HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWPRC 124 10/02/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
DATE: October 2, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 842/Res. No. 302-12
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Resolution
No. 302-12, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 302-12, transmitted by Council Chair Yagong via Communication No. 842, urges
the Hawai`i State Legislature to enact legislation to establish sustainable living research sites on
parcels less than 15 acres that are designated"agricultural"under State law in Hawai`i.
A sustainable living research site is an area of land on which the legal owners and/or occupants
are permitted to engage in activities and erect structures that might otherwise be prohibited or
unduly constrained by State and/or County law; and allow citizens on agriculturally zoned
parcels of 15 acres or less to explore innovative methods of self-sustainability.
Council Chair Yagong stated that he introduced this Resolution after discussions with members
of the Hawai`i Sustainable Living Alliance, inquiries with the Department of Public Works, and
researching how other municipalities are dealing with this issue. He also commented that
changes are necessary in the Hawai`i State Building Code before the County Code can be
amended to address the issue.
Mr. Graham Ellis, Chair of the Hawai`i Sustainable Living Alliance testified in support of the
Resolution and explained that even though our County Code addresses alternative materials, the
list is limited to materials that have already been"tested". He informed your committee that it
currently costs about $90,000 to test each new material. Mr. Ellis also stated that the State needs
to establish"Research" sites so that individuals and entrepreneurs can test alternative materials
themselves. Some alternative materials not currently in the County Code but allowed in other
places include, plastic bottles, rubber tires, and glass bottles.
Council member Onishi cautioned that the County needs to follow the current Building Code to
ensure structures are safe for people to live in.
PWPRC- 124
PWPRC-124 Page 2 October 2, 2012
For informational purposes Mr. Onishi voted"kanalua"twice.
Your Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Resolution 302-12, and recommends its adoption.
bl
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS &
HOFFMANN x PARKS AND RECREATION
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X
SMART x FRED BLAS, CHAIR
YAGONG X PWPRC REPORT O
OCT 1 7 124
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: