HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0151.010 2008-2010
0'ml~xv HAWAII COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
47 Rainbow Drive
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2013
Tel: (808) 961-2681 /Fax: (808) 935-9213
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Hawaii County Council, Second Floor, Council Room
Re: TESTIMONY OF GEORGE YOKOYAMA IN SUPPORT OF BILL 36 -
OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, FY 07/01/09 - 06/30/10
Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Council:
On behalf of Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC), I testify in
support of Bill 36 with the recommended amendments, particularly pertaining to the funding of
County Mass Transportation, from which, with the hope that funding will trickle down to
HCEOC for our human service type transportation for the low-income elderly, the disabled, and
low-income preschool children in Hawaii County.
HCEOC Transportation Program enables low-income elderly, mentally and physically
disabled individuals and low-income preschool children access to public and private service
agencies which improve their economic and social independence. I strongly believe the
following factors emphatically contribute to passing of this Bill.
• Hawaii County is the largest of the 4 counties with 4,020 square miles, nearly three and a
half times larger than the other 3 counties combined, Maui, 728 square miles; Oahu, 599
square miles; and Kauai, 551 square miles, total of 1,878 square miles.
• There are 24 off highway former plantation communities along the 260 mile geographic
perimeter where no transportation services are available except for our human service
type transportation which includes 8 wheel chaired lift equipped buses.
• Our transportation program uses 28 mini-buses to serve our clients and 10 of the buses
are more than 10 years old with mileage reading ranging from 250,000 to more than
300,000 miles.
For the facts mentioned, your thoughtful consideration to approve the amendment will be
greatly appreciated by our clients and HCEOC.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Respectfully,
J_t e Y o a Comm. No. 10
Executive Director Ref. To, P11
Ref. Date MAY 2003