HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoucek, Adrian
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Adrian Soucek <asoucek@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, July 20, 2026 6:36 PM
To:Council Testimony
Subject:Testimony on Res. 603-26
Aloha e Chair Kagiwada, Vice Chair Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder, and members of the Hawaiʻi
County Council Committee on Governmental Relations and External Affairs,
My name is Adrian Soucek and I am writing in strong support of Resolution 603-26, urging the
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) to fully implement and enforce the interim coconut
rhinoceros beetle (CRB) emergency rules adopted by the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity in
March.
CRB continues to spread across West Hawaiʻi and time is running out to contain it. Delays by DAB in
adopting and implementing protections for high-risk pathways have left Hawaiʻi Island - and our
neighbor islands - at unnecessary risk. Although the interim rules were adopted months ago,
implementation remains incomplete, with limited public outreach, no dedicated DAB point of contact,
and unclear enforcement.
We still have an opportunity to contain CRB before it becomes established in wetter areas where
eradication may no longer be possible. Meaningful implementation of these rules is essential to
protecting our island and avoiding the devastating impacts already seen on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.
Please pass Resolution 603-26 and urge DAB to treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves by
assigning dedicated staff, increasing public awareness, and enforcing the interim rules.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
With aloha,
Adrian Soucek
PO Box 1599, Kapa’au, HI 96755
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