HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-28 EMC testimony (09-27) Dant, MendyFrom:Mendy Dant
To:Sur, Peter
Subject:Testimony for VII – 1
Date:Tuesday, September 27, 2022 11:52:56 AM
Aloha Environmental Management Commission,
I am a 66-year-old business owner who has lived in Kona for 46 years. I have two children
and a grandson, all born and raised in Kona. Our business is in the ocean tourism industry, and
we are seeing the results of climate change and poor earth management caused by our selfish
human behaviors. Today's topic is the actions needed to be taken to apply for EPA grants to
assist with our island waste systems. This is an opportunity we need to make a top priority and
just in time before our current systems ruin our island life. This problem is nothing new, our
many Mayors have pushed it to the side. Now, it is urgent, and we have EPA funding to
become available.
I support the EPA Recycling Infrastructure Grant Working Group Coordinated by Zero Waste
Hawaiʻi Island Submission report decisions. We can, with both private and public efforts and
the funds from the EPA Grant, solve Hawaii Island's landfill waste problems.
I agree with the Summary of the report: Hawaiʻi County is in desperate need of funding to
improve its materials management systems: The Department of Environmental Management is
underfunded and understaffed, and the development of public-private partnerships may be the
most feasible solution to move away from landfilling of materials. The conclusions in the
report both affirm the desire of individuals, government, organizations and businesses to solve
our waste problem by shifting to a circular economic model that creates jobs and strengthens
our local economy, and uplifts low-income and disadvantaged communities that are struggling
to make ends meet. While a vision is emerging of how we get there, the funding from EPA
will be needed to bring stakeholders together to identify the solutions that meet the needs of
the collective and develop a road map of how to get there. Our county government and
community can implement the developed plans to invest in infrastructure (facilities and
equipment).
Please put this landfill problem to the front of our County's agenda and make the EPA grant
reality to achieve what Zero Waste has outlined in their concise report and our island
deserves! The time is NOW!
Sincerely,
Mendy Dant
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Mendy Dant
Executive Vice President
Fair Wind Cruises
Kona Sunrise Charters
78-6775 Box A Makenawai St
Kailua Kona, Hi 96740
C.808-345-6211
www.fair-wind.com
Travel Tips: Ocean Conservation
“We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depend on it. Because
they do.” Dr. Sylvia Earle