REP PSPRC 009 04/07/2009 2008-2010

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: April 7, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 192 (Res. 67-09) TIME: 9:40 am Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Communication 192/Resolution 67-09 reports as follows: Resolution 67-09 from Council member Kelly Greenwell, dated February 23, 2009, requesting the State Department of Land and Natural Resources abandon any effort and/or plan to eradicate feral cattle by helicopter hunt within the Honuaula Forest Reserve on the slopes of Hualalai, was addressed at the March 17, 2009 committee meeting. However, due to DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) Forestry and Wildlife Hawaii Island Branch Manager Roger Imoto's inability to attend, the resolution was postponed until April 7, 2009. Mr. Imoto was able to attend the April 7, 2009 and came forward to explained the history and ongoing hunt programs on both Hawaii and Maui island. He reviewed the numerous safety precautions and notifications given to the public, and stated that this particular hunt has been planned since 2004 in concert with a Federal Grant for Koa forest restoration which will expire on June 30, 2009. He also added that since March 2004 local ranchers have volunteered and have removed 381 cattle from the 2,920 acre fenced parcel. DLNR officials are currently doing a count of the remaining cattle, estimated to be mostly bulls between 60 and 100 head. Council member Greenwell reiterated his concern about accidentally shooting people and incomplete kills of targeted animals. Mr. Imoto emphasized that helicopter hunting has a much higher safety record than ground hunts, and added that the ranchers and cowboys are reluctant to deal with the remaining feral bulls.