HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-31 Letter to Jill Tokuda re HB 1244 HD1 SD 1 re Relating to cesspools
WilOkabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444Fax (808) 323-4440
March 31, 2017
Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawai'iState Captiol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Tokuda and members:
RE:HB 1244, HD1, SD1
Relating to Cesspools
Thank you for this opportunity to testify against HB 1244, HD1, SD1. I know the
bill is well intended, but it is unnecessary, and it is contrary to our efforts to find a way to
make housing more affordable.
Yes, I realize that Hawaii has changed and we are now in the 21st century, but
those of us who grew up in ancient times know that some of the old practices, while not
entirely compatible with modern thought, are nevertheless environmentally sound and
do not need to be discarded.As a prime example, in Hawaii County we have literally
thousands of lots on which cesspools pose absolutely no hazard to groundwater or risk
of pollution.Many of these lots may represent the best hope for current and future
Hawaii residents to live in a dwelling rather than on the street.
I recently directed my departments to do everything in their power to figure out
how to bring down the cost of housing.If we were to require septic tanks in areas
where cesspools should be acceptable, we immediately would be adding $10,000-
$20,000 to the cost of every dwelling, with no environmental benefit whatsoever.
If the Legislature wishes to offer financial incentives to install septic or other
treatment systems, by all means do so, but please do not outlaw cesspools, even if the
prohibition does not take effect until 2050.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Jill Tokuda
March 31, 2017
Page 2
I do acknowledge that SD1 is an improvement over previous drafts of HB1244, in
that it authorizes the director of health to grant exemptions to property owners of
cesspools who present documentation showing a legitimate reason that makes it
infeasible to upgrade, convert, or connect the cesspools.If HB1244 must pass, I would
ask that the exemption not be limited to “infeasible,” but be broadened to “infeasible, or
unnecessary because of geographic location.”That would perhaps allow for
designation of areas where cesspools donot pose a risk of contaminating Hawaii’s
waters, and therefore would continue to be permitted.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.