HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-11 Letter to Joy San Buenaventura and Nadine K. Nakamura, John Mizuno and Bertrand Kobayashi SB 2469, SD2 Relating to Human Services
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 11, 2020
Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura, Chair
Representative Nadine K. Nakamura, Vice Chair
Committee on Human Services & Homelessness
Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair
Representative Bertrand Kobayashi, Vice Chair
Committee on Health
Dear Chairs San Buenaventura and Mizuno, Vice Chairs Nakamura and Kobayashi, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2469, SD2 Relating to Human Services
I support SB 2469, SD2 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 Legislature’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
Oʻahu. (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, SD2
specifies that one of the mobile clinics would have to be assigned to Hawaiʻi 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 any event, I ask for a favorable vote on SB 2469, SD2.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR