[Maui & Hawaii] Update on Illegal Tower, AT&T 5G Proposed! 😱

Published: Thu, 06/18/20

Update on Illegal Haiku Tower (Maui)

So many responded to our last email about the illegal tower, calling for you to submit a Request for Service (RFS) to the Maui County website, that it appears we crashed their website!

The website was down for about 20 hours shortly after the email went out. You are amazing! Keep up the good work!

Despite that strong show of opposition, the Maui Planning Department plans not to demand removal of the illegal tower but to allow Verizon to apply for an after-the-fact permit.

Very disappointing! But not surprising.

Verizon will have to go through the permitting process all over again, which means there will probably be a hearing. We at KeepYourPower are poised and ready to sound the alarm so you can submit your testimony at that time. Watch your inbox!

We are also exploring legal strategies. Stay tuned!

Big Island targeted by AT&T for 5G small cells - all islands next?

AT&T lobbyists are hard at work, influencing the Hawaii County administration to fast-track a resolution for 5G small cells on Big Island!

Resolution 631 went straight to the Council without being assigned to a committee first.

Having heard concerns about 5G from their constituents in the past, Council Members questioned the proposal and eventually tabled it.

That's right, the Resolution was unanimously postponed - thanks to your efforts!

Important LESSON for all islands:

Reach out to Council Members and express concerns about 5G now. In a situation like this, no public input was requested or allowed. If folks had not expressed their concerns in advance this resolution could have sailed on through.

But big telecom does not give up easily. The Resolution will likely rear its ugly head again on Big Island.

Here's what needs to happen:

1) Read this article from HI Tribune Herald: https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2020/06/12/hawaii-news/att-seeks-use-of-county-poles-for-faster-data-speeds/

2) Thank your Council members and fortify them with factual info (see below)

4) Educate Deputy Corp Council Patel and Public Works Director Yamamoto with factual info (see below)

Sample Email

Email your message to:

Public Works Director Yamamoto: public_works@hawaiicounty.gov

Deputy Corp Council Patel: corpcounsel@hawaiicounty.gov

Thank and fortify your Council Members. Each member's email can be found here

Subject line: You Have the Power to Regulate Cell Towers

Include the following, along with your own words:

The power and authority to regulate cell towers and antennas in Hawaii County lies with Hawaii County. Telecommunication lobbyists would try to convince you otherwise but that is incorrect.

When the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was being crafted, big telecom lobbied hard to restrict local authority, however, congress did not abide. They did the opposite.

Section 47 USC 332 C 7a clearly states that local governments have the power to regulate the placement of wireless facilities.

Here is the exact wording of 47 USC 332 C 7a:

(7)Preservation of local zoning authority
(A)General authority

"Except as provided in this paragraph, nothing in this chapter shall limit or affect the authority of a State or local government or instrumentality thereof over decisions regarding the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities."

It is of utmost importance that you do please exercise your power and responsibility to regulate these towers because, although the FCC sets the exposure limits, the FCC does nothing to actually apply or enforce those limits. The county is obligated to protect its citizens and ensure the quiet enjoyment of our streets and neighborhoods.

Mahalo,

(Your name)

The Best Way to Fight 5G? Subscribe to your local newspaper!

I cannot stress this enough! The best way to fight 5G is to subscribe to your local newspaper.

We found out about the fast-tracked resolution described above through the local newspaper on Big Island.

We found out about the giant 5G drone proposal on Lanai through the local newspaper on Maui.

Many local newspapers are struggling financially and we can't afford to lose them!

Big telecom is required by law to give public notice before building cell towers. These are often published in the Notice section of the classified ads of your local newspaper.

The Notice shared here, about another Haiku tower, was published in the Maui News, and so many people wrote to object that it appears we successfully blocked that tower. AT&T has withdrawn their application and is seeking another location.

Please subscribe to your local newspaper and be on the lookout! Then let us know so we can rally the troops. Forewarned is forearmed! (Sorry for all the war metaphors but they seemed to fit here.)