HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0643.057 2018-2020 i
P/Cowwl
From: Naomi Melamed
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Free wifi in parks r i
Date: Monday,December 16,2019 11:39:02 PM #`
Aloha and many thanks to all who receive this testimony,
This is the second testimony that I am sending in regarding wifi in the parks, first having been
for the committee hearing and now again, as the issue has come up for a council hearing.
I appreciated everyones thoughtful consideration and attention to details who spoke in during
the committee hearing from the council and chair. I understand that this opportunity for wifi in
the parks, installed for free to increase connectivity for the people of Hawaii has many benefits
and I cannot say this testimony is against, yet I would like to advise some precautions.
In my first testimony, I outlined some key concerns which are based upon an abundance of
well credited, peer-reviewed, scientific research. The major impacts of which are found on
young children. Councillnember Tim Richards mentioned that this is a balance of weighing
the health concerns with the need to provide internet access in rural areas.
In relation to this issue of wifi in the parks specifically, I would like to voice a few suggestions
which could aid in decreasing health and security concerns while we increase connectivity:
1. There are currently routers available that radiate 90% less EMF when not being used as they
can detect the signal and only send out when devices are connected to them. One such router is
JRS-eco, it also saves energy. We use it periodically in our home (when we are not able to
complete a task with our wired-in ethernet connection) and we share wifi with our neighbors
through it without issue. From my conversation with a technician from Spectrum, they do not
use these routers. I would ask, is it possible to look into this option and set a plan for a way for
this type of router to be used in the parks.
2. 1 believe that this is currently the plan, and I support the wifi routers being turned off at
dusk or dark. This would be a wise way to limit loitering, internet security, as well to create a
healthier space, especially when/if these places are being used as shelters where children sleep
so that their systems can have a chance to heal.
3. My chief concern are the children who will be influenced by wifi signal in the schools. I
think that, in particular with the school gyms, there should be a protocol in place which allows
for staff to turn off the wifi during times it will not be used while students are present (such as
during school hours when the gym is not accessed by the public anyway). This approach has
been adopted by many schools across the world and is a moderate approach.
www.wirelesseducation.or gives a comprehensive protocol that some schools in the US have
adopted already.
I believe that we can have increased connectivity as well as decrease our security and health
risks with careful planning. As I stated in my first testimony, I feel strongly about the county
looking into the possibilities around fiber both taking inventory of what we currently have
which may be an untapped resource as well as considering possibilities for greater buildout.
Currently, Hawaii is the 7th most connected state in the USA. Our greatest form of
connectivity is wireless connection, at 100 percent. Whereas just over 50 percent of people
actually having an option for wired connection. This, in my opinion, is a digital divide.
Thank you all again for your time and service, . ��
Comm. N
Ref. To: O n(,1
Ref. r_ DEC 182019—
Naomi Melamed
808-889-6489
hinaorni�,,protonmail.com
m.A w.kc6yIournower.org
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