HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0731.012 2010-2012 li/C014 Ca/
)4786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 08 28,S7 a.m. 06-06-2012 4,5 copfiq. -73,
Etel 94 (My name is Colin Onaka. I am here in support g1billl -6 i. i '' 33
261.
Bill 2 6 1 is not about hunters against non hunters.
It is not the hunting community against our native habitat.
Instead, bill 2 6 1 supports the recovery efforts of our
native habitat by stopping the use of helicopters as a tool
for game animal eradication.
Currently, helicopters are allowed to fly at dangerously low
elevations and hover over critical habitat areas. The noise,
turbulence and vibrations caused by helicopters are all life
threatening to the native plants and birds.
This same concern was raised by our Hawai'i Island DLNR
board representative on September 9, 2011 . This
representative voted against the military doing minimal
high elevation touch and go helicopter training over the
critical habitat area on Mauna Kea. His reason to stop the
flying was because he believed it to contribute to the
ongoing decline of the palila birds. Helicopters impact the
very area and species we are spending millions of dollars to
protect.
Helicopters are used to kill a large number of animals at
once, this is why pro eradication advocates consider
helicopters a necessary tool. As a helicopter comes upon
game, it chases them long enough until they are exhausted
and cannot run anymore. Often, game will die from
exhaustion or are shot at.
Comm. 731.
Ref. To: t'1(.dU.�ttw�1
Ref. Date JUN 0 6 7011
94786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 08:29:37 a.m. 06-06-2012 5/5
Shooting game from a helicopter is inhumane because
shooters often take unethical shots that only wound game
instead of taking a clean fatal shot. A wounded animal is
left to die and it's carcass goes =salvaged. These
carcasses become a food source for predators like rats,
mongoose and cats instead of meat which could feed the
community.
In closing the use of helicopters to conduct eradication
missions is inhumane and destructive. It is a threat to the
native habitat. It is a bad example to our keiki that being
inhumane and wasting a food source is accepted by our
government.
Please support bill 261.