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Harry Kim <br />A tapir <br />&until <br />Offirr <br />t <br />Wil Okabe <br />Managing Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 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 />January 29, 2018 <br />Representative Chris Lee <br />Chair, House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection <br />Hawaii State Capitol <br />Dear Chair Lee and Committee Members: <br />Re: Hz 2046 elating to Little Fire Ants <br />Hearing Date: January 30, 2018 <br />This testimony is in support of 2046, but first I want to thank you for the time <br />and energy that you and your colleagues have devoted to invasive species in general, <br />and to little fire ants in particular. A year ago, the Council of Mayors identified invasive <br />species as a top priority that deserved everyone's attention. Our best efforts at t e <br />county level are often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and limite <br />resources make it imperative that the State, counties, Feds, and private sector work <br />together in pursuing solutions to what often seem intractable problems. This Legislature <br />really stood up last year, and hopefully will do even more this year. <br />With the possible exception (so far) of the parakeet problem, it seems that <br />Hawail County has suffered a disproportionate share of the damage caused by invasive <br />species, including rapid ohia death, little fire ants, coqui frogs, coffee berry borer, and <br />probably others. But all our islands, and all our constituents, are at risk. My primary <br />request to you would be "Please don't give up." As a county, we do not have the <br />resources or expertise to fight these devastating invaders on our own. We need as <br />much assistance from the State as you can offer. <br />Particularly with respect to little fire ants, it sometimes seems that we have <br />thrown in the towel, This must not hap e en—it is a horrific species that causes great <br />pain in humans and has been reported to cause kali bliL dness in pets and horses. We have <br />to make the effort to fight back, and H 2046 is a foot in the door. Please provide as <br />much funding as you can manage, broaden the initiative if you think it appropriate, and <br />let's move forward. <br />Resp ctfully submitted, <br />Harry K <br />Mayor, County of Hawaii <br />County of lawli`i is an [qual Opportunity Provider and Lunployer, <br />