HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0239.047 2024-2026P / council
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From: Bethany Letoto
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 10:55 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25
Dear Council Members,
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.
As a taxpayer, community member, and small business owner in Hawai'i county, I am strongly opposed
to this use of county funds. Please vote no.
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BethanyLetoto
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Ref. To:
Ref. Dale MA 2 1