HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0358.014 2004-2006
RUG-IS-2005 15:39 FROM: HIEDB B08 966 6792 T0:808 961 8912 P.001~0CE-
Hawaii Island Econon+ic D®velopment 6oa~d
~I $ L A N D O F O P P O R T U N I T Y
August 15, 2005
Staty Higa
County Council Chair _ .
County of Hawaii -
25 Aupuni Street - . _
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Stacy,
In 2001, H])?DB was able to secure funding from Congress to establish a community
development model for renewable resource management by upgrading solid waste -
convenience centers into community recycling centers.
HIEDB is thrilled that the community -businesses, governmental agencies, non-profits,
schools, volunteers, and most importantly the people -have come together to develop a
strong reuse and recycling program on the Big Island.
The "model" project of HIEDB, the Kea'au Reuse and Recycling Center met a major
Milestone - in just 9 months of operations more than 10,000 tons of materials diverted from
our landfill.
Based of the success of the Kea'au model, H~DB was able to secure another Congressional
Appropriation grant of $225,000 for a Kealakehe project, now in its 6th month, as a pilot
project using a "two sort" method of collection for our residents to gain higher diversion
numbers.
While money is always helpful in getting recycling programs started, real success always
comes from the hard working people behind the programs, the support from our County of
Hawaii and from community participation.
HIEDB is again excited to see this model grow, and understand that the next phase of
Congressional funding has just been approved for $397,600 for another West side project.
There are many benefits to recycling, but our island is facing bigger problems with our
waste; the imminent closure of the East Hawaii landfill by the end of 2005.
A "new" landfill will take more than 5 years to reach the implementation process; a waste
reduction technology alternative also years away from implementing.
Hawaii Inrwvation Center at Hib • 117 Keawe Street, Suite 107 • Hilo, Maweli 96720
Ph (608) 935-2180 Fax (808) 935-2187 hiedtr~hfedb.org www.hiedb.org
Comm. No. ~
Ref. To: ~teseeteA
Rof. Date
HUG-15-2005 1'5:34 FROM: HIEDB F108 9b6 6792 T0:808 96i 891p F, 002'pp~.
' Hawaii Island Economic Cevelopment Board
ISLAND O F O P P O R T U N I T Y
What do we do in the mean time?
HIEDB supports areload/sort station in East Hawaii to assist in the Enduonmental
Managements overall plan for waste management for Ilawaii Island. We need thu
implemented now; further delays will be devastating for our island community. The impact
on our already taxed roads, if fozced to haul rubbish from East Hawaii to West Hawaii we
feel is not an option to consider, not mentioning the noise, pollution and costing to our
island residents.
An East Hawaii reload /sort station could make a difference in extending the life of the
East Hawaii landfill, and support further job creations in recycling and reuse. Please
reconsider and let's move forwazd with a sort station for East Hawaii.
ith Watri?~1 h
~ ~ a.. -i
Mark Mc ffie
Executive D ector
Hawaii Innovation Center et Hilo • 117 Keawe Street, Suite 107 • Hlb, Hawaii 98720
Ph (808) 936-2180 Fax (808) 935-2187 hiedb(~hiedb.org wwW.hiedb.org