HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0239.032 2024-2026p/Counul
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From: Koa Grabar c�
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2025 10:31 AMc+
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25c s
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Dear Council Members,
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.
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, Koa Grabar
Koa Grabar
Masters of Environmental Management Student, Hawaii Wildlife Ecology Lab
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Management
College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Comm. fag • � l
Ref. To: 0
Ref.. Date MAY 2 1 2025