HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 133 Kurohara, R - R&D Opposition to CA-31
County of Hawaii
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
(808) 961-8366 Fax (808) 935-1205
E-mail: chresdev@co.hawaii.hi.us
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Randall M. Kurohara
Director
William P. Kenoi
Mayor
January 11, 2010
The Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai`i Charter Commission
c/o Hawai`i County Council - Clerk
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
RE: Proposed County of Hawai`i’s Charter Amendment No. CA-31
Dear Chair Haitsuka and Commission Members:
Thank you for allowing the Department of Research and Development the
opportunity to address the Commission in opposition to the proposed Charter
Amendment CA-31.
Charter Amendment Proposal No. CA-31:
While we appreciate the intent of this proposal to underscore the importance of
Agriculture and Energy in the County of Hawai`i, we oppose the amendment
itself.
We believe that Charter Amendment No. CA-31 is not necessary as the
requested Amendment to Art. VI, Section 6-8.1 through 6-8.3 further outlines and
emphasizes the scope of the Department of Economic Development, to continue
to provide leadership, guidance and support for sustainable economic
development in agriculture and energy, among other divisions therein.
Charter Amendment No. CA-31 is also untimely as it is proposed during a time
when the County of Hawai`i has limited and decreasing budgets. Having a
separate Department of Agriculture and Energy with a cabinet level administrator
and administrative assistant to administer two (2) staff, will be an unwise,
inefficient and inappropriate use of the County’s limited financial resources. Any
additional administrative funds that should become available would be better
used by collaborating with others to assist the Agriculture and Energy sectors.
The Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai`i Charter Commission
January 11, 2010
Page 2 of 3
Currently, the Department of Research and Development’s existing Energy
program has been revived with a new focus and a new Energy Coordinator.
Already in three (3) months, we are seeing a shift in the County of Hawai`i’s
responsibility for renewable generation development on the island with real
projects and real results. Hawai`i County is on track not only to retain its current
Renewable Generation Leadership in all of the United States – but to increase
that leadership remarkably. Concurrently, in energy efficiency, we have already
conducted energy audits on our biggest energy facilities; providing options and
solutions to reduce energy consumption by 20% (over the next 3 years). Such
savings could amount to millions of dollars that could further be used for
economic development for the entire Hawai`i island, as well as provide tax
savings for our residents.
In addition, the County of Hawai`i has also been collaborating with others on
energy issues by promoting conservation and efficiency, as well as tasking the
Energy Advisory Commission to provide recommendations to help chart a course
to greater energy sustainability.
The Energy program is efficient and effective in its current department.
The Department of Research and Development’s existing Agriculture program
has been successful in enhancing the agriculture industry’s viability on Hawai`i
Island. County of Hawai`i resources allocated to the Agriculture program have
been and shall continue to support and focus on the enhanced production and
consumption of locally produced agriculture products, which increase
employment, personal income, business income, and tax revenues. These are
accomplished through partnerships and collaboration with various government
agencies, private landowners, the agriculture industry and the private businesses
that provide support services to the industry.
The Agriculture program and its supporting institutions are numerous and
diverse, and include dairies, ranching, farming, orchard crops, ornamental
flowers and nurseries. Both physical and organizational infrastructure is already
in place in the commodity groups, extension service, the University of Hawai`i
and federal research organizations. We do not need to reinvent the wheel to
enhance agricultural productivity. The Agriculture program is efficient and
effective in its current department.
The Department of Research and Development’s Agriculture and Energy
programs are very efficient in their current home, and would fit comfortably into
the mandate of the Department of Economic Development that has been
proposed by the administration.
Development of sustainable agriculture and energy, along with other core
economic drivers such as tourism and small business assistance, together will
help ensure economic growth and stability for our island. Combining these
resources under one umbrella – the Department of Economic Development – is a
natural and logical expenditure of County resources. Any removal of these
programs from the Department of Economic Development would mitigate its
focus on job creation and blur Hawai`i County’s vision for its residents.
The Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai`i Charter Commission
January 11, 2010
Page 3 of 3
I look forward to further presenting our position and opposition to the proposed
Charter Amendment No. CA-31 to you and the members of the Charter Commission at
the upcoming meeting scheduled for January 21, 2010. Should you need further
information and/or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Very truly yours,
RANDALL M. KUROHARA
Director
xc: Mayor William Kenoi
William Brilhante, Corporation Counsel