Hawaii needs to develop environmental laws. Ban styrofoam coolers, boogie boards and other plastic products that are destroying our beaches and oceans. BTW, we need to have a sanitization department that offers recycling bins for paper, canned goods, plastics, and compost bins - we are overrun with trash.

It’s time to switch to the more environmentally friendly option. We do not need plastic disposable utensils when there are other degradable options available.

From: Francine Aarona <mopsaarona@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 11:34 PM
To: "Alice L. Lee" <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>, Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>, Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>, Michael Molina <Mike.Molina@mauicounty.us>, "Shane M. Sinenci" <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>, "Tamara A. Paltin" <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>, Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>
Subject: All agenda items

Aloha Chair King, VC Sinenci and committee members,

I am in favor of all agenda items that is before you. (Care-48), (Care-34) and (Care -20).

Covid made many of us aware of our climate change and taking care of our environment. Living on the shore line, I witnessed so many plastic items on our beach lefted by residents and visitors. Plastic items wash up on our shore and become very harmful to our well being. I am in support of the proposed resolution to reduce the production of plastic products.

I am also in support of prohibiting the sale and rental of Disposable Bodyboards. What ever happen to body surfing. Growing up on the shoreline in Pa’ia met waves almost everyday. Tutu would sit on the bench and watch us body surf (with our body🙈). There were times when I thought I wasn’t going to surface. We had to prove to tutu that we could handle those waves before going down to Sandy’s (Pa’ia Bay). They need to think of other methods. Just make smaller surf boogie boards. The men made wood boards before, it worked.

I am in total support of restricting the sale of foam coolers. Our families take pride in the coolers they purchase especially when it comes to keeping something cold for a long time. It should be banned. There are a lot of collapsible coolers that our tourist could purchase and take home.

Mahalo for allowing me to share my mana’o on the items that are before you. Take care and Ke Akua’s Blessings.

Aunty Mopsy (Francine Aarona)

On behalf of Hui o Kuapā 501c3 on Molokaʻi, we support this bill Restricting the Use and Sale of Single-Use Plastic Disposable Foodware.

I was very impressed and relieved that Maui County took the consideration of the people to banning disposable Styrofoam foodware. Unfortunately it's just the start on how to help our pollution problem. I see from first hand visitors buying styrofoam biggie boards usually for each family members/children. The board is used, stepped on where it breaks and bits of styrofoam are floating across the shore line. If that's not the incident then it turns to the boogie boards being left at the beach flying away, or being left at the hotels where they are overly disposed of as well. All of what has been said goes the same for styrofoam coolers as well but worst being it breaks almost instantly. The band on all styrofoam disposable items is needed.
Styrofoam boogie boards
Styrofoam coolers
Styrofoam swimming noodles
Styrofoam egg cartons
In the hope of our land being saved one step at a time that this helps. Mahalo

Why are we still debating about the use of plastic foodware? There are many other options available, some even more affordable and all better for the environment.