HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 438 Draft 01 2004-2006 ~<Y O~
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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 438 4i6
A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT
TIGHTENED AGRICULTURAL INSPECTIONS FOR INCOMING CARGO AND
PASSENGERS TO HAWAII
WHEREAS, the continued invasion of alien species to Hawaii has resulted in millions
of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and the
spread of disease, and has wreaked havoc on our local economy and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, according to numerous agencies in Hawaii on invasive species control, a
major influx of invasive species such as Miconia, Fountain Grass, Fireweed, Fruit Flies,
Snowflake Coral, Alien Algae and the Coqui Frog, have attacked many native ecosystems in
Hawaii and have threatened to endanger various Hawaiian native flowers, trees, plants, and
animals to the point of near extinction; and
WHEREAS, Congress has found that, tragically, Hawaii may be the undisputed
endangered species capitol of the United States, based on statistics that reveal that Hawai`i's 255
listed plant species represent approximately one-fourth of the total nttmber of endangered species
in the U.S., of which more than one-fifth of the entire Hawaiian flora are comprised; and
WHEREAS, Congress' findings also indicate that in the past 200 years, more than 5,000
species ofnon-native plants and animals have become established in the Hawaiian Islands,
representing a rate of successful colonization of a new species every 18 days, an astonishing
contrast to the estimated rate of introduction through natural evolution of one species every
25,000 to 50,000 years; and
WHEREAS, in a span of a few short months, the Gall Wasp has produced growth-
stunting tumors on the leaves of the Wiliwili, eventually causing the defoliation of these trees on
Oahu, Kauai, the Kona side of the Big Island, Maui, and more recently on Molokai, and is
expected to continue its rapid spread even as efforts are made to curb its invasion; and
WHEREAS, a member of Congress introduced H.R. 3468, known as the "Hawai`i
Invasive Species Prevention Act", which states that "[i]t is the policy of the United States to fund
' and support coordinated and concerted programs and activities to control, interdict, and prevent
the introduction or spread of invasive species and diseases in Hawai`i," and further directs the
U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior to implement "the establishment of a system of
post-arrival quarantine protocols for all persons, baggage, cargo, containers, packing materials,
and other items traveling or being shipped to Hawaii from domestic or foreign locations"; and
WHEREAS, while current federal inspections protect the U.S. mainland from invasive
species arriving from Hawaii, the Hawaiian Islands are not afforded the same protection from
invasive species that arrive through visitor and cargo shipments to the State; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the Invasive Species Interdiction Inspection Facility and
complementary facilities at both the Hilo and Kona Airports, as requested by the State
Department of Transportation, will be a gigantic step forward in increasing much needed
protection against pests and diseases that arrive on the Big Island via air cargo; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii continues to be particularly vulnerable to invasive alien species
because of its position as an international transportation hub and its vulnerable native
ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, the mere introduction of even one new alien pest to Hawaii, such as the
brown tree snake, the red imported fire ant, Africanized honey bees, or biting flies, could
severely alter the economy and character of the Hawaiian Islands as we know them; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that Hawai`i's unique endemic species be preserved for the
perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and for the education of future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY
OF HAWAII ,that the Council hereby supports the "Hawai`i Invasive Species Prevention Act"
which directs the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior to implement "the establishment
of a system ofpost-arrival quarantine protocols for all persons, baggage, cargo, containers,
packing materials, and other items traveling or being shipped to Hawaii from domestic or
foreign locations," and urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 3468; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that certified copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senator; the Honorable Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Senator; the
Honorable Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Representative; the Honorable Ed Case, U.S. Representative;
the Honorable Bob Goodlatte, Agriculture Committee Chair, U.S. House of Representatives; the
Honorable Collin Peterson, Agriculture Committee, U.S. House of Representatives; the
Honorable Richard Pombo, U.S. Representative; the Honorable Nick Rahall, U.S.
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Representative; the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor, State of Hawaii; the Honorable Harry
Kim, Mayor, County of Hawaii; Mike Johann, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture;
Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Director, Hawaii State Department of Agriculture; Peter Young,
Co-Chair, Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Teya Penniman, Manager, Maui Invasive Species
Committee; and Lori Buchanon, Public Information Officer, Coordinating Group for Alien Pest
Species.
Dated at , Hawaii, this day of , 2006.
INTRODUCED BY:
'
COUNC MBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL voTE
County ofHawai`i Aves Noes ABS
Hilo, Hawaii ARaxnxl
HIGA
1 hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL ofthe HOLSCHUH
County of Hawaii on
IKEDA
ISBELL
ATTEST: 7ACOBSON
PILAGO
SAFARIK
Reference: C-1034/PWIRC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 4
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