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From: Diane Holschuh [triplet@interpac.net] .t~
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 7:05 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Resolution 80-09
Attachments: Resolution 80-09 Relating to Biological Control.doc
TO: Council Chair J Yoshimoto and Members of the Hawaii County Council
FROM: Dr. Fred C. Holschuh
DATE: July 7, 2009
SUBJECT: Resolution 80-09
Please provide a copy of my attached April 21, 2009 testimony on this resolution to the committee hearing
on July 7, 2009 at 10 a.m. Thank you.
Aloha,
Fred Holschuh
Comm No Z~ • ~ 6
Ref. Tot W
Ref. Date U 0 7 009 -
7/2/2009
P.O. Box 2004
Honokaa, Hawaii 96727,(808)640-3181
TO: Brenda Ford, Chair, Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations
Committee
FROM: Dr. Fred C. Holschuh
DATE: April 21, 2009
SUBJECT: Resolution 80-09 Relating to Biological Control
Chair Ford and Members:
I wholeheartedly endorse passage of Resolution 80-09, which requests a ban on
biological control agents, including the Brazilian Scale insect, on the island of Hawaii for
any tree species related to the O'hia, including Strawberry Guava. In a state that prides
itself on control of alien and invasive species, this proposal seems like the ultimate irony.
I will list my comments in bullet fashion:
¦ I live in a rural area in Hamakua and in my 35 years here, have learned how to
control the strawberry guava when necessary. Additionally, I use the wood, my
wife makes jelly from the fruit and it serves as a food source for birds, animals
and people.
¦ The tree can grow quite large and has a great deal of aesthetic value to many
people. The infringement on private property rights has the potential for huge
financial liability against the state of Hawaii
¦ As a former Hawaii county council member, I am very disturbed that the huge
public outcry against this proposed project is apparently being disregarded.
¦ The scale insects may well have destructive effects on other trees and plants
including the O'hia tree.
¦ In spite of assurances that testing has been done, this program is clearly
experimental. As a physician, I am very concerned about the release of a
biological agent which by its nature, will spread throughout the state, far from the
forests, into privately owned property and has the potential for significant
unintended consequences. Like bacteria, viruses, and other insects, there are no
guarantees that through mutation and/or other adaptation, this insect might well
cause mass destruction of other food and ornamental trees and plants.
I respectfully ask your committee and the council to lend its full support to halting
this proposed biological control program. Thank you.
Aloha,