HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.312 2024-20264 Hawaii
Restaurant
Association
Mike Palmer, Chair- Ho'okipa Partners Andy Huang, Past Chairman - L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Tambara Garrick, Treasurer- Hawaii Farm Project Victor Lim, Government Relations Lead - McDonald's
Address: 2909 Wal'alae Avenue #22, Honolulu, HI 96826
c:>n
ran � CD
2025 Board of
To: HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL ��
Directors
I
vCD
Mike Palmer
From: Victor Lim, Legislative Lead '_-,,_ 2 i
"'�
Andy Huang
Tambara Garrick
-T;
Victor Lim
Re: Bill 83 — Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste:y-
Jesse Aguinaldo
Kia Agustin
Matthew Asato
Javier Barbed
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and Members of the Committee
Alessandro Bolla
Timothy Ho
The Hawaii Restaurant Association representing over 4,000 Eating and Drinking Place
Tim Januszewski
locations here in the state is opposed to bill 83 because of our membership experience with
Tom Jones
similar ordinances in both Honolulu and Maui. Not having any composting facilities here in
Jay Kaneshiro
Hawaii, just having ordinances to change to sustainable packaging alone just increase costs
Ryan Ko
for businesses and consumers because they are inn general two to three times the products
Felix Koeppenkaslrop
they replace without helping the environment in a tangible way.
Ave Kwok
Keith Maple
The intent of bill 83 to reduce plastics andpolystyrene waste and align with our Coun, na s
p
Greg Maples
Don Murphy
zero -waste is commendable. Limiting certification exclusively to BPI and CMA creates huge
iiog
Edwin Ohta
problems for supply chain, especially for those businesses that serve the entire state dealing
Other respected organizations such as NSF
Tyler Roukema
with different conditions in each county. globally
Alison Tanaka
International and TUA Austria, also certify products to ASTM D6400 and D6868 Standards.
Katy Tanaka
These standards meet or exceed the requirements of BPI and CMA and are the true measure
Ryan Tanaka
of compostabiliity, and not the brand name of the certifier.
Tina Wang
Nicolas Ware
A more inclusive approach would require proof of compliance with ASTM standards from any
Anthony Wong
accredited third -party certifier, ensuring environmental integrity while supporting market
Nicolas Wong
diversity and local economic resilience.
Allied Members
y q including NSF,
Please consider amendingBill 83 to allow certification from an qualified entity,
Ronne Bahl
TUV, and others that meet ASTM standards.
James idemoto
Raymond Orozco
Our membership and others are currently complying with the ordinances from both Honolulu
Bryan Pearl
Randy Sagon
and Maui and the changes we recommend here for the Hawaii County'will allow small family
the bigger to comply with intent for the Hawaii County.
businesses as well as entities your
David Yoshioka
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Julie Yunker
Advisory Board
Jerry Agrusa
Jamie Brown
Richard Rand
Richard Turbin
staff
Sheryl Matsuoka
President & CEO
Holly Kessler
Vice President
Comm. '
Ref. To:
Ref. Date — 2