HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.456 2024-2026From:
Saxony Chariot
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Sent:
Monday, July 21, 2025 9:54 PM
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Co
To:
Council Testimony
Subject:
Testimony Supporting 51
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Aloha Councilmembers,
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I am writing in support of Bill
51, which prohibits the feeding of feral and stray animals on County of Hawai'i property.
I am a conservation biologist working to mitigate the ecological harm done by feral animals, specifically cats, that are left
to roam Hawaii unmanaged. Cat presence on the landscape is a pervasive and unnecessary threat to native species, and
allowing the feeding of these animals promotes cat colony proliferation and promotes the erosion of Hawai'i's bicultural
uniqueness.
I've seen the consequences of unmanaged feral cats on the landscape. The birds I work with, 'ua'u and 'ake'ake, have
experienced severe population declines in part due to introduced predators such as cats. These birds used to be some of
the most abundant birds in all of Hawaii, but today are relatively unknown and rarely seen, living mostly at very high
elevations in harsh conditions.
Even at these elevations, these endangered birds are killed by cats. Finding a cat killed bird at 8000', or cat scat filled with
bones of wildlife at 10000' is not uncommon. Cats have managed to find their way into every habitable stretch of
landscape across Hawaii, and us conservationists see it firsthand. Controlling cats is an absolute must if we want to
protect Hawai'i's native species, who are not only important for ecological function, but also the continuation of cultural
practices that use them.
I know that even if Bill 51 passes and is enforced we will still have a lot of work to do to prevent these invasive cats from
destroying wildlife, but it would be an excellent way to show that Hawai'i takes caring for our environment seriously, and
hopefully would be a step in the right direction for reducing the population of these harmful feral animals.
There is no way to have both healthy populations of native species and feral cats freely fed and cared for on the
landscape. Please act to protect Hawai'i's native wildlife by prohibiting feeding of feral animals on county property.
Aloha and thank you for your time,
Saxony Charlot
Comm. 40
Ref. To: X
Ref. Date JUL 2 3 2025