HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP AWESC 005 2016/10/18 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER AND
ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY
DATE: October 18, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 1095/Res. No. 674-16
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 3:03 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred
Resolution No. 674-16, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 674-16, transmitted by Council Member Margaret Wille, via
Communication No. 1095 dated September 30, 2016, urges the Mayor to create a temporary ban
on the transport of`ohi`a from the southern half to the northen half of Hawai`i Island.
Committee Chair Wille relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Poindexter.
Council Member Wille explained that the State's focus is to stop Rapid `Ohi`a Death from
spreading from the Island of Hawai`i to the other islands, but that there has not been a
concentrated state effort to stem the spread of this disease to the portion of the island that is not
yet infected. She stated that Districts 1, 8 and 9 are relatively clean of the disease so the County
needs to implement a temporary ban on the transport of`ohi`a into those districts. She further
explained that the `ohi`a is more than just a tree and is an important part of the Hawaiian culture.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness of the problem through public education
and signage. She said that the situation reminds her of the Little Fire Ant situation 10 years ago
as the County waited for the State to act(which did not happen, allowing the little fire ant to get
out of control), so this ban needs to be implemented as quickly as possible.
Council Members stated that there has been a lot of discussion regarding controlling the disease
in infected areas, but this ban would help keep it from spreading to uninfected areas. They
discussed requiring the State to step up and that if the disease spreads to Kohala then Maui
would be next and that the State needs to declare an Emergency Proclamation to emphasize the
severity of the problem and get additional funding. There has been discussion with the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs regarding the disease.
AWESC Report No.: 5
AWESC-5 Page 2 October 18, 2016
Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution 674-16, and recommends its adoption.
dh
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER
EOFF x AND ENERGY SUSTAINABI TY
ILAGAN X
KANUHA X
ONISHI X
PALEKA x MARGARET WI E, CHAIR
POINDEXTER X AWESC REPORT NO.: 5
WILLE X ADOPTED: NOV 0 2 2016