HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0055.009 2014-2016DRA FTWto Eto TOXI CWASTE
DRAFT SunJan4,2015
Aloha Council Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability:
Copies to Councilpersons: Valerie Poindexter, Aaron Chung,
Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Greggor Ilagan, Danny Paleka,
Maile "Madeiros" David, Dru Mamo Kanuha, Karen Eoff and Margaret Wille.
I want to make 2 important points on the matter of our County's WASTE to
ENERGY deliberations.
I am Mrs. Puanani Woo with family & other interests in
• Opihikao, Puna,
• Waiohinu & Pahala, Ka'u,
• Keaukaha & Panaewa Hawaiian Homesteads & Komohana, Hilo, & -
• Kawaihae Hawaiian Homestead where I currently reside. M
My 2 points are:
1. On a positive note, I am FOR, NO BURN HAWAII ( /), that is, for our County,
to support & put its funds towards educating our Hawaii island population
to re- cycie, re -use & re -store as the best option in dealing w /human and
commercial waste on this, our island of Hawaii. This is a state & nation-
wide need, but let's focus that need on this, our island of Hawaii. We need
to re- structure our thinking and life styles that have taught us to over -use
Earth's resources, over - produce & over - consume & therefore be left
w /WASTE & the problem of dealing w /WASTE.
I've googled & read articles on
(1) advantages & disadvantages of incinerators,
(2) myths vs. facts about "Waste to Energy,"
(3) analyzing the wastes & their effects on the environment from the
incinerated wastes,
(4) does burning garbage to produce electricity make sense? &
(5) waste disposal methods such as re- cycle, re -use & re -store
& my conclusions, as a concerned citizen, are that incinerator burning of
human and commercial wastes on this, our island of Hawaii is the wrong
choice to advance sustainability & that we must teach & live, re- cycle,
re -use & re- store.
O — V — E — R
Comm. No. SS• �1
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Ref. Date ",
2. Point 2 then, is that I am against our County considering the expense to
install & the unknown expense to maintain an incinerator facility.
Also, the title, Waste to Energy, used to advertise this method is
misleading. It should be publicized as Waste to Energy To Toxic Waste
because there will be toxic residue from the burning that will settle to the
bottom of the incinerator & some light enough to be air born — like the
particulate matter from the GOBI DESERT in China that blows over Hawaii
island which we breathe.
Being a retired full -time teacher w/42 yrs, 30 yrs at Kamehameha
H.S. /Honolulu, 12 yrs at Waiakea H.S. /Hilo, subbing at Kohala High, Middle
& Elementary Schools, & at Waimea Middle School, & a practicing Realtor
writing 61 articles about real estate in the Hamakua, Hilo, Puna & South
Ka'u Districts representing the Hawaii Island Board of Realtors (HIBR) in the
early 1990s, have allowed me to interface with people in the intimacy of
their homes, knowing their goals & worries for themselves and their
children, their sense of community for all & their love for this, our island of
Hawaii.
I therefore feel so pono in speaking against our County's plan for an
incinerator facility which should be publicized as Waste to Energy to Toxic
Waste, instead of, simply, Waste to Energy.
Please enjoy the film, "Racing to Zero."
Thank you for your attention.
Puanani Woo
gpwoo@live.com
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