HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1068.001 2012-2014PI GOUNCLL
Murashige, Laura
From: Rae Okawa <rae @hawaiiwildlifecenter.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 11:59 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony for Res. 542 -14
Attachments: Res542 -14 Testimony 150ct2014.pdf
Aloha,
Please accept our testimony for Res. 542 -14, scheduled to be read tomorrow October 15. Let me know if you need any
additional information.
Mahalo!
Best,
Rae
Rae Okawa, BS, MES
Development Coordinator
HAWAII WILDLIFE CENTER
PO Box 551752
°
Kapa'au, HI 96755
(808) 884 -5000 Office
_—C:)
(808) 392 -2059 Mobile
www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org
www. facebook .com /hawaiiwildlifecenter
--
N
Please support our programs by donating today!
o
www. hawaiiwildlifecenter .org /donate.html
W
I06 '
k,.4, _rime 15 2014
i
Hawai'i Wildlife Center
P.O. Box 551752 • Kapa'au, HI 96755
DATE: Wednesday, October 15, 2014,9:00 a.m.
Council Meeting in Kona, HI
Testimony in Support of Res. 542 -14: WILLE CRF, $2,000 to R &D for a Grant to
Wildlife Center to Protect Native Species
Aloha Distinguished Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my support of Res. 542 -14 and gratitude for your belief in the work
of the Hawaii Wildlife Center and for the opportunity to comment.
The Hawai'i Wildlife Center will be celebrating its 3rd Anniversary this coming November.
It is because of the immense community support that this one -of -a -kind native wildlife
conservation center exists. It is thanks to the community that the HWC has been able to
develop from its humble beginnings in North Kohala into the valuable conservation
resource it is today.
• The HWC is the first purpose -built native wildlife hospital in the Pacific Islands region
that provides care for over 70 different species and subspecies of native birds and the
Hawaiian hoary bat.
• The HWC provides wildlife expertise to enhance in- the -field research and conservation
efforts, with projects that span from Kure Atoll to Guam, CNMI and American Samoa.
• The HWC provides a much - needed support and response system for good Samaritan
members of the public that find injured animals.
• The HWC provides an important resource for the community and visitors to help and
become more engaged in native species conservation.
Since our opening, we have cared for a wide variety of native bird species and the
'Ope'ape'a, the Hawaiian hoary bat, that came from throughout the State. We have trained
over 400 individuals in wildlife response procedures and have helped members of our
community respond to wildlife in need of help. We continue to assist with valuable native
species research and conservation projects as well as continue our partnerships with local
schools including the Kohala School Complex.
Support from the County of Hawai'i is absolutely vital to our present work and ability to
continue providing our programs in the future. Mahalo nui to Councilmember Wille for
sponsoring our organization!
Mahalo nui,
Linda Elliott
President and Center Director
www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org