HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0220.031 2008-2010
Murashi e, Laura C.D M M . 220 P/Cou"M
From: Ann Kobsa [ann.kobsa@gmail. com]
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 9:45 PM
To: counciltestimony
Subject: against Resolution 80-09
Attachments: testimony, res 80-09.doc -
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testimony, res
80-09.doc (22 K... _
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 0 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 insect is significant, whereas the risk to `ohi`a from the continued
spread of waiawi has already proven to be enormous. `Ohi`a trees in forests such as Wao
Kele 0 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 Hawaii, many with profound positive effects.
Let's not miss out on this opportunity to slow the destruction of our native forests.
Let's 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. This resolution is a
waiawi protective measure disguised as protection for `ohi`a , but in reality it will do
great harm to our beloved `ohi`a by allowing the continued spread of the monstrously
destructive waiawi.
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 0 Puna
965-6273
C0MOL FIM 2Zo.3
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