HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0386.029 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
From: Eric Hansen [ewhansen @hawaii.edu]
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 12:40 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Attachments: Eric Hansen bill 112 testimony.doc
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Page 1 of 1
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Aloha,
I am writting in support of Bill 112. Please see my attached paper to use as public testimony.
Mahalo,
Eric Hansen
Comrn. Me. 380.29
Ref. TosPr NS
Ref. Date OCT 9 10�1t�%
10/4/2011
Eric Hansen
PO Box 10082
Hilo, Hi 96721
(808) 348 -4167
Council of the County of Hawaii
Environmental Management Committee
October 4th 2011
Testimony of Eric Hansen
Regarding Bill # 112
Aloha Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
My name is Eric Hansen I work for the Mauna Kea Baseline Botanical survive. I live,
and vote, in Honomu, HI. I appreciate the opportunity to address Bill 112. I am
strongly in favor of restricting the transportation of Axis deer into the County of
Hawai`i.
The introduction of axis deer to the island of Hawai i would cause significant impacts to
various agricultural sectors of the island, especially row crops and cattle, but also coffee
and tree crops.
On Maui, Molokai and Lanai the residents, farmers and business owners are already being
adversely effected by axis deer populations and in drought like conditions this only
becomes more serve as they have a tendency to increase their herd sizes around areas that
have feed.
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.
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, because of the large carry capacity, Big Island would see a
Testimony of Eric Hansen
regarding Bill 112
Page 2 of 2
significantly larger population of axis deer then Maui, Molokai or Lanai.
With this population size Hawai'i island would be incapable of being the "bread basket" of
Hawai'i.
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 from Ka`u to Kohala.
An ordinance restricting transportation of living axis deer in the county of Hawaii would
assist in protecting Hawai'i 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
Mahalo,
Eric Hansen