HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0437.006 2004-2006 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: James Weathertord [gardengreen@hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 11:01 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Subject: Comm. 437.5: AUDIT OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I'S RECYCLING AND DIVERSION
Attachments: testimony -The Limited Scope Audit of the Department of Environmental Management.doc
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 2017
[15-1888 6th Avenue (Hialoa), Hawaiian Paradise Park]
Kea'au, Hawaii 96749
808-982-5549 t3 L
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Ref. To: 'reasafe6
Ref. Uate 31 2006
7/28/2006
This is to provide comment on the Report 01-06, "The Limited Scope Audit of the
Department of Environmental Management's Recycling and Diversion Grants Program,
Fiscal Yeazs 2004 and 2005."
This audit appeazs to have truly, even literally, dug into the debris of what may be
described as the most pressing problem confronting the government in Hawaii County.
All of the findings and recommendations deserve serious consideration; and many, if not
all, need to be acted upon sooner rather than later.
Finding number 5, on page 11 of the audit report, speaks volumes about the problem at
hand and, by extension, the path to resolving the problem. Specifically, this finding
states: "DEM's managerial deficiencies were exacerbated by external influences in
County government there appears to be a lack of a common vision in County
government "
In the findings and recommendations, the audit consistently refers to "solutions,"
implying there is no single solution. This simple principle should be heartily embraced by
all stakeholders as fundamental guidance to the way ahead.
The idea of "revising" an already "updated" plan is a bit inelegant on its face, but might
well be the reality of the situation at this juncture we can't get there from here, we must
go somewhere else to start.
In revising the IS WMP, there is an opportunity to take a fresh look at alternative
opportunities. For example, the audit report recommends that the revision address the
"priority" of "recycling and diversion" (p.14). The direction on priorities is made clear in
discussion of state legislation on page 2 of the audit report: "source reduction, recycling,
and bioconversion be given the highest priority by...counties in designing and
implementing... solid waste management plans and systems."
Appropriately, the audit report recommends in more than one place the value of seeking
community input to identify and implement solutions. The community, more than any
consultant or technology, is the best resource available for resolving the problem at hand.
Thanks for your interest.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 2017
Keaau, Hawaii 96749