HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0358.017 2004-2006 ,+fY O! h1
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Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu
Mayor ' `
Managing Director
~"~~%'Mkr Peter L. Hendricks
Ueputy Managing Director
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25 Aupuni Street Room 215 Hilq Hawaii 96720-0252 • (808) 96L821 I pax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)329-5226 • Fax (808)326-5663
August 16, 2005
The Honorable Stacy Higa, Chair, and
Members of the County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Bill No. 121, Bill No. 122, Res. No. 134-OS
Dear Chairman Higa and Councilmembers:
Dealing with the island's solid waste has been a top priority since I took office nearly five
years ago. One of the first steps taken was to update the County's 1994 Integrated Solid
Waste Management Plan. All counties are mandated by the state to have such plans and
update them on a regular basis, and I am proud to say that Hawaii County was the first
county to complete the required update to the original plan.
State law requires community input in the plan's preparation. Two methods were used to
obtain this community input. First was through a Solid Waste Advisory Committee, made up
of representatives of users of the system, the citizenry, commerce and business, and other
stakeholders. Second was through public meetings conducted during the plan's preparation.
When it was completed, the plan was submitted to the Hawaii County Council, where it was
approved in Resolution 238-02. Subsequently, it was submitted to and approved by the State
Department of Health.
Since the approval of this update to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, we have
been working to implement what it contains. It is truly believed by this administration that the
plan represents what is best for the Island of Hawaii, and is supported for no other reasons. It
will maximize recycling by making it easy and convenient for the community and businesses
to drop off their separated items. It provides for a reload facility to replace the Hilo transfer
station and the Hilo Landfill as the central facility where individuals and businesses alike drop
off their rubbish. It leads us to take the necessary steps to responsibly select and implement
an appropriate waste reduction technology. While not guaranteeing that rubbish will never be
hauled to the Pu`uauahulu Landfill, through the above steps and the measures being taken to
try and extend the capacity of the Hilo Landfill, the plan minimizes chance that it will be
necessary. This has been our commitment to the people of West Hawaii.
Comm. No. • ~1
Ref. Top
~ta.,f. Js~re U 1 fi 2005
Hawai `i County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
August 16, 2005
The Honorable Stacy Higa and Council Members
Page 2
In this light, I ask for your support of Bill No. 121, Bill No. 122, and Res. No. 134-05. Bill
No. 121 is the appropriation bill for the second phase of the East Hawaii Regional Sort
Station. Resolution 134-OS allows the County to lease the necessary equipment to operate the
reload facility. Bill No. 122 provides an appropriation for hiring an expert engineering
consultant to assist in the preparation of a Request for Proposals for a waste reduction facility.
All three of these measures are necessary to the plan's implementation, and we are ask the
Finance Committee to approve them all and forward them to the full Council.
Thank you for your consideration.
Alo a, / ' r
Harry Ki
MAYOR