HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-18 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 2469, SD1 Relating to Human Services Ro Takemoto
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co. 4 Managing Director
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Harry Kim •+CAl� :*
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Barbara J. Kossow
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TE of N�.e Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 18, 2020
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2469, SD1 Relating to Human Services
I support SB 2469, SD1 as well as any other initiative that can have a positive
impact on the homeless population, make their lives a bit easier, and move them toward
conventional shelter.
As a neighbor island Mayor, I appreciate the Senate's recognition that
homelessness is a statewide problem. A year ago, when testifying on HB 36 and SB
526, I noted that the bills called for two mobile clinics, and that I hoped that one of the
two could be earmarked for an ohana zone project on an island other than O`ahu. (It
was my understanding that the Executive Committee of the Community Alliance
Partners (CAP) was endorsing those bills while making a similar request). I now cannot
help but notice that SB 2469, SD1 specifies that one of the mobile clinics would have to
be assigned to Hawaii County. I thank the sponsors for this recognition of our efforts in
dealing with the homeless, and I certainly believe that our geography, and our number
of homeless, justify such a designation, but I also would understand if your Committee
defers to DHS to pick the neighbor island that could most benefit from having such a
clinic.
In an event, I ask for a favorable vote on SB 2469, SD1.
Rei ctfuily Submitted,
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Harry Ki '
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.