HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 516 Draft 02 2014-2016 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
'. •
RESOLUTION NO. 516 16
(DRAFT 2)
A RESOLUTION URGING THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE STATE OF HAWAII
AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO PREVENT
THE SPREAD OF RAPID `O1-11`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
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, Milo, Ka'a, 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
Jimbriata, 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
Hawaii 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 C'eratocystis Jimbriata
has been found; and
WHEREAS, the health of I Iawai`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 Hawaii
Island and to other islands; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii 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 I lawai`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 Hawaii Island constitutes a grave and growing threat to the
native forest, native wildlife, natural beauty, watersheds, and cultural traditions of Hawaii
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 Hawaii, the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture,the U.S. Department of
Agriculture,and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners to advise, inform and educate the public
about Rapid `Ohi`a Death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic
Development and Tourism is urged to conduct research on the economic impact of Rapid `Ohi'a
Death. with a focus on tourism and agriculture.
2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii is urged to provide
sufficient funding and staff positions to continue its research on potential control agents for
Rapid 'Chia.Death.
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 Governor David Y. Ige,the Director of the Department of Business,
Economic Development and Tourism, the Director of the Department of Agriculture, the
Chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the President of the University of Hawaii, 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:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF I IAWAT'1
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE.
County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawaii CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCII.of the — —'
County of Hawai'i on (LAGAN
KANUHA I
ONISHI
ATTEST: PALEKA
POINDEXTER
WII.LE
Reference: C-850.2/AHFSC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON& PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 516 16
(DRAFT 2)
3