HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.337 2024-2026From:
Allan H. Onishi
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Sent:
Monday, December 1, 2025 7:24 PM
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To:
Council Testimony
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Subject:
Bill 83
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Attachments:
Bill 83 Written Testimony .docx
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Importance:
High
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Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi
& Members of the Committee,
I am submitting my written testimony against Bill 83 as it is in its current form. As a side note, I checked the compostable
containers which was mentioned available at Costo Hawaii and it is not label with the certification requested in the
original bill. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Yours truly,
Allan H. Onishi
Allan H. Onishi
LH Gamble Company
Account Sales Representative
Cell: (808) 987-8108
Hilo Fax: (808) 217-9999
Hilo Office: 99 W. Kahaopea Street - Hilo, HI 96720 Honolulu Office: 3615 Harding Ave., #502 - Honolulu, HI 96816-3735
Comm. 0,
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11-2004
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
December 1, 2025
To: Hawai'i County Council
From: Allan Onishi
LH Gamble Company
RE: Bill 83 - Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
Position: Oppose (with recommendations)
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Members of the Committee:
My name is Allan Onishi, and I am the Accounts Executive, LH Gamble Company. As a
local, family -owned food brokage business founded in 1950 and is in their 31 family generation
run, which serves both family locally operated foodservice businesses as well as chains in the
industry. I believe that Bill 83 would create problems for local businesses and raise food
prices -without helping the environment in a tangible way. I am writing as a foodservice
supporter and resident ofHawaii to urge an important amendment to Bill 83 (Draft 2):
expanding the list of recognized compostability certifiers beyond BPI and CMA.
The intent of Bill 83 to reduce plastic and polystyrene waste and align with our County's
zero -waste vision is commendable. However, limiting certification exclusively to BPI or
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.
any ccredited third -party_ n:envimomental.integrity ... n:
market diversity and local economic
Please consider amending Bit[ 83 to allow certification from any qualified entity, including
NSF, TOV, or others that meet ASTM standards. Thankyou foryourtime and consideration.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Allan Onishi
Accounts Executive
LH Gamble Company