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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br /> INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> DATE: August 4, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 220/Res. 80-09 <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> Ben Franklin Building, 2"`1 Floor <br /> 333 Kilauea Avenue <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> <br /> TIME: 3:04 p.m. <br /> <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred <br /> Communication No. 220, regarding Resolution 80-09, reports as follows: <br /> <br /> Resolution 80-09, transmitted by Council Member Kelly Greenwell via Communication No. 220 dated <br /> March 19, 2009, requests a ban on releasing Biological Control Agents on Hawaii Island, including <br /> f insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens, for any tree species related to the `oh`ia, including all <br /> species in the Myrtle Family, such as the Strawberry Guava (Spidium Cattle ianum). <br /> <br /> Council Member Kelly Greenwell stated that due to concerns from the public on this matter, his proposed <br /> resolution is requesting a ban on releasing biological control agents to the `oh`ia family including all <br /> species such as the strawberry guava. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwell commented that no assurances has <br /> been given that these biological control agents will not adapt, evolve and begin attacking related species <br /> including the `oh`ia; it is a risk that is detrimental and will cause irreparable harm to our native forests on <br /> the island. He is also concerned that detection of these insects might have already been released and <br /> changes are in affect according to information received from members of the public. <br /> At the meeting of April 7, 2009, Mr. Onishi moved to postpone Res. 80-09. He stated that he is in the <br /> process of gathering more information and had scheduled a meeting with State Department of Agriculture <br /> (DOA) officials. Further, he stated that it would be desirable for these officials to be present at the next <br /> meeting. Mr. Enriques spoke in support of postponement. He suggested that Dr. Tracy Johnson, <br /> Research Entomologist (Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry) for the United States Department of <br /> Agriculture (USDA) Forestry Service, should be present. The motion to postpone to April 21, 2009 was <br /> unanimously carried <br /> On April 21, 2009, Dr. Johnson provided Your Committee a brief history of bio control in Hawaii. <br /> Furthermore, he stated that any evolution shift will take many years to occur. Dr. Pat Conant, <br /> Entomologist for the DOA, briefly explained the hydrology of strawberry guava infestation in the native <br /> `oh`ia forest and its devastating impact on the watershed. Furthermore, he commented that bio control is <br /> about restoring a system that is out of balance and there are no natural enemies to control strawberry <br /> guava. <br /> Your Committee discussed another postponement at length. Some felt that postponement was needed in <br /> order to allow for the pending Environmental Assessment (EA) is completed; however, others felt that <br /> this resolution should be included as part of the EA, showing the county council's stand on the issue. <br /> Further, some members were aware that Maui County had recently passed a resolution to allow biological <br /> control, and wished for more time to discuss the issue with Maui county council members. The motion to <br /> postpone to July 7, 2009 was carried. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> PWIRC RPT NO. 29 <br />