HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EMC 009 02/02/2010 2008-2010TIME: 2:05 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DATE: February 2, 2010
PLACE: Councilroom
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
Re: Comm. No. 663 (Bill 193)
Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Bill No.193, reports as
follows:
Bill No.193, transmitted by Councilmember Pete Hoffmann, via Communication No. 663 dated
December 18, 2009, is a Bill amending Chapter 14, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as
amended) by adding a new article pertaining to plastic bag reduction.
At the February 2, 2010 Committee on Environmental Management meeting in the Councilroom,
there were 11 public testifiers regarding Bill No.193.
Councilmember Pete Hoffmann reviewed the history of waste reduction in the County of Hawai`i and
stated that Bill No.193 is a start in the right direction towards reducing the amount of plastic bags
used in the County.
Council Chair J Yoshimoto is in favor of protecting the environment but is uncertain whether the
bags or people are the problem. He recalled that the previously formed Ad Hoc Committee held only
one meeting and suggested that it be reconvened.
Councilmember Brenda Ford discussed the various costs of biodegradable bags, the scale of penalties
for violations and exemptions allowed. She felt the Council had sufficient information and time to
proceed without reconvening the Ad Hoc Committee.
Councilmember Dominic Yagong discussed how stores are already encouraging the reuse of bags,
the costs associated with biodegradable bags and concerns on the impact to small businesses.
Councilmember Dennis "Fresh" Onishi questioned District 9 Legislative Assistant Kareen Forissier
regarding input from various retailers on Bill No.193.
Councilmember Donald Ikeda discussed the need to educate because bags do not litter, people do.
Councilmember Guy Enriques discussed the need to reconvene the Ad Hoc Committee and was
concerned with the timing of Bill No.193.
Communication No. 98
Page 2 of 2
Councilmember Pete Hoffmann reviewed efforts to reduce plastic bag usage by Kaua`i County, Maui
County and the Country of Ireland.
Councilmember Emily I. Naeole- Beason discussed the need as leaders to protect the environment for
the children.
Councilmember Kelly Greenwell discussed the need for "good science" prior to implementation and
discussed requiring all plastic bags to be biodegradable.
Your Committee on Environmental Management is not in accordance with the purpose and intent of
Bill No.193 and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation.
djh
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
'k I Lk GR WELL, CHAI
_OW C REPORT NO. 9
ADOPTED: FR 1 8 7010
AYES
NOES
A&E
EX
ENRIQUES
x
FORD
x
GREENWELL
x
HOFFMANN
x
IKEDA
x
NAEOLE
x
ONISHI
x
YAGONG
x
YOSHIMOTO
x
Communication No. 98
Page 2 of 2
Councilmember Pete Hoffmann reviewed efforts to reduce plastic bag usage by Kaua`i County, Maui
County and the Country of Ireland.
Councilmember Emily I. Naeole- Beason discussed the need as leaders to protect the environment for
the children.
Councilmember Kelly Greenwell discussed the need for "good science" prior to implementation and
discussed requiring all plastic bags to be biodegradable.
Your Committee on Environmental Management is not in accordance with the purpose and intent of
Bill No.193 and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation.
djh
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
'k I Lk GR WELL, CHAI
_OW C REPORT NO. 9
ADOPTED: FR 1 8 7010