2017-02-22 Letter to Sylvia Luke re HB 186, HB 1006, HB 481, HB 904

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-1-Mty os Wil Okabe �'•}-, '' ' Managing Director Harry KimJ• 4' ".1f''• Mayor • -=--even ..•.. Barbara J.Kossow . O•,$. Deputy Managing Director (lluuuty of lattiat`t ffire of file Azimut 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 February 22, 2017 Representative Sylvia Luke Finance Committee Hawai'i State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Luke and members: RE: HB 186, HB 1006, HB 481, HB 904 You have a number of bills on today's agenda dealing with invasive species, including HB 186, HB 1006, HB 481, HB 904, and others. I am reluctant to single out one bill over another. Rather, I will defer to your good judgment as to the extent to which each approach should be funded, and simply want to thank you for the attention that this issue is getting from you. The Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as a top-priority that deserves all our attention. Even our best efforts are often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and limited resources make it imperative that we work together in pursuing solutions to what often seem intractable problems. With the possible exception (so far) of the parakeet problem, it seems that Hawaii County has suffered a disproportionate share of the damage caused by invasive species, including rapid ohia death, little fire ants, coqui frogs, coffee berry borer beetle, and probably others. But all our islands, and all our constituents, are at risk. My primary request to you would be "Please don't give up." As a county, we do not have the resources or expertise to fight these devastating invaders on our own. We need as much assistance from you as you can offer. Respectfully submitted, Harry K Mayor County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer