HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EMC 001 02/01/2011 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DATE: February 1, 2011 Re: Comm. 64 (Bill 17)
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai i
TIME: 11:07 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Communication No. 64
(Bill 17), reports as follows:
Bill 17, transmitted by Councilmember Pete Hoffmann, via communication No. 64, dated
January 14, 2011, amends Chapter 14, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended)
by adding a new article relating to plastic bag reduction.
Councilmember Yagong requested recusal from voting on this issue but to be allowed participate
in its discussion and members of the Committee agreed.
At the meeting, two groups totaling about 70 students representing both West Hawaii and
Waimea schools provided consolidated testimonies in support. Other public testimony elicited
16 testifiers who spoke in favor of Bill 17, and also 26 written statements in support were
distributed. Three testifiers spoke in opposition to the bill and two opposing written testimony
were also distributed. Owner of Island Naturals food stores Russell Ruderman, who testified that
his experience weaning his customers off of paper and plastic bags has resulted in a net reduction
in his cost, was asked to remain for further inquiries from members of the Committee.
Councilmember Hoffmann stated that this bill addresses concerns regarding the prior two
proposals put forth before previous Councils. Hawaii County will also have the further benefit
of reviewing Kauai and Maui Counties experience with implementation of their plastic bag
reduction measures.
Councilmember Ikeda raised concern about who would enforce the ordinance and
Councilmember Onishi requested input from the Police and Finance Departments regarding
enforcement and collection abilities.
Councilmember Ford queried Environmental Management Director Frank DeMarco who related
that he had not been able to peruse the bill or discuss it with Mayor Kenoi and was awaiting to
review the results from the implementation on Maui and Kauai, but agreed to present his
thought on the measure at the next Council meeting. He also responded affirmatively to
Councilmember Pilago's request to present data regarding plastic bags' tonnage to the landfill
waste stream and should the ordinance be implemented, an estimate of tonnage reduction and
anticipated life extension to the Hilo landfill. Councilmember Pilago related that the HI 5
EMC Report 1
EMC -1 2 Comm. 64 /Bill 17
program works well and inquired if there was a way to create a similar incentive plan for plastic
bags; Mr. DeMarco also agreed to investigate that option further.
Councilmember Pilago also asked Mr. Ruderman what were his cost benefits from converting to
reusable bags. Mr. Ruderman replied that it reduces his cost by not providing bags, but added
that education is essential and at first he offered customers 25 cents for using reusable bags and
then he started charging customers for requesting bags at two of his four stores.
Councilmember Yagong expressed concern about higher business costs being passed on to the
consumer. He also addressed resort and convenience areas that do not service every day repeat
customers but tourists who usually do not bring reusable bags with them. Councilmember Ford
suggested the Hawaii Tourism Authority or any other number of organizations /businesses could
provide tourists with paper or reusable shopping bags upon their arrival.
Councilmember Smart requested information regarding the enforcement efforts of the HI 5
program as this may help her determine how and if the measure will be enforced.
For informational purposes, Councilmember Yoshimoto voted "kanalua" then "no."
Your Committee on Environmental Management is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Bill 17 and recommends its passage on first reading.
nho
AYES NOES A &E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD X COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL
HOFFMANN X MANAGEMENT
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X
SMART x TANY SJJART, CHAIR
YAGONG X EMC REPORT NO. 1
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: FEB 16 2 11