HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-27 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen SB 1069, SD1, HD1 Relating to Reduction of Noise from Helicopter Operations
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
March 27, 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: SB 1069, SD1, HD1 Relating to Reduction of Noise from Helicopter Operations
SB 1069, SD1, HD1 offers a tax credit (in an undetermined amount) for installation of “noise canceling
technology.” Given the noise complaints that helicopters generate, this kind of approach might be welcome
news, if it makes a meaningful difference.
I gather that House Judiciary decided to remove the provisions of SB 1069, SD1, which prohibited the
flights of commercial tour helicopters within one mile of a residential neighborhood and limited the hours of a
helicopter’s operations. I regret that such prohibitions have been deleted, but must defer to your best judgment
in this matter as to what can survive legal scrutiny and the legislative process.
I also must defer to the experts to suggest what the appropriate decibel level should be to qualify for the
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