HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0368.001 2014-2016coom.3&g
COUNTY CLERK
Murashige, Laura r.• L! AskIA f!
From: Janice Palma-Glennie <palmtree7@hawaiiantel.net>
53
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2015 5:05 PM ��15 JUL 2� ��`'
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Little fire ant
Aloha council members,
I've been in the agriculture/landscape industry in hawai'I since the late 1980s. I've seen first-hand how damaging invasive
species of all kinds are to our island and ag industry. Nothing compares to the devastating challenges we face due to the
introduction of the Little Fire Ant.
LFA cannot be ignored and will not disappear unless the county leads the way — and all residents are aware and take part
in an effort to decimate the population of LFA.
(if you've been stung by them, you know where I'm coming from. If not, I hope you never experience the painful sting nor
have your land occupied by this horrific pest.) This is why I strongly support Res. 217-15 which would give $90K from Hawai'i
Dept. of Ag for P&R's Little Fire Ant Control program, but this is only a first step. And, while it's a good step, legislation like
that which created an untenable, threatening, costly landscape green waste program is going against any positive efforts to
rid our island of LFA.
So, please, support Res. 217-15. At the same time, you must realize that by not changing the requirements for landscapers to
drive long distances to dispose of their rubbish, that LFA, coqui frogs, difficult to treat fungus and other pests and diseases are
being spread like wild fire on our island.*
We need a better program to protect our farmers and residents from the destruction and increasing costs of allowing invasive
species from arriving here as well as being spread. Mahalo to Council rep Wille for introducing this reso and for the rest of
council members for supporting it and every possible measure to control LFA.
Sincerely,
Janice palma-glennie
Kailua-kona
*Today I saw a landscaper dumping green waste from his truck at the "end of the world" -- a heritage preserve/historical
battleground. I was told by aother landscape contractor that "everyone" was doing it.
Comm No.
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