HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0386.003 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
Co Mivi. 38-((;
From: Jesse Eiben [eiben@hawaii.edu]
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 10:06 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Bill 112 - Axis Deer
Attachments: Hawaii test bill 112 Eiben.doc
County Council,
Please add the attached testimony for the Bill 112 to be heard on Oct 4, 2011.
Thank you,
Jesse Eiben
10/3/2011
Page 1 of 1
P) Emo
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P eft.>
Ref. Date. OC 4 2011
Jesse Eiben
1245a Kaumana Dr.
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935 -4202
Council of the County of Hawaii
Environmental Management Committee
October 4th 2011
Testimony of Jesse Eiben
Regarding Bill # 112
Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
My name is Jesse Eiben, M.S. and I am a PhD student in the Plant and Environmental
Protection Sciences Department at UH Manoa, and live in Hilo, HI. I am active in the
local agriculture community, local and national scientific community, and local
conservation organizations. I have an active small garden adjoining forested lands,
and plan to continue to live on the Big Island for its natural resources and farmland. I
live and vote in the Hilo District. I appreciate the opportunity to address Bill 112 in
this testimony. I am strongly in favor of restricting the transportation of Axis deer
into the County of Hawaii.
The introduction of axis deer to the island of Hawaii would cause significant impacts to
various agricultural sectors of the island, especially row crops and cattle, but also coffee
and tree crops. Additionally, these grazing affects would be very detrimental to self -
sufficiency backyard gardening. To protect against Axis deer damage, small farmers may
be able to fence their crop areas (at great expense), but homeowners do not want, and
generally can not afford very high and unsightly fences to protect a few fruit trees and
small garden plots. We could lose one of the main reasons why we want to be
homeowners on the Big Island because of the Axis deer.
On Maui, Molokai and Lanai the residents, farmers and business owners are already being
adversely affected by Axis deer grazing. I know of two farmers crops in Kula and
Makawao, that have been attacked by Axis deer.
With the ability to jump over stock and conservation fences it could cost the conservation
community at least $20 million dollars to retrofit enclosures and other barriers. For the
private landowners and farmers to raise their fences, total island wide costs could be as
high as $190 million. The onslaught of invasive species must be fought, and this Axis deer
introduction should be stopped and eradicated. The effects that these deer have on our
native forests would compound the already dire consequences of other non - native foliage
browsers. These are ecosystem -wide effects, the problems from which are apparent, from
obvious damage of rare plants, to the less obvious loss of insects and birds that rely on the
more pristine habitat that these deer destroy.
As the origin of the deer remains in question we cannot dismiss the fact that any deer
brought to the Big Island could be reservoirs for bovine tuberculosis. The impact of this
disease on the Hawaii Island cattle industry would be devastating.
On neighboring islands that have deer problems incidence of vehicular strikes has been
gradually increasing — accidents which are certainly costly but also potentially fatal.
Hawai'i islands numerous large protected areas comprise over 1 million acres of
conservation lands managed by federal, state, local and private agencies. These include
national parks, wildlife refuges, forest reserves, and private land owners. Marine reserves
include a series of marine life conservation districts, aquarium fish protection areas,
commercial fishing restriction areas, and the largest marine protected area in the U.S. All
of these areas would eventually experience the adverse effects of an established axis deer
population.
Hawai'i island has enormous potential to produce food and energy crops, in addition to
cattle and dairy. Big Island would see a significantly larger population of axis deer then
Maui, Molokai or Lanai. The effects on agriculture would immense.
All reports indicate that axis deer and other wildlife continue to be brought to the Big
Island from other islands, and that populations are being illegally established across the
island.
An ordinance restricting transportation of living axis deer in the county of Hawaii would
assist in protecting Hawaii island's native forest, private property owners, the agriculture
industries and the general public from damages and adverse impacts that may be caused
by Axis Deer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jesse Eiben