HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0731.003 2010-2012BRITTANY SMART <R• �. Phone: (808) 961-8263
Councilmember Fax: (808) 961-8912
+; =+ bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us
Hawai `i County Council
District 6 •O
Upper Puna, Ka `u, South Kona ''E of"►''
Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai `i 96720
N C7
TO: Dominic Yagong, Chair v� -
and Members of the Hawaii County Council
FROM: Brittany Smart, Council Member
N
DATE: June 15, 2012
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to Bill No. 261; Relating to Animal Eradication
Attached please find proposed amendments to Bill No. 261. The proposed amendments are
illustrated below by Ramseyer format with respect to contents of Bill No. 261 (material to be
deleted is bracketed and stricken; material to be added is underscored).
Bill No. 261 is amended by adding a new Section 1 and amending the current Section 1 to read as
follows:
"SECTION 1. 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 Hawaii. 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 usinghelicopters is not pono. It is wrong.
The people of the County of Hawaii 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
Comm. W. —7 31. 3
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Ref. TO: L!"00" �OuhGl
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Ref.
Date JUN i q 2012
June 15, 2012
Page 2 of 3
County of Hawaii 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 Hawaii, 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 [4-.12. Chapter 14, Hawaii 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.
(a) The Tounty of Hawaii is charged with the ultimate responsibility to protect, preserve,
and enhance the health safety, and welfare of the people of Hawaii Island. With regard
to the bond between the people and the land, the County of Hawaii hereby finds:
(1,) Animal eradication by aerial shooting is in conflict with the cultural and traditional
values of the people of Hawaii County;
(2,) Aerial hunting eradication creates unnecessary risk to human life, while also
disturbing endangered flora and fauna; and
Animal population control measures can be performed in a manner that is
harmonious with the culture, values, and principles of the people.
The purpose of this article is to declare:
(1,) Animal eradication by aerial shooting on Hawaii Island shall no longer be
practiced;
(2,) The State of Hawaii should conform and comply with the provisions of this article;
�3) Other methods of animal population control must be used. Any such method to be
enacted will take in to account the will of the people, which requires effective
communication and a concerted effort to remain linked to the people that take
responsibility for the land and its resources; and
The State of Hawaii should increase public access to the areas of Hawaii Island
that will allow hunters and gatherers the opportunity to provide subsistence to the
families of Hawaii Island. Valuable food resources should be consumed rather than
wasted.
June 15, 2012
Page 3 of 3
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."
A draft copy of Bill No. 261, Draft 2, with these amendments incorporated is attached.
Mahalo.
W
Attachment