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<br /> Mar 11 08 10:26p John Harrison (808)595-5143 p.1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Q+wA jj For the Protection of Hawaii's Native Wildlife <br /> i HAWAII AUDUBON SOCIETY <br /> <br /> r-+ 850 Richards Street, Suite 505, Honolulu, H1968134709 <br /> ~j GAY Phone./Fax:(8W 528-1432; hiaudwc@pixi.com N <br /> V www.hawaiiaudubon.rom o <br /> ~pN g0 47) a, <br /> On 1 <br /> Z;~ f~ <br /> Date: March 10, 2008 <br /> To: Hawaii County Council 3 <br /> rn <br /> Re: Council Hearing, March 12, 2008, Bill 224 s <br /> C.0 <br /> <br /> TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT <br /> Chair Hoffruann, Vice Chair Pilago, and members of the Hawaii County Council. The Hawai' i <br /> <br /> Audubon Society would like to once again offer testimony in strong support of Bill 224. <br /> Founded in 1939, the Hawaii Audubon Society is Hawai`i's oldest conservation organization, <br /> <br /> with a membership of over 1,500 dedicated individuals statewide, including the Island of <br /> Hawaii. The Society's primary mission is the protection of Hawai`i's endemic birds, wildlife <br /> and their habitats. The Society supports efforts that improve habitat resources and the <br /> <br /> environment. <br /> <br /> <br /> It is well known that our ecosystems are under attack. Hawai` i is the endangered species capitol <br /> of the world with the highest number of listed threatened and endangered species in the nation. <br /> There are 294 threatened and endangered bird, animal and plant species in Hawaii, many <br /> <br /> of which can only be found on the Big Island. <br /> <br /> <br /> We know that cigarette butt litter, which includes packaging and plastic lighters, is a major <br /> problem at our beaches, in the ocean, and our watersheds, all of which are critical habitats for our <br /> various bird species. Cigarette butts discarded in parking lots, along sidewalks and in street <br /> <br /> gutters miles from the coast inevitably make their way through storm drains, creeks and rivers, <br /> eventually collecting in our costal ecosystem and ocean. Cigarette butts discarded onto beaches <br /> <br /> add to the problem, it isn't just a matter of unsightly trash. Toxins from cigarettes collect on the <br /> filter and are then leach out into the beach sands and aquatic coastal waters. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> comm. No. q~s . /3a <br /> Ref. Tux <br /> Ref, dale- <br />