HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 261 Draft 01 2010-2012 COUNTY OF HAWAII :I•E,N" /'• STATE OF HAWAII
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BILL NO. 261
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, GENERAL WELFARE, HAWAII
COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO ANIMAL
ERADICATION.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 14, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), is
amended by adding a new article to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Article . Animal Eradication.
Section 14-_. Findings and purpose.
The Council finds that the practice of animal eradication by aerial shooting is completely,
and unequivocally, in conflict with the values of the people of the County of Hawai`i. Simply
put, such tactics are cruel, unusual, and inhumane. In many instances, aerial shooting of animals
does not allow for the consumption of valuable food, and instead wastes this food source by
leaving the animal carcass to rot away. Such drastic measures also create harm to human life and
disturbance to endangered fauna and flora, where such risk is completely unnecessary. It also
sends a very disturbing message to those persons visiting our Island; that message to be shared
with all those that they know upon return to their homes.
Above and beyond any purported rationale for this practice is the overwhelming fact that
the mass extermination of animals by rapid gunfire using helicopters is not pono. It is wrong.
The people of the County of Hawai`i strongly feel that home rule should apply as this practice
does not conform with cultural and traditional values of our island community. Although State
Law may supersede this article, the people of our island choose to voice their strong opposition
to aerial eradication and encourage the State to conform to the wishes of the people.
The Council further finds that should it be determined that a particular animal requires
population control, that there are far better methods to do so. There are many hunters in the
County of Hawai`i that wish to have access to these areas to provide subsistence for their
families and at the same time they would be removing the animals from the affected areas.
Animal population control can be performed in a manner that is in harmony with the culture,
values, and principles of the people that are the foundation of this great County. And because it
can, it should.
The purpose of this ordinance is to make clear that the County of Hawai`i, as a body
corporate, with the ability and responsibility to maintain the public health, safety, and welfare of
its people, hereby declares that the barbaric and inhumane acts of eradication by aerial shooting
on Hawai`i Island shall no longer be practiced. This ordinance is enacted to ensure that other
methods of animal population control are utilized, and that any such method takes into full
account the will of the people. Prior to any such act of animal population control there must be
effective communication with the hunting community and other people on Hawai`i Island that
have an interest; their voices must be heard,their thoughts sincerely appreciated, their values and
beliefs respected. The aerial shootings must stop and a real conversation with the people must
begin.
Section 14- . Aerial eradication of animals; unlawful.
It is a violation of this article for any person to engage in the eradication of any animal
for any reason while being transported by helicopter, airplane, or any other similar means."
SECTION 3. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of this ordinance without the invalid provisions or applications, and to this end, the
invalidity or applications provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER:C 7 TY OF HAWAI`I
, Hawai`i
Date of Introduction:
Date of I st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE: Comm: 731
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