HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0239.021 2024-2026P / Caurnci l
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From:
Jaime Cunnane
Sent:
Monday, May 19, 2025 12:32 AM
To:
Council Testimony
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Subject:
Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25
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Dear Council Members,
TNRM DOES NOT WORK H
I urge you to oppose Resolution 140-25, which proposes awarding $50,000 in grant funds to Aloha Animal
Alliance Hawaii for their Trap -Neuter -Return -Manage (TNRM) initiative. Decades of scientific research —
including studies conducted in Hawaii —demonstrate that TNRM is an ineffective, costly, and
environmentally damaging approach to managing feral cat populations. Continued support for this
method threatens endangered native wildlife, endangers public health, and may expose the County to
legal liability.
TNRM fails to reduce cat populations. Population modeling in Hawaii shows that even under ideal
conditions, TNRM takes decades to achieve population reductions —and only if there is no new cat
abandonment. In practice, the ongoing abandonment and immigration of cats into colonies prevents any
meaningful progress. In contrast, direct removal strategies are faster,, more cost-effective, and result in
real population declines.
TNRM sustains environmental harm. Feral cats are documented predators of native species, including
endangered birds. Colonies persist near critical habitats, and there are confirmed cases of nene and
seabird deaths due to feral cats. TNRM leaves these colonies intact, allowing predation to continue
unchecked. Continuing this way means a continued decline in native bird populations which are many
times already endangered. Hawaii is already the extinction capital of the world- why continue to support
ways to cement this awful stat? When will the leaders of Hawaii actually take a stand and address these
issues by standing with native species instead of ones people find cuddly, cute, and should really only
have a place in Hawaii in peoples houses and not roaming outside?
In summary, funding TNRM is a poor use of public resources. It does not address the root problem, and
instead perpetuates harm to wildlife and public health. I respectfully urge the Council to vote no on this
resolution and instead fund science -based strategies that result in measurable reductions in feral cat
populations.
Sincerely,
Jaime M N Cunnane
Comm.o 3
Ref. To:
Ref. mate l 21 2025