Maui Tomorrow Foundation this week announced a new smart phone application: CleanAirMaui, as part of the foundation’s Clean Air for Keiki campaign. This free app for iPhone, Blackberry and Android allows members of the community to use their smart phones to report incidents of excessive cane smoke; ash; and fugitive dust to the state Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch (CAB); the Mayor’s Office; and the Environmental Protection Agency.
While links for reporting these issues have been available on the Clean Air for Keiki website (cleanairforkeiki.org) since early this year, not all reports include the information needed by CAB for accurate investigations. “To make complaints about violations, the department says they need complete information – time, location, photos,” says Irene Bowie, Maui Tomorrow’s executive director. “This app empowers the community with accurate reporting to push for better air quality.”
Maui Tomorrow launched the Clean Air for Keiki campaign in an effort to inform the community of air quality issues. According to Hawaii Health Matters’ indicators for respiratory disease, Maui County ranks second to Hawaii County in adults and children with asthma. The campaign is working with the state Department of Health for stricter enforcement of restrictions on HC&S burn permits (not burning fields on days with variable wind and/or vog), and better mitigation measures against fugitive dust from fields. The campaign’s ultimate goal is a move to 21st century sustainable practices (converting the majority of HC&S fields to green harvesting, thereby eliminating smoke, increasing organic matter in the soil and protecting it from erosion), as Australia’s sugar cane industry has successfully done.
To download the app enter CleanAirMaui on your phone’s app store; for further information call Maui Tomorrow at 808.244.7570.
I have a Samsung Galaxy 4 phone and can’t find the CleanAirMaui app…help please. Mahalo
Go to the “Play Store” and type CleanAirMaui into the search tool.
The Citizens of Kihei have drafted a Bill that we would like sponsored by our state reps and senators. The Bill is called “RELATING TO HEALTH. IMPROVEMENT TO §46-17 REGULATION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES, SO THAT SAID REGULATION INCLUDES OPEN FIELD BURNING OF SUGAR CANE.”
SECTION 1. Section 46-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:
§46-17 Regulation of certain public nuisances. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the council of any county may adopt and provide for the enforcement of ordinances regulating or prohibiting noise, smoke, dust, vibration, RELEASE OF HARMFUL ASH AND SOOT, or odors which constitute a public nuisance. No such ordinance shall be held invalid on the ground that it covers any subject or matter embraced within any statute or rule of the State; provided that in any case of conflict between a statute or rule and an ordinance, the law affording the most protection to the public shall apply, with the exception that:
DELETED An ordinance shall not be effective to the extent that it is inconsistent with any noise rule adopted by the department of health under authority of chapter 342F.[L 1974, c 158, §2; am L 1978, c 120, §1; am L 1994, c 5, §1; am L 1999, c 265, §2]
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is indicated. New statutory material is in CAPS.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Health; Air Pollution, Agricultural open field burning of Sugar Cane, Release of harmful ash and soot, Nuisance
Description:
Requires a county to investigate and notify the Department of Health if a report is made about a possible nuisance involving air pollution. Defines air-polluting nuisances, the improvement being to include the open field burning of sugar cane and the release of harmful ash and soot. Gives the Director of Health the authority to investigate reports of air-polluting nuisances. (HB___)
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________ HOPEFULLY PLEASE ASK HIM TO DO THIS!
Representative Kaniela Ing
Today, July 7, excessive ash in Kihei. Woke up coughing, ash all over yard and cars.
Severe ash fallout in kihei today. Difficulty breathing. Have photos of ash fallout to post.