HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-14 Letter to Karl Rhoads re HB 630 HD1 Relating to Drought Mitigation (V os
Wil Okabe
• ",i•" Managing Director
Harry Kim Mayor • .'••••f.pi`Mr` Barbara J.Kossow
•��` Deputy Managing Director
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25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
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March 14, 2017
Senator Karl Rhoads, Chairman
and Committee Members
Senate Committee on Water and Land
State of Hawaii Legislature
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Dear Chairman Rhoads and Committee Members,
RE: HB 630 HD1
Relating to Drought Mitigation
Thank you for the opportunity to provide supportive testimony regarding HB 630,
HD1 relating to the appropriation of funds to support county drought mitigation
measures and projects and a planner within the Commission on Water Resource
Management. The County of Hawaii strongly supports this bill.
Drought can be one of the more wide spread and damaging of natural disasters
causing negative economic impacts due to crop and livestock losses; degrading natural
areas and negatively impacting plants and wildlife; increasing the risk and extent of
wildfires; generating water restrictions for domestic and commercial customers and
expanding the risk of inadequate water supplies for fighting fires. Additionally,
thousands of residents, especially in the districts of South Kona, Ka'u and Puna, rely
solely on rain catchment for their daily drinking water, cooking, bathing and sanitation
needs.
With the intent of increasing preparedness to effectively address drought
conditions, the State of Hawaii previously funded and collaborated with each county to
develop drought mitigation strategies. In 2004, the Hawaii Drought Committee
convened to compile an inventory of drought mitigation programs; identified gaps in
data and risk areas; and prioritized and recommended drought mitigation as expressed
through the County of Hawai'i Drought Mitigation Strategies. Over the course of years'
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Karl Rhoads
March 14, 2017
Page 2
work continued on the implementation of the Mitigation Strategies, and in 2012, the
report was updated.
With a lapse in five (5) years since the last round of funding, HB 630, HD1 serves
as a critical vehicle to support continued efforts to apply new knowledge relating to
climate change and drought mitigation and to continue efforts to implement mitigation
strategies that will support more resilient businesses, communities and the natural
environment during times of drought.
Respectfully submitted,
� r <
Harry K��n/irrY
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer