HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0386.002 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
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PIEMG
From: *" * * * ** * * * * ** [plasticcomet @hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 9:11 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Fwd: Re: Testimony supporting Bill #112 for CC meeting on 10/4/2011 to be entered into the record
Dear Chairman Yagong, Vice Chair Hoffman and County Council Members,
I represent here only myself in testifying in support of Bill 112. There definitely does need to be a
prohibition on movement of axis deer to the Big Island from other islands. There are many compelling
reasons to support this bill, both from an agricultural standpoint and an ecological one as well. Both
types of effects will have serious economic repercussions for the Big Island if more deer are moved
here, and if those know to be here are not eliminated before they multiply and spread.
Regarding the agricultural threats, axis deer are known to transmit bovine tuberculosis which is
established on the island of Molokai. This disease presents a serious threat to the cattle industry on this
island, which may already be at risk from deer sighted on the island. Their off - island origin is
unknown. Axis deer are known to be preferentially grazers rather than browsers. They are already
competing with cattle for forage on several ranches on Maui. Fireweed on that island and this one has
greatly reduced the carrying capacity on rangeland, and we do not need deer eating what little grass
there still is among the fireweed.
Molokai residents I have spoken too familiar with deer have seen them get over 8 ft. tall fences. that
means that 10 ft tall fences would be necessary to protect the several vulnerable crops we grow on this
island. Who can afford to build a strong 10ft tall fence completely around their farm or plantation? I
have spoken to one coffee grower on Maui that told me the deer ate his coffee seedlings. Think about
that. Perhaps worse, is that the establishment of deer on this isle may make it uneconomical to grow
crops with good potential that we have not even tried here yet, including energy crops. If we don't stop
the deer, we need to ask ourselves if we are serious about Hawaii even trying to be self sufficient in food
production.
The ecological threat posed by deer from other islands is equally grim. I llived on Lanai in the eary 80's
when deer were rare atop Lanaihale, the watershed for the entire island. When I returned a few years
ago, deer were browsing native plants up to the summit and deer damage was everywhere. They have
fenced some of Lanaihale to protect what is left of that watershed, but it is extremely expensive in that
steep terrain and much damage has already been done. Deer are opportunists, if they can't graze they
will browse and happily on native Hawaiian plants. If deer are allowed to establish here, our native
forests, shrublands and even coastal plant communities will lose many "keystone" species of plants due
to browsing. You can look to the East coast of the mainland where huge populations of white tailed deer
have already done that. Could the deer be managed by hunting? Considering the amount of
inaccessible private or remote land on this large island, that seems very unlikely. It is not working for
farmers on Maui nor Molokai right now. Ask them.
Lastly, Should you need to modify the text of this bill, you should consider making the fine for violation
higher to reflect the huge permanent economic losses that would occur if deer are established on this
island. Also, The scope of violation could be broader to include possession and aiding and abetting in
10/3/2011
Comm. No.
Ref. To �i em�
Ref. Date
3 S.6
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the acquisition of axis deer for the purpose of movement to this island.
Mahalo for hearing this vitally necessary bill.
Patrick Conant
P.O. Box 1172
Volcano, HI 96785
10/3/2011