HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.013 2024-2026Testimony in Opposition to Resolution No. 11525
Submitted by: Nene.org
Date: April 01, 2025
To: County Council, County of Hawai'i
Aloha Chair and Members of the Hawai'i County Council,
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Nene.org respectfully submits this testimony in opposition to Resolution No. 11525, which
proposes a $20,000 grant from Council District 1's Contingency Relief Funds to Aloha Animal
Alliance for its Cat Management Pilot Program. While we support efforts to improve animal
welfare and protect native wildlife, we are concerned that this funding duplicates an existing
solution, overlooks a cost-effective alternative, and moves forward prematurely. It is surprising
that this resolution is being introduced despite ongoing mediation regarding the pilot project
with other stakeholders, including Nene.org, Hawaii County Parks and Recreation, Hawaii
County Animal Control, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Our organization has developed a comprehensive colony tracking software system, which can be
tested at hawaiicats.org. Since May 2024, we have received over 14,000 community sighting
records and mapped more than 900 colonies across the state. This initiative called CatMap has
been covered by local news, Hawaii Public Radio and Civil Beat. This platform was built to allow
community submissions to track colony statistics and can easily be modified to enable dedicated
caretakers to provide additional information, such as health records. It is fully operational and
actively supporting cat management efforts statewide. We also have a dedicated iOS mobile app
that can assist with field monitoring and surveys for colony caretakers. Moreover, Nene.org is
happy to donate not only the software but also additional development hours for modifications
or adding new features to accomplish this project's goals. We made this offer very clear to
Aloha Animal Alliance over two months ago, yet this resolution proceeds without
acknowledging our willingness to collaborate and instead use valuable relief funds to duplicate
what already exists.
The budget in Resolution No. 11525 allocates $10,000 for "Cat Tracker Software Development"
and $5,000 for "Front End Web Build," among other expenses —costs that could be avoided by
leveraging our existing system and donated expertise. We question the need to reinvent the
wheel when a proven, adaptable tool and additional support are already available, particularly
when mediation remains unresolved and broader stakeholder concerns linger. By accepting our
donation, the County could save taxpayers at least $15,000, redirecting those funds to other
critical needs like traps, training, or direct care, while still achieving the public health and
welfare goals outlined in the resolution.
We share Aloha Animal Alliance's commitment to reducing shelter intake and safeguarding
native species like nene. However, proceeding with new funding risks fragmenting resources
and efforts when mediation is still addressing coordination among involved parties and other
unresolved legal issues persist. Collaboration, not duplication, should guide our path forward,
but only after stakeholder concerns are fully addressed. Our platform and team are ready to
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support this initiative immediately, and we are open to working with the County and Aloha
Animal Alliance to ensure its success once a unified approach is established.
We urge the Council to delay consideration on this funding in light of the ongoing mediation,
outstanding stakeholder concerns, and our prior offer to Aloha Animal Alliance. By leveraging
our donated software and development hours, the County can maximize efficiency and deliver
results without additional cost to taxpayers —but only when the timing and approach are right.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with council members, the Animal Control
and Protection Agency, and Aloha Animal Alliance.
Mahalo for your consideration. Nene.org remains committed to collaborating for the benefit of
our island's communities and environment.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lerma
Executive Director
Nene.org