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Harry Ki <br />vIaor <br />Juuf <br />Wil Okabe <br />Alcmagtng Dtrecter <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy kianaging Director <br />Offirr 0 <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 to Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 21, 2018 <br />Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair <br />Committee on Ways and eans <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Senator Gilbert 5. C. Keith-Agaral , Vice -Chair <br />Committee on Ways and:leans <br />Hawaii State Capitol Room 211 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice -Chair Keith-Agaran and Cor mittee Members: <br />SB 2124 Relating to Little Fire Ants <br />Hearing Date: 01/23/18 — 11:00 am; Conference Room 211 <br />While would defer to others as to how precious dollars should be allocated, 1 strongly <br />endorse the investment of funds in combatting little fire ants (LFA), and therefore urge passage <br />of SB 2124. <br />Little fire ants are a real menace, capable of causing great pain in humans and blindness <br />in pets and horses, am told that the Hawaii Ant Lab helps with community groups whenever <br />there is a request for assistance, and my staff has expressed much appreciation for HAL's <br />research into control methods for LFA in Hawaii. <br />When it comes to combatting LFA, I am not trying to tilt the scales for one organization <br />versus another. 1 h ve supported HB 2046 which would fund the Department of Agriculture's <br />efforts in its fight against little fire ants, and 1 will speak in favor of any other bill on the subject. <br />My true hope is that this Legislature will earmark as many dollars as possible to defeat this <br />terrible species, and that multiple worthy efforts, which may all be deserving of funding, will not <br />be allowed to result in no action at all. <br />Please act in favor of combatting this horrible invader. <br />Respe tfull tted, <br />arry Kim <br />Mayor, County of Hawaii <br />('intv o! 1 awaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Emp <br />