HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-20 Letter to Richard H.K. Onishi and Henry J.C. Aquino re HR 148/HCR 177 Relating to Helicopter Air ToursHarry Kim
Mayor
Courtfil
Offirr of fkr
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
Wil Okabe
i1anaging Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 21, 2018
Representative Richard H.K. Onish* Chair
Committee on Tourism
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 423
Honolulu, HI 96813
Representative Henry J.C. Aquino, Chair
Committee on Transportation
Hawail State Capitol, Room 423
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Onishi and Aquino, and Comrnittee Me be s:
Re: HR 148/HCR 177 Relating to Helicopter Air Tours
Hearing Date: 03-23-18 — 10:00 am; Conference Room 423
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HR 148 and HCR 177.
This HR and HCR are a perfect complement to SB 2474, HD 1 which would
require the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Department of Transportation, to conduct a study on the impacts
of aviation noise on residents of the State. That bill is presently on its way to Finance
and hopefully will be approved and funded.
This noise (and safety) issue is among the most vexing that we face. Helicopters
have been a source of endless complaints from communities that lie in the flight path to
HVNP, and there should be no doubt that noise can constitute both a nuisance and a
health hazard, especially in otherwise tranquil rural areas.
I have met with tour operators and asked them to develop a plan to address
noise and safety issues. They have taken some initial steps, and 1 commend them for
that. Moreover, lam hopeful that tour operators and community members can work
together. However, the history laid out in HR 148 and HCR 177 is eye-opening. How
can our residents be asked to tolerate the status quo when it has been 14 years since
the Federal Aviation Asministration and National Park Service asked for comments on
an Air Tour Management Plan Environmental Assessment, and seven years since a
preliminary draft Air Tour Management Plan for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was
published. That is an outrage.
County of Hawail is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
March 21, 2018
Page 2
It cannot go unnoticed that HB 2007, HD 1 is a request from the helicopter
industry for a GET exemption on helicopter servicing and maintenance. While that
might be thought of as a separate issue, 1 don't think it would be unfair to say that tax
giveaways should be reserved for good corporate citizens. Perhaps the helicopter tour
industry's cooperation with HR 148 and HCR 177 should be evaluated before HB 2007
is given any further consideration.
1 hope you will approve HR 148 and HCR 177.
Respectfully subm itted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County of Hawai' i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer,