Just when we were making progress on the telecom ordinance, the rug was pulled out from under us! 

At the April 15 PCPLUED* meeting, Council Members voted to remove the 1200 foot setback requirement from residential and school properties! "Setback" means a tower has to be installed further away ("set back") from a property line. 

Removing this setback gutted the ordinance! There is now essentially NO PROTECTION for people in their homes or children in pre-schools, nursery schools, or ANY schools. This is a moral outrage! We need to call, write and fill the room! 

Everyone, please take 1 minute to CALL Council members NOW with this message (numbers below). Please be respectful! Do NOT bully them. Our chances are much better when we are PONO! 
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Here's what to say:

PLEASE protect us from cell towers in our backyard and near schools. You removed our only protection. In Bill 24 we need at least a 600-foot setback. It's is the least you can do. Require companies to notify us, in advance, in writing, by certified mail when they start the application process. Require a specific form that makes it clear exactly when the application process began. Bill 24 should be balanced and we, the people, need protection from this land-grab by telecom corporations. We need a 600-foot setback for homes and schools. Mahalo! 

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Backstory: 

Why say "land-grab"? Because Bill 24 is a Land Use bill. Why mention advance notice and application form? Because two other good amendments are being proposed (advance notice and application form) and they protect the public. Why not mention health effects? Because Federal law prohibits regulating towers/antennas based on health effects. Yes, the deck is stacked against us, but must do what we can. 

The setback is the most important so speak up to Get Back a Setback! 

Council Members Names and Numbers:  

District 1 Heather Kimball (808) 961-8821

District 2 Jennifer Kagiwada (808) 961-8272
District 3 Dennis Onishi (808) 961-8396
District 4 Ashley Kierkiewcz (808) 961-8265
District 5 Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder (808) 961-8263
District 6 Michelle Galimba (808) 323-4277
District 7 Rebecca Villagas (808) 323-4267
District 8 Holeka Inaba (808) 323-4280 
District 9 Lames Hustace (808) 961-8564

Also send the message in writing (see below). Copy & paste! Takes 2 minutes. 

DEADLINE for Written Comments: 12pm, Mon, May 19
DEADLINE to attend Zoom meeting: 12pm Mon, May 19 

What: Hawaii County Council PCPLUED* Committee meeting

When: Tuesday, May 20, 10:30am  
Where: West Hawaii Civic Center, Kona (or via Zoom)  

Oral Testimony via Zoom: Email or call to request registration for PCPLUED committee meeting. Bill 24 is the only item on the agenda! 
Email: councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov 
Call: (808) 961-8255 
Register by 12pm, Mon, May 19 (Do it now)! 

Written Testimony: Due 12pm, Mon, May 19 (Do it now!)  
Email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov  Subject line: Give back a setback in Bill 24

WHAT TO SAY:  

Subject line: Give back a setback in Bill 24 

Here's what to write:

PLEASE protect us from cell towers in our backyard and near schools. You removed our only protection. In Bill 24 we need at least a 600-foot setback. It's is the least you can do. Require companies to notify us, in advance, in writing, by certified mail when they start the application process. Require a specific form that makes it clear exactly when the application process began. Bill 24 should be balanced and we, the people, need protection from this land-grab by telecom corporations. We need a 600-foot setback for homes and schools. Mahalo! 

If you can attend the meeting in person, that's best! If not, please call, zoom, and submit written testimony. We need to call, write and fill the room! 
 

*PCPLUED is the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development. The Telecom ordinance, Bill 24, is in that committee right now. Your testimony is needed to protect the community! 

It's time to speak up! 💪