IT'S COMING.

>> STORM WATER UTILITY.

NEW UTILITY TAX FOR ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

CITY SAYS THE TAX IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR DRINKING WATER AND TO KEEP POLLUTION FROM RUNNING OFF INTO THE OCEAN.

BUT THE FEE ALSO ADD EXTRA MONTHLY BILLS FOR HOME AND BUSINESS OWNERS.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON THE FORTHCOMING STORM WATER UTILITY AND IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M OLENA HEU.

IN 2015 THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES TO ESTABLISH STORM WATER UTILITIES.

THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AIMS TO BE THE FIRST IN THE STATE TO ESTABLISH A STORM WATER UTILITY AND ACCOMPANYING FEES STARTING IN 2023.

THE CITY SAYS THE UTILITY AND FEES ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE OAHU HAS CLEAN DRINKING WATER AND TO PREVENT POLLUTION FROM RUNNING OFF INTO THE OCEAN.

ONCE THE FEES ARE IN PLACE THE CITY PLANS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OAHU’S STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT STREAMS AND NEARSHORE WATERS.

UNDER THE CURRENT PLAN, ALL LAND OWNERS WILL PAY THEIR SHARE, EVEN TAX EXEMPT FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES WHO CURRENTLY DO NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES.

THE COST FOR EACH PROPERTY OWNER WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE ON THEIR LAND.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES AND WHO DETERMINES THE FEE STRUCTURE?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL US OR CALL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

ROGER BABCOCK JR. IS THE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

CURRENTLY ON LEAVE AS A CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, ROGER EARNED HIS PHD IN CIVIL ENGINEERING FROM UCLA IN 1991.

HE WAS ALSO NAMED HAWAII’S ENGINEER OF THE YEAR IN 2019.

SANDY WARD IS A RETIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER WITH 37 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CONNECTING STUDENTS TO `AINA‑BASED AND PROJECT‑BASED LEARNING.

AFTER RETIRING FROM TEACHING IN 2019 SHE CO‑FOUNDED HUI O HOOHONUA.

THE NON‑PROFIT HAS ENGAGED THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN RESTORATION PROJECTS ALONG THE PUULOA (PEARL HARBOR) SHORELINE.

LEVANI LIPTON IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING WATER QUALITY IN THE WATERSHEDS OF KO'OLAUPOKO.

SHE CURRENTLY SERVES AS VICE‑CHAIR OF THE KAILUA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD, AND SERVES AS THE CHAIR OF THE ADDRESSING POLLUTION OF KAILUA'S WATERWAYS AND BEACHES SUBCOMMITTEE AND CO‑CHAIR OF THE HOMELESSNESS SUBCOMMITTEE.

HEIDI TSUNEYOSHI HAS BEEN A PART OF THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL FOR MORE THAN A DECADE AS A LEGISLATIVE AIDE, SENIOR ADVISOR, AND NOW CITY COUNCILMEMBER.

HEIDI SERVES DISTRICT 2 CONSISTING OF MILILANI MAUKA, WAHIAWA, NORTH SHORE, KOOLAULOA AND KAHALUU.

SHE IS THE FIRST NATIVE HAWAIIAN WOMAN TO BE ELECTED TO HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL.

>>Olena: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

LOOK FORWARD TO WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, ROGER I WANTED TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

IF YOU CAN KIND OF QUICKLY SUMMARIZE EXACTLY WHAT THIS UTILITY IS AND WHAT IS ABOUT.

>> SURE.

THANK YOU.

SO THE STORM WATER UTILITY WOULD CREATE A SPECIAL FUND, ENTERPRISE FUND, WHERE FEES FOR STORM WATER SERVICES WOULD BE, DEPOSITED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER SOURCE OF FUNDS AND THIS WOULD GROUP TOGETHER ALL OF OUR STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS WOULD USE THIS FUND.

FUND COULD NOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE OUR BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY FUNDS OR SEWER FUND.

THERE'S ONLY SPECIFIC USES THAT IT CAN BE USED FOR.

THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS INCLUDE ALL OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, STORM DRAINPIPES CATCH BASINS, STREET SWEEPING AND CLEANING FUNCTIONS, AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT OF OUR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE PERMIT.

CLEAN WATER PERMIT WE HAVE FOR THE CITY TO MANAGE THE STORM WATER COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS ISLANDWIDE.

AND THAT DOES INCLUDE AS I MENTIONED, ALL OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT ALSO ALL OF THE PERMIT PERMIT COMPLIANCE AND INSPECTIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED OF CONSTRICTION PROJECTS INDUSTRIAL PERMIT, AND AS WELL AS ALL CITY AND OTHER FUNCTIONS.

SO THE CITY HAS A ESSENTIALLY BLANKET PERMIT ISSUED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MANAGE ALL STORM WATER.

THERE ARE SOME LARGE INDUSTRIES AND THINGS LIKE THE OIL REFINERIES AND THINGS THAT HAVE THEIR OWN PERMITS.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, EVERYBODY COMPLIES UNDER THE CITY PERMIT.

SO IT DOES INCLUDE AS I MENTIONED, INFRASTRUCTURE BUT ALSO MAINTAINING ALL OF OUR STREAMS THAT CITY OWNS.

AND WE ALSO HAVE BUNCH OF OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>>Olena: THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW.

COUNCILWOMAN TSUNEYOSHI, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL NEXT YEAR AS THIS PROPOSAL GOES BEFORE YOU GUYS FOR A VOTE?

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR BABCOCK FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND FOR THE OTHER PANELISTS.

I THINK MAIN ISSUE COUNCIL HAS HAD IN THE PAST AND CONTINUE TO HAVE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS PROPOSAL IS THE IMPOSITION OF FEES TO OUR RESIDENTS ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME DURING COVID.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME PROPOSAL CAME UP.

CAME WITH THE PAST ADMINISTRATION UNDER MAYOR CALDWELL AND PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION FOR THESE FEES.

20 DECIDED TO HOLD OFF ON DISCUSSION OF IMPOSING ANY FEES BASED ON COVID AND OTHER FINANCIAL STRESSORS TO OUR FAMILIES.

SEEM TO BE FINDING OUR WAY OUT OF COVID, STILL A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS FOR FAMILY ALSO AND INDIVIDUALS HERE.

VERY DIFFICULT TO DECIDE IMPOSING ANY ADDITIONAL FEES AT THIS TIME.

>>Olena: YOU COME TO US FROM KAILUA.

AND OBVIOUSLY, WINDWARD SIDE CAN BE QUITE RAINY.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OUT THERE?

>> SO IN KAILUA, WE HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL WATERSHEDS.

AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT POLLUTION OF OUR WATERWAYS.

SO THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHERE I COME FROM AND WHERE I RESIDE ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER THE CITY IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO IN OUR WATERSHED, HAD A SIGNIFICANT STORM MARCH 1.

YOU COULD SEE THE SEDIMENT THAT HAD COME FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES UPLAND, FLOW DOWN UNDER KALANIANAOLE HIGHWAY AND THROUGH CULVERTS INTO THE POND ENCHANTED LAKE.

>> DOWN TO THE OCEAN.

DOWN TO THE BEAUTIFUL KAILUA BAY, ON EVERYBODY'S TOURISTS BROCHURE.

SO WE'RE VERY CONCERNED.

WHEN YOU DRIVE AROUND KAILUA, THERE ARE STORM DRAINS THAT HAVE LOTS OF WEEDS GROWING OUT OF THEM THAT ARE NOT MAINTAINED.

CITY HAS PUT IN SOME SCREENS BUT THERE'S SO MANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE YET TO BE MADE.

SO THE RESIDENTS ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT BEING TAXED AND OTHER FEE BUT ALSO WONDERING IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A DEDICATED FUND JUST FOR THIS, IS THE CITY GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ITS JOBS.

>>Olena: GOOD QUESTIONS.

HOPE TO TRY TO ANSWER SOME OF THEM.

SANDY, BEING EDUCATOR AND ALSO DEVELOPING NONPROFIT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR STANCE IS ON THE PROPOSAL.

>> >> I WILL SAY THAT MY GUT REACTION WAS MORE GOVERNMENT AND MORE FEES.

WOW, MUST BE BAD BECAUSE IT TAKES POLITICAL COURAGE TO BRING THIS UP AND IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION.

I KNEW IT WAS BAD BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED WITH MY STUDENTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS LOOK AT WATER QUALITY ISSUES.

I REMEMBER TEACHING THEM ABOUT STORM DRAINS IN POURING RAINSTORM IN MILILANI AND WE WERE WATCHING THE RED DIRT HOT CHOCOLATE WATER GO INTO THE STORM DRAIN AND WHEN WE FOUND OUT THAT THAT WATER GOES UNTREATED RIGHT INTO OUR KAI, INTO OUR OCEAN, AS STUDENTS DO, ASK REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.

WHY ISN'T IT RECLAIMED?

WHY ISN'T IT REUSED?

WHY ISN'T IT RETREATED.

THOSE QUESTIONS WHAT LED ME INTO MY WORK IN THE NONPROFIT.

WORKING IN PU'ULOA, PEARL HARBOR, WHAT MANY PEOPLE KNOW IT.

AS, WE ALWAYS CALL IT HAWAIIAN NAME, PU'ULOA OR KEAWALAU PUULOA.

RINGED WITH SIGNS THAT SAY DO NOT EAT THE FISH.

DO NOT EAT THE CRABS.

POLLUTION ON THE AINA, EVERYWHERE, EVERYONE'S YARD, EVERY BIT OF AINA IN 8 WATERSHED, LARGEST COLLECTION OF FRESH WATER RUN INTO OUR FOOD.

FAMILIES IN COVID WHO ARE FINANCIALLY STRESSED WHO ARE FISHING MORE AND MORE.

SO WE SEE IT AS POLITICALLY COURAGEOUS TO ASK FOR THIS BUT ABSOLUTELY THINGS ARE DIRE AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE NICKNAME ONE OF OUR BEACHES IS CHOCOLATE'S.

THAT IS THE NAME THAT PEOPLE HAVE KNOWN THAT PLACE AS FOR 20 YEARS.

SO I WILL SAY JUST FINALLY, WE DON'T EXPECT ONE CITY & COUNTY AGENCY TO SOLVE IT, BUT WE WILL EXPECT THEM TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT AND MAKE SOME STRIDE WAS THIS FUND.

LATER, I'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT MY STUDENT AND COMMUNITY HAVE SAID ABOUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT.

>>Olena: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ROGER, SENDING IT OVER TO YOU.

HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE CITY, THIS SPECIFIC UTILITY?

>> WELL, I GUESS IT MIGHT NOT DIFFER MUCH.

IT DOESN'T CREATE A NEW DEPARTMENT.

IT JUST CREATES A SORT OF NEW ORGANIZATION, WAY THAT WE FUND THESE ACTIVITIES.

AND ESSENTIALLY MAKES DEDICATE FUND WHICH EMPOWERS US TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE.

TO BE ABLE TO RIGHT SIZE THE PROGRAM TO WHAT WE NEED.

SO AS IS MENTIONED, WHAT WE'RE ABLE DO NOW IS NOT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DO AND WHAT IS NECESSARY.

AND SO WE DO NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS.

IT WOULD FUNCTION MORE LIKE KIND OF MORE LIKE THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY DOES.

WE HAVE RESOURCE WE NEED BASED UPON THE SERVICE THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE PROVIDE.

>>Olena: I DO WANT RO ENCOURAGE OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS LOG ON TO FACEBOOK PAGE AND SUBMIT THEM THERE.

OR CALL IN.

WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE YOU WITH ON THIS CONVERSATION.

WE DO HAVE SOME FOOTAGE OF RAIN WATER COMING OFF A HOUSE.

WONDERING IF YOU COULD PERHAPS SHARE MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT THIS WOULD INCLUDE BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN WORDS CALLED IMPERVIOUS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO IF YOU HAVE A HEAVY RAIN, AND THEN YOU HAVE LOOKING AT THIS FOOTAGE HERE, WHERE YOU'VE GOT THE RUNOFF COMING OUT, CAN YOU DESCRIBE EXACTLY HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ASSESS FEE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

OBVIOUSLY, HEADED WINTER SEASON.

SEE A LOT OF RAIN.

>> RIGHT.

THE STORM WATER UTILITY FEE IS BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUS AREA ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY.

SO THERE IS PERVIOUS AND IMPERVIOUS AREA.

PERVIOUS MEANS WATER CAN INFILTRATE INTO THE GROUND.

LIKE IT WOULD IN SORT OF A NATURAL, IN A FIELD.

IMPERVIOUS AREA IS BUILT UP AREA.

SO YOUR ROOF, YOUR HOUSE, IS IMPERVIOUS.

WATER CAN'T INFILTRATE INTO THE GROUND UNDERNEATH YOUR HOUSE.

SAME AS WITH YOUR DRIVEWAY OR SIDEWALKS OR OTHER AREAS THAT ARE HARD AND CANNOT LET THE WATER PASS THROUGH.

SO YOUR PERVIOUS AREAS ARE MOSTLY GREEN AREAS.

AND THAT WOULD SOAK UP THE WATER AND IT'S FEEDS PLANTS BUT ALSO, CAN INFILTRATE.

INFILTRATION IS IMPORTANT.

THAT IS HOW OUR GROUND WATER AQUIFERS ARE RECHARGED IS BY INFILTRATION.

MOST OF THAT DOES HAPPEN UP IN OUR WATERSHEDS.

BUT IT CAN HAPPEN EVEN IN URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS.

>> THOSE AREAS YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, USED TO BE JUST FIELDS OR THEY WERE EITHER CULTIVATED OR WERE NATURALLY GREEN.

SO A LOT MORE WATER WAS CAPTURED AND RECHARGED.

THE MORE RUNOFF THERE IS, THE MORE EROSION THAT YOU HAVE OF STREAM AND AREAS BETWEEN WHERE THE RUNOFF IS AND STREAMS.

>> LARGE SOURCE OF OUR SEDIMENTS THAT THEN GOES DOWN OTHER INTO ALA WAI CANAL OR STREAMS AND INTO THE NEARSHORE WATERS CAUSING POLLUTION OF OUR BEACHES.

>>Olena: HOW DO YOU FEES FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS?

>> USE DATA AVAILABLE.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO WHICH CAN DETERMINE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREEN AREAS ESSENTIALLY AND NONGREEN AREAS.

AND SO THE GREEN IS CONSIDERED PERVIOUS AND THE NONGREEN WOULD BE CONSIDERED IMPERVIOUS AREA.

AND THE FEE WOULD BE BASED ON THAT QUANTITY OF IMPERVIOUS AREA.

THE FEE IS THE SAME NO MATTER WHETHER IT'S A BUSINESS OR HOME OR CHURCH OR STATE PROPERTY OR FEDERAL PROPERTY.

OR CITY PROPERTY.

AS WELL.

AND YOU DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF THOUSANDS OF SQUARE FEET OF IMPERVIOUS AREA AND FEE IS BASED ON THAT SAME INCREMENT NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTY IT IS.

>>Olena: AND COMING FROM KAILUA SIDE, WHEN YOU SEE THE STORM WATER VIDEO AND THEY TALK ABOUT ASSESSING FEES, WHAT DO YOU THINK OR WHAT DO YOU HEAR WHEN YOU'RE KAILUA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD?

>> SO I'VE HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS COME TO ME.

I WILL PROVIDE THEM TO DIRECTOR BABCOCK.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IS, IS THE CITY GOING TO MEASURE EACH AND EVERY PROPERTY?

BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE UNDER THE PERCEPTION IF MY NEIGHBOR HAS 80% IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AND I HAVE 50%, THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE MORE MONEY OFF THE PERSON THAT HAS THE 80%.

AM I GOING TO BE ASSESSED THAT FEE?

SO THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT BEING LUMPED INTO CATEGORIES AND BEING CHARGED UNNECESSARILY.

THEY'RE ALSO WONDERING HOW ARE THEY GOING TO CONTEST IT?

IS THERE GOING TO BE APPEAL PROCESS WHERE THEY CAN CONTEST IT WITH THE CITY AND DISPUTE AND SAY, NO, I THINK YOU'VE GOT THIS WRONG.

YOUR FOOTAGE IS WRONG.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY.

AS HIGH OF A PRICE.

SO WE KNOW THAT STORM WATER IS AN ISSUE.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF RUNOFF THAT COMES FROM THE ROADWAYS AND MANY CONSTITUENTS WHO FEEL THAT THE HIGHWAY DIVISION SHOULD BE PAYING THEIR PART.

BECAUSE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS, SEDIMENT AND OIL AND ALL OF THESE THINGS GOING INTO OUR WATERWAYS POLLUTING THEM, CAUSING ALGAE BLOOMS, CAUSING DEAD FISH TO WASH UP ON THE HOMES AROUND ENCHANTED LAKES.

SO PEOPLE DO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WILL BE ASSESSED.

THEY'RE ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF IT'S GOING TO BE AN ENTITY LIKE THE SEWER OR THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY, WILL THERE EVENTUALLY BE PRICE HIKES?

SO NOTHING REALLY STAYS THE SAME.

AND OFTEN, FEES GET HIKED UP AND SO TO COUNCILMEMBER TSUNEYOSHI'S POINT, WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING, COVID, POST COVID, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET THESE FEES?

>>Olena: GOOD TO KNOW.

DID YOU WANT TO ADDRESS ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS?

>> I COULD.

THERE'S QUITE A FEW.

SO FOR SURE, THERE WILL BE ‑‑ EVERY HOME WILL BE ASSESSED, EVERY PROPERTY WOULD BE ASSESSED SEPARATELY WITH AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY DATA.

AND SO IF SOMEONE HAD 80% IMPERVIOUS, THEY'RE GOING TO PAY MORE THAN SOMEBODY 50% IMPERVIOUS.

THERE WILL BE A PROCESS FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE WHAT YOUR ASSESSMENT IS AND WE WILL BE EITHER VISITING OR FINDING A WAY TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CORRECT FEE SHOULD BE.

SO MEASUREMENTS CAN BE TAKEN ON SITE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

THE FEE WE'RE PROPOSING IN THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE SET AT A SET RATE.

INITIAL RATE FOR PERIOD OF SIX YEARS TO GIVE SOME STABILITY FOR WHAT PEOPLE KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO PAY.

AFTER THAT, LIKE ALL OTHER UTILITIES, WE WOULD BE DOING A RATE STUDY WHICH BASICALLY LOOKS AT WHAT WE'RE SPENDING AND THE SERVICES THAT ARE DELIVERED OVER THE PRIOR SIX YEARS ESSENTIALLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

USUALLY, COSTS DO GO UP.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

WE SOME OF THE COSTS ARE FUEL AND LABOR AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR PRICES TO INCREASE SUBJECT TO THE SAME SORT OF INFLATIONRY PRESSURES AS ALL OTHER SERVICES.

>>Olena: COUNCILWOMAN, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD IN REGARDS TO THAT?

>> I WOULD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND WORDS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY HITS THE MARK IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AS WELL.

THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH CONCERN, WE DO KNOW THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE WORK DONE WITH REGARDS TO FLOODING AND STREAM WATER MAINTENANCE.

BACK IN MARCH, NORTH SHORE, KO'OLAULOA AREAS, WITHIN MY DISTRICT, DID SUFFER LARGE AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE, LOTS OF THINGS HAPPENING OUT IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES, SO I'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WITH DIRECTOR BABCOCK AND MY COMMUNITIES AND ANOTHER CONCERN IS THAT A LOT OF THE CONCERN FROM THE RURAL COMMUNITIES IS THAT A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN MAY BE FOCUSED IN RURAL, IN DOWNTOWN AND URBAN HONOLULU AND OTHER PLACES WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE ALREADY EXISTS.

WHILE RURAL COMMUNITIES DON'T HAVE HAVE IN A ASSURANCES OR CONFIDENCES, WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN.

IF I PAY THIS FEE, ARE WE GOING TO GET NEW AND IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES?

SEE A DIFFERENCE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?

ANOTHER CONCERN I HAVE, STAND STILL OF DOING STREAM MAINTENANCE PROTOCOLS FOR A WHILE AWAITED PERMIT FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

GOT THAT PERMIT BACK IN 2019.

SO WE'RE TWO YEARS INTO THAT FIVE YEAR PERMIT.

SO IN MY OPINION, WE NEED TO BE USING THE MONEY WE'RE USING FOR CONSULTANTS TO DECIDE HOW WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT THESE FEES.

HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THESE THINGS AND THE MILLIONS DOLLARS WE'RE USING FOR CONSULTANTS COULD BE USING TO RIGHT SIZE DEPARTMENT GETTING STAFFING COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES IN PLACE.

SEE THE WORK HAPPENING.

DEPARTMENT STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD SOME OF THE GOALS AND THE WORK COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME.

THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT POSSIBLY WE'LL DO IN THE FUTURE FOR A FEE.

AT FIRST, ESPECIALLY NOW, COMMUNITIES AND RESIDENTS NEED TO SEE ACTUALLY WORK HAPPENING BEFORE WE EVEN TALK ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A FEE ESPECIALLY DURING THESE TIMES.

ONE SUGGESTION I HAD IF I MAY, I DID TALK ABOUT, BROUGHT UP THAT THERE ARE MANY NONTAXABLE BUILDINGS.

FEDERAL AND STATE BUILDINGS DO NOT PAY REAL PROPERTY TAXES.

POSITION I CONTINUE TO HOLD, WORK AND TAX THOSE BUILDINGS NOT BEING TAXED FEDERAL BUILDINGS OTHER IS NOT PAYING REAL PROPERTY TAXES.

LAYER IN FEES TO RESIDENTS AFTER THAT IN LAYERED APPROACH INSTEAD OF HITTING RESIDENTS FIRST.

>>Olena: YOUR SUGGESTION IS TO TAX THOSE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING TAX FIRST?

>> CORRECT.

BUILDINGS, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS SUCH AS FEDERAL BUILDINGS, DON'T PAY REAL PROPERTY TAXES MY POSITION, HOPING THAT HAS SOME TRACTION IN CONVERSATION, WILL BE HAD TO TAX THOSE BUILDINGS FIRST THAT DON'T PAY REAL PROPERTY TAXES NOW.

ALLOW FOR THAT TO HAPPEN FIRST.

THEN GO BACK TO OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY AT VERY HIGH COST OF LIVING, FINANCIALLY STRAPPED.

AND COME IN LATER AND GET SOME WORK DONE BEFORE WE IMPOSE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES TO OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY PAYING REAL PROPERTY TAXES AND FEEL THEY SHOULD SEE HOW THE REAL PROPERTY TAXES ARE BEING USED BEFORE BEING ASSESSED ANY OTHER FEES.

>>Olena: INTERESTING.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SANDY, AS EDUCATOR FOR MANY DECADES NOW WORKING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, ARE THERE ANY OPTIONS THAT YOU'VE SEEN THAT YOU THINK WOULD HELP WITH STORM WATER RUNOFF AND THINGS THAT YOU TEACH THE CHILDREN AND YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS?

>> IT'S MORE THAN THAT COMMUNITIES OF EWA HAVE CLEARED MANGROVE FROM FIVE ACRES OF HONOULIULI STREAM THAT CAUSES FLOODING.

WE'RE ENGAGED IN WATER QUALITY EVERY DAY.

6,000 VOLUNTEERS IN THE LAST 2‑AND‑A‑HALF YEARS.

KNOWING POWER OF WHAT STUDENTS DO, I WILL JUST SAY THIS, STORM DRAIN POLLUTION AND WATER POLLUTION ON THIS ISLAND IS TERRIFYING.

IMPACTING YOUR FOOD.

IT'S CRITICAL AND ANYONE WITH EYES IN THEIR HEAD CAN SEE THE CONDITIONS OF PU'ULOA OR OTHER NEARSHORE WATERS EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

>> IT'S A KAKOU THING.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE IN THAT WE DO ALSO THINK THE MILITARY WHO LEASES 25% OF THE ISLAND AND I DID ASK, THEY WILL ASSESSED STORM DRAIN UTILITY FEE.

>>Olena: COULD YOU ASK YOUR QUESTION?

YOU DID ASK IT OFF CAMERA.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, IF IT'S A KAKOU THING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE LIKE COUNCILMEMBER TSUNEYOSHI SAID, DOES THAT REALLY MEAN EVERYONE?

I'M EXCITED ABOUT VISITORS ALSO HELPING TO PAY.

BECAUSE I KNOW GREEN TAX WAS BROUGHT UP TODAY.

IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

SO I THINK OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE INCLUDING THE 25% OF LANDS LEASE TO DO THE DOD, THAT EVERYONE WOULD PAY UP.

SO I WILL SAY THAT YOU ASSURED ME THAT THAT IS THE CASE.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE DON'T EXPECT THIS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE DON'T EXPECT A SINGLE AGENCY TO FIX WATER POLLUTION WHETHER IT'S STORM DRAIN, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF WATER POLLUTION.

WE THINK THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS EXCITING IS IF YOU ARE A LANDOWNER, THAT WANTS TO LOWER YOUR FEES, YOU COULD BE DOING GREEN PLANTING, COULD YOU PLANT KALO AROUND THE STORM DRAIN BY YOUR HOME.

>> THE OTHER THING IS THAT DEVELOPERS, WE HAVE THOUSAND OF HOMES GOING INTO HO'OPILI AND KOA RIDGE WITHIN OUR MOKU, MOKU OF EWA.

WHY AREN'T DEVELOPERS PUTTING IN PERMEABLE SURFACES AS THEY DID IN THE TARGET IN KAILUA WHEN THE CITIZENS THERE DEMAND IT.

SO KAKOU THING MEANS EVERYONE AND WE THINK THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO JUST BE FEES.

>> MAY I ASK A QUESTION THAT'S RELATED?

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS NOT BEING SAID HERE IS WE'RE TALKING A LOT ABOUT FEES.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOT ABOUT SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR A PROBLEM.

VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.

AND IT IS DISRUPTIVE TO OUR ECOSYSTEM.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DIRECTOR BABCOCK, WHAT ASSURANCE CAN YOU GIVE THE PUBLIC THAT THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE UTILIZED FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE AND HOW WILL WE KNOW?

HOW WILL YOU RANK WHAT PRIORITIES?

WE DO HAVE DIFFERENT CLIMATES.

>> DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS.

SO BEING THAT THE NEED IS SO HUGE, HOW WILL YOU RANK WHERE THE HELP WILL GO, WHAT PRIORITIES WILL BE, AND WHAT ASSURANCES WILL THE PUBLIC HAVE?

WILL THEY SEE A BUDGET?

WILL THEY SEE THE SOURCES OF INCOME AND GRANTS VERSUS WHAT THE EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT ARE GOING TO BE?

I KNOW THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS UNDERFUNDED.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS ONLY LIKE FIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 100 STREAMS.

SO WHAT ASSURANCES DO WE HAVE THAT YOU CAN GUARANTEE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD VOTE IN FAVOR OF AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD SUPPORT?

>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.

SO BY HAVING A STORM WATER UTILITY AND A SPECIAL FUND, ENTERPRISE FUND, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THAT TRANSPARENCY.

SO EXACTLY WHAT IS SPENT FROM THAT FUND IS EASY TO DETERMINE.

WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT EASILY.

NOW, THE FUNCTIONS ARE MOST OF THEM ARE IN MY DEPARTMENT.

NOT ALL OF THEM.

AND SO WHEN WE DETERMINE THE COST OF THE COST OF THE ENTIRE SERVICE, WE HAVE TO PULL DATA FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

SO WITH THE STORM WATER UTILITY, WE CAN GREATLY ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY.

IN TERMS OF DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO, I MEAN, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT GIVEN ADEQUATE FUNDING, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED DO IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING A SYSTEM, INSPECTING AND ENFORCING ON WHERE THERE'S VIOLATIONS.

MAINTAINING ALL OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE.

WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.

SO WE BASICALLY REPAIR THINGS ONCE THEY FAILED.

AND THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE ABLE DO AT THIS TIME.

WE CAN BE REACTIVE ONLY.

WE CAN'T GO AHEAD AND HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY HAS, WE REPLACE 1/100 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE EVERY YEAR.

OLDEST.

END UP EVERY 100 YEARS.

REPLACE EVERYTHING.

WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

NOT ABLE DO THAT.

DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

IN TERMS OF PRIORITIZATION, CURRENTLY, AGAIN, WE'RE MOSTLY RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS.

AND SO WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PROACTIVELY GO THROUGH AND DO ALL OF THE STREAMS ON A SORT OF SEQUENTIAL REGULAR CYCLE.

WE JUST FINISHED TO GO MOANALUA STREAM, THE ENTIRE LENGTH, IT TAKES ABOUT 6 TO 8 WEEKS DO THAT.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BE BACK THERE IN A YEAR.

BUT WE KNOW THAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO BE BACK THERE IN A YEAR.

JUST EXPLAINED THAT TO THE RESIDENTS.

AND WE ARE ALSO PILOTING SOME, I THINK COUNCILMEMBER KNOWS ABOUT IT.

IN THAT VALLEY, WE ARE TRYING SOME REGROWTH STUNTING TECHNOLOGY ON A PILOT SCALE.

WHERE IT HASN'T BEEN USED HERE BEFORE, AND WE DID SMALL SECTION, COUPLE HUNDRED FEET OF STREAM.

SEEMS TO BE WORKING REALLY WELL.

SO PREVENTS REGROWTH OF THE SHRUBBERY AND STUFF THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS.

SO I THINK WE HAVE, WE HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE AREAS ALL THE AREAS.

SO WE DO REALIZE THAT EQUITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE REALLY DO WANT TO HAVE SOME BE ABLE TO HAVE PROJECTS IN ALL THE DISTRICTS.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET TO A LOT OF THEM AND TO OUR OTHER GUESTS.

>> I APOLOGIZE.

THEY MIGHT BE DIRECTED AT ROGER MAINLY.

EVERYONE IS CURIOUS.

WHAT ABOUT CITY SIDEWALKS AND ROADS?

THOSE ARE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES.

WILL THE STATE OR CITY BE CHARGED UTILITY FEES FOR THOSE AS WELL?

THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING BECAUSE THE CITY IS ASSESSING A FEE TO ITSELF?

>> YEAH.

SO THAT IS PRETTY COMMON.

I ACTUALLY PAY THE WATER BILL FOR THE WHOLE CITY TO THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BUILDINGS.

USE WATER AND CREATE SEWAGE.

WE PAY THOSE BILLS.

A CITY DOES ASSESS EACH OTHER FOR EVERYTHING.

YES.

BUT TO GET BACK TO THE QUESTION ABOUT ROADS.

ROADS ARE ALL ROADS IN ALL UTILITIES ARE EXEMPTED.

BECAUSE IT'S PART OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND WE DO GET FUNDING SEPARATELY FROM THAT FROM THE GAS TAX.

THERE'S A HIGHWAY FUND THAT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $22 MILLION OF OUR BUDGET AND THAT IS ANTICIPATED TO STAY THE SAME.

SO ROADS ARE NOT ASSESSED SEPARATELY.

WE'RE ALREADY COLLECTING FEES FOR THOSE.

>>Olena: I ALSO WANT TO MENTION TOO THAT THERE IS ABOUT 2,000 OTHER CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE WORLD IMPLEMENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY EMULATING WHAT IS ALREADY BEEN ENACTED IN OTHER PLACES AS WELL?

>> YES.

>>Olena: WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

WHAT ABOUT FEES FOR POST AND PIER HOME THAT IS PERVIOUS UNDER THE HOUSE?

>> IT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

LOOKING INTO THAT.

WE'RE PROPOSING THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING IN BETWEEN THAT BEING CONSIDERED 100% IMPERVIOUS AND BEING PARTIALLY PERVIOUS.

HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL.

DON'T REALLY WANT PEOPLE DIRECTING RUNOFF UNDERNEATH THEIR HOUSE.

COULD CREATE SOME PROBLEMS LIKE MAYBE MOSQUITOES AND STUFF LIKE THAT AND POSSIBLY UNDER MINE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE HOUSE.

LITTLE BIT OF THING WE'RE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH.

GOOD QUESTION.

>>Olena: WE HAVE LOTS OF OTHER REALLY GREAT QUESTIONS COMING IN.

MIKE FROM MAKIKI SAYS, CAN WE REDIRECT FUNDS FROM THE RAIL OR HOTEL TAX TO COVER THE STORM WATER UTILITY?

SEEMS LIKE ANOTHER WAY OF INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES ON RESIDENTS.

I DON'T KNOW IF COUNCILWOMAN HEIDI WOULD WANT TO MENTION WHAT SHE THINKS ABOUT THAT KIND OF QUESTION.

>> VERY GOOD QUESTION.

QUESTION THAT WE HAVE REALLY BEEN STRUGGLING WITH YESTERDAY WITH THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.

FIGURING OUT WHERE THOSE MONEYS GO.

AS WE GO FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK TO THE ISSUE OF THE RAIL COMING UNDER FUNDING OR CITY REVENUES WAS HARD DECISIONS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE AND WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CERTAIN PROJECT REALLY CONSUME A LOT OF OUR FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES TO FLOAT BOND AND DO PROJECTS INTO ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS.

WHERE DO WE FOCUS OUR ATTENTION?

I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION FROM THE CONSTITUENT.

WE SHOULD REALLY BE LOOK AT ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL CAME CAPABILITIES TO DO MUCH NEEDED SERVICE.

>> ADDRESS OUR STORM WANT AND DO PROJECTS HELP OUR COMMUNITIES FEEL SAFE MAKE SURE WE HAVE RESOURCES DO WITHOUT INCREASING FEES.

>> VERY GOOD QUESTION.

IF IT WAS UP TO ME, SHOULD REALLY FOCUS ALL OF OUR CITY FINANCIAL RESOURCES INTO DOING THINGS JUST LIKE THIS.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE HUGE OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN CARES MONEY, ARPA MONEY INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING THROUGH AND WITH THE T.A.T.

FUNDING WE'RE ABLE TO DO TO REALLY BALANCE AND BE ABLE TO DO AMAZING DIVERSIFIED THINGS WITHIN OUR CITY BUDGET IF WE DO THEM THE RIGHT WAY.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I WOULD HOPE WE COULD DO ALL OF THAT WITHOUT INCREASING ANY FEES.

>>Olena: OKAY.

ALSO HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT FROM MICHAEL.

COULD PEOPLE AVOID FEES BY REDIRECTING RUNOFF FROM THEIR IMPERVIOUS SERVICES TO YARDS OR AREAS ON THEIR PROPERTY?

THAT ARE PERVIOUS?

>> YES.

GREAT QUESTION.

STORM WATER UTILITY FEE INCLUDES CREDIT PROGRAM AS WELL AS HARDSHIP PROGRAM.

SO THE CREDIT PROGRAM WOULD ALLOW CREDITS FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES RETAIN STORM WATER ON THE PROPERTY.

THERE'S A CALCULATION THAT IS DONE.

IT CALCULATES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WATER.

IT'S BASICALLY 1 INCH DEPTH OF WATER TIMES IMPERVIOUS AREA.

CONVERT THAT INTO GALLONS.

IF YOU CAN FIND A WAY.

>> WE HAVE A MANUAL OF WAYS THAT YOU CAN RETAIN THAT QUANTITY OF WATER, ON YOUR PROPERTY, THEN YOU WOULD BE GET A CREDIT.

MAXIMUM CREDIT AVAILABLE.

WHICH WOULD BE 60% REDUCTION IN YOUR FEE.

>>Olena: WE ALSO HAVE SOME INFORMATION HERE THAT RESIDENTS CAN LOOK TO THEIR SCREEN.

TO KIND OF GET AN IDEA OF THINGS THAT YOU COULD DO TO RECEIVE CREDITS.

SO OBVIOUSLY, THESE ARE THINGS THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY THERE ON YOUR PROPERTY.

IF YOU COULD JUST KIND OF GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF RUN DOWN ON WHAT THESE ARE.

QUICKLY.

>> SURE.

THESE ARE PRACTICES WHICH WOULD ALLOW TO YOU CAPTURE THE RAINFALL RUNOFF.

>> SO THERE'S A DOWNSPOUT THERE GOING INTO A RAIN BARREL COULD BE USED TO IRRIGATE PLANT OR GRASS.

RAIN GARDEN LOCATED GENERALLY NEAR DOWNSPOUT.

USES WATER FROM THE DOWNSPOUT TO GROW PLANTS THERE.

DOWNSPOUT REDIRECTION IS MAKING IT SO IT GOES INTO THE YARD.

AND THAT WATER THEN WOULD BE USED THERE RATHER THAN RUNNING OFF.

AND PERMEABLE PAVERS ARE GREAT.

REPLACES YOUR DRIVEWAY AND MAKES IT INTO A PERVIOUS SURFACE WATER, SO THAT WOULD NOT BE COUNTED AS IMPERVIOUS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IF PEOPLE, SOME PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING THESE THINGS.

AND YOU'RE STILL GOING TO GET CREDITS FOR THOSE THINGS EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENT THEM BEFORE THE STORM WATER UTILITY GOES INTO EFFECT.

>>Olena: GREAT.

SO SANDY, WITH YOUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, DO YOU HELP TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOW THEY CAN REDUCE STORM WATER AND DAMAGE AND WHATNOT?

WE DON'T RIGHT NOW.

I'M SMILING BECAUSE MANY OF MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS JUST LIKE THE ONES SHOWN IN THEIR OWN YARD.

AND EDUCATED PUBLIC.

SO I THINK ONE OF THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE DO IS GATHER THE COMMUNITY IN LOCAL AREAS AND LARGE GATHERINGS.

WE WERE GOING TO INVITE TANNYA AND THE FOLKS AT THE CLEAN WATER BRANCH TO DO SOME PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SO NOW, WE HAVE SWITCHED TO, WELL, IF YOU CAN'T HAVE A LARGE GATHERING, HOW DO YOU GET THESE THINGS OUT?

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE BOTH TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THIS IS EMPOWERING OUR YOUNG LEADERS.

THERE'S NO REASON WHY THIS CAN'T BE SHARED WITH FAMILIES THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR AMAZING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO THEY DO PROJECTS LIKE THIS EVERY DAY.

SO ANY WAY, THAT WE CAN HELP WITH THAT, AND WE DO WORK WITH A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN THE EWA MOKU.

>>Olena: EXCELLENT.

I KNOW YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT RUNOFF INTO THE BEAUTIFUL OCEAN.

AND DAMAGE AND SO WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE YOU TELLING COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN HELP TO LESSEN THE DAMAGE?

>> WELL, I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO SANDY FOR RECRUITING 6,000 VOLUNTEERS FOR MANGROVE REMOVAL.

THAT'S AMAZING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MANGROVE.

SO WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE CANOE CLUBS TO REMOVE THEM.

BUT OF COURSE, THEY GROW BACK AND THEY REPOPULATE VERY PROLIFICALLY.

SO PROLIFICALLY.

WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT.

A LOT OF WHAT WE DO IN OUR WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE IS HOLDING THE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE.

SO WE DO A LOT OF DOCUMENTATION.

WE DO A LOT OF REPORTING.

WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.

WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT AREAS NOT BEING MAINTAINED.

SO WE DO DO A LOT OF LETTER WRITING TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY.

AND OF COURSE THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD AND BRING THEIR ISSUES OF CONCERN BEFORE THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ACTION.

BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE CLEARLY STATED IS THAT WE'RE JUST STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAME THING.

IT'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AN AGENCY TO DO ITS JOB.

AND THE PUBLIC IS MAJOR STAKEHOLDER.

BUT THE POLLUTION IS NOT THE PUBLIC'S FAULT.

I MEAN, WE ALL DRIVE.

WE KNOW THAT.

BUT THE AVERAGE PERSON IS NOT GOING AROUND THROWING SEDIMENT INTO THE STORM DRAINS WHICH THEN EMPTY INTO OUR WATERWAYS AND POLLUTE OUR BEACHES.

SO I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE FOCUS OFF OF THE MAJOR STAKEHOLDER WHO HAS BEEN PUT IN A POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

>> THE PUBLIC CAN BE EDUCATED AND WE CAN DO OUR PART AND RALLY EACH OTHER AND VOLUNTEER ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS WE'RE VERY ACTIVE DOING BEACH CLEAN‑UPS THINGS LIKE THAT TALKING STILL ABOUT THE FUNCTION OF CITY AGENCY AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHARGING PEOPLE HOPEFULLY TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONALITY.

WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE ASSURANCE.

REALLY WANT TO STRESS THAT THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO STATE THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WHEN THEY COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL WITH TESTIMONY.

THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO YOU AND SAY, YOU NEED TO PROVE TO US HOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS AND DO IT WELL.

>>Olena: I WOULD LIKE TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT.

>> AS WE HAVE WORKED WITH CITY & COUNTY IS THE PRIMARY MANAGER OF THE PU'ULOA OR PEARL HARBOR SHORELINE.

AND TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT DIDN'T DOES WHAT, WHERE THE MONEY GOES, WHO DOES WHAT, IT'S VERY CONFUSING.

SO THERE HASN'T BEEN TRANSPARENCY AND THERE HASN'T BEEN GOOD JOB OF CREATING PATHWAYS FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, COMMUNITY INPUT.

AND SO THAT IS PROBABLY YOU'RE UP AGAINST THAT.

AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE NEW PRACTICES.

AND I'VE SEEN THAT THERE MIGHT BE COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WHICH WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

MULTIPLE COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES.

BUT THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS WE DON'T EXPECT A SINGLE CITY & COUNTY AGENCY TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS EVEN WITH THE UTILITY.

WE'RE LOOKING AT PARTNERSHIPS THAT INCLUDE MANY DEPARTMENTS COLLABORATING.

YOU HAVE DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE SERVICES THAT GOT ALL KIND OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

YOU'VE GOT THE STATE.

YOU'VE GOT FEDERAL AGENCIES.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR PARTNERSHIPS WE'RE BUILDING FOR PU'ULOA IS THE TIME TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY WITH STORM DRAINS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WHILE WE APPRECIATE DEPARTMENT PUTTING THIS FORTH AND TALKING ABOUT TAKING ON THE PRIMARY KULEANA, WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF PARTNERSHIPS YOU WOULD DEVELOP WITH OTHER CITY & COUNTY AGENCIES, WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND I THINK WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY GOES.

>> MAY I ADD ONE QUICK COMMENT?

IN ADDITION, I'VE HEARD FROM MY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEMBERS THAT DPP SHOULD BE LOOPED IN AS WELL.

AND THAT WHERE IS IT IN THE BUILDING CODE THAT THEY SHOULD REQUIRE CERTAIN TYPES OF THESE PERMEABLE PAVERS OR WHEN THEY'RE DOING CONSTRUCTION, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, SO THAT IMMEDIATELY, REDUCES THE POLLUTION AND RUNOFF.

DPP IS A REALLY BIG ONE.

AND I THINK I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS COME UP IN YOUR DISCUSSION.

THAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE THEM.

>>Olena: HAS THERE BEEN ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE STATE?

>> WELL, STATE, DPP WOULD BE ANOTHER CITY AGENCY.

WE WORK WITH THE STATE ON CERTAIN THINGS.

IN TERMS OF THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, BASICALLY CITY FUNCTION.

AND STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES.

>> HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE ARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING?

>> YES.

BIG PART OF IT.

THEY CREATE ALL REGULATIONS FOR STORM WATER SYSTEM FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT MUCH THOSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS NEED TO COMPLY WITH LATEST STANDARDS.

BUT MOST OF OUR PROPERTIES ARE EXISTING AND THEY DON'T MEET THOSE NEW REQUIREMENTS.

BUT WITH THE CREDIT PROGRAM, THAT WOULD BE THE WAY THAT EXISTING PROPERTIES CAN BE UPGRADED TO REDUCE THE RUNOFF AND ESSENTIALLY TREAT THE WATER.

BEFORE IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

>>Olena: COUNCILWOMAN.

I WANTED TO MENTION THIS IS GOING TO GO BEFORE THE HONOLULU CITY & COUNTY BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

HOW CAN THE PEOPLE VOICE THEIR CONCERNS OR WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND THEY DO IF THEY WANT TO GET MORE INFORMATION OR OPPOSED OR IN FAVOR?

IT'S GOING TO GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

GREAT START GETTING MORE AWARENESS TO THE PENDING PROPOSALS TO COME BEFORE CITY COUNCIL.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT EVERYBODY REALLY ENGAGE WITH COUNCILMEMBER.

CONTACT COUNCILMEMBER.

SHARE WHAT YOU'VE HEARD SO FAR.

CONTACT OUR OFFICES EACH OF YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS.

GET INFORMATION FROM US WITH REGARDS TO WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

SO WE CAN SHARE THAT WITH YOU.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALREADY START ENGAGING EACH OTHER IN COMMUNITIES LIKE SANDY WAS SAYING ALWAYS A KAKOU THING.

IF YOU HAVE COMMUNITY GROUPS AND YOU THINK EVERYBODY COULD COME TOGETHER, HUI TOGETHER AND TALK STORY ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT, JUST GET IDEAS FLOWING ABOUT HOW EVERYBODY IS REALLY GOING TO WRAP THEIR MINDS AROUND SUCH A SITUATION PENDING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, COME START OF THE NEW YEAR, BECAUSE ONE THING I DO HAVE TO SAY, IT'S NOT AS STRAIGHTFORWARD ALSO AS I THINK IT SHOULD BE FOR RESIDENTS TO DECIDE DO I DO PERMEABLE SURFACES?

HOW MUCH IS MY HOUSE GOING TO BE CHARGE?

WHAT IS THIS, THAT?

MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST STRAIGHTFORWARD BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY FEE BASED ON YOUR CONSUMPTION.

YOU CAN FIGURE OUT AND CONTROL AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

SOMETHING THAT MAY COME AS UNEXPECTED TO MANY PEOPLE.

SO PLEASE START REACHING OUT YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TRY TO GET CLARITY SO ONCE IT COMES FORWARD, YOU'RE READY TO ENGAGE AND BE A PART OF CONVERSATION GOING FORWARD.

>>Olena: ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE USING AERIAL IMAGERY TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GREEN IS ON YOUR PROPERTY.

THAT IS HOW THEY'RE GOING TO ASSESS THE FEE.

WE HAVE QUESTIONS COMING IN.

LOTS OF THEM.

WILL SWIMMING POOLS BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPERVIOUS AREAS?

>> YES.

>>Olena: JOHN FROM KAHALA SAYS.

WILL HOMES IN DRY AREAS BE ASSESSED THE SAME FEE AS WET AREAS?

>> YES.

>>Olena: DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STUDY REGARDING THE WEST SIDE AND WINDWARD SIDE HAVING THE SAME FEE?

>> WELL, YES.

BASICALLY, WHAT HAS WITHSTOOD SCRUTINY AND THE MAINLAND AND OTHER UTILITIES IS EVERYBODY PAYS THE SAME RATE.

THE QUITE DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT.

>>Olena: CARL FROM THE BIG ISLAND.

THIS IS ACTUALLY ONLY RELATED TO HONOLULU AT THIS TIME.

BUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID GRANT THE COUNTIES TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS.

WANT TO PREFACE THAT.

HOW WILL WE BE ABLE TO PROTECT KUPUNA ON FIXED INCOMES FROM LOSING THEIR HOMES WHEN THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COVER THOSE NEW FEES?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

SO WE DO HAVE HARDSHIP, HARDSHIP PROGRAM.

PROPOSED.

AND ALL UTILITIES WOULD HAVE THAT.

SO BASICALLY, REDUCED RATE FOR IF YOU QUALIFY.

FOR EITHER A.L.I.C.E.

OR CERTAIN PERCENTAGE AMI.

PROPOSING SOMETHING TO COUNCIL.

THEY'LL DECIDE HOW THEY WANT TO IMPLEMENT THAT PART.

>>Olena: AND HOW WILL THE STORM WATER UTILITY IMPACT THE CESSPOOL POLLUTION GOING INTO THE OCEAN?

>> THERE ISN'T ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STORM WATER PROGRAM AND THE CESSPOOLS.

>>Olena: AERIAL SURVEY CANNOT ACCURATELY DETERMINE PROPERTY LINES.

>> PROPERTY LINES ARE OVERLAID ‑‑ IMAGERY INCLUDES TWO SETS OF DATA.

GIS DATA FOR PROPERTY LINES AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

AND THEN AS A DEFAULT, IT WILL BE DONE THAT WAY.

AND THEN IT COULD BE DISPUTED AND VERIFIED ON THE GROUND.

>>Olena: DO YOU FEEL THAT IF WERE YOU TO DISPUTE IT, YOU WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO THE HOUSE TO EVALUATE.

>> YES.

>>Olena: WOULD YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT AND SUBMIT?

>> WELL, WE PROBABLY BE VISITING LOCATIONS.

I DID WANT TO MENTION TOO THAT IT IS A COMPLICATED, WHOLE THING FAIRLY COMPLICATED.

IN TERMS OF FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU COULD SAVE AND IMPERVIOUS AREA.

>> DEVELOPED APP.

FOLLOW DROP.

PART OF PROGRAM.

HAVE THIS SOFTWARE.

ON YOUR PHONE.

OR YOUR TABLET OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE.

SMART DEVICE.

AND IT WOULD HAVE YOUR PIECE OF PROPERTY.

CHOOSE CERTAIN AREAS.

IF THE DOWNSPOUT, CAN YOU OUTLINE AREA AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SAVINGS WOULD BE IF YOU PUT IN IMPERVIOUS AREA.

>> IF YOU PUT IN IMPERVIOUS PAVERS OR PUT IN DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECT ALL KIND OF STUFF.

CALCULATE IF FOR YOU CAN SEE EXACTLY POTENTIAL BENEFIT BE.

BASE FEE AND WHAT YOU COULD SAVE.

>>Olena: THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY INPUT TO SOLVE THE RUNOFF PROBLEM?

THIS COULD EVEN GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> WITH REGARDS TO COMMUNITY INPUT, I DO THINK THAT IS WHERE WE SHOULD START FOR ALL OF THIS.

I THINK THE COMMUNITIES HAVE GREAT IDEAS ON HOW TO ADDRESS THEIR PROBLEMS EVEN WITH LAST ISSUES OF FLOODING IN NORTH SHORE KO'OLAULOA AND OTHER AREAS.

COMMUNITIES REALLY ARE THE BACKBONE OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS.

>> ESPECIALLY DURING ISSUES OF FLOODING AND OTHER THINGS.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE INPUT ABOUT WHERE THEY SEE THE MAIN PROBLEMS ARE AND THEN WE DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO WHERE THE COMMUNITY FEELS ATTENTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO.

EACH COMMUNITY IS SO DIFFERENT.

THAT BY DOING THAT, MENTIONED EARLIER, KAKOU THING, COMMUNITIES COME OUT, TALK STORY WITH THE CITY, AND FIND OUT THIS IS WHERE WE THINK OUR PRIORITY NEEDS TO BE DEALING WITH STORM WATER RUNOFF AND FLOODING.

>> THEN ALL COME TOGETHER AND DO THAT.

THAT IS BETTER WELL TIME SPENT, BETTER REVENUE SPENT, BETTER MANAGEMENT SPENT, THAN DOING EVERYTHING THAT WOULD BE COME ALONG WITH THE STORM FEE INCLUDING CONSULTANTS APPS.

DIFFERENT THINGS RESIDENCE SEE WORK BEING DONE THAN SPENDING THINGS ON COMPLICATE THING.

GREAT SUGGESTION.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HAVING CONSULTANTS COME IN AND THESE STUDIES?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THAT IS THEIR JOB.

BUT IT IS A DECISION.

>> ON WHETHER IT GO THAT ROUTE AND WHETHER TO FUND IT.

AND I KNOW THAT IN GENERAL, PUBLIC SENTIMENT IS WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER STUDY?

COST US MORE MONEY.

>> TAKE FOREVER.

AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE A ROLLOUT.

AND THEN BY THE TIME YOU GET TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT THAT'S SUPPOSED HELP, IT'S ALREADY LIKE TEN YEARS HAVE GONE BY ALREADY.

SO YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF MY TAKE ON IT.

JUST FROM WHAT I HEAR.

I REALIZE THAT TO SOME DEGREE, STUDIES ARE IMPORTANT.

IN TERMS OF PRIORITIZING.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO HONE IN ON YOUR BUDGET, BUT YOU KNOW, I TEND TO AGREE.

WITH COUNCILMEMBER TSUNEYOSHI.

BEGIN WAS COMMUNITY.

IT BEGINS WITH PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

IDENTIFYING AND SAYING, THIS IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.

WAIMANALO IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT IT'S DIFFERENT IN SOME WAYS FROM KAILUA.

AND KAILUA IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM KANEOHE.

SO TO GO TO EACH OF THOSE COMMUNITIES AND SAY, WHERE IS THE TROUBLE SPOTS?

WHERE IS THE BOTTLENECKS?

WHERE ARE THINGS HAPPENING?

WHERE HAVE YOU NOTICED THERE IS CONSTRUCTION THAT IS BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IS NOT BEING ENFORCED?

WHERE DO YOU NOTICE A LOT OF CHOKING OF THE WEEDS WHERE THE FLOODING IS POOLING?

THAT IS WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR DATA.

AND THAT IS PROBABLY MORE POWERFUL THAN A STUDY.

JUST THE HUMAN EYE AND PEOPLE SAYING I LIVE HERE.

THIS HAPPENS IN MY BACKYARD.

I TRY TO BRING OUT MY BUCKETS AND DEAL WITH IT IN MY WAY.

BUT I REALLY FEEL THAT MOST OF US AGREE COMMUNITY IS THE HEART AND THE PULSE AND THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEMS‑SOLVING BEGINS.

CERTAINLY, GETTING THE YOUTH INVOLVED IS IMPORTANT.

CRITICAL.

>> I WOULD SAY, IT HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED, AND I FEEL BECAUSE WE LEARN SO MUCH FROM THE HAWAIIAN AINA STEWARDS WHO MANAGE THESE RESOURCES FOR CENTURIES, IN ABUNDANCE WITHOUT THIS LEVEL OF POLLUTION, I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED IS TO ENGAGE BRILLIANT HAWAIIAN LAND STEWARDS THAT EXIST.

ALII MINOR IN EWA.

KANIKOA SCHULTZ IN HE'EIA.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS MENTIONED AS THERE IS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THEN THERE IS CENTURIES OF MANA'O ON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

SO THE OTHER THING THAT YOU BROUGHT UP THAT I THINK IS SO IMPORTANT, WE GOT ALL EXCITED ABOUT ARPA MONEY AND HOW IT MIGHT BE UTILIZED TO MALAMA PUULOA.

EXCEPT FOR DEALING WITH THE DELTA SURGE, OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY ALSO DOESN'T KNOW WHERE ALL THE MONEY GOES.

SO THAT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING THING.

EVEN I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT HAS PASSED AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR USING THOSE FUNDS TO ADDRESS THIS.

SO JUST A POINT AND KIND OF A BIG FAT QUESTION.

>> CAN I JUST ADD ONE THING BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING WHICH STRUCK ME.

THAT IS I SPOKE TO A CULTURAL PRACTITIONER IN WAIMANALO.

THEIR TAKE IS CITY REALLY BEING A GOOD STEWARD?

AND THEY WERE SAYING THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED ACTUALLY, WHEN WE THINK OKAY, JUST GOING TO CLEAN THE STREAM.

SOMETIMES THAT MEANS REMOVING DEBRIS.

REMOVING ROCKS REMOVING STONES.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE, THAT HAS MEANING AND IMPACTED.

SO ALIGNING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL STEWARDS AND KUPUNA AND YOUTH AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS PONO AND THE DONE IN THE RIGHT WAY, WE HAVE TO GIVE RESPECT TO THAT.

AS YOU SAID, INDIGENOUS AND NATIVE PEOPLES, THEY MAINTAIN THE WATERWAYS.

THEY MAINTAIN THE WATERWAYS.

THIS IS A PRODUCT NOW OF OUR CIVILIZATION AND WE DO HAVE A KULEANA IN IT.

WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THE CULTURAL PRACTICES EITHER.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

ONE LAST VIEWER QUESTION.

MANY STREAMS RUN THROUGH PRIVATE PROPERTIES.

DOES THE CITY HAVE A SYSTEM OR PROGRAM FOR ENSURING THAT STREAM BEDS ARE BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED?

>> WE CAN ONLY MAINTAIN STREAMS THAT WE OWN.

SO WE DO NOT HAVE PROGRAM FOR THAT.

>>Olena: OKAY.

THERE'S ALSO A WEBSITE THAT VERY HELPFUL IN TERMS OF PROVIDING INFORMATION IF PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS.

>> YES.

OUR WEBSITE IS STORMWATERUTILITYOAHU.ORG.

A LOT OF INFORMATION.

INCLUDING A LOT OF PRESENTATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IF I MAY, I WANTED TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNEW THAT WE ARE DOING THE INTERACTION WITH PUBLIC AND WE'VE HAD, WE'RE DOING A STORM WATER MASTER PLAN.

WHICH IS SENT US OUT TO EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY.

WE'VE HAD PUBLIC MEETINGS.

TO ASK THE VERY QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID.

WHERE ARE THE PROBLEMS?

WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES?

THAT IS ALL PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.

INCLUDING WORKING WITH SANDY'S GROUP.

STARTING PROJECT WITH THEM VERY ACTIVE ADOPT A STREAM PROGRAM.

ADOPT A STREET PROGRAM FOCUSED TRASH PICK UP.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST POLLUTION PROBLEM OF THE STREAM IS TRASH.

>>Olena: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

WHICH APPRECIATE YOUR CONVERSATION.

TRULY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE GREAT QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM ALL OF OUR VIEWERS.

THANKS THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS ROBERT BABCOCK JR.

THE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, SANDY WARD THE CO‑FOUNDER OF HUI O HOOHONUA, HEIDI TSUNEYOSHI HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT 2, AND LEVANI LIPTON, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AND VICE‑CHAIR OF THE KAILUA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII IS TAKING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OFF FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

WE WILL RETURN ON JANUARY 13TH WITH A LOOK AT WHAT’S AHEAD FOR THE 2022 LEGISLATURE.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

IN THE MEANTIME, HAVE A SAFE AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON.

FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, I’M OLENA HEU.

ALOHA AND A HUI HOU.