HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-11 Letter to Mike Gabbard and Russell E. Ruderman HB 2151, HD1 Relating to Cesspool Conversion
County of Hawai‘i
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Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 11, 2020
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Senator Russell E. Ruderman
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Dear Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Ruderman, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 2151, HD1 Relating to Cesspool Conversion
Cesspool conversion is going to be an enormous problem, and I thank this
Legislature for recognizing and addressing an issue that might otherwise be ignored
until the 2050 deadline for conversion is much closer.
I urge as much funding and assistance as can be made available for the
numerous property owners who will find conversion to be unaffordable. Having said
that, however, it is not clear to me that the focus can only be on cesspools identified as
“failing.” For one thing, “failing” is not defined; is it the intention to leave it to the
Department of Health to define the word in its rules? Second, while I can understand
that a failing cesspool should have a high priority for action, does HB2151, HD1 create
an incentive to allow one’s cesspool to fall into disrepair so that it will be eligible for a
grant?
It would seem that a broad program is called for, but perhaps it can be made up
of “subprograms” such as the one called for in HB2151, HD1.
Again, thank you for searching for solutions.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR