HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.114 2002-2004 NIHON Ra~~
Hilo Trading Co., Ltd. ~ dba cultaral cents
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123 Lihiwai Street FIfl0, Hawali • 96720 (908) 969-1133
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Junc 17, 2003 Z C ~ ~
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Hawaii County Council ~ = ~ ~
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Dear Councilmembers,
My name is Steven I{ironaka and 1 am the owner/manager of the Nihon Restaurant
located in Hila. This letter is to express my views on the smoking bill that will be before
you on Wednesday, June 18,2003.
I have never publicly opposed the smoking bill, although I believe that government
should leave independent businesses to matte their own derisions regarding smoking
policies. I felt that since we are the only county without a smoking ban in restaurants, that
it wes eventually going to happen and why oppose the bill as long as it was a fair policy.
Now, after reading the Sunday,lune 15°, 2003 edipion of the Hawaii Tribune Herald,
where a weaker smoking ban is being proposed, I now believe this bill to be unfair. This
bill is saying that it will be legal to smoke in bars, most of which are totally enclosed, and
illegal to smoke on the lanai of my restatttaat, which is an opw air lanai. This does not
seem fair at all. Why would bars be exempt? And what would be your d~nition of a bar?
If you ban smoking in restaurants, you must ban smoking in bars or allow some
exemptions on a case by case basis if necessary.
please consider a total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, or no ben at att. And feel
free to call me at 969-1133 should you have and questions or discussions.
Sincerely,
Ste I. Hir
General Manager
Nihon Restaurant
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