The work and sincere excellence of the Maui Bioremediation Team in doing the preparation necessary to address the toxins in the remaining burn scars in Lahaina and Kula fire recovery areas must be supported. This team has endured hundreds of meetings as volunteers, been present with the Lahaina and Kula communities and are now preparing to do a grant funded pilot testing of the use of bioremediation tested technologies in both areas. Please have a look at the carefully crafted handouts, including proof of the efficacy of bioremediation elsewhere. As a committee, please think seriously about how this can become a line item in the County Budget for FY2025. Sadly, MBRG has not yet been approved or funded by the County for the placement of the bio and myco-socks for the rain events this winter. The impact of this oversight on the water quality off Lahaina is yet to be studied. I understand the Hawaii legislature is going to fund a long-term testing of ocean and fresh waters in Lahaina in a variety of heavily impacted areas. It seems that this after-the-fact approach will not be a in time for the disaster already visited upon the coral, the fish and other ocean creatures including the whales. The torrential downpours today are just one of many to come. Consider how this committee and its members can look to not just FY2025 for addressing the phyto-remediation of the burn scars, but also investigate left over funds from FY2024 to get this sock laid immediately. Thank you for your attention and service. Phyllis Robinson, Ed.D
The work and sincere excellence of the Maui Bioremediation Team in doing the preparation necessary to address the toxins in the remaining burn scars in Lahaina and Kula fire recovery areas must be supported. This team has endured hundreds of meetings as volunteers, been present with the Lahaina and Kula communities and are now preparing to do a grant funded pilot testing of the use of bioremediation tested technologies in both areas. Please have a look at the carefully crafted handouts, including proof of the efficacy of bioremediation elsewhere. As a committee, please think seriously about how this can become a line item in the County Budget for FY2025. Sadly, MBRG has not yet been approved or funded by the County for the placement of the bio and myco-socks for the rain events this winter. The impact of this oversight on the water quality off Lahaina is yet to be studied. I understand the Hawaii legislature is going to fund a long-term testing of ocean and fresh waters in Lahaina in a variety of heavily impacted areas. It seems that this after-the-fact approach will not be a in time for the disaster already visited upon the coral, the fish and other ocean creatures including the whales. The torrential downpours today are just one of many to come. Consider how this committee and its members can look to not just FY2025 for addressing the phyto-remediation of the burn scars, but also investigate left over funds from FY2024 to get this sock laid immediately. Thank you for your attention and service. Phyllis Robinson, Ed.D