BIL 261 Draft 01 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNTY OF HAWAII :I•E,N" /'• STATE OF HAWAII r.os' ►'d . BILL NO. 261 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, GENERAL WELFARE, HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO ANIMAL ERADICATION. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. Chapter 14, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), is amended by adding a new article to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "Article . Animal Eradication. Section 14-_. Findings and purpose. The Council finds that the practice of animal eradication by aerial shooting is completely, and unequivocally, in conflict with the values of the people of the County of Hawai`i. Simply put, such tactics are cruel, unusual, and inhumane. In many instances, aerial shooting of animals does not allow for the consumption of valuable food, and instead wastes this food source by leaving the animal carcass to rot away. Such drastic measures also create harm to human life and disturbance to endangered fauna and flora, where such risk is completely unnecessary. It also sends a very disturbing message to those persons visiting our Island; that message to be shared with all those that they know upon return to their homes. Above and beyond any purported rationale for this practice is the overwhelming fact that the mass extermination of animals by rapid gunfire using helicopters is not pono. It is wrong. The people of the County of Hawai`i strongly feel that home rule should apply as this practice does not conform with cultural and traditional values of our island community. Although State Law may supersede this article, the people of our island choose to voice their strong opposition to aerial eradication and encourage the State to conform to the wishes of the people. The Council further finds that should it be determined that a particular animal requires population control, that there are far better methods to do so. There are many hunters in the County of Hawai`i that wish to have access to these areas to provide subsistence for their families and at the same time they would be removing the animals from the affected areas. Animal population control can be performed in a manner that is in harmony with the culture, values, and principles of the people that are the foundation of this great County. And because it can, it should. The purpose of this ordinance is to make clear that the County of Hawai`i, as a body corporate, with the ability and responsibility to maintain the public health, safety, and welfare of its people, hereby declares that the barbaric and inhumane acts of eradication by aerial shooting on Hawai`i Island shall no longer be practiced. This ordinance is enacted to ensure that other methods of animal population control are utilized, and that any such method takes into full