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Council Testimony
From: russell @islandnaturals.com on behalf of Russell Ruderman
<russell @russellruderman.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 10:57 AM
To: County Council
Subject: Re: Support Bill 64
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Testimony in support of Bill 64, continued! ? '
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October I, 2013
County Council
County of Hawaii = m
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 tsa _._
RE: Testimony in support of Bill 64
tear Councilmembers,
I write in support of Bill 64, relating to clearing occupied and unoccupied lots. This measure would provide
relief to many people immediately endangered by unsafe flora on neighboring properties and urge property
owners to take responsibility for their property.
In my neighborhood of Puna and across the County of Hawai'i, I have encountered scores of people whose
property and safety are endangered by unsafe flora on neighboring properties.
The expense and time required to bring a civil suit against neighboring property owners is not a feasible and
expedient option for the average resident of Hawaii Island. Bill 64 would provide a reasonable solution to
serious threats to the public safety, infrastructure. and economic viability across the Hawaii County.
Prime examples of unsafe flora are the vast stands of invasive albizia trees from Kalapana to Kohala. Because
of their brittle wood and weak structure, large albizia trees are a serious hazard to homes, roads, and power
lines. Albizia are the fastest growing trees in the world, growing up to an inch a day, reaching heights of over 60
feet, by fixing their own nitrogen. The heavy rains of East Hawai'i make these trees especially dangerous. In
August of this year, tropical storm Flossie, toppled an albizia tree onto power lines in Puna, closing highway
132 and causing an outage for 1,358 Hawaii Electric Light Company customers for over 6 hours.
I urge you to pass Bill 64 to protect the people and prosperity of Ilawai'I County.
Russell Ruderman
On Tue, Oct 1, 2013 at 10:27 AM, Russell Ruderman <russel1'urussellruderman.eom> wrote:
Aloha Councilmembers
I urge you to continue your support for Bill 64, relating to hazardous flora.
With the help of county and state agencies, and the cooperation of community groups, HELCO and others. we
have begun a demonstration project to control Albizia beginning in Black Sands Subdivision area. If successful
Comm. No. 2-
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Ref. Date
this model can be replicated in many other areas.
Bill 64 will he a crucial tool in this effort. Please support this Bill to control hazardous fauna.
Mahalo
russcllArussellrudcrman.com
Mahalo.
Russell
Russell Ruderman
russclLarussellruderman.com
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