The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Hawai‘i County Council on Oct. 16, 2024.
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Oct. 16, 2024, 9 a.m.
Hawai‘i County Building
To: Hawai‘i County Council
Heather Kimball, Chair
Holeka Goro Inaba, Vice-Chair
From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
RE: Bill 184 — RELATING TO THE USE OF COUNTY STREETS; AND ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL ACTIVITY PERMIT FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
Aloha Chair Kimball, Vice-Chair Inaba and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 184, Draft 3, which would set up a special activity permit for businesses that want to sell food or sell, rent or lease merchandise on or beside county streets. Nonprofit organizations would be exempt from needing a special activity permit.
This would open up roadside vending opportunities to small business owners across the island, since currently such activities are illegal.
Permit applicants would need to provide the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works director a valid business license, proof of insurance and other business-related information. Further, the Council would specify by ordinance the streets where such vending would be allowed.
The nature of roadside vending means most of the people who apply for permits under this bill would be local families and entrepreneurs, not corporations. Tourism is the biggest sector of the island’s economy, and Bill 184 would allow more people to directly benefit from the visitor industry.
Grassroot appreciates the Council’s decision to lower the fine for violating this ordinance from $1,000 to $250. The lower fine will ensure that entrepreneurs who vend in areas not permitted for roadside vending will not face undue hardship.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
