HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0108.001 2004-2006
FRED C. HOLSCHUH, M.D. ~,~.c~~!y Phone: (808) 961-8264
Cotmcilmembcr Fax: (808) 961-8912
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HAWAI `I COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hmaai `i
l/mrni'i County l3nilding
11 : I npuni Street. Suite 209
Hilo, Ilmrai'i 96720
TO: Rep. Felipe Abinsay, Jr., Chair, Rep. Cliff Tsuji, Vice-Chair and
Members, House AGR and Rep. Hermina Morita, Chair, Rep. Cindy
Evans, Vice-Chair, and Members, House EEP
FROM: Dr. Fred Holschuh ~P -
SUBJECT: HB 1160 and 1301, Relating to Coqui frogs
DATE: February 9, 2005
Chair Abinsay, Vice-Chau• Tsuji, Chair Morita, Vice-Chair Evans, and Members of
House AGR and EEP:
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony in strong support for HB 1301 and 1160,
relating to Coqui frog eradication. As a Big Island councilmember from District 1,
Waimea to Hilo, I am especially supportive of HB 1160, which requests financial
backing for an eradication program in our county. Mayor Kim has declazed an
emergency regazding proliferation of these frogs.
Not only do the Coqui frogs do environmental damage, but they become incredibly noisy
pests causing many Big Island residents to have sleepless nights. I have been told, in
some areas of Hawaii County, the frog population per acre exceeds that documented in
Puerto Rico. I can relate a few personal experiences as follows:
¦ Last yeaz, a real estate salesperson described the loss of a home sale in Kona to a
e6ent, who having heazd about Coquis, went to the property at 10 p.m The noise
was so great that she cancelled the purchase.
¦ While visiting the wo on the Big Island a yeaz ago, we were told that rules forbid
keeping a Coqui on display in a glass enclosure at the wo, while thousands of
them live in surrounding forests.
¦ I have heard the frogs at night in many areas of our county, but nothing like the
sound at the overlook above Waipio Valley. Last year, after a meeting, I drove
there and joined a resident about 10 p.m The noise was so incredibly loud that
normal conversation was difficult. I imagine restful sleep is neazly impossible. p~
Comm. No. ~ O•
Ref. To: Prasea
R..-~f. C:at3~
Relating to Coqui froga/Fred Holschuh/2/9J05
-2-
I strongly support the bills regarding Coqui frog eradication and most importantly,
respectfully ask for passage of HB 1160, which will bring resources to aid Hawaii
County. Many thanks.
Aloha, _J-~
Fred C. Holschuh, M.D.