HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0128.034 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
From: kim pinkerton [lavalinks @gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 11:07 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 270 Testimony for August 17, Begins at 9:am
With all due respect, I Kim Pinkerton appreciate this opportunity to address the council.
The first step in problem solving is problem recognition.
Identifying the Problem: Let us examine the components we are dealing with.
Page 1 of 3
£ICoutJai,
1. We have an Insurance lobby, driving a legal department, writhing a Building code they are selling
for profit as a one size fits all solution. Now they have a potential client Hawaii.
2. We have the building departments of the Hawaii Islands whom at the state level have bought this
idea hook line and sinker. Using the oldest trick in the book, a fantastic fear mongering sound
bite "9/11 1992 Hurricane Iniki the most property damage per capital, ever recorded on the
planet.
3. The State is telling the head man of your local building department Mr Warren Lee to sell this
thing by April 2012 or else. I do not know what is riding on this but I am betting some one
some where is leaning hard on Warren to sell this deal.
4. We the people's last line of defense, You our county council, see your expert witness as being
Mr Warren Lee.
5. Mr Warren Lee knows this proposed 600 page document that among other things criminalizes
an estimated in the Puna area 50% of your constituents. Will be political suicide for some of
you should you sign bill 270 into law. Comm. No. 122.34
Ref. To: PrendoosCouncAI
Ref. Date AUG
8/16/2011
1 7 ZU11
Page 2 of 3
The first question you The council have to ask yourself . Is Mr Warren Lee putting his own personal
interest ahead of the good of our community?
The Second question is Warren Lee under the circumstances able to act as your Expert Witness on this
matter?
The Third question is Warren in a really tough spot? I think the answer is yes.
In fact in my estimation he needs our support here to get him out of this challenging position.
Discounting that the current adopted building codes are largely being ignored because they are not well
suited to our Unique Polynesian environment.
Discount that we have people living with in 10 miles of the most active volcano on the planet. With 13
different climates.
Do you Mr. Warren Lee and the Council of this county think that it is possible to have a one size fits all
building code that works for the Big Island?
I think the answer here is no. Should you agree?
Now you have to ask your self what is the solution..
My recommendation is to create a set of codes that are well suited to each of the major differences
within this county.
8/16/2011
Page 3 of 3
Understand that every situation has its own set of circumstances.
Mr. Warren Lee has a couple of options here,
#1 Realizing that he can be the hero here if he can manage to put the community first.
#2 orchestrate and navigating a new set of building codes that embraces the community and at the same
time gives us safe housing standards eliminating potential liability for our county.
In other words recognizing that this 600 page code may be great if you live in a 3000 sf home
overlooking the coast, but not worth anything if you live in 500 sf cabin in the Puna Jungle.
Mr. Warren is there any way we the community members can help you.
Please work to develop a set of codes that makes common sense and offers safe housing without
mandating going to bed with BIG BUSINESS.
The Reward will be to create a land slide of people applying for permits for there existing non permitted
homes.
In the long run that will be money for the county and votes for the council and Job security for you and
your staff.
Thank You for your consideration.
8/16/2011