🤩 Behold the Ordinance!

Published: Fri, 08/16/24

Updated: Mon, 08/19/24

Behold the ordinance. Okay, it has strike marks and all, but it's important!

So why does it not outlaw all towers and antennas, you may ask?

Please keep in mind, the wheels of government turn slowly. An ordinance that completely stops cell tower installations is prohibited by Federal and State laws.

Big telecom is a powerful, multi-trillion dollar industry. For decades they have influenced Federal and State laws in their favor. This cannot be undone overnight. It took 50 years to get big tobacco under control!

We must take the necessary steps. Power DOES reside at the local level, with the Counties, to regulate towers and antennas. But they must do so within the constraints of Federal and State laws.

The proposed ordinance does just that!

It regulates towers and antennas by requiring a permitting process and by imposing application requirements. These act as a deterrent to the unrestrained erection (no sexual innuendo intended! :0) of more towers and antennas; they protect the public from rampant and unregulated tower and antenna deployments; and still meet the legal requirements.

So let's support this effort and get this thing passed!

Read on for details about testifying...

Here's the link to the ordinance: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/0/doc/1082908/Page1.aspx

Here's the link to the agenda: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1083356

What: Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Development (PCPLUD)

When: Tuesday, August 20, 11 a.m.
Where: Hilo Council Chambers, Hawai‘i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401 (or via Zoom)

DEADLINE to Register for Zoom meeting: 12 p.m., Monday, August 19
DEADLINE for Written Comments: 12 p.m., Monday, August 19

Voice your SUPPORT for Bill 194!

WHAT TO SAY:

IMPORTANT! Focus your testimony on ONE of the following talking points.
PLEASE DON'T copy/paste the whole list! Council members don't appreciate cookie-cutter testimony!

Pick ONE and add your own words, but be brief! Council members are busy. No time to read a ton of info.

Subject line: Support Bill 194

I support Bill 194 because standards and requirements are needed to curb the proliferation of wireless towers and antennas. They are an eye sore and have been shown to reduce property values. https://ehtrust.org/cell-phone-towers-lower-property-values-documentation-research/
Please support Bill 194. After the devastating fires on Maui legislation like this must be put in place to protect our homes and businesses. Cell towers have been tied to large, damaging wild fires in California and other states. Bill 194 contains an easement requirement and monitoring equipment requirement for the fire department, as well as necessary shielding against fire risk. Very important!
Please support Bill 194. Electrical fires are especially dangerous and cannot be dealt with by anyone until the source is de-energized. Bill 194 contains a requirement for an emergency power shut-off mechanism on towers and antennas. This is essential for the protection of people and property.
I support Bill 194 because it contains a set-back requirement from every property line. We get some very intense winds here on the island and if a tower were to topple over it could do some real damage to those who live nearby. We need this for our protection and safety.
Please support Bill 194. Without this legislation it's a free-for-all. Big telecom can do whatever they want. No one wants a tower in their neighborhood without their knowledge or consent. Right now they are just popping up everywhere. Permit requirements are necessary for our safety and protection.

Oral Testimony via Zoom: To sign-up for the Zoom meeting, email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov (subject line: PCPLUD meeting) or call (808) 961-8255 and ask for PCPLUD meeting log-in information. Contact the office to register by 12:00 noon, Monday, August 19, 2024. Do it NOW!

Submit Written Testimony: No later than 12:00 noon, Monday, August 19 by:
(1) Email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov Subject line: Support Bill 194
(2) Fax to (808) 961-8912
(3) Postal mail to the County Clerk’s Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720

If you can attend the meeting online or in person, that's great! If not, please submit written testimony before Monday 12 noon!

If you're concerned about the proliferation of cell towers and antennas, it's time to speak up! 💪

_________________________________________________________________

If you find our work helpful, please consider donating to the cause: SafeTechHawaii.com/donate

Safe Tech Hawaii
1254 S Kihei Rd. #1804
Kihei HI 96753
USA

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options