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• o '• <br /> /et.‹•"!........ Wil Okabe <br /> Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim • • ...\'11••• <br /> t* : <br /> Mayor • : <br /> e.•%st; <br /> . .... • <br /> Barbara J.Kossow <br /> ••• • Deputy Managing Director <br /> (gountv Pauni`i <br /> ®ffk uf fir Augur <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,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> March 29, 2017 <br /> Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Chair <br /> Committee on Ways and Means <br /> Hawaii State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chair Tokuda and Committee Members: <br /> RE: HB 904, HD 1, SD 1 — Relating to Invasive Species (rapid response) <br /> HB 1006, HD 1, SD 1 — Relating to Invasive Species (little fire ants) <br /> HB 1339, HD 1, SD 1 — Relating to Invasive Species (restructuring) <br /> You have several bills on today's agenda dealing with invasive species, including HB 904, <br /> HD1, SD1; HB1006, HD1, SD1; HB1339, HD1, SD1; and HB655, HD1, SD1. Although I am reluctant <br /> to single out one bill over another, and prefer to defer to your good judgment as to the merits of each, <br /> I do want to urge that funding to fight little fire ants (HB1006) be approved if at all possible. <br /> Beyond that, I primarily want to thank you for the focus you have put on this issue this session. <br /> The Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as a top-priority that deserves the attention of <br /> all of us. Even our best efforts are often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and <br /> limited resources make it imperative that we work together in pursuing solutions to what often seem <br /> intractable problems. <br /> With the possible exception (so far) of the parakeet problem, it seems that Hawaii County has <br /> suffered a disproportionate share of the damage caused by invasive species, including coffee berry <br /> borer beetle, little fire ants, coqui frogs, rapid ohia death and probably others. But all our islands, and <br /> all our constituents, are at risk. My primary request to you would be "Please don't give up." As a <br /> county, we do not have the resources or expertise to fight these devastating invaders on our own. We <br /> need as much assistance from you as you can offer. <br /> Res cffully submitted, <br /> arty Kim <br /> Mayor <br /> County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />