HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0220.001 2008-2010
Big Island Invasive Species Committee
April 21, 2009
Chairperson Brenda Ford
Hawai'i Co. Council
Committee on Public Works and
Intergovernmental Affairs
Testimony in opposition of Comm. 220 (Reso. 80-09) requesting a ban on releasine bio-control
agents on the island of Hawaii
The Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) strongly opposes Resolution 80-90. Bio-control
when done correctly, responsibly and legally is an effective tool for natural resource managers in our fight
to control invasive pest species.
This resolution is of particular concern due to audacious and unscientific assumption(s) that bio-control
agents "may adapt and evolve" to attack other Myrtaceae species including our native `Ohi'a. This is
nothing more than a veiled attempt to stop the release of a "specific" bio-control agent (Tectococcus
ovata to control the spread of Strawberry Guava as per Resolution 718-08, which has yet to be decided.
There is no way any respectable biologist, agency, or others working in the field of natural resource
management/conservation would support any bio-agent release without assurances protecting non-target
species, especially native species. There is no doubt mistakes were made in the late 1800's (most notable
the mongoose), and early 1900's that caused un-do harm to Hawaii's environment, but understand that
there were no scientific or legal standards during that time. There have been dramatic changes to bio-
control policies often requiring decades of research before any bio-control agent can be approved for
release. Since 1975, there have been 51 bio-control agents released without any effect, including natural
enemies of clidemia, banana poka, ivy gourd, haole-koa and Panini.
The Big Island has the largest remaining intact native forest and ecosystems in the State, yet overall
within the State we spend less than I% to protect our most valued resource. Funding continues to
dwindle to programs like BIISC who conduct manual control operations of invasive species across the
Big Island. To remove additional tools like bio-control would further hamper conservation efforts on the
Big Island.
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Comm. No.
Ref. To: _ WI C'
Ref. Date APR 212003
23 East Kawili Street' Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Website: www.hear.org/biisc, www.bigislandisc.org
Phone: (808) 933-3326 Fax: (808) 933-3339 Hotline: (808) 961-3299
August It, 2008
Chairperson Brenda Ford
Hawai'i Co. Council
Committee on Public Works and
Intergovernmental Affairs
Re: Resolution 718-08 on release of Tectococcus ovata to control Psidium cattleianum
This testimony is in opposition to Resolution 718-08. I urge the Council to defer any action
pending the release of the revised Environmental Assessment (EA), which is on-going.
As an operational Manager for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, we deal directly with
removing invasive species, of which Strawberry guava is only one of the multitude of species we
deal with. From an operational perspective, this is one of the most costly species to control, with
the State average to control strawberry guava in forest ecosystems at $631 per hectare (2.5 acres),
with an average maintenance cost of $300 per hectare. Maintenance should be held in perpetuity
given large seed bank within control sites. Cost increase with density, in some cases as many as
26,000 plants per acres or 95% ground cover of strawberry guava. Add in steep slopes common
in Hawaii, and prevalent in areas along the Hamakua coast, most particularly in the Lapahoehoe
region and your looking at cost increase of $450 an acre. Considering that we have nearly 80,000
acres, natural resource Managers can only control in selective sites.
Cost effectiveness is unattainable with this particular species with current available tools.
Utilizing mechanical and chemical methods are extremely expensive and control sites require
multiple visits over an indefinite time frame to deal with re-sprouting. As an example, the park
service recently expensed $59,000 just in labor cost to clear 3.5 acres of dense (95% cover)
strawberry guava. BIISC staffing expense averages $952 a day for control activities, of which we
have spent $2,856 at a single control site of medium density in Kalapana (.65 acres). Keep in
mind these cost do not include herbicide, fuel (for chainsaws), and equipment cost, this is strictly
labor cost for a single control activity. Kauai crews are averaging from a low of $100 an acre to a
high of $450 an acre. Lanai cost, are significantly higher since all equipment and personnel is
flown in from Maui.
Natural resource managers deal with a gauntlet of invasive species issues. Our tool box, consist
of standard mechanical and chemical application techniques which can be quite effective in many
instances. In cases such as strawberry guava where densities and spread far exceed our
operational abilities, we need to look for new tools. Bio-control provides that option for natural
resource Managers, like myself. Our native forest are reaching a tipping point where the spread
of strawberry guava has outpaced our ability to slow down the front from taking over more native
habitat, and increasing the threat to already threatened and/or endangered species. Given the
economic factors limiting field actions, cost feasibility and efficiency, we need to consider
alternative actions such as bio-control to limit the spread of such an aggressive species.
Again, I urge the Council to defer any action until after the revised EA is completed.
Julie Leialoha
Big Island Invasive Species manager
23 E. Kawili Street/ Hilo
(808) 933-3340/933-3326