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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0164.001 2010-2012 April 19, 2011 To: Chairman and Members Hawaii County Council Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability From: Robert Sumner -Mack Big Island Beekeepers Assoc. Subject: Testimony in Support of Big Island Agricultural Development Plan, 2010 -11 As a representative of the Big Island Beekeepers Association, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of the agricultural development plan. My name is Robert Sumner -Mack, from Hilo. The plan has been superbly prepared. I believe that for a county with a billion dollar ag industry and over 70 agricultural organizations, the R & D department needs a larger staff to undertake the many proposed actions in this plan. I hope you will address this issue and seriously expand the support available to Ms Hopkins for the overwhelming job she has to do to guide the County in its support of agriculture. I wish to draw your attention especially to Section L, pp. 44 -45 of the plan, which addresses invasive species. Proposed actions include (1)c "Support ongoing efforts of HDOA, Congressional Delegates and Hawaii Island producers regarding initiatives and incentives to improve invasive species inspection and entry prevention. ". The County has an important role to play in this specific area as a strong advocate for insuring that 100% of incoming cargo is adequately inspected. The State will need good collaboration with the County in planning and designing these facilities. Our biosecurity is almost non - existent here in Hawaii and the price our agricultural industry is paying is very high. Although the responsibility for building and operating agricultural inspection services is a State and Federal responsibility, they are NOT doing an adequate job in Hawaii. The result has been catastrophic for our honey bee pollinators. We have had three very bad infestations in the last three years. A recent survey of 50 beekeepers here found that the total # of hives that had died in the previous 12 months was 55 %. The repercussions for the mac nut industry will soon be felt. If our Queen Bee producers in West Hawaii stumble, it will hurt the entire bee industry across the US that depends on Big Island queen bees. Just last year, the invasion of the Small Hive Beetle cut off a significant proportion of their sales. DOA Chairman Kokuban, in his testimony before the Senate Committee on HB 1568 described the only modern ag inspection facility in the State, over on Maui. Should you Comm. No. AP Ref. To P14 M/E SG Ref. Dote APR 19 2011 not have seen it already, I've attached his testimony to give you a sense of what we should have at all our ports and airports State -wide. Mike White, Council Member and chair of their Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation, testified in support of HB 1568. (attached) I hope that our County Council, either as a Council or as you, the individual members, will lobby the members of the House and Senate conferees who are working out a final version of HB 1568. This is a critical moment to bring pressure to bear on the State from our County Government. Thank you. attach: Kokuban testimony, describing Ag Inspection facility at Kahului airport HB 1568,HD2 Sections 2,3 and 4, Testimony by Mike White, Maui County Council HB 1568 HD2.DOC Page 3 of 6 0 cargo, especially agricultural and food commodities, awaiting inspection; (4) Collaborate with relevant government agencies, agricultural commodity importers, and other persons to examine and develop joint integrated systems to better implement the biosecurity program." SECTION 2. Chapter 206J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: " §206J Biosecuritv and inspection facilities. The development corporation shall provide space, planning and design support, and other infrastructure at the Aloha Tower complex to the department of agriculture for biosecurity and inspection facilities to provide for the inspection, consolidation, deconsolidation, and treatment of agricultural commodities to meet the various needs of Hawaii's agricultural industry." SECTION 3. Chapter 261, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: " §261 Biosecurity and inspection facilities, (a) The department shall provide space and other infrastructure at Honolulu International Airport, Hilo International Airport, Kona International Airport at Keahole, Kahului Airport, and Lihue Airport for biosecurity and inspection facilities to provide for the inspection, consolidation, deconsolidation, and treatment of imported and exported agriculture and other inspected commodities to meet the various needs of each island and to facilitate the safe movement of enplaned and deplaned air cargo http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/Bills/HB1568_HD2_.HTM 4/18/2011 HB1568 HD2.DOC Page 4 of 6 through the airport. (b) The department shall design, construct, and operate the biosecurity and inspection facilities at the airports and coordinate with other departments in the planning, design, and operation of these facilities to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of their operation. (c) The department may charge appropriate rent for the use of the facilities." SECTION 4. Chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "266 Biosecurity and inspection facilities. (a) The department of transportation shall provide space, planning and design support, and other infrastructure at Honolulu Harbor, Hilo Harbor, Kawaihae Harbor, Kahului Harbor, and Nawiliwili Harbor to the department of agriculture for biosecurity and inspection facilities to provide for the inspection, consolidation, deconsolidation, and treatment of agricultural commodities to meet the various needs of each island's agricultural industries. (b) The department of transportation shall design, construct, and operate the biosecurity and inspection facilities at the harbors and coordinate with other departments in the planning, design, and operation of these facilities to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of their operation. (c) The department of transportation may charge appropriate rent for the use of the facilities." SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/Bills/HB1568_HD2_.HTM 4/18/2011 • Council Chair Director of Council Services Danny A. Mateo Ken Fukuoka Vice - Chair. Joseph Pontanitla Council Members COUNTY COUNCIL Gladys C. Balsa Robert Carroll COUNTY OF MAUI Mle Cochran 200 S. HIGH STREET Donald G. Couch Jr. O. Rkkl kkotnma WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII 96793 Michael P. Viatotin° www.mauiCountv.sov /coureit Mike White March 31, 2011 LATE TO: Honorable David Y. Ige, Chair Senate Committee n and Means FROM: Mike White Council Me er SUBJECT: IN SUPPORT OF HBI56S HD2 SD 1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of this important measure. The purpose of this measure is to establish biosecurity and inspection facilities at ma41or airports and harbors in the state to strengthen and support Hawaii's agricultural industry and protect Hawaii's environment from invasive species. I am testifying as an individual member of the Maui County Council and as Chair of the Council's Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation. I support this measure for the following reasons: 1. The bill recognizes the crucial need to protect Hawaii's environment and prevent economic losses by reducing the threat of invasive species being introduced through our airports and harbors. With aircraft, ships, passengers and goods arriving from origination points around the globe, it is imperative that steps are taken to mitigate potential threats to Hawaii. 2. The bill emphasizes the importance of proper inspection and treatment of incoming and outgoing commodities in reducing the likelihood of new agricultural and environmental pests being introduced, which helps reduce the possibility of an economically devastating quarantine being imposed on Hawaii's exported goods. 3. The bill addresses the long -term viability of Maui County's and Hawaii's agricultural industry and overall economy by taking proactive measures to establish, operate or participate in operating port-of-entry facilities. For the foregoing reasons, I support this measure. • \ NEIL ABERCROMBIE RUSSELL S KOKUBUN r.:;•,:vornor ,riavpersc,r B7-31 Of AC4fIcilittiffr: JAMES J. NAKATANI • Itn)uk r S!ale O Hawak DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Id28 Soulh KR Strew Honokihi liawal 96814.2512 TESTIMONY OF RUSSELL S KOKUBUN CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF AGRICULTURE BEFORE THE SENATE. COMMITTEES ON TRANSPORTATION AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND AGRICULTURE MONDAY, 21, 2011 1'17 PM ROOM 224 HOUSE BILL NO 1568, H.D,2 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE Chairpersons English anc..1Nishihara and Members of the Committees. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on House Bill No. 1568 HD 2, which proposes to add a new section to HRS 261 — A, for the State Department of Transportation to authorize the Department of Agriculture to provide blosecurit■, inspection facilities at air and sea ports statewide, in compliance with HRS section 150A-53 for the inspection, consolidation. deconsolidation, and treatment of cargo. and to facilitate the inspection and safe storage of cargo. and to meet the needs of each island s agricultural industries. The Department of Agriculture supports the intent of this measure as the measure is supportive of the Biosecurity Program under section HRS 150A-53(2). authorizing that the Department shall establish, operate, or participate in operating port- of-entry facilities for state plant pest prevention programs The first and only biosecurity inspection facility in the State is on Maul at Kahului Airport. The ASAP Inspection facility houses the federal and state agencies responsible • for receiving and inspecting agricultural cargo on domestic and foreign flights The building has been designed so that inspection and treatment/destruction can be done within the inspection facility so that invasive species cannot escape. As a result, the number of pests intercepted at Kahului airport is far greater than the rest of the State, despite being 5% of the total volume of the state As a secondary benefit. because the importers are aware of the improved inspection process importers have chosen to wash their commodities prior to shipment into Maui, resulting in cleaner products being sent to Maui The Department is worKing closely with the Department of Transportation to identify our respective and specific needs to strengthen biosecurity initiatives to prevent entry of new pests of concern to agriculture, public health, and environment in Hawaii. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this measure, , . . - 7' 1 ,7 ,-- , , - . ' , ' ' '- " ''''• -, ' - 1 L 1 ,' ," I :. ,,,' • , ,..„ .' '• ' - . :." , 4-' ' ' ' ' L 'gr'''' -- 4 , ''., ,^'' ' r i ' ?-. - , :_, * ' , - '," ' ''''• ' --,!.)"..`, ,--,`,. 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'---.4....'*° ------- 4 , - •-•,' ,.. ,,,. . ,,T ,...„ ,•;.•. ..„•• 8 - r ,.--.• „ f.• i. I' ( . ' .- '''''*'''°' , ' - 'r ' ' ' ':' ,.. ',T,;,:` ' ...01, '' '',., • ';'. '''''*:•:,:i....5,■:!*'7.''.* - f* , ',E..' 7 14143.1.-.!---'-'-'7-.. ''. 7-- 2 = , .-.",... ..,4,t' ..i., ,,=-'-'• i Educational displays tvill be set tip at approririate points at Kahtiltii Airport to inform arrivirto passeiloers of the dangers 1:)osed h' alien species. E - '. _'..,...,--::-.-: - "T - ''' -- -...) . T., - ;' , . - ifT . - , '_'4'.; ..'.'i 'nfl, %.*: : 2 - : * 7. .."': '' ,--- J r** ,: : :::: - : , :::d **. 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' ' • ,, ,•,; • ,,,,,,,,, ,,, *tto..44.4ax: . .,.,"'.,:?,,,-.:- - t''' ,45. : - :'''.'4' - ;:: , .7.'.... , "., Jo. -,,,',.;,..:..,.. . • _,, ,,. ., ,,, '''''''''''''''';':: ''''''- ';' . 411 10ti: : - , :-;.; ' ''''' , .'; '' ' ''''-- :''' ''' 'ir , , -. , 4 - '2•0. - 1 ::,4,414,-.1 ,-* ---* - --- _ - ' = )spectors boarded aircraft to inspect cabins and cargo holds for the presence of .ilosquitoes and bitino midges frc.)m flights oliginatirig from ‘ Nile infected areas . Caigo inspection vvas condiJoted iii the parking lot fronting cargo officee at Kahtilui Airport ,r;c:Intl. . • * -1110,.. e „, `.< 1 newly constructed ASAP Inspection Facility (left) was completed in December 2007 and operational m February 2008. The construction of the adjacent cargo hold facility (right) has also been completed. artt 2111'1 dctrnE'Istic 1c)rettilt tt 4174)0C:11011 'and eatiner)tifieStt kictIoll can spectes crannol , t<t - tf , swr:Ins ar hm nfest:FY:1 m ;:tre prt-s, ttI Ihnt if .rielrirtle! ft ! anti flOt known tr.) occJt In Fiawali >r ir nt I ;r1I'f,i1:ATI= hd ra dit r S t t e s It strit tct (.yf the 1 ,C Itt t(44.ci::;rit OISF)OSITION OF COMMODITIES WUH NKO PESTS IN AIR CARGO (Number of Parcels CC)IVIODITY . DISPOSITION \fed 1. Ertttv Aott,Itti Tir;stt'f , , Parcels Inspected: i•,,,, 1 ,.-.. j•-•,2r1,.., to i ,nin -1. io ., Ein •-1, !o• , . 1 ... ..,, , •, - •-,,, ,, , •i 1:„..0.- villk) I Fell c ,t, , :k.0 i Ni ...., ....„ , ..,, A :,:-.. i ,,. 1 , , ..:.. .: • ' , y. 1,:ydrLe;-•,-,• I ,..- •,...-L. ...-: :,..1-..., , -_, -... ... - - ' - r- -- ;:_ .,, r ------ 1 ' .-',:„. -.'..,.. ........ " - . 7:7" — r ---- i I • 71 i I ...., , 1 4 • - — -- ---- i t ... i .... tota ,, 250 931 i 457 ---' — -------'-- - ' ----.L.---