HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.041 2004-2006
Kim Tavares - PO Box 338 - Volcano, Hawaii - 96785
2006 November 27
To: Chairman Higa and Hawaii County Council Members
RE: Bill 258 (Draft 4): AGAINST Animal Nuisance code revisions
Greetings,
It is true that something needs to be done about noisy animals. First, the term "noisy animals" needs to
be better defined. Then, we need to get rid of Coqui frogs. After that, maybe we should be talking
about what to do about a particularly noisy dog, or roosters that get confused by full moons. But then
again, maybe not. This island economy was founded in agriculture, subsistence farming, hunting,
fishing and gathering. It has the ability to provide everything its residents need for a comfortable
living. But right now the balance is being threatened by developments that are consuming lands of the
subsistence farmers.
Noisy animals should not be an issue in agriculturally classed lands, and likewise those lands should
not be re-classified to residential for the purpose of inclusion in the noisy animal law. I am firmly
against the clause applying to subsistence farming and animal husbandry within lands currently in the
agriculture class. Hopefully, this is addressed in Section 4-6(a) where it reads: "for food purposes
where the keeping of livestock is a permitted use".
It should not make a difference whether the animals are raised commercially or on a home farm. It
should be an approved use in certain agriculturally classed lands. If reclassifying the lands is what's
needed here, let the CDP's help to do that. A tradition and a part of Hawaii's culture is dying here
because ag lands are turning into residential districts. This has become a problem for the subsistence
farmers, fishers and hunters and will lead to all sorts of social problems down the road.
I'll be happy to help draft a law about noise, but let's not pick in such broad terms on animals, until we
eradicate Coqui frogs and stop helicopters from flying overhead so frequently and so low.
C Respectful ,
I`~
Kim avares
Kim Tavares *2006
Community Development Hui of Fern Forest (member)
Fem Forest Community (Roads) Association (member & Business Manager)
Puna Community Development Plan Steering Committee
Liaison to working groups:
Culture & Historic Preservation, Natural Resources Preservation & Protection
Discussion Participant in additional working groups:
Agricultural Lands, Land Use sub-group Preservation of Open Lands, Parks & Recreation 01
Comm. No.
Ref. To:~
Ref. Uate~