2018-02-14 Letter to Sylvia Luke re HB 2046, HD 1 Relating to Little Fire Ants

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Harry Kim Ilayor &Until Office Wil Okabe Afanaging Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy itlanaging Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 0 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 14, 2018 Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair Committee on Finance Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Luke and Committee Members: Re: H 20 6, HD 1 Relating to Little Fire Ants Hearing Date: 02/16/18 — 2:00 pm; House Conference Room 308 This testimony is in sup art of H 2046, HD1, but first I want to thank you for the time and energy that you and your colleagues nave iiievoted to invasive species in general, and to little fire ants in particular. A year ago, the Council of Mayors identified invasive species as a top priority that deserved everyone's attention. Our best efforts at the county level are often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and limited resources make it perative that the State, counties, Feds, and private sector work together in pursuing solutions to what often seem intractable problems, This Legislature really stood up last year, and hopefully will do even more this year. 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, and probably others. However, 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 the State as you ca offer. Particularly with respect to little fire ants, it sometimes seems that we have thrown in the towel. This must not happen—it is a horrific species that causes great pain in humans and has been reported to cause blindness in dogs, cats, pigs, and horses. We have to make the effort to fight back, and HB 2046, HD1 is a foot in the docr, in a geographic area that may still be salvageable. Please provide as much funding as you can manage, broaden the initiative if you think it appropriate, and let's ove fon/yard. While I would defer to others as to how precious dollars should be allocated, 1 strongly endorse the investment of funds in combatting little fire ants, and therefore urge passage of HB 2046, HD 1. Respectfully submitted, Harry Kim Mayor, County of Hawaii ( inty of HaNvai`i is an Equal pportunity Provider and Employer.