HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0179.005 1998-2000 ~j ~ ~Z~~.
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Department
of Agriculture
STATE OF HAWAII Comm. No. 17 ~ • ~ ~ s
16 E. Lanikaula Street FSIe Na - L-~6
Hilo, MI96720-4902
ReY. To: P?esoated GouauL
Ref, llate 3" I S- 9 9
Mar-O1-99 O1:56P Big Island Fa ran Bureau 808-935-9930 P.OI
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190 Kamehameha Avenue rl . 1{lln, Hawall 96720 • 1'hmw & Fax (808j 969-4876
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March 1, 1999
Honorable Carol Fukunaga, Co•Chair
Honorable ]~ndrew Levin, Co-Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
State Senate
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Dear Co-Chairs Fukunaga and Levin:
The Big Island Farm Bureau would like 'to share with you its
concern regarding the current Miconia :infestation on the Island
of Hawaii and ask that SS 1494 be forwarded to the House of
Representatives for further considerat:on.
Miconia is noxious weed, which has spr~aad over thousands o[ acres
and threatens to engulf forested areas and shade out all. ground
cover. If permitted to go unchecked, Idiconia will severely
impact our valuable watersheds, and agricultural activities will
begin to suffer from problems associat~ad with the replenishment
of ground water sources, severe erosion and flooding. Dollars
spent now to ensure the complete eradi~:ation of Miconia will
protect our productive agricultural lands and valuable forest
resources.
The Farm Bureau asks for your understalidinq and respectfully
requests the f3B 1494 be moved forward :Eor further consideration.
Sincerely,
fillen Mehos,
President
Hilo • Hamakua • Kohala • Knna
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TO: HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
HAWAII STATE SENATE
HAWAII HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SUBJECT: FUNDING FOR MICONIA ERADICATION
In 7996 the Puna Outdoor Circle, a branch of the eldest
environmental organization in the state, was asked to help with
the mapping of miconia infestations in the Puna District by the
Melastome Action Committee. Our teams drove slowly up and down,
gridding the subdivisions, especially Leilani Estates and Nanawale
Estates. We took part in meetings with then-Director Mike Wilson
(DLNR), and were trained in eradiq~ion techniques. Most recently
we have been working with Nelson Ho out of the state DOA, educating
the public about the severity of the problem through our Community
Resource Center, training volunteers, networking with community
associations and doing the hands-on work of pulling and applying
herbicide where necessary. We have "baited the beast" in its lair
and are firmly convinced of the dangers to our fragile island eco-
systems, local agriculture and the scenic beauty which attracts
tourists.
Tremendous strides have been made, but there is no question
that our ultimate success will require a commitment of many years.
Every flowering tree we miss increases our future efforts. There
is already a lot of money and human resources invested in this
program. If we do not continue the funding it will all be wasted,
and we might as well bid a fond farewell to these islands we know
an3 love. We are row working with DOA to form swat teams in the
subdivisions and train them. This will free up the DOA teamto focus
on the hard-to-reach areas. In this way, yye believe we will get a
lot more bang for the buck.
We, along with many community volunteers, are willing to keep
investing our time and money to keep this necessary project alive
and going. However, if government does not get on the bandwagon,
it will undermine all our educational efforts. We urge you enable
the program and take advantage of federal funding by authorizing
the local cost-share.
Maha o and~a aina,
Rene Siracusa
Secretary-Treasuree
& Project Coordinator
P. O. Bnx 1085 * Pahoa ~4- Hawaii, 90778 ~A- (3081 9C 5- C,636