HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.032 2004-2006
T0: HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 365
Relating To Smoking In Certain Places In The County Of Hawaii
Council meeting Dec. 20, 2006
December 18, 2006
My name is Cynthia Punihaole Kennedy, kama'aina of Kona and affliliated with
Kohala Center and I strongly support Bill 365, which would prohibit smoking at
Kahalu'u Beach Park.
As you already know, smoking is hazardous to health. Because of this health
risk, the State enacted one of the strongest secondhand smoking-law in the
nation prohibiting smoking in virtually all workplaces and in enclosed and partially
enclosed public places. However, smoking is still permitted in nearly all parks
and beach parks within the State, thus our keiki continue to be endangered to the
hazards of secondhand smoke. Additionally, discarding cigarettes and cigar butts
onto our beaches is unsightly, unclean and particularly hazardous to small
children who handle and sometime ingest them as well as our ocean and reef
animals. Finally, I am personally repelled, not only by people who smoke on our
beaches, but also by the sight of cigarette butts accumulating in the sand.
It is for the reasons I have noted above that I strongly encourage the Council to
pass this ordinance. Let's have at least one beach on the Big Island that is
smoke-free and can be enjoyed not only families but also everyone.
Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Punihaole Kennedy
Kama'aina
Kohala Center
comm. No. 2 0.3 L
Ref. To:
Ref. Date, 20 2006