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Harry Kim <br />Alo,or <br />Tittuttfu <br />(11)ffirr <br />tt <br />Wil Okabe <br />Alanciging Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Alanaging 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 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />April 2, 2018 <br />Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair <br />Committee on Ways and Means <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice -Chair <br />Com 1ttee on Ways and Means <br />Hawail State Capitol, Room 211 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice -Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members: <br />Re: HB 474, HD 1, SD 1 Relating to Rat Lungworm Disease <br />Hearing Date: 04/04/2018 — 10:30 am; Conference Room 211 <br />Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of funding for activities aimed at the <br />prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease. Until those goals have been achieved, a <br />third worthy aim of the bill, clearly reflected in the amendments (although not specified in the <br />preamble) is better treatment for those who fall victim to this illness. <br />The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo <br />established the Hawail Island ratlungworm disease working group. It has been conducting <br />research and educational outreach on the disease for the past four years, and it is my <br />understanding that it has been doing very valuable work. <br />Apparently the impact of this disease has been different in Hawaii than on the mainland, <br />with unusually severe consequences reported for Hawail victims. Therefore, the funding of <br />local research is uniquely important. <br />If UH -Hilo feels that the requirement of 1:1 matching funds is realistic, 1 urge you to <br />support a generous appropriation to deal with this dreadful disease. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor, County of Hawaii <br />County of Ha ai"i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer, <br />