HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1030.001 2014-2016 Pk,jupjt
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Murashige, Laura
From: palmtree7@earthlink.net
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 11:14 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support Little Fire Ant eradication: Res. 629-16,Res. 630-16, Res.631-16,Res. 632-16
Aloha council members,
i ask that you strongly support the following resolutions related to Little Fire Ant eradication and control:
Res. 629-16: Eoff CRF, $3K, Grant to BIRCD for training for Little Fire Ant Pesticide Treatments
Res. 630-16: David CRF,$3K, Grant to BIRCD for training for Little Fire Ant Pesticide Treatments
Res. 631-16: Kanuha CRF, $3K, Grant to BIRCD for training for Little Fire Ant Pesticide Treatments
Res. 632-16: Wille CRF,$1,500, Grant to BIRCD for training for Little Fire Ant Pesticide Treatments
After the recently ended international conservation congress, an upper level attendee was asked what he thought was
the most threatening invasive species for Hawaii's well being. He answered that he felt there was no more dire threat to
Hawaii's natural environment and people than LFA.
As has been reported in West Hawai'i Today and other publications,this pest can destroy the integrity of a forest or a
farm, which it has done in other areas of the world and particularly the South Pacific. It makes life hell for those who
have LFA on their property or inside their homes. LFA are suspected of blinding pets and may even affect human
eyesight if a person is stung. I've been stung and it was extremely painful, but i've seen others, particularly in Puna, who
have itching, stinging welts that cover various parts of their body from being attacked by LFA inside their homes.
I'm a landscape consultant and have been involved in developing eradication programs for clients and subdivisions in
Kona, including my own. It's not a pretty picture.And the worst parts are 1) lack of knowledge of how to control LFA and
2) lack of funding and support for education and eradication of LFA at state, county, business, and individual resident
levels.
Mahalo to those council members who have introduced these critical resolutions. I urge you to approve these measures
and to remain in close contact and have a working relationship with the Hawaii Ant Lab,whose scientists and technicians
are working so hard --and with no dedicated funding to date --to guide and advise residents and agricultural entities of
how to avoid and/or eradicate this most awful of invasive species. M Alt
Mahalo and sincerely,
Janice Palma-Glennie
Kailua-Kona q1101 '
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