HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0017.004 2006-2008 Pete Hoffmann ,v o. N Phone No. Hilo: (808) 961-8027
Council Chair ~
~ Phone No. Waimea: (808) 887-2043
District 9 -North and South Kohalo Fax No.: (808) 887-2072
E-Mail: poffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hawaii County Building Hafomua Center
25 Aupuni Street 64-/067 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite C-5
Hilo, Howai'i 96720 Waimea, Hawaii 96743
Sent via email to aU Council Members
r-.'.
r:~
January 3, 2007
.,'S
~ _ L
TO: Council Members
Hawaii County Council .r
FROM: Pete Hoffmann, Chair
Hawaii Count Council
Y ~
RE: 02:07: Correspondence Rela ' o Bill 258, Draft 6 "Animal Control Bill"
Attached please find a letter from Harry Kim, dated January 2, 2007, responding to comments
from a concerned citizen related to the above bill for your review and consideration at the
January 4, 2007 Council meeting.
These letters will be circulated and submitted as part of the public record.
PH/lys
Comm. No.
Ref. To:l'resie~w+3
Serving the Interests ojthe People ojOur Island
Hawaii County /s An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer
JNty of ry9~'i
40~.' 4
Harry Kim : Dixie Kaetsu
+ Managing Director
Mayor
~sr•~; , o+•;~ Barbara Kossow
9TE eF'HP~/
DepuTy Managing Director
~ourttp of ~oitiai`i
Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
Location: 891 Ululani Street • Hilq Hawaii
r.~
T~
January 2, 2007 y
O ~
Ann Fukuhara ~
714 Kanoelehua Avenue ~ " w
P. O. Box 6691
-v,
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ~
N
Dear Ms. Fukuhaza:
~
I have received your letter dated December 22, 2006, expressing your disappointment at the
veto of the animal control bill. Thank you for taking the time to write to me about your
concerns.
I have vetoed very few bills in my six years tenure as Mayor. The veto of this bill was only
done after careful consultation with the Police Department and the Prosecuting Attorney's
Office. I do understand the need to amend the present code as it relates to animal control.
However, any bill that is adopted should be a bill that will improve the present situation. An
unenforceable bill will not do this. The bill that was vetoed went through many drafts, and
much work went into earlier versions that can be used as a starting point to prepare a bill that
will make a real difference. The Police, Prosecuting Attomey, and the Hawaii Island
Humane Society are committed to working with the County Council to prepare an animal
control measure that will address such urgent issues as barking dogs and vicious dogs in a
way that will give people relief and protection.
Again, thank you for writing and sharing your concerns. If you would like a copy of my veto
message to the Council, please call my secretary, Cazol Lau, at 961-8211 and she will provide
you with a copy.
Alo ,
Harry Kim
MAYOR
cc: ~he Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairman, Hawaii County Council
The Honorable Emily Naeole, Councilperson
Lawrence Mahuna, Police Chief
Jay Kimura, Prosecuting Attorney
Hawaii Countv is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Ann Fukuhara
714 Kancelehua Avenue
P.O. Box 6691
Hito, Hawaii 96720
(808)961-5532
Facsimile: (808) 934-8589
December 22, 2006
The Honorable Mayor Harry Kim
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Room 215
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mayor Kim:
I am extremely disappointed that you vetoed the animal control bill after the County Council
passed the measure.
Although your reasons for vetoing the bill are very pragmatic and could have been rectified with
amendments, you have killed the spirit of the bill.
enthusiastically supported this bill because it protects citizens such as myself who have lived in
the Keaau district for over 23 years and wifiessed neighbors who have burdened others with their
animals' crowing 1:30 a.m. and intermittently thereafter, along with dogs barking, and the smell
of feces from their animals.
In addition, these same people have stationed their animals as far away from their homes to their
neighbors' in order to have others absorb the brunt of their animal's crowing, barking, and smell.
I understand every citizen is entitled to own animals. However, these animals aze their
responsibility and should never be a burden of others. The recipients of this nuisance should
never have their lives disrupted due to the lack of management by their owners. Since the bill is
now vetoed there is no recourse or relief for "victims" of these uncontrolled animals.
The population of the Big Island has increased at such an alarming rate and to not have a
proactive bill such as the measure passed by the County Council will ensure the degradation of
the quality of life here on the Big Island.
Sincerel"yy,~~~~
Ann Fukuhara
cc: Mr. Pete Hoffinan, Chairman of the Hawaii County Council
cci Ms. Emily I: Naeole, Councilperson, District 5
a ~ i :~-9