HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0366.009 2014-2016N
Murashige, Laura
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From: David, Maile
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2015 11:57 AM �ai5 JUL �� ��� 6
To: Murashige, Laura
Subject: FW: Kona SWCD
Hi Laura,
Just in case no one else forwarded you this public testimony, I'm sending it on to you. Take care. Mahalo nui.
,JLll
Maile Medeiros David
Councilmember, Council District 6
74-5044 Anekeohokalole Hwy., Bldg. "A"
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Telephone: (808) 323-4277
Email: maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov
From: Carolyn Witcover [mailto:carolyn54@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2015 11:44 AM
To: David, Maile; Kanuha, Dru; Eoff, Karen
Subject: Kona SWCD
Aloha County Council,
It has been brought to my attention that on July 24th you will be approving the funding for our six Soil and
Water Conservation Districts. Please do not hesitate to approve this funding. Our local SWCD, the Kona
SWCD, has helped me understand the natural ecosystems that work for the benefit of my farm. Example,
applying mulch and mimicking the leaf litter that originally developed the soil I grow things in. I learned that
without regular organic matter inputs my soil can simply disappear.
The Kona SWCD has been actively working toward a reasonable solution to our pig problems, which are
significant and can be a factor in our ability to produce enough food to feed ourselves. The Kona SWCD also
produces an excellent newsletter that is used to educate farmers and -ranchers on different methods of doing
things, like the methods used to provide stock water. Their newsletter also teaches us about the history of Kona
through it "History's Corner" column. Who knew Kainaliu was regularly under a foot of water? Anyone
reading the Kona SWCD newsletter, Resource Kona, would know. This newsletter even informs its readers
about the uniqueness and contributions of our native wildlife.
The mapping services provided by the SWCDs is a great benefit to farmers and ranchers as well. Weare able to
organize our resource development and resource preservation work by field or orchard and track the work more
closely. Having the maps makes me more organized as to where I need to focus my efforts on my farm.
In short, by providing the funding for SWCDs, the County Council can demonstrate they truly do value the
agricultural community, what we provide, and those who work toward improving it for all our farmers, ranchers
and residents.
Aloha,
Carolyn Witcover
808.640.1647
Captain Cook I
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