[HIham] CPC hearing on HB 2773 & 2774, by Doug White and Kevin Bogan

[Kevin C. Bogan]

Douglas Allan White, WH7E, reported to KARC some excellent observations on
the proceedings that took place in CPC committee hearing that included HB
2773 / 2774.

He wrote:
A fair number of testifiers presented testimony in support of these two
bills.  The House CPC committee will decide whether to pass, amend, or
kill these bills on March 1.  (No need to attend that hearing, no
further testimony will be taken at that time).

The only opponents were:
Princeville at Hanalei Community Association
Hawaii Chapter of Community Associations Institute

If these bills advance and are heard in the Senate, I would recommend
that we try to persuade State and County civil defense agencies to
submit testimony in support.  They were conspicuously absent yesterday.

Thanks to all who took the time to testify!  Please forward this to any
other appropriate listserv.

The opposition testimony speaks to these points:
Property value, protecting private contracts, helping a "small
minority," aesthetic impact, circumventing the established process to
change CC&R, and (this is a doozy, from Princeville at Hanalei Community
Association)

"It may be argued that ham radios provide a valuable communication tool
during emergencies.  As a planned community concerned with the welfare
of our owners, we have an active Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) program, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and
administered by the County of Kauai.  As a part of this CERT program,
our Association has communication capability that we are able to use
during emergencies such as hurricanes and other State or local
government declared states of emergency.  In a planned community, this
organized effort is a far better option for emergency concerns than
individual ham operators are."

I don't know the details of CERT, but this claim of a "far better
option" seems dubious, and future testimony must make clear that the
need for amateur radio is to allow operators to assist during a disaster
involving anyone, anywhere, anytime---not just for the benefit of his or
her neighbors within a planned community.

That�s what Doug wrote.

At the hearing, we had Kimo, KH7U; Bev, AH6NF; Ann, NH7QS; Bruce, KG6JIJ;
and Kevin, AH6QO who gave verbal testimony. Additionally, Jim, WH6GS, and
Maude, NH7IE were there, perhaps others and I apologize for not including
them.  I have copies of the submitted written testimony.  Doug described the
heavy hitters.  I will detail whose written testimony was entered later.

Rep. Thielen appeared to be supportive.  She called me back to talk about
just how big an antenna we are talking about.  I answered that it varies.  I
gave a short description and deferred to Kimo who gave a much better
technical explanation.  When Rep. Thielen talked about condos, the
discussion of size ended with Kimo saying that whatever antenna is installed
would have to fit in the space available such as the length of the balcony
(I may be paraphrasing here).  Bev was grilled on the safety issue by Rep.
Marumoto.  Rep. Oshiro dismissed us with a question asking if we knew in
advance about CC&Rs and condo covenants when we moved in.  His point being
if you knew then you cannot complain.

Everyone did a good job. Each presenter gave a different focus.  Mine was on
the need for emergency communications and how the restrictions affect us.

I will be at many of the meetings in the future and will be glad to show you
all the materials I have.

I will send out more information as I remember, as time allows, and as
others give to me.

This is not over yet.

Kevin, AH6QO