HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0942.138 2006-2008
Mar 11 08 10:26p John Harrison (808)595-5143 p.1
Q+wA jj For the Protection of Hawaii's Native Wildlife
i HAWAII AUDUBON SOCIETY
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Date: March 10, 2008
To: Hawaii County Council 3
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Re: Council Hearing, March 12, 2008, Bill 224 s
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TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT
Chair Hoffruann, Vice Chair Pilago, and members of the Hawaii County Council. The Hawai' i
Audubon Society would like to once again offer testimony in strong support of Bill 224.
Founded in 1939, the Hawaii Audubon Society is Hawai`i's oldest conservation organization,
with a membership of over 1,500 dedicated individuals statewide, including the Island of
Hawaii. The Society's primary mission is the protection of Hawai`i's endemic birds, wildlife
and their habitats. The Society supports efforts that improve habitat resources and the
environment.
It is well known that our ecosystems are under attack. Hawai` i is the endangered species capitol
of the world with the highest number of listed threatened and endangered species in the nation.
There are 294 threatened and endangered bird, animal and plant species in Hawaii, many
of which can only be found on the Big Island.
We know that cigarette butt litter, which includes packaging and plastic lighters, is a major
problem at our beaches, in the ocean, and our watersheds, all of which are critical habitats for our
various bird species. Cigarette butts discarded in parking lots, along sidewalks and in street
gutters miles from the coast inevitably make their way through storm drains, creeks and rivers,
eventually collecting in our costal ecosystem and ocean. Cigarette butts discarded onto beaches
add to the problem, it isn't just a matter of unsightly trash. Toxins from cigarettes collect on the
filter and are then leach out into the beach sands and aquatic coastal waters.
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Mar 11 08 10:26p John Harrison (808)595-5143 p.2
Birds and sea mammals ingest the butts and brightly colored lighters thinking that it's food.
Plastic pieces have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales, and other marine creatures.
Ingestion of plastic lighters and cigarette filters is a known threat to island wildlife.
Passage of Bill 244, will go a long way in eventually improving the costal ecosystems on the Big
Island. The reduction of smoking related litter; cigarette butts, cigar tips, lighters, and the
wrappers on cigarette packs, will eliminate cigarette litter throughout our watershed and ensure
the survival or many of our State's endemic and indigenous birds, sea turtles, and costal fishes.
Let's put an end to the worlds greatest environmental litter problem, at least on the Big Island. I
strongly urge you to pass Bill 224 as is un-amended.
,
Tri