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From: Joseph Simpliciano
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 4:16 PM
To: Council Testimony CD
Subject: Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25
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Dear Council Members,
Aloha, as a person from Oahu that has been dealing with invasive feral cats, their feeders, non -profits and fo'r�profits'. All
of the information and science to show that TNR does not work is posted on the Hawaii invasive species council which is
a part of DLNR. Any council member choosing to fund this project which is paid for by tax payers should be removed
from their seat and names turned into the State and federal government because it's a waste of taxpayers money and
your allowing feeders to continue creating and maintaining colonies. Our Laws, State laws have been in place which
clearly states that keeping cats indoors is the law.
Invasive feral cats should get the same treatment as a stray dog.
People continuing to create, feed and maintain invasive feral cat colonies on public land is also breaking the law, whether
that land is under the jurisdiction of the county or state it clearly violates the law.
The only reason why there is invasive feral cats all over the place is because of humans. It isn't the cats fault, it is the
groups of people who seek donations to prolong and perpetuate a situation that should be solved quickly. Is the federally
protected birds, seals and turtles no longer protected? No, they are still protected because their numbers are so low due
to factors such as invasive feral cats hunting them for sport or poisoning them with toxoplasmosis leading to their death.
I urge you to oppose Resolution 140-25, which proposes awarding $50,000 in grant funds to Aloha Animal Alliance
Hawai'i 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 Hawai'i 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,
Joseph K. Simpliciano
Al
Sent from my Whone Comm. No -�J
Ref. To:-V
Ref. Date MAY 2 1 2025