HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-25 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen HB 330, HD1 Relating to Suicide Prevention
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 Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 25, 2019
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair
Committee on Finance
Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 330, HD1 Relating to Suicide Prevention
HB 330 sent me to Google to better understand the need for youth suicide early intervention,
prevention, and education programs. The statistics are enough to explain the importance of this bill.
Suicide deaths in Hawaiʻi County, according to our Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, average 20.4
deaths per 100,000 population, compared to a national average of about 13 deaths per 100,000. When it
comes to youth age 15-19, the number is even higher—26.4 per 100,000; and for young adults aged 20-24,
higher still—37.9 per 100,000.
My understanding is that statistics for Kauai and Maui are similarly disturbing.
Every one of these deaths is preventable, and if we have the expertise to offer programs that can reach
these young people and suggest different paths forward for them, it seems we owe it to them, and to their
families, friends, and loved ones, to make the effort. In fact, we owe it to ourselves as a just and caring
society.
I hope you will act favorably on HB 330, HD1, and perhaps include funding in the House version of the
State budget as well.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR