Puna
Open your eyes
Regarding the bill to ban plastic bags (Tribune-Herald, Jan. 18): Mayor Billy Kenoi was quoted as saying, “I signed it,” and that the law could keep the island “clean, healthy and safe.”
One only has to travel any well-used highway on our island to see that banning plastic bags isn’t the answer to keeping our island clean, healthy and safe. I travel Highway 11 and the Keaau-Pahoa Highway daily, and the trash I see isn’t comprised of plastic bags.
What is the County Council going to ban next, paper and plastic cups, Styrofoam fast-food containers, plastic bottles, cans? You name it, and you’ll find it on our highways.
The mayor should use his eyes and his brain to see and know that banning plastic bags won’t make the slightest difference in cleaning up our island and our waters. What can make a difference is bringing back the three-wheeled vehicles that used to ply our highways, picking up trash, and, most of all, our citizens should be more conscious about their trash and our ‘aina.
Warlito Astrande
Keaau
Clarifying the codes
In Wednesday’s front-page article, “Building proposal triggers concern” (Tribune-Herald), Councilwoman Brittany Smart made comments that shows her ignorance in code-writing and interpretations.
The International Building Code includes a section that allows the building official to accept alternative materials, design and methods of construction. In part, the section states, “An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.”
In summary, an applicant can go directly to the building official for approval of any and all alternative materials and methods of construction.
Councilwoman Smart’s position is that the code section on variances will allow for the same and even more liberalization of alternative materials. Unfortunately, she does not understand or appreciate the problems of going to the appeals board. First, the appeals board process is rather complex and requires applications, statement of facts and reasons for the appeal. This takes considerable time and work on the part of the applicant, not to say additional costs.
The other problem she does not want to address is that the present appeals board is the Public Works’ Board of Appeals. The members of this board are not familiar with or have expertise in the building codes, their standards or the materials listing process. They are not qualified to make reasonable decisions concerning building materials, design or construction. This takes a very important enforcement and user-friendly section out of the hands of the Building Division … and gives the power to a group that is basically ignorant of the building code and materials used for alternative construction.
Ken Long
Puna