2019-02-21 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen HB 1548, HD1 Relating to Rapid Ohia Death

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Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawai i Office of the Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 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 21, 2019 Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair Committee on Finance Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair Committee on Finance Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members: RE: HB 1548, HD1 Relating Rapid Ohia Death The initial shock of the discovery of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) has passed, and therefore the media has largely moved on. But the devastation of ROD and the Toss of Ohia in Hawaii should not be ignored. Therefore, I am grateful to the authors of this bill, and to you and your Committee, for keeping this issue alive at the Legislature, and hopefully furthering the battle to defeat this terrible scourge. I will defer to the scientists as to how much funding can be productively used, and urge that, at the end of the Session, there be sufficient money allotted to find an ROD cause and cure, or at least treatment. With whatever amendments are appropriate, please approve funding to combat ROD, either via HB 1548, HD1 or in the House version of the State budget. Respectfully Submitted, arry Kim MAYOR County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.