HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-28 EMC Testimony - Culbertson, Rob (5-27) Agenda VI.2
From:Robert Culbertson
To:cohdem
Subject:Agenda Item VI.2 – Recycle Hawai‘i Update
Date:Tuesday, May 27, 2025 11:28:13 AM
Aloha Chair Perez and Commissioners,
I am writing to express my deep disapproval of a proposed project in Hilo to
construct a plastic processing factory. The project is called 'Mlama One',
and I share the very serious doubts and concerns others are expressing
today.
Our current state regulations have not kept pace with modern science on
the dangers of micro- and nanoplastics. And this project appears to try
benefitting from a lack of regulation to claim a prerogative for permitting
under current rules.
What’s worse, by building this for-profit facility, we will actually create an
incentive to import more plastic to our islands, locking us deeper into an
extractive, polluting industry that directly threatens our people, our
ecosystems, and our future.
At the close of the current Hawaii state legislative session an attempt to get 'up to
speed' with the onslaught of plastic pollution, led to the adoption of two new
resolutions meant to highlight the importance of safeguarding our pristine fresh
water supplies, and the dangers of plastic pollution.
HCR 128 cites the critical role of fresh water in maintaining healthy nearshore
ecosystems. (Let us keep it so!)
SCR 132 endorses recommendations (ie. calling for plastic reduction) born of the
United Nations Global Plastic Treaty.
I urge this Commission to do everything in its power to recommend that this
project not be allowed to move forward.
Our water, air, soil, and bodies should not be burdened by this polluting
industry!
Mahalo for your time.
Respectfully,
Rob Culbertson
Honokaa