HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.143 2016-2018 COUNTY CLERK
Murashige, Laura COUNTY OF HAWAII
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From: Lindsey Hoell <lindseyhoell@gmail.com> Date_112617
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2017 6:42 PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kanuha, Dru; Chung,Aaron; David, Maile; Eoff, Karen; Lee Loy, Sue; Ohara, Eileen;
Ruggles,Jennifer; Richards,Tim; Poindexter,Valerie; COH Mayor;Toguchi, Marcie;
Andrew Foster
Subject: Support Bill 13
Aloha,
My name is Lindsey and I am writing in strong support of Bill 13.
As a resident of Oahu, we are looking toward the other islands to lead the change by banning polysterene
foam. It is catastrophic to this state both economically and environmentally.
Plastic is costing cities, counties, states, & countries millions of dollars and our global economy
billions. Costs are passed to the taxpayers by burdening our storm water management systems with
the need for expensive best management practices and the costs of cleanups. Hawaii State
Department of Transportation has produced a trash plan that shows styrofoam and plastic bags as
the top two contributors to the waste stream.
Not onlythis, but I am an active volunteer at beach cleanups in Hawaii. Polysterene foam clamshells
p Y
for take-out food are one of the most littered items, and they break down into smaller pieces that are
almost impossible to clean up by hand. They wash into our ocean and the fish ingest them, mistaking
them for food, and they are threatening our beautiful albatross.
Every piece of styrofoam ever created still exists on this planet, and will for 1 million years! We cannot
leave this littered mess to our children and grandchildren to clean up. Please help Hawaii transition to
compostable or reusable alternatives so we can keep our shorelines and oceans as clean and
beautiful as in years past.
I know the main concern is the cost to small businesses and consumers, but hundreds of restaurants
in Hawaii are polysterene-free and using compostable alternatives because they would rather be
stewards for our planet than save 5 cents (that could easily be passed on to the consumer). We need
to reward these thoughtful business owners by leveling the playing field, so environmental conscious
restaurants are not taking a financial hit by comparison to those restaurants who turn an easy dollar
to a tourist who has no investment in this island and doesn't care if our beaches are trashed. Those
businesses who actually care about the environment should be rewarded, not punished. Banning
polysterene will help with that immensely, and if a business does pass the cost onto a consumer who
eats 100 plate lunches a year, the yearly cost will only be around $10 a year, or he or she may
choose to bring his own container.
Mahalo for your understanding and consideration!
Lindsey Hoell
101-1412
3316 Hinano St C m. oo
Honolulu, HI
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