HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.311 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 - www.hicc.biz,'
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Executive Officer
December2,2025
Carla Kuo
RE: Hawaii County Council Bill 83 (Draft 2)
2025-2026
Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
Board of Directors
OPPOSE with Recommendations �n
President
Aloha County Council Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Council Members,
David Kurohara
On behalf of the Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce, representing more
President -Elect
than 350 businesses, non -profits, and thousands of employees primarily in
Dennis Lin
East Hawai'i, I respectfully submit testimony in opposition to Bill 83 (Draft 2)
relating to the prohibition of disposable plastic and polystyrene foodware.
Vice President
Bonnie Irwin
The Chamber supports the County's efforts to reduce waste and protect our
environment. However, the bill raises significant economic and practical
Treasurer
challenges for local businesses, especially restaurants, food vendors, and
Joshua Vierra
small operators still recovering from recent economic pressures. I
respectfully request an important amendment to Bill83 (Draft 2): expanding
Immediate Past
the list of accepted compostability certifiers beyond only BPI and CMA.
President
Restricting certification to just two organizations creates unnecessary
Keith Marrack
obstacles for local businesses, especially given the limited product
availability and higher costs already affecting our island. Several
internationally recognized certifiers, including NSF International and TUV
Directors
Austria, verify compliance with ASTM D6400 and D6868 standards. These
Mary Begier
standards meet or exceed the requirements of BPI and CMA and truly
Vanessa Carlson
measure compostability.
Rebecca Choi
Jeremy Chong
Allowing certification from any accredited third -party entity that verifies
Chelsey Chow
compliance with ASTM standards would maintain environmental integrity
while improving product availability, reducing costs, and supporting local
Mark Chun
Dean Fuke
economic resilience.
Larisa Hamamoto
I respectfully urge the Council to amend Bill 83 (Draft 2) to recognize
Dayna Kawazoe
certifications from qualified entities that meet ASTM requirements.
Daniel Kea
Randy Kurohara
Mahalofortheopportunitytotestify.
Geoli Ng
Matthew Pickett
Sincerely,
James Staub
Jase Takeya
NimrTamimi
JenniferTobey
Carla Kuo
Joni Waltjen
Executive Officer
Irene Yamanaka
Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Comm.
Trade Yoshimoto
Ref. To: Fulum
Ref. Date DEC