HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 023 Draft 01 2014-2016COUNTY OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO.
STATE OF HAWAII
23 14
A RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY BY NAMING
2015 AS "THE YEAR OF COMPOST."
WHEREAS, this is a pivotal point in history, whether to move in a more eco- friendly
direction or a more adversarial toxic relationship to nature, the earth, and the soil; and
WHEREAS, farmers, landscapers, and homeowners spend large sums purchasing
compost that is imported to Hawaii Island; and
WHEREAS, according to Washington State University, compost enriched soil increases
the retention of fertilizer, which reduces toxic pollution in our waterways; and
WHEREAS, a mere 5% increase in organic material quadruples soils water holding
capacity; and
WHEREAS, according to the July 2005 edition of BioScience, the environmental benefits
attributable to compost are reduced chemical input, reduced soil erosion, and increased water
conservation; and
WHEREAS, according to The Rodale Institute Compost Utilization Trial, synthetic
chemical fertilization is unable to support sustainable crop productivity, crop health, or soil
health over extended periods of time; and
WHEREAS, according to the University of Illinois, compost improves the structure and
texture of the soil, enabling it to better retain nutrients, moisture, and air for the betterment of
plants; and
WHEREAS, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), composting
enriches soils and has the ability to help regenerate poor soils by encouraging the production of
beneficial micro - organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) which in turn break down organic matter
to create humusa rich nutrient - filled material —which increases the nutrient content in soils
and helps soils retain moisture; and
WHEREAS, according to the EPA, compost has also been shown to suppress plant
diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, and promote higher
yields of agricultural crops; and
WHEREAS, the principles of the County's Zero Waste policy emphasize a resource
management approach to solid waste aimed at reuse, reduce \buyback, recycle, and maximizing
compostables, including composting of food, soiled paper, and other organic materials; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2009 Zero Waste Implementation Plan for the County of
Hawaii, more than one third of the materials being landfilled by the County are suitable for
composting to produce and enhance soils for agriculture and landscapes; and
WHEREAS, installing drop -off bins for green waste at all solid waste transfer stations
would maximize the use of green waste for composting; and
WHEREAS, composting of food, paper, and compostable organics would give back to
our soil needy `aina (land), or in other words, move towards a closed loop system — from the land
and back to the land, by way of a focused compost production program; and
WHEREAS, according to the Hawaii Sustainability Primer developed and edited by The
Natural Step Canada, The Kohala Center, and the County of Hawaii, prioritizing maximization of
compostables is consistent with Native Hawaiian respect for the `aina as Native Hawaiians
recognized that life forms, as well as the physical environment, were sacred, and that this
sacredness sustains life. Being a steward of the `aina was of paramount importance to the kanaka
maoli (indigenous people of Hawai`i), whose survival depended on an intimate understanding and
respect for their bioregion and ahupua`a (watershed); and
WHEREAS, Section 342G -2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes provides that each county
adopt solid waste management practices in the following order of priority, placing composting as
a higher priority than either landfilling or incineration:
(1) Source reduction;
(2) Recycling and bioconversion, including composting;
(3) Landfilling and incineration; and
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2003, the Council adopted Resolution No. 28 -03, Draft 2,
which affirmed the principles set forth in Section 342G -2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes; now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that
2015 is "The Year of Compost."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that residents are encouraged to emphasize and
maximize composting during 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Research and Development
assist in disseminating the message that 2015 is "The Year of Compost" and help to encourage
composting through its agricultural outreach programs.
2
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable William P. Kenoi, Mayor, County of Hawaii; the Director of
Environmental Management; the Director of Research and Development; the Hawaii County
Agriculture Advisory Commission; the Chairperson of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture;
the Chair of the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Agriculture; and the Chair of the Hawaii
State House Committee on Agriculture.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 17th day of December , 2014.
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on December 17, 2014
ATTEST:
INTRODUCED BY:
UNCIL MBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
L)
ROLL CALL VOTE
Reference: C -22 /Waived AWESC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 23 14
AYES
NOES
ABS
I EX
CHUNG
X
DAVID
x
EOFF
X
ILAGAN
X
KANUHA
X
ONISHI
X
PALEKA
X
POINDEXTER
X
WILLE
X
Reference: C -22 /Waived AWESC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 23 14