Draft 200 Abandoned Vehicle Testimony

Aloha all,

Because I do not attend large public gatherings where people are now largely unmasked, and at nearly 87 I do not take such risks, I am writing to you here in complete support of the pending changes allowing the County to remove abandoned or non-functioning vehicles, and to support the funding by the County to help citizens at no cost to them to do so.

My husband and I have lived in Aloha Estates in upper Puna for nearing 30 years now, with many wonderful and mutually caring neighbors throughout the subdivision. For most of those years there have been as many as 50 or so abandoned vehicles throughout the 6 roads of the subdivision; also in our walks beyond this Unit, up through roads 13 (the latter of which does not have an organized separate Road committee, Board, etc.) there are many more.

As Council Members well know, these often toxic, rusting, intrusive and even partially overgrown vehicles can block passage, especially on sub-standard narrow roads, are eyesores and of discomfort for nearby neighbors, and hold multiple potential dangers, such as accidental or purposeful fires, feral animals in residence, rats, mosquitoes, etc., and of course are at risk of misuse or robbery and stealing of functional parts, etc.

Our subdivision householders/homeowners and renters in Aloha Estates are comprised mainly of hard-working citizens, retirees, young couples and families trying to make it in life on limited incomes, and thus not made up of the wealthier members of our County, as in many subdivisions on our Big Island. So it would be of great encouragement to them/us, especially in these already difficult economic times again right now, to know that a personal financial cost would not be involved any longer for removal of abandoned vehicles. Perhaps many more people will likely request to have the vehicles removed with this financial factor eliminated.

Personally, I am hoping that the Council will hear similarly, before September 20, from other members of the Aloha Estate community, and from ALL of our subdivisions and neighborhoods experiencing this long-standing and increasing issue, either in writing or by video or by attending the hearing on September 21, 2022. I imagine as well that you will, hopefully, receive statements from various subdivision associations and/or their Board/Road Committees, to support this very useful and needed proposal by our Councilperson, Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder. Matt has a deep commitment in his legislative efforts overall toward the safety and well being of all subdivisions and residents of his large Puna District, for which I am grateful, where much of this phenomenon exists here in East Hawaii.

So for the entire Island, I ask that each of you support the passage of this legislation for the benefit of one and all, and for the beauty of Aloha.

Mahalo nui loa. Gay Barfield, a hopeful neighbor.

Gay Barfield, Ph.D., Lic. MFT

PO Box 737

Mt. View, Hawaii 96771

Cell: 808-937-9461

Home: 808-968-6139