HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 770 Draft 01 2006-2008COUNTY OF HAWAII
STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. ~~® 08
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STATUS UPDATE AND PROTECTIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE
HAWAII COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY, AND THE HAWAII COUNTY CIVIL
DEFENSE AGENCY RELATING TO THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS AND
ECONOMIC IMPACTS RESULTING FROM INCREASED VOG EMISSIONS.
WHEREAS, since March 12, 2008, when a new vent opened at Halema`uma`u crater,
Hawaii County has experienced a dramatic increase in vog - a mixture of sulfur dioxide (SOz),
dust, and sunlight; and
WHEREAS, this event has intensified vog conditions that originated in 1983; and
WHEREAS, a request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Hawaii County
submitted by Governor Lingle was approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Edward
Schafer on July 30, 2008, which allows eligible farm operators to apply for low-interest loans
from the Farm Service Agency to recover losses due to vog emissions; and
WHEREAS, through aCounty-funded collaborative partnership project, portable SOz
monitors were installed at various schools in Hawaii County to aid personnel when determining
if outdoor activities should be limited and when persons sensitive to vog should be relocated to
"clean" or "safe" rooms; and
WHEREAS, in addition to monitoring SOZ levels, it is critical that an objective analysis
of potential health risks and recommendations for protective measures be provided to the citizens
of Hawaii County; and
WHEREAS, asthmatics and others with commensurate health issues are experiencing a
marked increase in symptoms, and those with underlying allergies who normally experience little
or no symptoms have become symptomatic and sick more often; and
WHEREAS, this increase in adverse health issues and its impact particularly upon the
young, the elderly, and the general workforce population justifies the need for additional public
awareness regarding overall health and economic effects from increased and continuous vog
exposure; and
WHEREAS, as the legislative and policy-making body of the County, it is critical that
the council receive information regarding potential long-term health risks, analysis of methods to
mitigate the adverse effects of increased vog conditions, and recommendations for the protection
of our citizens, visitors, and agricultural industry so it may determine whether protective
legislation or public policy is necessary; now, therefore,
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
State Department of Health, the Hawaii County Farm Service Agency, and the Hawaii County
Civil Defense Agency provide an update outlining potential health risks, economic impacts,
mitigation methods, safety recommendations, and protective measures that would help minimize
potential health and economic impacts resulting from increased vog emissions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this comprehensive update is presented to the
Council at its October 22, 2008, meeting; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forwazd certified copies of
this Resolution to the Honorable Governor Linda Lingle, the Director of the Department of
Health, the Honorable Mayor Harry Kim, the Hawaii County Farm Service Agency, and the
Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.
Dated at Kona , Hawaii, this 22nd day of October , 2008.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL ME ER, COUNTY OF AWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify [hat the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted byZhe CZ ~ ~ $IL of the
County of Hawaii on October G
ATTEST':
C - Y CLERK
AYES NOES ABS EX
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