HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-23 Letter to Donna Mercado Kim re SCR 183/SR 109 Relating to Helicopter ToursHarry Kim
Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Diredor
Barbara J. Kossow
arlly Managing Director
Offirr �f1r
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
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March 23, 2018
Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Chair
Committee on Government Operations
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 224
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Kim and Committee Members:
Re: SCR 183/SR 109 Relating to Helicopter Tours
Hearing Date: 03-27-18 — 2:55 pm; Conference Room 224
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SCR 183 and SR 109.
This SR and SCR 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 Iie 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 I commend them for that. Moreover, 1 am hopeful that
tour operators and community members can work together. However, the history laid out in SCR 183 and
SR 109 is eye-opening. How can our residents be asked to tolerate the status quo when it has been 14
years since the Federal Aviation Administration 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. This is just not fair to residents
who hope for fair treatment.
I hope you wiU approve SCR 183 and SR 109.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Ki
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County ofHawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.