HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0160.004 1998-2000
,CC&' Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii
March 5, 1999
RECEIVED "
nm°`--------r BY------------
Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Chair Dc~-----3f--'z-~9s--------------
And members of the County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Bill 280, Draft 2
Regarding Chanter 3, Hawaii County Sign Code
Dear Chairman Arakaki and members of the County Council;
I submit this testimony on behalf of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii.
The Chamber is made up of many small businessmen and women whose livelihood depends on
their ability to successfully market their goods and services to their client base. The proposed
changes to our existing Sign Code would negatively impact their ability to do so:
a Elimination of sandwich boards
a Reduction in size of window signs
a Reduction in size of wall signs
a Reduction in size of projecting signs
~ Elimination of roof signs, automated signs, aerial signs, portable signs, "temporary
signs" and signs on utility poles.
a Permits only one ground sign per lot, regardless of the number of businesses that
exist on the lot.
Additionally, many provisions of the Sign Code are practically unenforceable. Do we have the
resources to police every sign in our County? Is it a proper allocation of meager County
resources? I'd rather see the funds used to generate new jobs or provide health and human
services instead.
Moreover the cost of compliance will need to come from somewhere. Is the Council prepared to
fund the cost for new signs? What's the benefit to the community?
The County's 1993 Data Book reflected 3,833 private employers in the County. The number is
dated. Nonetheless, it can be useful for the sake of illustration. Say the cost of a new sign will
average $ 200 regardless of type, size, etc. 3,833 multiplied by $200 comes out to $766,600. 16 O. 00 ~
Don't you think that this money would be better spent paying payroll? Comm. No. ~ A ~
File No.
Waiakea Villas 400 Hualani Street, Suite 20B Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Ref. To: presented PWPe
Phone: (808) 934-0177 Fax: (808) 934-0178 3 _ S _ 99
Ref, Date
The proposed amendments to our existing Sign Codes are harmful and serves no useful
purpose that we can think of. The community of this island has lived with the existing Sign
Code and generally speaking, can go on living with it for some time to come. Special interest
groups (of which we are one, yes) will voice their own opinions. However the average citizen
probably doesn't have any objections to the existing code.
We request that the proposed amendments not be approved.
Si erely, /
Michael D. Miyahira
President