HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0362.002 2018-2020 P/Cftldl
Comm-54
From: Mike Harrington � „ s
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Pohoiki Boat Ramp 2�! � �y
Date: Monday,July 22,2019 9:23:06 PM 0
County Council,
As a young boy that was born and raised in Puna, Pohoild was always my playground. While
all of my friends and people I knew surfed the many spots at Pohoiki. I was one of the kids
that did"not". I was that kid that was on the shoreline fishing, throwing net, torching,picking
crab and opihi.
As I became older, I joined the construction trade. I started as a laborer and moved on to
being a carpenter, foremen and superintendent for a number of companies. After a career
ending injury, instead of depending on the government to support me, I went back to the one
thing I loved and knew I was good at. That was fishing! I have supported my family with an
average income of about$120,000 a year through being a fisherman out of Pohoiki. This past
year I have been forced to go out from Hilo. And when I do my expenses have grown four
times the cost. My income this past year has been cut down to about$35-40k.
You might say that there is a lot of boats using the Hilo ramp and I will tell you to do a study.
There are no successful commercial fishermen fishing out of Hilo without having a second or
third job. 90% of the boats moored in slips don't ever leave the river. And the ones that do
leave either the owners have another source of income or just do it for fun.
I have fished just about every ramp on the island and the only coastline that I can support my
family from is fronting Pohoiki. And if there is no ramp I will be forced to throw in the towel.
"I need my ramp back"
Thank you,
Jeffrey A. Alfonso Sr.
FN Reel Lucky Too
Comm. No 3x/2.2
Ref. To: P C UAP
Ref. nate JUL 2 3 2019