA certification • Confusion about which products meet the technical requirements • The burden of documentation and record -keeping, particularly for small businesses • The fine structure that could impose significant financial penalties during an already difficult economic period PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce respectfully suggests the Council consider alternative approaches that balance environmental goals with business viability: 1. PHASED IMPLEMENTATION: Implement the ban in stages, starting with larger establishments before expanding to smaller businesses, allowing time for supply chains to develop and costs to stabilize. 2. INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST: Delay full implementation until adequate composting infrastructure is established to properly process compostable materials. 3. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Create a grant or subsidy program to help small businesses offset the increased costs during the transition period. Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce 1321 Kino'ole Street - Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Phone (808) 935-7178 - Fax (808) 961-4435 - Email exec@hicc.biz - www.hlcc.biz 4. EXPANDED EDUCATION: Invest in a comprehensive education program for both businesses and consumers before enforcement begins. 5. BROADER EXEMPTIONS: Provide more flexibility in the hardship exemption process and consider exemptions.for businesses below certain revenue thresholds. 6. REUSABLES INCENTIVE: Focus incentives on reusable options rather than mandating specific disposable alternatives, which would be more environmentally beneficial and potentially more cost-effective. CONCLUSION The Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce supports environmental protection and believes businesses should be good stewards of our island resources. However, we respectfully request that the County Council reconsider Bill. 83 or substantially amend it to address the significant practical and economic concerns it creates for our local business community. We urge the Council to work collaborativelywith the business community to develop solutions that protect our environment while ensuring our local businesses can survive and thrive. A more balanced, phased approach would allow us to achieve our environmental goals without causing undue economic hardship to the businesses and employees who form the backbone of our island economy. We appreciate your consideration of these concerns and stand ready to work with the Council on practical solutions that benefit both our environment and our economy. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. Sincerely, Carla Kuo Executive Officer Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce