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trying to run across, that’s – that’s the problem – it’s not that we have too many sheep it’s that
<br />these animals have been fenced in and restricted – they no longer have access to habitat and
<br />food and this is why we’re having problems is, is along the side of the roads is where the
<br />moisture is and we have quality habitat and this is where we find the animals, I mean, it’s basic
<br />stuff. And like I said, what are we gonna do about improving the habitat for these animals so
<br />they’re not – so we have quality animals for future generations and we have state laws that
<br />saying these things are supposed to be supplied to these animals. Fountain grass is not quality
<br />habitat.
<br />
<br />JPC: Yeah, you know, from my \[unclear\] know of the issues that we have as an agency with Mauna
<br />Kea specifically \[unclear\] core border in which sheep and everything, ah, with that aside – on the
<br />birds side, we’re talking about, you know, I mentioned earlier about, putting together, you
<br />know, the mowing contract, trying to get habitat, the grass down in select areas, we can’t mow
<br />and there’s trees and stuff so looking at select plots that you said, to improve habitat that kind
<br />of supplement, the landscape and provide better habitat – where feasible and where applicable
<br />we can do, and, trying to think of these like hybrid, approaches where here we plant native
<br />plants that these game birds eat that benefit them benefits the other side of the coin – it’s
<br />where habitat improvement part and things like kiawe or \[unclear\] plants, seed plants, stuff like
<br />that, and then, as much as, releasing birds, ah, has its own issue, I mean, it’s how game birds got
<br />everywhere, I mean, you look at the numbers that we did release – thousands of birds, and it’s
<br />at a time where maybe the habitat was better, maybe \[unclear\] such bad drought episodes as
<br />we have now are bad, thick grass and stuff fire weed – trying to find a hybrid solution is kinda
<br />where my mind goes, um, you know, one that needs both sides, so, you know, there’s no
<br />smoking gun but, um, try what we can.
<br />
<br />LT: Leomana, District – 3. I just had a couple of comments on that I’m not into bird hunting \[unclear\]
<br />really care \[unclear\] birds but I heard you mention Kohala High School – one of my good friends I
<br />don’t know if that’s the teacher out there still yet but Mr. Snelling. He’s \[unclear\] I just wanted
<br />to give it some attention ‘cause I didn’t – he’s been my friend for fifteen years and I’ve seen him
<br />out bird hunting every season and, you know, the keiki’s the future so if I can get more attention
<br />to him or like you said Keaau High School – I am a Keaau alumni so these schools are for me it’s
<br />like oh, if Mr. Snelling can raise the bird and teach the kids out there is that the solution to this
<br />issue where the kids can actually manage their whole area and that could be a school project,
<br />and I see it going on right now and I just wanted to say mahalo.
<br />
<br />JPC: Yeah, yeah.
<br />
<br />LT: You guys \[unclear\] attention and funding to the school.
<br />
<br />JPC: Yeah, sure, yeah, we deal, yeah, Ian Snelling, he’s the teacher out in Kohala High – he’s the Ag
<br />teacher at - they have like a good Ag at that thing, Clarence Moniz is the teacher that we work
<br />with Keaau.
<br />
<br />LT: Oh, Moniz? Yeah, OK.
<br />
<br />JPC: Yeah. An awesome guy as well.
<br />
<br />LT: Amazing hunters, yeah?
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