HomeMy WebLinkAboutChimera, Chuck
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Chuck Chimera <cgchimera@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, July 20, 2026 6:31 PM
To:Council Testimony
Subject:Testimony Supporting Res. 603-26
Aloha Chair Kagiwada, Vice Chair Kāneali ʻ i-Kleinfelder, and members of the Committee on
Governmental Relations and External Affairs,
My name is Chuck Chimera, and I am a resident of Honoka ʻ a. I respectfully offer my strong support for
Resolution 603-26.
I have worked in conservation and biosecurity in Hawai ʻ i for more than 30 years, including protecting our
rare and endangered native palms. I also grow several coconut palms and native loulu palms on my own
property. This issue affects me both professionally and personally.
I also want to recognize the outstanding work of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) and
its many partners. Their staff have worked tirelessly to survey for CRB, respond to detections, educate
the public, assist businesses, and coordinate with landowners and agencies. Their efforts have given
Hawai ʻ i Island a real opportunity to contain this pest. However, they cannot succeed without timely
regulatory support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB).
The CRB infestation now stretches from Kīholo to Keauhou. We still have a window of opportunity to
contain this devastating pest, but that window is rapidly closing. The recent detection of a coconut
rhinoceros beetle in a monitoring trap at Hilo International Airport is particularly alarming and
underscores just how urgent this situation has become. Unfortunately, implementation of the Board of
Agriculture and Biosecurity's emergency interim rules has been far too slow.
Delays in regulating businesses that sell or transport potted plants, mulch, compost, and other CRB host
material have left unnecessary pathways for the beetle to spread. Although the Board adopted the
interim rules in March, implementation remains incomplete. BIISC staff have done a stellar job educating
businesses and the public, but DAB has yet to designate a clearly identified staff member to coordinate
implementation. Only a limited number of compliance agreements have been issued, and there is still
uncertainty about how the rules will be enforced.
The stakes are extremely high. West Hawai ʻ i's dry climate still gives us a chance to contain CRB, but if
breeding populations become established in wetter areas such as Hilo or Puna, eradication may no
longer be possible. The consequences would be devastating for coconut palms, native loulu, agriculture,
landscapes, and native ecosystems across the state.
I urge the County Council to adopt Resolution 603-26 and send a clear message that these emergency
rules must be treated as an actual emergency. DAB should immediately designate a staff member to
oversee implementation, build upon BIISC's excellent outreach efforts, and ensure the rules are
consistently enforced. These are practical, common-sense steps that will give Hawai ʻ i Island its best
chance to avoid the outcome now seen on O ʻ ahu and Kaua ʻ i.
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Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of this important resolution.
Chuck Chimera
Honoka ʻ a
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