HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0494.013 2018-2020 PlAWMIC
Council Chair �KTY 4 Director of Council Services
Traci N.T,Fujita.,Esq.
T�elly'P. hang � r. ,
a 4J
Vice-Chair
Keani.N.W.Rawlins-Fernandez ��E,n.„ -'tai COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
Presiding officer Pro Tempore COUNTY COUNCIL RECEIVED
Tasha:kerma
COUNTY OF MAUI Time 12:0)�! IBy
Couneilmeznbers 200 S. HIGH STREET
Riki.i-lokama Date 1/50/11
Mice L.Lee WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII 96793
Michael J.Molina -'vwW MauiCounty:us
Tamara Palfin
Shane M. Sinenci
Yuki Lei K. SugIimura September 30, 2019
Office of the County Clerk
County of Hawaii
1055 Kinoole Street
Suite 101, Hilo
Hawaii 96720
Dear Couneilmembers:
SUBJECT: Testimony in support of Resolut .on.N'o. 322 19,
declaring a Hawaii County Climate
Emergency and requesting regional
collaboration towards an immediate just
transition and emergency mobilization effort
to restore a safe climate.
As the Chair of the Maui County Council who 'recently passed our
own resolution, `Recognizing the efforts of Maui 'County residents to
highlight climate change, especially through participation in the ,global
climate strike :on September 20, 2019,' and co-founder :of. The Climate
Reality Project-Hawaii Chapters I urge you to pass Resolution No. 322 19:
Our planet is in a state of change:. The temperatures of our air and
water are increasing. We. saw record.-breaking highs this summer, from
over more than a century of tracking on the islands. We are currently
witnessing long periods of.dry weather and weak trade winds, as a result
of higher sea surface temperature. In the past months Maui has also
experienced an increased number. of wild fires, that consumed over 10,000
acres of dry land, and droughts leading to crater shortages in some areas.,
As an island chain we are highly susceptible. Sea level rise is
predicted to inundate whole neighborhoods_ and facilities along the
coastline over the next fifty years. As a county we are already proactively
budgeting for shoreline retreat and disaster mitigation and are 'in
C m. a ��4"t`i•0
Ref. ate OCT Of 201
Council Chair Director of Council Services
Kelly T. King Traci N.T.Fujita.,Esq• .
(` .1;
Vice-Chair
Keani N.W.Rawlins-Feniandez
Presiding Officer ProiTempore
Tasha Karna COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF MAUI
Councilmembers
Riki Hokama 200 8. HIGH STREET
Alice L.tee WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII 96793
Michael J.Molina .www.MauiCountv.us
Tamara Paltin
Shane M.Sinenci
Yuki Lei K.Sugimura. September 30, 2019
discussion on potential legislation to create our own office to address Climate
Change, .Sustainability, and Resiliency in our Environmental, Agriculture, :and
Cultural Preservation Committee.
This past June Maui hosted the annual HSAC conference. Our theme was
Hot Topics in Sustainability where we launched The Climate Reality.Project --
Hawaii Chapter, the first in the Asia-Pacific region. Global warming affects us
all. Now is the time to focus on implementing solutions at the federal, state and
county level. By declaring a Climate Emergency it will refocus policies and plans
that support reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. It will
help pat the focus on distribution of resources to tackle this crisis and education
of our citizens, and it will support action to Mitigate future sea level rise,
droughts, and super storms while steering funds towards sustainable energy
production and,food sovereignty.
'This emergency needs:.everyone, to work together and this resolution is a
critical first step in the right direction. Science.shows we are at a tipping point-.
I believe we have the ability to turn this crisis around and give a future to our
grandchildren that they deserve, but we need to act, And we need to act now.
Sincerely,
465
KELLY T.,T. KING
Council:Chair