HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0942.141 2006-2008
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Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu
Mayor Managing Director
` Barbara Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
Countp of'Natuail
891 Ululani Street . Hilo, Hawaii 96720 •(808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 P Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-5226 • Fax(808)326-5663 c'
April 7, 2008 00
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The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and
Members of the County Council 3
County of Hawaii Ca
333 Kilauea Avenue v
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ^3
Re: Veto Message - Bill 224 - Smoking Ban at County Parks and Recreation Facilities
Dear Chairman Hoffmann and Council Members:
Pursuant to Section 3-12 of the Hawaii County Charter, I am disapproving Bill 224 and
returning it to you.
It is crucially important that an explanation is forwarded to you so you can understand the
reasons why I cannot support this bill. Please know there is no disagreement on the
knowledge that smoking is unhealthy, as well as the effects of second hand smoke. There is
no disagreement that we should educate people on the effects of smoking. There is no
disagreement that littering of any kind, including cigarette butts and filters, should be
prevented. There is no disagreement that the drive to become a smoke-free community is a
desired goal for most.
In my communication to the Council on March 4 on Bill 224, the following statements were
made:
,,The question of smoking and where to smoke has become a very controversial
issue in the past few years. I will admit that I truly don't know where all the lines
should be in the control of smoking to protect both individual health, the
environment, and people's choices. It is hoped that this difficult issue can be
collectively discussed and reviewed to enable us to come to a more acceptable
solution. Suggestions for discussion could include:
o Designated smoking areas;
o Well-placed butt disposal containers;
o Consider control on individual facilities basis (such as Kahalu'u Beach Park);
and
o Consider control of smoking at certain types of parks, such as beach parks."
Comm. No. -f Y'~•10
Ref. To. uw.,
Ref. Rote APR_7 2008
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
April 7, 2008
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and Council Members
Page 2
I again ask the Council to reconsider Bill 224 and how this County can reach the desired goals
of a smoke-free community. I have had many discussions with and communications from
people on both sides of this issue. Perhaps the most impactful statements received are the
following, from an email message from the public that was also sent to Council members:
"It is always far more effective to request cooperation than to ban, regulate or
restrict. How do we ask for, and gain the cooperation of smokers?
We could replace old trash barrels with receptacles that include a safe place for
cigarette butt disposal. This alone would greatly reduce the amount of cigarette
butt litter in the parks.
We could unofficially designate all County parks as "clean air zones." This
would invite cooperation and create ongoing opportunities for press coverage.
Creating these unofficial zones would position the County in the forefront of
placing health and cooperation with its residents as high priorities.
We could create small attractive park signs that ask citizens not to smoke, "for
the keiki."
We could place attractive signs on the receptacles that ask smokers to use
them, "to respect the aina."
We can beef up our education efforts and emphasize the positive momentum
we're achieving toward becoming smoke-free."
There is no difference in our positions about smoking and its impact on people and the
environment. Our differences are only on how to achieve our common goal.
I find it very impractical and unfair to pass a law that would totally ban smoking without
providing a designated smoking area in places such as:
o Parks where overnight camping is allowed, for example:
o Mahukona Beach Park
o Isaac Hale Memorial Park at Pohoiki
o Whittington Beach Park
o Miloli`i Beach Park
o Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park
o Kolekole Gulch Park
o Parks that encompass wide open spaces, for example:
o Hilo Bayfront Beach and Soccerfields
o Lili`uokalani Gardens
o All of the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium complex, including the parking
area;
o All of the Old Kona Airport Park, including the parking area;
o The Hilo Drag Strip, including the parking area.
o Honoka`a and Honaunau Rodeo Arenas
The suggestion I would like to put before you is to consider control on an individual facility
basis as has been done at Kahalu`u Beach Park. For example, smoking could be prohibited at
parks specifically designed for children such as the playground at Lincoln Park, Anuenue
Playground in Waimea, and Higashihara Park in Kona. Also, some relatively small parks that
are heavily used and have a high concentration of people in a small space such as Richardson
April 7, 2008
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and Council Members
Page 3
Ocean Park in Hilo, and parks with specific play areas such as tennis courts. Smoking could
be prohibited in such areas but still be allowed in parking lots or other designated areas.
I thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments, and hope to work with the County
Council in achieving our common goals.
Aloh ,
Harry Kim
MAYOR