HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.120 2010-2012NAWAII 1.00 11.01137711. ASSOCIATION
Gary M. Hanagami
Executive Director
Hawaii Food Industry Association
1050 Bishop Street, Box 235
Honolulu, HI 96813
July 18, 2011
Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi
Council Member
Hawaii County Council
District 4, South Hilo
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Councilman Onishi:
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On behalf of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, its Big Island retail members, and the
consumers on the island, we want to voice our opposition to the reported motion to
dismiss the public hearings on bill no. 17, banning plastic bags on the Big Island.
There are a number of good reasons why a fair hearing and the public debate of this bill
should continue, regardless of the rationale; it is the right thing to do, short of
resurrecting the proposal on an open ballot for full public debate. If all the facts on a
total ban of plastic bags are revealed, the public would most certainly question the lack of
options presented.
Additionally, if the ultimate benefit is to reduce the environmental impact that wayward
plastic bags cause, the public should know that the information they are being given is
not as clear cut as they may have been led to believe, especially if paper bags becomes
the option of choice. If the desired option is to reduce the use of single use bags, then a
ban on one option is not the answer, and there are documented cases that have been
shared with the council members undermining this ill- conceived notion.
We encourage the Big Island Council members to avail themselves to the open debate,
and listen closely to its constituents; perhaps avoiding some of the on -going issues that
Kauai and Maui counties continue to face.
Sincerely,
Gary M. Hanagami
Executive Director
1050 Bishop Street
Comm. No. 6 St. / Zo
Ref. To: R• A .i6,, c; I
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Box 235 Honolulu, HI 96813