HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0575.005 2014-2016 Fl $P ctL MTh
CDMM 575
Gary Matsuo,
President: Waipi'o Ohana Corporation
When I was informed in November of the Dengue outbreak in Kona, I informed our employees
about the possible impact In Waipi'o Valley and the entire Tourist Industry on the Big Island.
We also increased efforts to prevent Mosquito Bits to Visitors to Waipi'o. I felt hopeful that the
outbreak was being contained because slowdown of infected people. g n
On January 13 at 2:30 pm I was informed that Waipi'o Valley is closed and I must stop Tear
operations. I realized that must do the right thing by accepting the financial loss I am abou,'z,,to
incurred and cooperating with our county officials who's responsibility is to properly handle this'
issue.
I as well as a few other tour operators went down in to Waipi'o Valley on Thursday Januar 14
with Civil Defense,Fire Dept.personnel and Vector control team. I again went into on
Wednesday January 20 with Mike a Mosquito eradication professional involved with Florida
outbreak and was surprised how effective Vector Team spraying is in reducing Mosquito
population. I felt positive about Civil Defenses quick response to close Waipi'o Valley and
eliminating more cases emanating from the Valley.
After 5 weeks of patiently waiting for Civil Defense to reopen Waipi'o and having knowledge of
many nonresidents entering and leaving Waipi'o Valley, I realized that there are members of the
public that do not understand the value of stopping the spread of this epidemic and the negative
impact it has caused on our most important industry. They are unwilling to make the personal
sacrifice that maybe necessary to stop the spread of Dengue completely. I found out that police
department lacked the funding to enforce the only resident and essential personnel allowed
access policy. I am concerned that the lack of enforcement reflects a lack of importance and
commitment to put a complete stop to the spread of Dengue and I feel that is why the community
doesn't treat this problem as seriously as it should.
My personally opinion from what I have seen in Waipi'o is that current efforts has reduced the
spread of Dengue But in order to completely eliminate Dengue from the Big Island,More can
and should be done even if some people get upset because of policies placed to accomplish this
task.
Sincerely yours Gary Matsuo Comm, No ' 1�
Ref. To: P I(Qu
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Date MAR 0 2 2016