HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.138 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
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From: Drew Kapp [dkapp @hawaii.edu] 1
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 5:00 PM
To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: bsmart @co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffman @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support Plastic Bag Ban (Bill 17)
Aloha kakou,
I strongly urge the Hawai'i County Council to support the ban on plastic bags (Bill 17). My concern is
for the environment of Hawai'i Island, including its marine and terrestrial species, as well as its unique
ecosystems and traditional cultural landscapes. Using cloth shopping bags or other bags made out of
natural materials is an easy alternative, and we can adapt for the benefit of Hawai'i.
I teach Geography classes at Hawai'i Community College and the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, and I
incorporate environmental community service projects into our classes. Through this hands -on service
our students observe some of the environmental problems for which we're responsible, and then make
positive contributions by helping to restore environmental integrity. It's a pretty profound experience for
many. Students often remove plastic bags from the landscape, in addition to other artificial materials
and contaminants, including marine debris from our shores. We know first -hand what burden our
society places on our environment by relying so heavily on plastics and other petroleum -based
products.
Feel free to check out these pictures of our UH -Hilo students making a difference for the environment
this June 2011:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/—dkapp/huakai kamilo 06.04.1_1_.html
These images are a testament to the commitment of our future generation to the well -being of our 'aina.
I'm very proud that our students are so instrumental in moving us forward in this direction.
Mahalo for your consideration of the plastic bag ban on Hawai'i Island. It is an important step in this
process.
Aloha,
Drew Kapp
Drew Kapp
Geography and Environmental Studies
University of Hawai'i at Hilo, and
Hawai'i Community College
200 W Kawili Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
808 - 933 -3495
dkapp @hawaii.edu
www2 . hawai i . e du/—dkapp
comm. No. 6 • I g
Ref. To
Ref. DateJUL 7 2011
6/13/2011