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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER AND <br /> ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY <br /> DATE: October 18, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 1095/Res. No. 674-16 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 3:03 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred <br /> Resolution No. 674-16, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 674-16, transmitted by Council Member Margaret Wille, via <br /> Communication No. 1095 dated September 30, 2016, urges the Mayor to create a temporary ban <br /> on the transport of`ohi`a from the southern half to the northen half of Hawai`i Island. <br /> Committee Chair Wille relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Poindexter. <br /> Council Member Wille explained that the State's focus is to stop Rapid `Ohi`a Death from <br /> spreading from the Island of Hawai`i to the other islands, but that there has not been a <br /> concentrated state effort to stem the spread of this disease to the portion of the island that is not <br /> yet infected. She stated that Districts 1, 8 and 9 are relatively clean of the disease so the County <br /> needs to implement a temporary ban on the transport of`ohi`a into those districts. She further <br /> explained that the `ohi`a is more than just a tree and is an important part of the Hawaiian culture. <br /> She emphasized the importance of raising awareness of the problem through public education <br /> and signage. She said that the situation reminds her of the Little Fire Ant situation 10 years ago <br /> as the County waited for the State to act(which did not happen, allowing the little fire ant to get <br /> out of control), so this ban needs to be implemented as quickly as possible. <br /> Council Members stated that there has been a lot of discussion regarding controlling the disease <br /> in infected areas, but this ban would help keep it from spreading to uninfected areas. They <br /> discussed requiring the State to step up and that if the disease spreads to Kohala then Maui <br /> would be next and that the State needs to declare an Emergency Proclamation to emphasize the <br /> severity of the problem and get additional funding. There has been discussion with the Office of <br /> Hawaiian Affairs regarding the disease. <br /> AWESC Report No.: 5 <br />