Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Wil Okabe <br /> <br />Managing Director <br /> <br /> <br />Harry Kim <br /> <br />Mayor <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br /> <br />Deputy Managing Director <br /> <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i <br />Office of the Mayor <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Dear Chair Keith-Agaran and members: <br /> Re: HB 606, HD2, SD1 Access to deal with invasives <br /> <br />Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HB 606, HD2, SD1. <br /> <br />The Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as a top-priority issue that <br />deserves your attention. Even our best efforts are often inadequate to protect our <br />islands from harmful pests, and limited resources make it imperative that we work <br />together in pursuing solutions to what often seem intractable problems. <br /> <br />HB 606, HD2, SD1 would put the counties in a better position to fight against invasives. <br />As the Mayor of Maui said in a prior hearing, it would give us a much-needed tool to <br />supplement the ongoing efforts of State agencies and private organizations. <br /> <br />Staff has raised one question—if there is an emergency that warrants access in less <br />than five days, is there a mechanism to address that? If not, could that issue also be <br />addressed in HB 606? <br /> <br />Other than possibly also dealing with such an emergency (if the Committee thinks that <br />is appropriate), we ask that HB 606, HD2, SD1 be approved. <br /> <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />County of Hawaii <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />