HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-15 Iolani Yamashiro-Rahimi Testimony #4 -Oppose
From:Iolani Yamashiro-Rahimi
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:Oppose Item #4
Date:Sunday, September 15, 2024 7:53:35 PM
Aloha,
I oppose Item #4 because I support Council Member Cindy Evans' proposed
telecommunications ordinance, Bill 194, which had already been forwarded to you.
The new ordinance proposed by the Director is too sympathetic to the
telecommunications industry with not enough protections for our community.
It gives almost total power to Planning and Telecom with no other agencies or experts
involved! It rushes the approval process to only 30 days! It has no provisions to
protect us against 5G small cells! It freely allows towers at schools, playgrounds and
day care centers!
Please consider Council Member Evans proposed ordinance which has clear,
attainable requirements. It is the perfect balance between the health, safety and
welfare of the people and the needs of the tech industry.
The Backstory
We at Safe Tech Hawaii have been working with Hawaii County Council Member
Cindy Evans for over a year on a telecom ordinance that reins
in the rampant deployment of towers and antennas. CM Evans' ordinance
was introduced on August 20 and had been previously forwarded to the Planning
Department. Yet over Labor Day weekend the Planning Director submitted a new
ordinance of his own that is too sympathetic to the Telecom industry. We
support Council Member Cindy Evans ordinance (Bill 194) that was already
introduced on August 20.
Mahalo for listening to those who LOVE our 'aina!
Iolani Yamashiro-Rahimi