HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 516 Draft 01 2014-2016 COUNTY OF HAWAII ��� '''-'/:• STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 516 16
A RESOLUTION URGING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
TO TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RAPID `OHI`A
DEATH.
WHEREAS, the `ohi`a tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, is endemic to Hawai`i and is the
most common of all native trees; and
WHEREAS, the `ohi`a tree can live for hundreds of years and is an essential and critical
component of the Hawaiian ecosystem and watershed, providing habitat for many native
animals; and
WHEREAS, kumu hula and respected cultural practitioner Manu Boyd has said that the
"`ohi`a lehua is a kinolau, a physical manifestation of our deities, particularly Laka, the goddess
of hula"; and
WHEREAS, the `ohi`a forests in the districts of Puna, Hilo, Kali, Kona, Hamakua, and
Kohala are all at risk of being lost to a disease known as Rapid `Ohi`a Death; and
WHEREAS, Rapid `Ohi`a Death is caused by a new strain of the fungus Ceratocystis
fimbriata, which has killed hundreds of thousands of`ohi`a trees across 34,000 acres as of
January 2016, according to an aerial survey; and
WHEREAS, following an initial infection, the crown of an infected `ohi`a tree will turn
yellowish and then brown within days to weeks, and within two to three years, nearly 100 percent
of`ohi`a trees in a stand succumb to the disease, according to research done by the University of
Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and
WHEREAS, areas affected by Rapid `Ohi`a Death are susceptible to invasion by non-
native tree species; and
WHEREAS, no effective treatment to protect `ohi`a trees from Ceratocystis fimbriata
has been found; and
WHEREAS, the health of Hawai`i's forest ecosystem depends on a united effort among
the public to halt the unintentional spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death to new places around Hawai`i
Island and to other islands; and
WHEREAS, the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture recommends the following
measures to help prevent the spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death:
• Do not move `ohi`a wood, firewood, or posts, especially from areas known to
have Rapid `Ohi`a Death;
• Comply with the new quarantine rule that prohibits the interisland movement,
except by permit, of all `Ohi`a trees, portions of trees, and soil;
• Clean tools used for cutting `ohi`a trees, especially infected ones, with a solution
of 70 percent rubbing alcohol;
• Decontaminate shoes by dipping them in 70 percent rubbing alcohol to kill the
fungus and use hot water and laundry detergent to wash clothes; and
• Wash the tires and undercarriage of vehicles with detergent to remove all soil or
mud; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Research and Development should work in partnership
with the University of Hawai`i, the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture to educate members of the public and County employees about ways that they
may support efforts to prevent the spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works should take appropriate proactive
measures to ensure that its highway maintenance equipment does not result in the inadvertent
spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Management should take appropriate
proactive measures to ensure that the operations of its greenwaste sites and transfer stations do
not result in the inadvertent spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
outbreak of Rapid `Ohi`a Death on Hawai`i Island constitutes a grave and growing threat to the
native forest, native wildlife, natural beauty, watersheds, and cultural traditions of Hawai`i
Island.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Research and Development,
under the direction and guidance of the Administration, is urged to form a partnership with the
University of Hawai`i, the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to inform and educate the public about Rapid `Ohi`a Death.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Works and Department
of Environmental Management are urged to work in collaboration under the direction of the
Administration to take proactive measures to ensure that their operations do not result in the
inadvertent spread of Rapid Ohi`a Death.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Mayor William P. Kenoi, the Director of Research and
Development, the Director of Public Works, and the Director of Environmental Management.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 20 .
INTRODUCED BY:
C CIL(10 MBER, C S TY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the ILAGAN
County of Hawai'i on
KANUHA
ONISHI
ATTEST: PALEKA
POINDEXTER
WILLE
Reference: C-850/AWESC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 516 16
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