HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.166 2024-2026November 5, 2025
To: Hawaii County Council
From: Andy Huang
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
RE: Bill 83 - Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
Position: Oppose (with recommendations)
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Members of the Committee: .
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My name is Andy Huang, and I am the COO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue representing 67
independently owned franchised restaurants in Hawaii including 13 L&L's on the Hawaii
island. All of our L&L Hawaiian Barbecue /L&L Drive -inn are local, family -owned
restaurants serving the Hawaii communities since the 70's. I believe that Bill 83 would
create problems for local businesses like it did on Oahu and raise food prices -without
helping the environment in a tangible way. We've noticed the new containers have created
more waste than it was before.
1. No Composting Facility
Hawai'i 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 end up paying more for meals, at a time when everything
is already more expensive.
3. Food Safety and Quality Problems
Compostable c o n t a i n e rs do not hold up well in real life.
a. Hot or oily food leaks through or melts the lid.
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b. Compostable forks and spoons break or get soft in hot foods or soups.
As one local restaurant owner said, "The compostable container leaks -you can't
store the food too long, and the cover melts." If containers fail, the food becomes
unsafe, and customers lose trust in local businesses.
4. Different Rules Across Counties
Each county in Hawai'i has its own packaging rules, which makes things very
confusing for businesses that sell in more than one county. We support making
Hawai'i County's rules match Honolulu's law (Ordinance 19-30). That law already
gives businesses and the environment a fair balance and is something many
suppliers already follow.
5. Better Ways to Improve the Bill
Instead of a full ban, we suggest a few changes to make the bill more realistic:
a. Allow Type 5 (polypropylene) plastics- These are reusable, recyclable, and
safe for hot food. They are a practical and proven option.
b. Wait until composting facilities exist- Do not require materials that the island
cannot process yet.
c. Study the economic impact- Understand how much this change would really
cost small businesses and customers before passing it.
6. Conclusion
Everyone wants to protect HawaiTs environment -we do too. But Bill83 goes too
far, too fast. It raises costs, makes food packaging less safe, and does not reduce
landfill waste because the right facilities do not exist yet.
We ask the Committee to hold off on passing this bill and take more time to build the
infrastructure and find solutions that truly work for our island.
Maha to for your time and consideration.
Andy Huang
COO
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue