HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0176.172 2006-2008 ATA Hawaii Island Section
A section of
The American Institute of Architects
Honolulu Chapter
November 7, 2007
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 209 Hilo, HI 96720
RE: County of Hawaii - Bi1151 -TESTIMONY
Good afternoon Chairman Hoffman and members of the Hawaii County Council.
My name is Kari Kimura, Secretary of the American Institute of Architects, Hawaii Island
Section. I am here to testify on behalf of the ALA in support of Bi1151 as brought forth by
Council member Higa. To create this version of Bi1151, AIA architects, professional engineers
of the Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers, the Engineering Division Head, and an
Engineering Division Senior Plans Reviewer spent over eieht hours going over line byline of
this document that will be before you today. We believe this is an appropriate process to amend
technical codes. This process allowed design professionals and professionals chazged with
enforcement the opportunity to come to an agreement on what is stated in the code and its
meaning. This was no easy task and all those involved should be commended for their
dedication.
Please note that this version of Bi1151 has also been reviewed and approved by FEMA. And
also note that the Higa Bill 51 goes beyond minimal compliance with NFIP.
We have been involved in following Bill 51 since May of this yeaz when it came to full council.
Since May, the AIA has continuously offered to assist in the creation of proper legislation. We
have shown up to testify individually numerous times, we have shown up to testify in an
orchestrated presentation of 4 minute segments to show you the numerous detail problems of Bill
151, and finally in our last meeting with you we all stood behind our AIA president to show you
we are ALL still very concerned with the flawed technical language in Bill I51.
We in the design community aze grateful that Stacy Higa had the openness to listen to our
concerns and the willingness to sponsor a bill that has the backing of the professionals who work
with this code. Without the Higa Bill 51, you on the Council would be forced to vote for Bill
151 or lose participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Fortunately you have a
choice today, Bi1151 or Bill 151.
We ask that you support the Higa Bi1151.
Sincerely, American Institute of Architects, Hawaii Island Section, Executive Committee
Robin Inaba, AIA President John Dinmore, AIA Treasurer
Karl Kimura, AIA Secretary
Clemson Lam, AIA Past-President John Pazazette, AIA Past-Treasurer
Terrance Cisco, AIA Director Terry Dunlap, AIA Bi1151 ad hoc committee member
P.O. Box 624 Holualoa, HI 96725 808-987-6146 kimura@alum.mit.edu
I"j1v.172-
Ref. Ta 'M1as~M
Ref. Date NOV 7
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Murashige, Laura
From: Kari Kimura [kmura@alum.mit.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 1:01 PM ~ ~ 1 v A
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 51 -AIA Testimony
Attachments: AIA Letter to Council 10-7-07.pdf
Dear County Clerk,
please find attached written testimony from the American Institute of Architects, Hawaii Island Section.
I will be reading this into the record from Kona this afternoon.
Mahalo,
Kari Kimura, AIA
Secretary
AIA Hawaii Island Section
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11/7/2007