HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-19 Letter to Chris Lee and Joy A. San Buenaventura SB 1069, SD1 Relating to Reduction of Noise from Helicopter Operations
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 19, 2019
Representative Chris Lee
Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura
Committee on Judiciary
Dear Chair Lee, Vice Chair San Buenaventura, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 1069, SD1 Relating to Reduction of Noise from Helicopter Operations
SB 1069, SD1 offers a tax credit (in an undetermined amount) for installation of “noise canceling
technology,” and limits the hours of a helicopter’s operations. Given the noise complaints that helicopters
generate, this kind of approach might be welcome news, if it makes a meaningful difference.
I will defer to the experts to suggest what the appropriate decibel level should be to qualify for such a
credit, and how much the credit should be. But I would ask this Committee to be as stringent as reasonably
possible. To qualify for the benefit of a tax credit, the helicopter industry must become a responsible and
considerate corporate member of our community, and it is not there yet.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR