HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0141.000 2008-2010~L X8`5 ~CG'MNl . 1514 O P~ pW ~~~i
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Kitn Tavares, Fem Forest, Puna Distri~:t 6 t_r - ` ,z
Phone 808-985-9070 /Fax 808-985-896 / Email kirotavares(ii),yahoo.coali~'_~~•= +-~--)
PO Box 338 -Volcano, Hawaii - 96785
~~69 FEB 2 P~I'i2 2S
Date: 2009 January 18 _
To: Committee Chair: Brenda Ford and ~ClUM1. :~ 'rr H/='G"J~tll
Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations
Re: COMMENT -Bill 385 -Energy, Indigenous Architecture and Materials
Greethigs,
In reviewing recent agenda and actions, I came across this wonderful Bill 385 for energy eft ciency
standards. I commend this committee nn its recognition of limited t•t ow•ce:; and its attempts to move
T-iawaii County into clean energy sustainabili.ty.
On the other hand, I am distressed over the indigenous materials portion of the indigenous architecture
Ordinance 07-164. Please revise the list in Bi11385 and add protections for threatened and endangered
species.
Further regulations must be iu place, before sl~cific trees of the species "larr a" or "lcauila or kauwila"
(T&E species} are harvested. The ordinance should consider each tlueatened or endangered tree and
its place in the overall sustainability plan. Is it the Duly one of its kind or are: there many at this
location? Is it a hazard in ifs present location? Is it within days ofbcing burned by lava?
Additionally, each tree, or structural member harvested should be certif ed t~: document exactly (by gps
coordinates) where the bee was harvested, to protect private property owrter~ from theft of natural
materials by people who cross boundary lines for the desired trees.
I have concerns because these trees are far and few between, and tho.c remaiuingtrees are important to
sustaining populations of these trees over new lava flows, so Hawaiians in tl:e future will be able to
harvest them too. Furthermore, this ordinance does not provide that only Elawaiians can harvest these
woods. I believe that this bill will further threaten these species that ate so Far only tlareates7ed, and
not yet endangered.
For the benefit of new council members, and i'or review by carry-over members, I have provided my
previous testimony and related documents, as attachments to this can muniaaiou, as follows:
1. Testimony on (then) bill ] 73
2. LIST of plrutts
3. Report by S. Oon and B.K. Pang; Wood in Aneiertt Flawaii
Hawaii County needs a natural resources management plan for each of its narurai resources, before
approving ordinances such as Bill 385 as written today.
'lltanlc you,
~~..
ICim avares, Puna District-G
Comm: No. ~~"~
Ref. To: ptezeo4"' P/J/__G
Ref. Date fEB 2 2003