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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 1277.017 2006-2008 Harry Kim Jane H. Testa Director Mayor d Diane L. Ley Deputy Director County of Hawaii DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109 • Hilo, Hkwaii 96720-4252 (808) 961-8366 • Fax (808) 935-1205 E-mail: chresdev@co.hawaii.hi.us July 1, 2008 C_ J Yoshimoto, Chair NLL Committee on Food & Energy Sustainability Hawai'i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Committee Chair Yoshimoto and Members: This letter is offered in an effort to correct the misconception that the Department of Research and Development is not addressing energy issues. Please accept the attached as partial evidence of the Department's engagement in presenting, supporting, partnering on, and initiating various actions surrounding Hawaii Island's sustainability and energy issues. The Department itself has made the commitment to process its work through a sustainability "lens" in order to leverage its efforts toward a more sustainable Hawaii County. Clearly energy-related issues are an inseparable part of this. Please be assured that regardless of the Council's final decision as to whether or not to establish an Energy Department/Office, this department is committed to the integration of sustainable energy practices within agriculture, small business development, tourism, film, and community development. The positive synergy of this integration is immeasurable and certainly a prerequisite to ensuring a healthy and holistic island economy. Mahalo for your continued support of the Department's work as we press on together during these challenging times. Sincerely, Jane Testa Director Attachment Comm. No. 7 7 Fief. To. I Ref. Dote. jam, 2 200& Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Department of Research & Development Projected Outcomes/ Department(s) Sustainability/Energy Activities Toward a Healthy Island Economy Impacts In Partnership with Various Entities New West Hawaii Civic Center will be a Silver LEED building; involved during initial Building is environmentally responsible, Lead: Public charrette planning stages. profitable and a healthy place to work. Works The Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan was recently finalized with Energy Sustainability Council/ implementation strategies launched to revise the County's Model Energy Code and Research and serve in a lead-by-example manner in alternative energy choices and education. Development A Sustainability Action Committee was approved by the County Administration and Economic/Holistic Island Research and Council to advise the Department of Research and Development in the interest and Sustainability Development concerns for sustainability The County of Hawaii worked collaboratively with businesses and area residents to Support for Businesses and residents County Council, establish the Kailua Village Business Improvement District. (KVBID) in Kailua Village to sustain R&D, Mayor businesses I The County of Hawai'i is committed to reducing reusing and recycling and has Recycle to divert from the Solid Lead: contracted for recycling bins and recycling pick-up services at Aupuni Center, County Waste stream Environmental Baseyards, Maluhia Office Building, Puainako Town Center and Ben Franklin Management Offices. Retrofit lighting and air conditioning systems of the Hilo Public Safety Building and Lessen the consumption of electric R&D w/Police the Kona Police stations on Hawaii Island. usage; save County $millions The County of Hawaii has purchased 3 hybrid vehicles and will be purchasing 4 Reduced gasoline consumption Various more hybrid vehicles within the next year. Departments I In 1985 the County converted mercury street lights to low pressure sodium lights and Reduction of energy consumption Lead: Public cut electrical power consumption greatly. The County is now considering the Works conversion from low pressure sodium street lights to LED lights that will result in a 50% power consumption and reduce for the telescopes on Mauna Kea. The County initiated a solar powered street light demonstrated project 2005 Reduction of energy consumption; Research and savings to Count Development The County of Hawai'i the completed conversion of 104 large capacity cesspools to Meet Underground Injection Control Mayor's Office, new wastewater systems at various parks and playgrounds, golf courses, the zoo, regulations established by EPA that Research and rodeo arena, community centers, fire and police stations and at public pools large capacity cesspools be upgraded Development or closed by April 5, 2005. The zoning code allows for farmers markets, on-farm sale of locally produced Promote the sale of locally grown Planning and products and a whole range of small and medium range of businesses to support agriculture products toward a Research and residents sustainable island economy. Development R&D includes sustainability/energy practices in all contract language as appropriate Promote energy efficiency awareness Research and & sustainable practices in general Development ~ II • I The County of HawaiTs Community Development Planning (CDP) processes Increased civic capacity. New Mayor's Office, provided meaningful public participation and a community forum for learning, regionally appropriate growth Planning Dept., discussion and dialogue. Government and community co-created a regionally management plan, such as transit Dept. Research appropriate vision and strategy for a sustainable future. oriented development. Transportation and and circulation improvements for Development, cars, bicycles, and people. Corps Council, Expanded plan on natural areas that and other will be protected and conserved in county perpetuity. departments i I I The County of Hawai'I's Healing Our Island - a community micro grant ($2,000 or Increased individual and civic Mayor's Office, less) to support initiatives that will move our island to live drug free and encourage capacity to work together as a Dept. of social sustainability. community; targets disenfranchised Research and populations desiring to come together Development against substance abuse. Enhances community resiliency and a more sustainable workforce. The County of Hawaii Disaster Preparedness Services - Community Emergency Community resiliency - "take care of Civil Defense, Response Team Training (CERT) - Over 166 individuals from all nine districts are yourself, then take care of others" Fire, Police, more prepared to deal with human and natural disasters. and community sustainability. Research and Development Hawai'i County Buildings (2) renovations will include photovoltaic enhancements. energy efficiency and lessening of Lead: Public carbon footprint Works I County of Hawai'i is in process of joining ICLEI (Int'I Council of Local environmental Government emissions reduction. Mayor's Office, Initiatives) Research and Development ~I Creation of a Hawai'i County Energy Advisory Commission, at urging of Council to implement the Energy Mayor's Office, sustainability plan Research and Development Develop Green Power Girl School Assembly Program Educational outreach to elementary Research and children to understand a sustainable Development island future Creation of Local Living Guide Highlights community based Research and organizations working on sustainable, Development restorative and regenerative activities el-earning Course for understanding sustainability 50 licenses to ground staff in Research and fundamentals of sustainability and Development sustainable development Hawai'i Island Ecological Footprint Analysis to measure bioproductive land and Research and sea available in Hawai'i County for Development human use: crops, grazing, fishing, forest, etc. for carbon absorption In process of creating a "Green Team" to inventory county's current "green Research and government" programs/policies; Development develop comprehensive green county and many action plan; organzie county green collaborative events for employees; incorporate partners "triple bottom line" in county initiatives; etc. y Department of Research and Development committed to: To "walk the talk" of sustainable Research and • Recycling practices/expectations as a county Development • Purchasing of eco-friendly products department and reflect the • Supporting locally grown products in purchasing habits commitment through its program • Car pooling whenever possible; using the bus system to commute areas. • Using "sustainable language/practices" in all contracts/grants when possible • Including sustainable/energy goals and actions in program area plans Provide on-going technical assistance and influence decision making within existing To influence policies, behaviors, Research and energy related infrastructures & entities whenever possible and appropriate: i.e. lessening of our carbon footprint and Development Department of Water Supply, NELHA (Board Member), HELCO, etc. increase green employment and cost savings in general. Director appointed to State's Hawai'i 2050 Sustainability Plan Task Force, a multi- To develop a statewide plan that Research and year process involving input from statewide communities, all sectors of government, would enable a vision and goals for Development on businesses, schools, groups, media, etc. all levels to engage in, including behalf of Mayor energy related action steps. i