HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-10 Letter to Derek J. Chow re: Hilo Harbor BreakwaterHarry Kim
Mayor
April 10, 2019
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy ,Managing Director
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(offirr of #hr ttvrar
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
Mr. Derek J. Chow
Hawaii Department of Transportation
Harbors Division
79 South Nimitz Highway
Honolulu, HI 96813-4898
Dear Mr. Chow:
Thank you very much for your March 28, 2019 letter regarding the Hilo Harbor
breakwater.
I appreciate your alternative ideas on how to tackle the breakwater, and your idea of
using oysters to clean the waters is particularly interesting. Planting oyster beds in New
York Harbor has proven to be a very effective way of restoring the Hudson River, with
fishing and swimming returning there after nearly a century.
Natural, non-invasive alternative methods can work beautifully, and I think using oysters
to clean our Bayfront waters is definitely worth exploring. It has long been a dream of
mine to have our keiki and families have safe waters to swim and fish.
I would very much welcome a chance to discuss this and other options when you visit
Hilo in May. Please contact my office to schedule a meeting. Thanks for giving this
matter the thought it deserves.
A oha,
64,
1�-
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.