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From: Iris Carter <br /> To: W PCtesti mono <br /> Subject: Bill 144(no subject) <br /> Date: Wednesday,June 26, 2024 4:20:41 PM <br /> Dear Council Members: <br /> My name is Iris Carter, and I am a backyard beekeeper and member of the Big Island <br /> Beekeepers Association (BIBA). <br /> As the beekeeping regulations stand now, I am guilty of breaking the law. I live on an acre of <br /> land, which I own, and my hives are situated as far from neighbors as possible. However, this <br /> still contravenes current regulations that require hives to be 1,000 feet from existing roadways. <br /> This is the distance of more than three football fields. <br /> Five years ago, BIBA approached Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz to assist us in updating <br /> the current ordinance to one that was fair, equitable, and addressed the concerns of hobbyist <br /> beekeepers and commercial beekeepers alike, while also taking into account the safety <br /> concerns of ordinary citizens. <br /> I believe the current bill, forged and curated by Council Member Kierkiewicz, beekeepers, <br /> concerned citizens, and members of various County of Hawai'i departments, is a solution that <br /> addresses the shortcomings of the current regulations, while ensuring the safeguarding of <br /> beekeeping for the future. It recognizes that healthy bees under the care of responsible <br /> beekeepers are a crucial element in our environment and local food production cycle. <br /> There are laws and regulations that support farmers, growers, ranchers, and other livestock <br /> producers. I believe it's time to recognize the value of beekeepers and beekeeping and <br /> acknowledge the millions of dollars they bring to our economy through your support of this bill. <br /> Thank you for your consideration. <br />