Legislative Proposals That Affect You and Your ‘Ohana
Aloha, April 18, 2014
This week the Honolulu City Council held its monthly meeting where we saw the introduction of and spirited testimony on several important bills that will directly affect you and your ‘ohana.
We began our meeting by honoring Mountain View Dairy, Inc., a true testament to sustainable farming in our Leeward community. The Wai‘anae-based farm embraced a revolutionary and innovative farming process that is 100% natural.
The Council and members of the public gave a warm congratulations and mahalo to farmers David Wong, Elmer Manuel, Jessie Delos Reyes, Samuel Bongo, Jr., and Samson Delos Reyes.
The Council heard feedback on numerous proposals on its morning agenda including:
- An important discussion on the proposed Live, Work, Play ‘Aiea development at the old Kam Drive-Inn. Known as Bill 68, it will rezone land and include a community benefits package.
- Additionally, Bill 62, which would require the use of helmets in public areas by children under the age of 16, was referred back to the Committee on Parks and Customer Services for further discussion.
- Non-profit organizations voiced their concern regarding a bill relating to the minimum property tax. Bill 25, which proposes a minimum property tax increase on non-profit organizations, schools, churches and labor unions, was passed and referred to the Budget Committee for further discussion.
To combat illegal dumping, I introduced Bills 35, 36, and 37 . These bills will increase maximum civil fines for dumping violations by 500%, create new penalties for repeat violators, provide new enforcement tools for the City, and limit what can be stockpiled on agriculturally-zoned lands.
Mahalo to the many Leeward Coast residents who took time out of their busy schedules to testify in support of these important environmental justice proposals. The bills will be discussed during a Zoning and Planning Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m. You can register to speak at the meeting by clicking here. Written testimony can be sent here.
You can learn more about the environmental justice package by clicking here or by viewing these recent stories from:
Our office would like to hear your thoughts and opinions on these important bills. Please continue to share them by e-mailing me at kmpine@honolulu.gov or by calling (808) 768-5001.
Have a safe and joyous Easter weekend.
Mahalo,
Kymberly Marcos Pine
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