HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.314 2024-2026ZIPPY'S
December 1, 2025
To: Hawaii County Council
From: Jason Higa
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Zippy's Restaurants
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RE: Bill 83- Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
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Position: Oppose (with recommendations)
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Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Members of the Committee:
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My name is Jason Higa, and I am the CEO of Zippy's Restaurants. As a local, family -owned
restaurant business since 1966, 1 believe that Bill 83 would create problems for local
businesses and raise food prices -without helping the environment in a tangible way. I
urge an important amendment to Bill 83 (Draft 2): expanding the list of recognized
compostability certifiers beyond BPI and CMA.
The intent of Bitt 83 to reduce plastic and polystyrene waste and align with our County's
zero -waste vision is commendable. However, limiting certification exclusively to BPI and
CMA creates unnecessary barriers for businesses and stifles innovation. Other globally
respected organizations, such as NSF International and TOV Austria, also certify products
to ASTM D6400 and D6868 standards. These standards meet or exceed the requirements of
BPI and CMA and are the true measure of compostability, not the brand name of the
certifier.
A more ind live ppmE cb-w_oLdd- quire_proof of compliancewtbAS1_-staodards_from
any_accredjted thjrd_party_certifier, ensuring erLv_ironrme�r tallntegrity_while_supporting
market diversity_and_local economic_resilience.
Please consider amending Bill 83 to allow certification from any qualified entity, including
NSF, TOV, or others that meet ASTM standards. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Jason Higa Comm.40-V
CEO Ref. To:
Zippy's Restaurants Ref. Date DEC - 3 2025_
1765 SOUTH KING I HONOLULU, HI 968261 P 808.973.08801 F 808.955.70531 ZIPPYS.COM
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