HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0220.017 2008-2010
Murashige Laura P W From: Ann Kobsa [ann.kobsa@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 7:46 AM
To: counciltestimony JUL
Subject: against Resolution 80-09 Fj H
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Attachments: testimony, res 80-09.doc
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testimony, res
80-09.doc (22 K...
Please see attached letter
Comm. Noy-?iZ~n.
Ref. To,
Ref. Vate ~UL 7 2003
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Aloha Hawai'i County Council Members,
This is testimony against Resolution 80-09.
I offer mana'o, not just for myself, but as official representative of Malama O Puna, an
environmental 501(c)3 nonprofit with nearly 1500 member households in Puna. This
resolution bans any form of biocontrol for waiawi on the basis of its relatedness with
`ohi`a. We are strongly opposed to this resolution, and I'll explain why.
We cherish the `ohi`a. We do not think that the risk of a switch in host specificity of the
waiawi scale biocontrol is significant, whereas the risk to `ohi`a from the continued
spread of waiawi is enormous. `Ohi`a trees in forests such as Wao Kele O Puna are
literally dropping like flies due to the encroachment by waiawi. The `ohi`a and hundreds
of other plant species, as well as the native insects, fungi, spiders, etc, that depend on
them, are at stake. The encroachment is happening so fast it is scary. The other day I had
difficulty walking through a forest because it was so thickly invaded by waiawi saplings.
This same forest was open and inviting and mostly native just 7 years ago.
The unique biology of the scale insect-waiawi symbiosis makes the scale an excellent
candidate for a safe biological control agent. The scale attaches itself to the leaf of the
host plant, which creates a specific cellular interaction between the two species resulting
in the insect being enveloped by the leaf tissue in a gall. This intimate biological
interaction, the result of many thousands of years of coevolution, makes a switch in host-
specificity not impossible, but extremely unlikely. We feel that the 15 years of careful
research, including thorough testing of the scale on over 80 native and cultural plant
species, gives us adequate security in releasing this biocontrol agent. Biocontrol has
proven to be highly effective and safe in the 34 years since testing and regulation went
into effect, and in that time 51 biocontrol agents have been safely introduced into
Hawai'i, many with profound positive effects.
Lets not miss out on this opportunity to slow the destruction of our native forests. Lets
reap the benefits of the large effort that has already been made toward assuring us that
this biocontrol agent is safe and highly worthy of release.
I urge you to vote down Resolution 80-09.
Mahalo for your careful attention to this issue.
Malama Pono,
Ann Kobsa, PhD (Biology)
Invasive Species Coordinator and Vice-President of Malama O Puna
965-6273