HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.011 2010-2012NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR OF HAWAII
September 21, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES
74 -380 B Kealakehe Parkway
Kailua -Kona, Hawaii 96740
808 - 327 -6226
darofc@hawaiiantel.nt
To: Hawaii County Council
From: Laura Livnat, Kona Division of Aquatic Resources
Re: Resolutions 130 -11 and 140 -11
Aloha Council Members,
WILLIAM J. AILA, JR.
CHAIRPERSON
BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
GUY KAULUKUKUI
FIRST DEPUTY
WILLIAM M. TAM
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - WATER
AQUATIC RESOURCES
BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION
BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES
COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
CONSERVATION AND COASTAL LANDS
CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT
ENGINEERING
FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION
LAND
STATE PARKS
My testimony is two -fold. First of all, in light of the disparaging remarks in testimony today
about our DLNR DAR West Hawaii data, I would like to point out that the DLNR data in 1998 is
different than the 2010 data because 1998 was before the 2000 Fish Replenishment Areas were
put in to place. Good management exacted change and positive results, that is the point.
Secondly, on a personal note, I have to say that I take offense to the Councilwoman's comments
yesterday that the DLNR is never there and we are always letting everyone down. Two of my
DLNR coworkers and I were here after hours yesterday, voluntarily and unpaid because we care.
They were on the boat yesterday and today collecting the data that we use to compile the
statistics that practically everyone is quoting here today and yesterday. And, I take exception to
the comment that DLNR didn't do anything about the "dumpster fish ". It was my coworker
Brent and me who dug around in the dumpster, found the stinky bags of dead fish, brought them
back to our office, sorted through them, sized, and quantified the despicable waste, and pursued
efforts to find out why and who did it.
Lord knows that aquarium collecting is an emotional issue for a lot of us, you can see that it
clearly is for me. I have personal issues with it that are in direct contrast to my work and
commitment to the science. People on both sides of the issue use hyperbole and misinformation
to promote their cause. And yes, there is so much we all want to do to improve the fish reporting
and enforcement and to promote the conservation and protection of the ocean creatures that we
all love, but, this resolution is not the way to accomplish this.
Mahalo for your time and patience,
Laura Livnat
Comm. No. 34-g.
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Ref. To: Prs�er , �,ouvtci
Ref. DateSEP 21 2011