HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2016/03/02 2014-2016 SpecialSPECIAL MEETING OF THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
341h Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
March 2, 2016
CALL TO The special meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at
ORDER: 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chair.
R(1T T CAT r
Present: Mr.
Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chair
Ms.
Valerie Poindexter, Vice Chair
Mr.
Aaron Chung, Member
Ms.
Maile "Medeiros" David, Member
Ms.
Karen Eoff, Member
Mr.
Greggor Eagan, Member
Mr.
Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Member
Mr.
Danny Paleka, Member
Ms.
Margaret Wille, Member
STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak to comment on Comm. 575.3, and
came forward when called by the Chair:
Dr. Leonard G. Horowitz, representing Medical Veritas International, Inc.
Gary Matsuo, representing Waipi`o Ohana Corp.
(DBA: Waipi`o Valley Shuttle)
Jon Olson
Joyce Alberta Folena
Gregory T. Smith
Geoff Shaw
Hawaii County Council -34 March 2, 2016
COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
CATIONS: Communications.
Comm. 575.3: CONVENES A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO ALLOW THE HAWAII
COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE DENGUE FEVER
OUTBREAK
From Council Chair Dru Mamo Kanuha, dated February 8, 2016.
Motion to Close File: Mr. Paleka moved to close file on Comm. 575.3. Seconded
by Ms. David.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Council Members, I wanted to have a
special meeting again to update ourselves and the public with what's happening
with the dengue fever; basically fight the bite. And to see what has been going on
since the last update. Mahalo, Chief Oliveira of Civil Defense for being here and
your staff, as well, to give us that update. I'm sure Council Members have a lot of
questions, but really want to get an update from you on what has been happening
in the last several months so, thank you
(Note: At this time, Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira came
forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. OLIVEIRA: Good morning. Thank you for putting us on the agenda. And
affording us an opportunity to share, because through this venue we can continue
to push information out to the community so they are well informed as to what has
been happening; as well as where we are going in the future. Before I start, I
would like to introduce the people behind me. First from my office, many of you
know Kanani, from Department of Water; she has recently transitioned over to
Civil Defense as our Public Information and Disaster Recovery Specialist. So, she
is much appreciated and welcomed member from the defense team, Kanani Aton.
Behind her we have the State Department of Health District Health Officer,
Aaron Ueno. We also have from Department of Health, representing with regards
to this mission with vector control, Eric Honda and Entomologist, Chris Jacobsen.
Also, Public Education with Department of Health, Jason Dela Cruz. So
throughout this update I might turn to Aaron, to maybe delegate which one of his
team to answer any questions you may have regarding the update.
Where we are at currently; I think everyone has been following our messages as of
yesterday; 260 cases confirmed and holding. We haven't seen any new additional
cases since last Thursday. Looking very promising; the cautious message I will
put out there, we are not over yet. The most recent date of onset of illness was
February 14th. We can't say it's over at this time, yet. With each day passing
with no additional cases, it's looking more and more promising. Things that are
contributing to the success with the outbreak and down turn are several things.
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First and foremost is the public support and participation in the "fight the bite
campaign". We know through a very early survey that DOH (Department of
Health) has been working on, a preliminary survey; they are refining it and that's
with Jason and his team. As they have been talking to people in the public, we
know about 60 percent of the respondents in the surveys that indicate they have
changed their behavioral practices with using repellents, wearing covered clothing,
modifying their activities and behaviors; in an effort to prevent getting bitten. So,
again, a lot of credit goes to the community for what they are doing. As well as
taking steps to clean up breeding areas around the homes and businesses. So first
and foremost, I want to say thank you to the community for what they have been
doing to participate in the support of the "fight the bite" campaign and address the
issues that they can around their homes.
Next is the aggressive response we have had from the vector control team. The
Department of Health, from the very onset, when we partnered up on November
Fourth and initiated the response to the outbreak, set some very aggressive
schedules or objectives with doing the vector control operations. Which means, as
soon as the vector control office is notified of a suspect or confirmed case, the plan
was to treat those properties; residents primarily within 96 hours of notification.
The vector control team has consistently exceeded their expectations. They have
been spraying or treating properties within 24-48 hours consistently. They are able
to do that even with the periods that we saw with significant numbers of properties
to be treated, due to the support from the County. The Mayor was very generous
to committing County resources to buy sprayers, as well as to commit County
personnel from Public Works and Parks and Recreation to be trained to
supplement and compliment the vector control team. So what you have seen
happening out there is a partnership between the County and State to build
capacity to go out and spray these properties in a timely manner.
I really appreciate Dr.Horowitz' comments about the impact with the environment
and what we need to think about when we take strategies because of a couple of
things, with the spraying that the vector control teams have been doing. It hasn't
been blanket broad fumigation, if you want to call it, or fogging. It's very precise,
surgical, and strategic, based on where they see the breeding areas. But we are
also very sensitive and appreciative to what kind of impacts you could have with
the chemical pesticides or adulticides that are used. The Aqua-Reslin product that
have been used from the start was identified as a very safe and effective adulticide,
but it could have adverse consequences, it's just as effective on killing bees. When
we initiate strategies' whether it is eradication or control of adult mosquitos or any
kind of pest, we need to consider what would be the adverse consequences of those
strategies. So going forward, as we look at maybe look at long-term mosquito
control strategies, it would benefit from considering all of the potential impacts of
whatever we are going to do. We have received numerous requests from the
public to consider broad aerial spraying of adulticide, similar to what other states
do. And again with the response we provide to those recommendations or
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suggestions and questions is that, presently we are responding in a very strategic
manner based on the outbreaks. We are treating or trying to knock down infected
mosquitos that are likely to be in the presence around the cases that are confirmed
a suspect. So that's where the resources have been focused. When we talk about
long-term mosquito control, there really needs to be some good discussion and
research on what is appropriate and consider the potential environmental impacts,
if we were to look at something like aerial spraying. As I mentioned, the impact
on just the bee population and the agricultural community would be significant.
The other part that we are sensitive too is for organic farmers out there. We don't
want to jeopardize their certification as organic farms. So, we have been working
closely with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health to
identity alternative products that would not, in anyway, compromise an organic
farmer certification. We have identified a few products.
We are very grateful that Chris Jacobsen, the Entomologist, is a new addition also
as part of this outbreak with the response and the support of the Governor's office;
funding an Entomologist position on the Big Island. Chris was picked up two
Wednesdays ago, has been out there since, and has already provided so much
benefit to the response with his expertise. He was a former entomologist with
Department of Health and with the reorganization that they went through years
ago; he was one of the individuals affected by that reorganization. But we were
very fortunate that he remained a resident and committed and offered to come
back. And fortunately with the funding made available; he's back on staff and he
is based here on the Big Island providing entomology support for the response.
He's provided great insight based on his experience with mosquitos on what would
be future strategies for maintenance around certain properties with controlling the
adults, as well as in providing information on how we can adjust our strategies
with source reduction and larvicides, etcetera.
So going back to vector again, they maintain a very aggressive response to the
cases. If you want, Eric can provide you the exact numbers of how many
properties they have sprayed; it's an excess of 300 properties since the beginning
of the onset. The strategy that they use is they will go out and spray the suspect or
confirmed case property, with consent from the property owners. They will also
approach neighboring properties and try to get consent and treat those adjacent
properties as well. Out to at least 25 yards and they repeat that spray within a
week. We have found that strategy to be very effective in knocking down adult
mosquitos. In other areas, such as Miloli`i and other communities, we have added
additional treatment strategies including the trapping, that you heard the people
from Pahoa mentioning; we found some effectiveness there. One of the big issues
that we have with source reduction is the water catchment tanks. I think all of us
on the Big Island appreciate that we have such a large number and population base
that depends on water catchment as their only source of water for potable use.
And that has been one of the primary, if not in some areas, the primary breeding
space or environment for mosquitos. We have been working to identify products
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that can be applied to catchment tanks that would still allow the water to be potable
and safe to use, but to reduce the propagation of mosquitos, eliminate larvae, and
maintain it. If you heard the gentlemen from Pahoa mention, there has been in the
past treatment of standing water with oils and we found there are some products
out there; neem oil being one of them that has shown some benefit. But there is
always that question if the water is still safe for potable use. We have been
identifying products that we would like to test and evaluate and get confirmation
that would be safe to recommend for residents to use, make sure it's available over
the counter, and that it would be reasonable as far as the application to treat the
catchment tanks. In the meantime, the recommendation has been to treat your
catchment tanks with a chlorine bleach solution; we found that to be effective in re
reducing the presence of larvae in the tanks. It does require retreatment or periodic
retreatments and the percentage or concentration there is 1/3 cup of bleach per
thousand gallons in your tank. The reason we keep to that recommendation or
concentration is, at that concentration the water is still safe for potable use and
consumption.
The next area or branch of our operations is the Public Education Branch. As I
mentioned, Jason is our Public Education Branch Director for the operations.
Recently there has been an expansion of the outreach. Two Wednesdays ago
beginning February 17th, representatives from Department of Health, Civil
Defense, and our cert teams, they went out in the Kailua-Kona area because we
see an area of Kailua-Kona as being higher than high hot spot with some
associated cases. We wanted to make sure that the information that businesses and
residents had in that area was what they could use to make sure they were better
aware of the problem and could protect themselves. So they went door to door
from the area of Alii Drive; from the Royal Kona Resort all the way out to Kona
Commons, where the sports authority complex is at. Again, on the ground, door to
door, making contact with businesses and residents in that area, and informing
them that we've seen cases associated with that general area, and sharing with
them what they can do to protect themselves. Provided sample repellants for some
of the businesses that work out doors as well as to help us identify and partnership
with vector and entomology, any problem issues with breeding grounds. It's
providing simple guidance to property owners that if you have an air-conditioning
unit, its likely dripping water and collecting outside with a drain. Just that amount
of water can present a breeding ground for mosquitos. If you are irrigating your
property or are in a draught right now, many properties are being irrigated as a
means of keeping the vegetation alive and that is presenting with breeding
grounds. Then obviously cleaning up any kind of refutes that provides the
opportunities for our breeding source. We also have had since the beginning, risk
reduction teams. As our office receives concerns or complaints from the
community about standing water, abandoned vehicles and tires, we are sending
teams out; primarily Civil Defense staff along with our community emergency
response team where CERT personnel going out and investigating, and verifying,
and if possible mitigating some of these complaints. We have identified some of
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these unique issues out there in the environment. To give you examples; the day
before yesterday, our risk reduction team went out to a property in Ocean View in
which they confirmed and again, this was information volunteered by the property
owner, he has over a 1,000 tires on his property that is going to need to be
relocated and removed. Unfortunately, he's not physically able or don't have
resources to get it so we are looking at ways toin the very near future, pursue a
community -wide cleanup.
For some of these very unique situations, is reach out for assistance such as the
National Guard and other resources to do a one-time—let's get some of these
problems addressed, get them out of the community, and prevent the future
problems from occurring. Because even if we get through this outbreak, there is
always the potential for another one, what this outbreak has done is raise
everybody's awareness of how vulnerable we are that these things, at any time, can
be introduced into our community. We all know that dengue is not endemic to our
island. It was brought in from a traveler, whether that was a returning resident or
someone passing through, but that's how it got here. So, we are always at risk for
these diseases coming into community. If we can do things to address the other
problems out there that will add to the risk; such as stock pile of tires, and
abandoned vehicles, and other things, we can hopefully minimize the outbreak
from occurring in the future.
As I mentioned, we are very fortunate to have Chris on board, as an on island
entomologist with tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to help guide
some of our strategies; not only for this response, but as you hear conversations
about trapping. As you heard Dr. Horowitz with more appropriate mosquito
treatment measures going forward, the value of having an entomologist available
to guide that decision making and provide the expertise on what would be
effective, is invaluable. So again, we are very grateful for that.
At this point I would like to open up if you have any questions for me or any of the
other team members that we have here this morning.
CHR KANUHA: Mahalo, Chief. I will open it up for questions, starting with Ms.
Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: You stated that they were doing a lot of spraying. So, are
those State workers that have come down to do the spraying?
MR. OLIVEIRA: We have had other jurisdictions across the other islands share
their vector personnel, as well as even entomology support. So, we have had. But
I would say the vast majority of the work being done is by the crew that's on
island. That is Eric and his team from vector. I believe, Eric, fourteen on island?
Vector consists of 14 total?
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MS. POINDEXTER: Can you come up to the table and then introduce yourself so
we can have it on the record.
MR. OLIVEIRA: He'll show you the resources the State vector has on island.
They are getting additional resources and where they have needed and have asked
for County resources that supplemented their efforts.
MR. HONDA: My name is Eric Honda. I am with the Department of Health. As
far as your question on how many vector control staff we have here on the island,
we currently have six positions. Five are filled and we are currently having
interviews for the sixth position here. We have just gotten approval from the
Governor for an additional 8 exempt vector control positions, which currently is at
the administrative level of being approved right now.
MS. POINDEXTER: Thank you, my next question was Waipi`o. I know we had
a testifier concerned about Waipi`o and with the taro and the standing water. Can
you give a brief overview of what's been happening and what are the next steps for
Waipi`o?
MR. OLIVEIRA: Sure. If you don't mind, I just want to add a little bit more to
what Eric shared. That is, within the local Department of Health staff, they have
also been tapping into other branches within Department of Health locally, such as
the sanitarians, to help provide that vector support. Why it's important to share
that is, we have heard concerns raised about how we are spreading the Department
of Health's team very thin. And where that relates to the sanitarians, is these are
the same personnel that do your food establishment inspections, and so forth. But
to date, when we meet we discuss the various branches are able to keep up with
their routine, work as well as support vector. And that's how they have been
making it happen.
But specifically on your question with Waipi`o Valley; we had a community
meeting this past Monday and it was to update the community with where we are
at with the outbreak in the valley. The last date of onset on an illness there that we
have confirmed is February 1st. So, with each day going by it is looking more and
more promising that we could consider the reopening or lifting of the restricted
access with Waipi`o. The reason why we implemented the restricted access is
there was sufficient evidence to indicate that there was a point of exposure or
source in the valley. Which mean, if we allow people to continue to enter the
valley, we were at risk of people bringing the virus out—contracting and taking it
elsewhere across the island? Or if it is visitors, taking it anywhere they are going
to go. So, we needed to restrict the access to reduce the risk with continued spread
of the dengue virus. Now we have had several cases associated with Waipi`o
Valley and these are likely and I will say highly probably confirmed contact and
transmission in the valley and, again, that's what supported the decision.
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Hearing the community's frustrations with the initial restricted access was one of
requesting volunteer compliance. We needed everybody to do their part rather
than take a very hard line and putting law enforcement there. But that,
unfortunately as of Monday, hearing the complaints and the frustration and
because we are so close to considering Waipi`o as low risk; as of today, we have
police officers there manning the guard or the entry point and restricting access to
residents and the farm and farm workers only. It is necessary to get past this point
to allow for us to consider that the valley is no longer a risk for a point of infection
and allow the community to return to some normalcy. As we shared with the some
business owners; such as Mr. Matsuo, you can truly appreciate the impact this is
having and not just on the operators in Waipi`o but the Honoka`a community at
large. From hearing from some of the businesses, the business activity has
dropped off significantly, just with the mention of restricting the access.
Unfortunately, there are still visitors and others making access and not heeding the
advice and request to not enter the valley.
MS. POINDEXTER: And from the other side of it too, the farmers in the valley
were very appreciative that had happened because it gave time for Waipi`o to
breathe again and to rejuvenate itself from some of the traffic that they were
having in the valley. So that is help; I know that shouldn't be the reason but the
other side of it is they were appreciative of that.
The other thing that I just wanted to make known even to the Department of Health
is that there are a lot of cases that go unreported. So the numbers, even if we say
it's February 1st, I have gotten calls about people and concerns about their
neighbors not wanting to report it because there is no sense in going to the doctor
because it's flu-like symptoms; there is no vaccine; you will waste your time to go
to the doctor; no insurance; you will pay for something when they will just send
you home because it's just a flu-like symptom. My concern to them is that the rat
lungworm disease has basically flu symptoms also. I'm saying go check because
you don't know if it's one or the other.
Since we did away with vector control, we have had so much of the rat infestation
in a lot of communities because you don't have the sugar cane fields burning
anymore, which was like our vector control in a way. And since now sugar cane is
gone it is crazyI'm not saying the rats are in the sugar, but we know what was
happening back then and that department got cut because things were getting better
and not as out of control. I'm glad to hear that vector control and the funding that,
I think, just passed third reading from the Ways and Means Committee to fund
more vector control. I hope they concentrate those efforts on this island first and
go forward from there. So, thank you so much, I'm sorry I couldn't make the
Waipi`o meeting. Thank you for being there, even with Kanani, for all your help
that we needed out in that community. And the Department of Health, all that you
are continuing to do for us. Thank you.
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MR. OLIVEIRA: Could I just add—and thank you for the comment about why
people should get checked. As you pointed out, there are many other illnesses
people with a high probability of bad outcomes if they choose not to go get
checked and confirmed. So we shouldn't self -diagnose for one, It's important that
we know where these cases are, so we are comfortable that the risk is going down,
especially if it's ruled out that it's not a dengue case.
We are hearing the frustrations yet, with people unable to access the testing and
healthcare. As a safety net, you heard the Mayor and you heard me share, that if
you get stuck and have no access to healthcare and don't know where to go; they
can still reach out to the 911 system, to EMS (Emergency Medical Services).
Because at least it allows them to get checked to make sure it isn't something life
threatening or potentially life threatening. Through that process, the ambulance
might come out and recommend that you go in and get checked because they can't
confirm in the field whether you have dengue. They can say yeah you have a lot
of the symptoms, but you could have something else. But it gets you into the
system, get you checked, and gives you access to healthcare. Places like our
Community Health Centers; Hamakua in particular, said they are not going to turn
anyone away for inability to pay. I really commend that organization and the
outreach and what they are doing.
MS. POINDEXTER: I'm glad you mentioned that with Hamakua Health Center
because they are an FQHC (Federal Qualified Health Center). So, every federally
qualified health center; their target population is Medicare, Medicaid, and
especially the uninsured. So, you have Bay Clinic in Hilo, you have Hamakua
Health Center, you have Kohala Health Center, you have the West Hawaii
Community Health Center; those are all FQHC's and I would say go to them. And
I think they have—not an FQHC, but something else in the Puna side, that Health
Center, also. So, there are a lot of places that can take uninsured and I'm hoping
people will take advantage of that opportunity, if they do feel sick. It doesn't only
have to be about this dengue stuff, it can be basically anything. Thank you so
much.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you. Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: Thank you. One of my questions right now we're sort of looking at
a war on mosquitos or "fight the bite". I think, trying to change it to being like a
war on mosquito habitat; that's what we're after.
We maybe through an acute phase, but for these kinds of things whether they are
dengue or zika, it can just pop up. If it had been continuing on with a significant
number, my thought was to have sort of one time of the week where, sort of,
everyone in the Count; say 12 noon on Sundays, go check your environs and do an
assessment. And maybe give people sort of a list of whether it's tires or gutters or
like the air conditioner; I hadn't thought of that one and your irrigation systems.
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We are going to do this as a community. And really work on eliminating mosquito
habitat. I'm not sure if that that would really come off if you are finding that there
aren't any numbers, right there. But anyways, it's just a suggestion of the method.
It doesn't hurt for all of us to do things as a common; we are here and in common.
In terms of the water catchment and our laws or ordinances in opening up more
availability and allowing people to do more catchment systems, rather than having
to connect to the County. I think this kind of concern also has to be taken into
account there. I did get a call to my office yesterday from a constituent who said
that he was tested for dengue back in September and just last week he was
informed it was positive. Now, I don't know how that happened. I can get you the
information but had read that we were going to be having this discussion. He
spoke to someone in my staff He was very upset that he didn't know. I think
September was before things really ratcheted up and maybe had systems in place
and that may have been a problem there. The last thing I wonder, in terms of a
conversation I had with Ms. Poindexter and trying to make sure that there are
people that don't go to the doctor because they have not heard there is some
solution and it cost money.
If there's a number other than 911, it would be like a central number call. And if
you want to check and you feel you might have dengue but you don't know where
to go, you don't have the time, you don't have the money; here's a number in. sort
of like a. case by case basis, to address that. Now, if you told me to call 911 for
that, I would be hesitant. I think people don't like calling 911 unless there is
something going on right then and there is other things going on. If you don't have
a number like that, I would just suggest that --or if you do, I would like to know it.
A number that people who think they might be able to be referred to, whether it's
one of the health centers or some other access point and try to catch some sort of
week points in terms of people, in terms of areas, and how do we catch those.
Anyway, just my thoughts on it, if you have any comments?
MR. OLIVEIRA: Yes, I guess one. Thank you on the cleanup once a day or once
a week, do you own assessment. An example of how effective the cleanup efforts
can be, is you look at what the tire amnesty has done with DEM (Department of
Environmental Management), collecting over 9,000 tires to date. That is 9,000
tires that would have sat in an environment. So going forward, we need to look at
ways we can encourage people to get these problem issues off their property and
give them additional information on what to look for; like you said, gutters, the air
conditioning, things that you wouldn't think of that can become problems.
With the access to healthcare, every day we continue to hear frustration from
people that can't seem to get access to that. I would say as a safety net, the number
you can give out if someone doesn't feel they have an emergency and doesn't
know who else to call, still call our office because we are working constantly with
the Department of Health. And in particularly, the gentlemen that said his lab
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work or results didn't come back for months; we would like to put him in touch
with either our office or the Department of Health, to find out what happened on
that case. I don't mean in any way to imply or minimize the current outbreak,
we're very fortunate that this outbreak is with a particular virus or disease. It's
highly unlikely to see a catastrophic outcome or fatalities, etcetera. But it's an
opportunity for all of us within the system to make it better for the next outbreak,
so if we're dealing with something that's more sensitive or critical; we've closed
gaps and found ways to take care of the community better. So, having the
opportunity to look at those types of cases and see what went wrong will help us
make it better for the future.
MS. WILLE: Okay, so what is the number that you would say to call? So if people
watch this on television, they know who to call.
MR. OLIVEIRA: I would say start calling our office at 935-0031. That's our
Civil Defense office because then we'll have a person to actually put you in
contact with the appropriate agency or contact or we might have the answers for
you.
MS. WILLE: Okay and let me just ask about CERT (Community Emergency
Response Team.) Have you used CERT at all in the Community Emergency
Response teams; in other words, the local area CERT groups?
MR. OLIVEIRA: We have actually been using CERT quite extensively for this
outbreak. They have been part of the risk reduction efforts going out. It could be
CERT members from the immediate community or adjacent communities or even
from across the island. But CERT Team or CERT Team members are going out
almost on a daily bases with the risk reduction team and helping to do those site
surveys.
CHR KANUHA: Ms. Wille, anymore? Okay, thank you. Ms. David?
MS. DAVID: Mahalo, Chair and mahalo, Chief Oliveira and Mr. Honda. I have
several questions regarding the risk reduction team that you are talking about. For
me, when you spoke about the abandoned vehicles, etc. In my district I have been
getting calls about the abandoned vehicles that have been actually going through
the process of your normal dealing with abandoned vehicles and having it towed
away. But in the meantime when you say there is a risk reduction team, from the
stretch of South Kona to almost Ka`u; Na`alehu, I think there are about six
vehicles that I'm still seeing there and wondering whether these vehicles were
sprayed or looked at.
Number two. Also, when you talked about the thousand tires in Ocean View, it
brought to mind a site visit that I was taken on in Ocean View to an illegal
dumping ground, basically. I think you might know where that is and
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unfortunately it's on a private property. And, I think, efforts up to this point has
been futile as far as trying to deal with that.
All this, including the question from the testifier about whether the declaration of
emergency would be available to us or to this island in providing or buying traps,
and my question is what does the declaration entitle this County to get, as far as
assistance to deal with this outbreak? Do weI know we are getting vector
control, like you said, but I'm really interested in your comment about engaging
the National Guard. Would we be able tonumber one, what does the
declaration entitle this County to? Funding? Personnel? And if it's funding,
would we be able to address the major breeding grounds like you are talking
about; a thousand tires, the illegal dumping ground, if we have a community
organized. Would that be something the State declaration would cover? I
don't know what are entitled to and that's why I'm asking.
MR. OLIVEIRA: I would say, what the declaration or proclamation process; both
at the local level and the Governor's State level does, is it provides access at the
State level to the disaster fund for those State agencies that are supporting their
response to Department of Health. If and when we activate or request assistance
from the National Guard, if there is financial needs to support their mission,
again, that is another source of funds rather than their current operating budget.
On the County level we do have access to the disaster or emergency fund,
regardless of the Mayor's proclamation. But the proclamation does raise to the
level, the concern that we justify reaching into that fund to taking care of some of
the response. But, again, maybe asking for everybody's understanding that we
want to be prudent on how we tap that fund because as we saw with Iselle and the
lava flow. At any given time, we could be faced with another disaster and we
would like to make sure we have adequate funds. So, I think, going forward with
using the disaster fund for any kind of mitigation, clean up or maintenance
programs, it would be based on some well thought out strategies that we can get
the best bang for the buck. As you mentioned the illegal dump sites. With most
proclamations, we enter into the discussion of what should be in the proclamation
to include if there are any State statutes or ordinances that should be in some way
waived or some latitudes provided that would allow for the response to take place
quickly.
So, one of it is regarding the Environmental Management rules and regulations that
must follow. As an example, when the Department of Environmental Management
operates a transfer station or facilities to take in refuse; they have a certain
schedule, they have certain volumes that they are bound by. But with the
proclamation, it allows for some latitude to then taking surge; open up or extend
the hours of operation and increase the capacity for taking in refuse. That's going
to be critical, as well as, I might have shared with you one of the County
ordinances that we wanted to at least bring into the picture as part of the Mayor's
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proclamation. And I'm not saying this is the path we are going down, but we want
to have options.
State law allows for the bearing of tires in the landfill if they are cut up. County
ordinances prohibits any landfilling of tires and, again I stress, I'm not saying we
are going to landfill the tires but we needed to have options if there was a situation
that occurred where the stream or movement of the tires wasn't going to be
effective and we would be stuck with a stock pile of tires here, creating a health
hazard. Fortunately, Environmental Management is working with their contractor.
There hasn't been any challenge there with taking in this surge of 9,000 plus tires
and getting it moved through the system and recycled. But we needed to have
options. Those are some of the things that come with the proclamation process is
discussing statutes and ordinances that we can consider some latitude or waiving,
to allow for the response to move quickly. So, definitely clean up and, like I said,
the guard we've met this past Monday with the Guard Commander on island.
We've been in constant contact with him as well as with the chain of command,
with the guard, since the beginning of the outbreak. We just wanted to make sure
the timing for requesting the guard resources would be based on we were going to
use those assets for an appropriate mission. And we're getting to that point.
MS. DAVID: I really appreciate that because—not that it would be something
they would address specifically. But, I think, your educational outreach and your
awareness that you have been doing thus far is very commendable and I thank you
for that. I am wondering whether the illegal dumps, not only in my district but
there are a lot of illegal dumping grounds on this island. Maybe a sweep down
there to spray the area could be considered and that would be very helpful, I would
think in the interim. Then continue to address the abandoned vehicles. For now, I
think I will yield. But thank you very much for all of your work and the
department and the State's work thus far. I would be very happy to see if we can
engage some of the resources that we are now entitled to. Thank you.
CHR KANUHA: Mr. Eagan?
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I would just like to say thank you for your presentation. Some of the
Council Members questions are similar to what I had. I particular the tire disposal
and how that's coming along. It looks like DEM is looking into trying to
accommodate all of those tires. I know one of the problems—well, you already
know this; I don't have to explain to you. I do have some questions regarding one;
I will go with the least controversial issue. I have been hearing that there is a lot of
CERT team from the Puna area that has been helping you out. And I just wanted
to ask what could the Council do to support and recognize these hardworking
individuals?
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MR. OLIVEIRA: I have actually been in discussion with the Mayor's office and
would welcome a similar support of the Council. And that is to look at March as
being a Community Emergency Response Team or CERT appreciation and
recognition month. I think I have done a poor job in telling you how much we
have used the CERT with all the disasters we've had. They have been a
tremendous asset to our department.
When you look at Iselle, they were out there before impact; trying to help with
notification in areas, post impact; they were doing damage assessments
immediately and assisting. When you look at the lava flow, they were
instrumental in helping us go door to door and let the community know what was
happening with the lava flow. Now with this outbreak, we're using them to help
with the risk reduction. All of these activations have been outside of the normal
scope of CERT. But they are so eager, willing, and committing to supporting
doing what is best for our community, they come out and they do it. Again, I think
it would be nice for the County to acknowledge and recognize these community
volunteers in every one of your districts out there helping with every disaster
we've had and, again, committed to what could we be facing in the future.
MR. ILAGAN: I'm pretty sure the Council Members would definitely do that. I
will speak on behalf of myself. I will reach out to your office and ask for the
names and the district that I represent and quickly draft up some recognition. The
other thing is that budget season is coming up. And it seems that the Governor has
been doing his part in trying to fill vector control. Mr. Honda mentioned, is it
eight new positions in the vector control or is it your expanding your team to
eight?
(Note: At this time, Department of Health, Environmental Health Officer
Eric Honda came forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. HONDA: Eric Honda, Department of Health. It is eight additional exempt
positions, onto our current six permanent positions.
MR. ILAGAN: Okay, so you'll have 14 in total?
MR. HONDA: Correct.
MR. ILAGAN: Okay, that's awesome. What does that mean in the sense of
effectiveness and what you guys can do with eight more individuals?
MR. HONDA: It definitely gives us more resources to accomplish our goals and
objectives. Obviously, currently right now, our primary focus is the dengue
outbreak. But as many of you have already stated, it's going beyond this outbreak.
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It's basically a fight against mosquitos. So going forward after the dengue
outbreak, a lot of our mosquito activities will continue throughout the community.
And like Chief Oliveira said, working with our new entomologist in identifying
new, more effective ways to address the mosquito breeding and the population. I
really see that being an integral part of the vector control program moving forward.
MR. ILAGAN: You might not know the answer to this; it might be Aaron, I'm not
sure. But in Oahu, Kauai, Maui, what's their personal staff total?
MR. HONDA: I don't know the exact numbers per island. All I can say is that
back when the reorganization reduction force occurred, the vector control program
got hit pretty badly but I don't have the exact numbers.
MR. ILAGAN: Okay, if you could state your name and title please, thank you.
(Note: At this time, Department of Health, District Health Officer
Aaron Ueno came forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. VENO: Good morning, all. Aaron Ueno, District Health Officer. I just
wanted to apologize for the director, she couldn't make it today; she had some
prior engagements.
In the question regarding what Eric had mentioned about the eight positions, it is
part of a project that is only for this island. The project was initiated due to the
Governor's declaration. Our intent is to convert these exempt positions to
permanent civil service, when the legislative process is approved. And we are
encouraged to see that in the legislature, they are all reinstating the vector control
branch state-wide.
MR. ILAGAN: That's awesome, that's really good to hear. My other questions
regarding—actually going into what I was trying to get with the Governor is that
the budget season is coming up and I wanted to ask—sorry I think it's this tie. I
don't normally wear ties and it's just crimping in my neck, and I can't seem to get
the words out of my mouth. I just wanted to ask Darryl, what can the Council do
to help improve your program and really make Hawai'i County a better place?
MR. VENO: Well, I feel we have submitted a budget that will help us to continue
to perform at the level we have been performing. We have been very fortunate
over the last few years, both the Mayor and the Council have approved additional
positions we have gotten, provided funding for different programs, such as CERT,
contingency monies for different programs, so. I feel very comfortable with the
budget we have submitted and we have. I think where we could benefit from
additional Council support is with the outreach in the community, especially if we
are going to be discussing what would be, for a lack of a better way of putting it, a
mosquito abatement program going forward. Because one, it's going to depend
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on community input, community participation, and obviously Government
participation. But a discussion on what does that look like when we talk about
mosquito control and an abatement program. If you have visions of the 1960's and
70's with the mosquito trucks driving through your neighborhood and fogging
your area, that's one concept. But I think like we mentioned earlier and testimony
from Dr. Horowitz is, looking at what would be appropriate, prudent, sound
decisions, and practices going forward with trying to reduce vectors, not just
mosquitos, but other vectors that pose a health concern in our community and all
of us will be involved with that.
MR. ILAGAN: Well, that's good to hear. I know Kanani is the position that we
funded last budget. And I just got to say if you need help reaching out to the
community, then I have first Bibs on Kanani because she goes out there and
interacts with the community. So, I will set something up.
Now the other part, I also want to follow up on two things that were mentioned last
dengue meeting we had. One—actually both of them are regarding DOH
(Department of Health) and I just want to say thanks to Jason Dela Cruz. He
provided me business who can actually handle some of the spraying. I guess what
I'm trying to say is that Government don't have enough personnel to do everything
and sometimes homeowners want to be more proactive but they don't know who to
contact. What I was trying to get to is that if DOH or Department of Agriculture is
able to train individuals, or let's say, landscapers to be able to provide that type of
service. So now they have a certification from DOH and they have the additional
service where they are already familiar with the homeowner and be able to have
that under control. I was wondering, I mentioned at the last meeting—have you
started to work on any sort of training for businesses?
MR. VENO: I believe what Jason had provided you were the private pest control
operators that are licensed under the Department of Agriculture to do these types
of purposes. What you are asking for is others in the private sector to be trained to
spray properties?
MR. ILAGAN: There is a certain pesticide that you spray that only your workers
can spray in vector control. Could you mention what that is because it escaped
me?
MR. VENO: That is Aqua-Reslin that we use.
MR. ILAGAN: Yes, I was wondering if you could provide certification to
different business for that.
(Note: At this time, Department of Health, Environmental Health Officer
Eric Honda came forward to address the members of the Council.)
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MR. HONDA: Eric Honda, Department of Health. The Aqua-Reslin that the
department applies, it's very specific on the pesticide label on who can apply that
pesticide. When we talk about pesticide in general, whatever the label states it's
Federal law and we need to abide by it. So like Aqua-Reslin, it specifically says
Government officials or under the direct supervision of Government officials.
That's why one of the hurdles that we overcame, as far as, utilizing the County
resources for sprayers, was that we could utilize the personnel because they
weren't actually Department of Health. With Aqua-Reslin it's not a restricted use
pesticide but it has some restrictions on the applicator. And, I guess, in Hawaii,
the applicator for Aqua-Reslin needs to have a category 8 pesticide license from
the Department of Agriculture. And that license, basically, for Public Health
applicators. So, there are some restrictions on the applicator side of this product
and it's specific for Government personnel. So, I don't think we can provide
Aqua-Reslin to the community to apply on their own, even if they're training by
us.
(Note: At this time, Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira came
forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. OLIVEIRA: Just to maybe help with the discussion on this issue is, again,
we're very fortunate to have Chris on board. And one of the requests we have
made of he is the entomologist and along with Department of Agriculture is help
us identify products that are over the counter that the average resident can go. It's
not extremely expensive; it's within reason that they can apply safely and achieve
the same, or close to the same, benefits and results that we see with some of the
limited or restricted use items. We have already come up, you know, again, thanks
to Chris and Department of Agriculture, As an example, Telstar P is a product
that's available in Ace Hardware and other stores as an over the counter pesticide.
And has already been identified as a very effective adulticide with mosquitos with
mosquitos, with some residual benefit as well. It's one of our goals coming out of
this, is to provide the public with as much information as to what they can do
themselves, that's within reason, and safe, and accessible over the counter.
MR. ILAGAN: I would just say these two things to clarify my statement and I will
yield. I just want to point out that my intention of why I am having this
conversation is actually because community members are going and buying off the
shelves pesticides. And most of them don't know or have any training to even
properly apply or read the label.
So what I was targeting for businesses that have applicators, and have the
equipment, and just need to be able to have certification to be using some sort of
pesticide; Aqua-Reslin is one of them. But you are the expert, you might find
something that is more proper to use. But I just wanted to get those individuals
who have those training already, who have that equipment already, which does it
for most of their business, and they have this additional service that they can
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provide. The other side of it is the community, which Administrator Oliveira
mentioned. And definitely going out to the community and letting them know
what's proper and having that community training would be needed. I think those
are two separate aspects of it and I just wanted to clarify that so we have a better
understanding. I will yield at this time, thank you.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Eagan. Mr. Onishi?
MR. ONISHL Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning. I felt little uncomfortable
when—it's in the same line as Ms. David with the Governor, the Mayor declaring
of emergency and she mentioned about funding. Because we had talked a while
back because we had someone who came in asking for some funding or Ms. David
had gave some funding from her contingency funds for the catchments down
Miloli`i. I have been in contact with that person and the amount is over $100,000.
So, I suggested to her that maybe we should look at having it declared an
emergency so we could tap off some of the disaster funds or the stabilization fund.
I feel a little uncomfortable when you mention about we need to watch how we
spend our money on the disaster funds. You mentioned Iselle. You mentioned
about the lava flow. But to me, any of these cases is an emergency. To me, you
cannot restrict by saying which one is more important, so I'm going to save these
funds for the most important thing. It showed in the past how the State operated in
their Agriculture and Health Department with all these invasive species.
We had a cut back on all these inspectors and we didn't have vector at one point.
Like the fire ants; the coqui frogs, it just expanded because they didn't want to
spend the money and look who is now hurting, is this Big Island. We are infested
with fire ants, we're infested with the coqui frogs, and that nettle caterpillar, and
all these other stuff The investment, to me, if you can do it quickly and early, then
you don't have to prolong it and it might not grow. So to say that we need to
watch how we spend our money, I don't think so. If this is a health problem, we
need to invest whatever resources of funding that we can use to fix it, because the
people are the ones that are going to get hurt. So to me, open it up.
Like, for example, the catchments. I don't know what percent of catchments are
on this island, but if we can spend a couple thousand or at least a thousand or $500
on each catchment to get it upgraded to where we are going to destroy whatever
babies are in there and make it at least suitable where they won't be able to breed
again, then to me we at least succeeded on that part. And then after that, the
resources about getting more vector control personnel. I mean, how long do you
think that will take to get this staff on board?
(Note: At this time, Department of Health, Environmental Health Officer
Eric Honda came forward to address the members of the Council.)
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MR. HONDA: Well, currently right now it's going through the approval process
with our administrative office in Honolulu. And, I think, once it goes through
ASO (Administrative Services Office), then it goes to the Human Resources. Then
from there, we get the notification that we can fill.
MR. ONISHL So maybe another 2 or 3 more months, maybe?
MR. HONDA: No. We are looking at hopefully we are going to have all eight
positions filled and start at least by April.
MR. ONISHL Okay. So, I know the County; we have some personnel that's in
Parks and Recreation that we had gotten funding to do our fire ant treatment, right.
And I heard that they are working on the weekends with the State. Now to my
understanding, if we can get them and this is where you come in, Chief Oliveira,
that if we can get them permanent and into their title which is a vector control
personnel, the State could be utilizing them for more personnel at this time until
they get their manpower, correct?
(Note: At this time, Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira came
forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. OLIVEIRA: Yes and I would like to correct; we are not in any shortage of
qualifying trained County employees to support vector. We've had over 90 Public
Works people trained, as well as parks. So there hasn't been a shortage of County
staff to support vector.
MR. ONISHL No, but I am saying utilizing whatever manpower we got.
Because, like I said, if we are declaring this an emergency, we should react as if
it's an emergency and not go as long as, okay we don't have any reports, okay we
can mellow out. Let's just treat everything and utilize the funding. To me, it's a
major factor.
MR. OLIVEIRA: Sure and I apologize if I conveyed the message that we don't
want to spend the money. My message was we need to pick the strategies that we
are going to get the most effect and benefit from. And right now, I think we are
trying to identify that with the entomologist so we have long lasting benefit from
what strategies we take, rather than a short lived one. As a response, we're taking
the short approach, which is let's take care of the infected mosquitos and know
them down; long-term is how we maintain the environment by reducing the vector
and as examples, you mentioned with the Parks and Recreation employees. In
speaking with Director Honma, what they are trying to do is look at the park's
facilities and how do they establish a maintenance program within their own
inventory of properties that are widely used by the community which pose a risk.
We saw Ho`okena was ground zero, if you want to call it, so going forward, a
maintenance program developed by the entomologist that would give a risk
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reduction for the long-term, so we don't see a return. We are working closely with
parks and, again, if there are discussions about how to spend the disaster funds, I
am sure you'll be having those discussions with the Mayor. My role and my job is
to provide you with solutions and what those solutions would cost.
MR. ONISHL Okay, have you been in discussion with the non-profit group in
Miloli`i?
MR. OLIVEIRA: Yes. I spoke to him as recently as last week and shared that one
of the outreach for their catchment project; I reached out to United Way. And I'm
waiting for a response from United Way, this week.
MR. ONISHL Would you be the person with the authority to utilize the disaster
funds?
MR. OLIVEIRA: I would have to make that request through the Mayor's office.
Again, we did discuss the possibility of using or the request from the non-profit to
use the disaster fund for their catchment project. The caveat we put there is that,
we need to look at the catchment project as an island -wide project.
MR. ONISHL I believe that. That's why I said, I don't know how many
catchments are out there but if that's one of the major problems or breeding areas
that's having this infected mosquitos be there, then we should be treating that
catchments.
MR. OLIVEIRA: We agree; the catchment systems are a primary breeding source
in many of the communities. So, what is the appropriate action to be taken with
catchments? It could be everything from assisting people with replacing liners and
covers. For those that have, I want to say, very operable safe systems, what's the
treatment for their systems going forward. Until we have a better understanding
like with the Miloli`i proposal, even though there were 46 cases or 46 tanks there,
not every tank was in need of replacement. So I think to give you an idea, we have
to qualify or quantify what the resource needs would be.
MR. ONISHL It's been how many months already, right? For us as members
with the fire ant problem and the coqui frog, they put contingency funds to have
the public purchase, for the coqui frogs; the citric acid. Working right now, we got
some funding from HISC (Hawai`i Invasive Species Council) and also from
Department of Agriculture to do the fire ants, to do a program with that, so the
public can get these vouchers to get free pesticides, to treat their places at their
property for fire ants. Why can't we do the same with the mosquitos?
MR. OLIVEIRA: Sure and I would be more than happy to continue discussion, I
guess, with yourself, the Council, and the Mayor on recommendations on how we
deal with the catchment problem. I don't have a solution right now to tell you let's
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replace everyone's catchment tank because, I think, there are catchment systems
out there that are very safe and functional. I think we need to qualify and quantify
what's the strategies going forward with catchment tanks.
MR. ONISHL I understand that. So, you go within each community and you
evaluate on what's the situations. Like Miloli`i, not all of them need to be
replaced. Maybe some might just need a cover, some might need just a lining, and
some might just need treatment because they just need to drain their tank, some of
them, right? So everyone will be different. But the thing is, once you get into the
community then you can assess what the cost is and what will have to happen and
then you can move forward. But like I said, maybe if you have set aside $500,000
and this is what we are going to use to help with the catchment system, we will put
another $250,000 to help residents purchase this insecticide to kill the mosquitos
around there or those mosquito traps. So, that's being proactive and that's getting
out there into the public and saying this is what we can offer you right now.
CHR KANUHA: Mr. Onishi, one last question.
MR. ONISHL That's why to me, sometimes we take too long to react. We should
just start doing things faster.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Onishi. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you very much for asking for
this presentation. It's really helpful. To all of you here, I don't want you guys to
misinterpret my statements or questions, because from everything I hear in the
public, you guys on the ground are doing a fantastic job. You guys are people here
in our community, we know you guys. Eric is my neighbor, Aaron is my
classmate. Your reputation as an emergency manager is something that everybody
knows about.
But, I'm going to take a different slant on all of this. I know people have been
giving suggestions and I'm by no means in a position to give suggestions, because
you guys are the experts. But I just wanted to comment on the public perception,
because you guys are busy at work and I'm sure you have a sense of what the
public is kind of saying because there are a lot of things that somehow don't add
up along the way. And when things don't add up, then the public starts to create
their own facts and that becomes real dangerous. That's why, I think, it was very
important that Chairman Kanuha convened this meeting this morning.
First of all, we had that meeting in December. At that time Chief, you said that,
we asked the question do you have enough resources and you said yeah, we have
enough resources. Then we come down the line and Congresswoman Tulsi
Gabbard comes out and criticizes the Governor for not taking appropriate action,
and a few days later, Governor Ige, with you and Mayor Kenoi on each side, I
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don't know what he said, but it was basically responding to Congresswoman
Gabbard's comments. Then in that same article, I think, you were quoted and I
don't want to misquote you, but it was something to the effect that you were in the
process of asking for an emergency declaration. Then a few days later, Governor
Ige issues an emergency declaration, followed by a County emergency declaration.
And then, of course, you have Senator Shultz now saying that he is going to be
asking for Federal funds. So, when you put all of these things together, you know,
I'm just wondering what changed from December to the time that you guys
declared the emergency declaration that necessitated an emergency declaration as
opposed to asking for or issuing an emergency declaration back in December or
even earlier?
MR. OLIVEIRA: Sure, one correction is that the Mayor issued his proclamation
before the
MR. CHUNG: Okay, well whatever, I'm sorry. We are ahead.
MR. OLIVEIRA: I think the Mayor said it and I think I've mentioned it, is we
were discussing the emergency proclamation at the local level dating back to
November. We were discussing with the Mayor weekly about whether or not we
would need to request or put forth the proclamation. So, the draft was actually
drafted back in November and was sitting and waiting for signature. We were
alsomyself, in close contact with State Civil Defense which is the channel or
chain that I go through to request a Governor's declaration. We had been
discussing a Governor's proclamation declaration dating back to November. The
reason for the delay, if you want to call it, was that we felt up until recently, that
we had adequate resources to continue and to sustain the pace and the strategies
that we're putting forth.
But also saying that as this was going to be continuing one, that we would be going
on for months if we look at that Maui outbreak; a nine month outbreak, we look at
the Florida outbreak; 18 months, we had to plan for the long-term, which meant we
needed to make sure we were in a position to acquire resources immediately, if we
needed it going forward, if we saw any kind of a change. Whether that would be a
sudden surge in the number of cases, whether we would see a sudden over taxing
of the resources we had. It could be something as simple as employees burning
out, getting sick, getting hurt, unable toespecially with vector with the
environment they are working in. As well as to see what was happening globally
with other outbreaks and all it would was to have a case or outbreak on another
island. As you heard me mention, we were getting resources from other islands to
support vector here. If they had a case there and they needed to pull back
resources, we wanted to be in a position to quickly acquire resources if need be,
even from another State. So having those documents in place and at the time we
request it, would put us in a position to be ready and proactive to acquire resources
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quickly, if needed. It didn't indicate that we didn't have resources, to deal with the
mission at hand. We wanted to be able to acquire more resources if we needed.
MR. CHUNG: I'm not going to dispute what you just said. So, you're saying it
was better then, to issue an emergency declaration later than sooner?
MR. OLIVEIRA: No. I'm saying we are waiting it out throughout the response
whether or not we needed it in place to acquire resources at that time. And it
appeared, as things moved on, we wanted to be in a better position to acquire;
especially as we saw globally with the zika outbreak and other things happening.
MR. CHUNG: I'm not an emergency management expert but there are still some
questions. And the reason why I say that is not as a criticism. I'm just saying if I
have a question, I'm sure the public has the same question. What the pervading
concern on the part of the public and remember now, I'm from urban Hilo. Really,
our concerns are not as great as those in South Kona, Puna; but it's still pretty high
so I can imagine how people in those areas feel. I also speak as a parent. I am also
concerned for my kids, right?
Really what I hear from the public and, I think, everyone here will agree, it's not
so much what you all are doing here. You all are doing a bang-up job with
whatever resources you have and we congratulate and thank you. But somehow, I
get the feeling and I don't expect a response on this, is that the higher ups in State
Government are not giving that same commitment or that sense of urgency. This
kind of touches upon what Mr. Onishi was saying. By the time that things like the
ants and the coqui; because they weren't really addressed early on, it has gotten to
a point that we have to live with it already. And hopefully it doesn't happen with
the dengue.
Have you all consulted with Representative Creagan? He came here during that
first go around and it was the first time I heard of the zika virus. He's the one that
brought it up and it was almost pathetic; nobody even knew with zika was and all
of a sudden it's in the public consciousness now; something more scary than
dengue, actually. Given the fact that he was the first one to really bring it up or at
least the higher ups in the Health Department should take what he's saying to
heart. Can I just ask one more question?
I have this newspaper from today. It says one of the DOH (Department of Health)
employees said his teams ask permission before spraying but they have reached
only a quarter of households in dengue affected areas, instead of the recommended
98 percent. What was meant by that?
MR. HONDA: The coverage is something that was recommended by the CDC
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) team when they came down here.
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March 2, 2016
Basically, our response is we do a mosquito survey, larviciding, adulticiding, and
source reduction in a 200 -yard radius from the index case. So, what the coverage
means or what CDC is saying is that to be most effective they recommend
achieving 90 percent coverage of those properties within the 200 yards; as far as
larviciding, source reduction, and aduldticiding. When CDC came on, I guess they
provided us guidance and recommendations. And one of the recommendations
that we wanted to try and to achieve was 90 percent, so we implemented that into
our strategy. But we ran into some difficulties as far as meeting that number,
primarily because of residents not home, residents declining us access, and
residents basically not calling us back. In attempts to try to make that 90 percent,
we implemented a strategy. In our first attempt if they are not home, we will leave
a flyer and an informational packet for them to call us and we'll come back. If
they do call us, we go back, we do the larviciding, and our activities and then we
check them off on our checklist. If they don't call us back, we go back a second
time in person and if they are not at home, we leave this flyer for them to call us.
Basically if we are not able to meet the 90 percent is because the residents are not
cooperating with us and calling us back to get back onto their properties. In some
cases yes, coverage maybe as low as 25 percent, but there were cases where we
reached 100 percent. So it's kind of like up and down.
MR. CHUNG: Okay, thank you, Eric. I know we have to continue to be vigilant,
but the prognosis is good for getting rid of this.
MR. HONDA: Based on what we are seeing, currently, the numbers being very
small trickling in. All of these things contributing to include the weather, playing
a big factor with the drought conditions. I would say prognosis is very good.
MR. CHUNG: Do you think there will be a need for us to convene another
meeting in a few months or do you think we should have everything under control
pretty soon. I know it's hard to say.
MR. OLIVEIRA: I would say, there is always benefit to reviewing because one of
the things that will be coming out of this; let's say this outbreak is over in the near
future, we still need to conduct an after action review internally and discuss
lessons learned and what we do going forward. I think the Council, the Mayor,
and the community would benefit to hear from us what lessons we learned and
what we are going to change going forward because everyone will play a role in
some of those new strategies that will come out of that. So, I think there is always
value to having a follow up at some point in the future, especially if the outbreak
ends and we are able to conduct the agency and stakeholder after action review and
bring forward to you folks and the community, what we are going to do different.
MR. CHUNG: There will be some declaration saying that this problem has ended?
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March 2, 2016
MR. OLIVEIRA: It would end with the termination of both the Governor and the
Mayor's proclamation. Again, if those two documents have a life of 60 days from
when they were put into play and we've seen with previous disasters or events, we
may need to extend it if we are not out of the woods yet. So, when they are
allowed to basically expire is when the outbreak would be considered over.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Ms. Eoff
MS. EOFF: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you all for being here. There has been
a lot of dialogue already, so mine is pretty short. To me, some things that stood
out from today's conversation is that this outbreak has raised awareness and there
is a need for long-term mosquito control and those efforts are under way now,
while we have this reprieve especially. Number two was reassuring to me to hear
that even though you had to go out and address the problems, with some not
organic methods, that you have also been very cognizant and concerned and
careful about those environmental impacts and people impacts that you would have
and trying to work around that too. I have had calls and met people from both
sides of that spectrum, those who wish we would just go fog neighborhoods
because, I guess, in Minnesota they do that. To those who live here and would
wish we take a very organic approach.
So I know it's hard to balance that and still be responsible to the citizens. So, I
thank you for addressing that early on today and using those very diverse
approaches. So, I also wanted to just say that, I think, what I'm hearing with the
emergency proclamation and being that we are at the tail end of this particular
outbreak, hopefully, that we will have a follow up and that we will be able to tap
into those resources as soon as anything peaks again and learn good ways to
address it. So I'm hopeful that, I guess, what I heard on the news today if we have
four consecutive weeks with no new cases that it kind of triggers us to feel more
confident that we've gotten it under control, is that correct?
MR. OLIVEIRA: Yeah, I don't want to speak for the epidemiologist, but I know
that Doctor Park would like to see a specific period of time without any new
confirmed cases. And it goes back to Council Member Poindexter's comment and
that is, we need people to come forward because we won't know unless people
come forward and report.
MS. EOFF: Thank you again and if there is anything we can do with our Council
contingency as we go forward. And also helping with the outreach into our district
communities because I am sure if it does come to a point where there are no new
cases, say for another month or so, and then maybe the "Fight the Bite" changes to
some other proactive approach, as far as just keeping mosquito population down.
So, I'm sure we can help with that, we all have email lists and ways to outreach
into our communities. So, I think that would be the next thing that we can do.
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March 2, 2016
CHR KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Eoff, anyone else on the first round?
Ms. David?
MS. DAVID: Mahalo, Chair. And finally, just listening to everyone else, I just
wanted to mention Administrator Oliveira, and thank you for opening Ho`okena
Beach. That confirms what Ms. Eoff just spoke about, the methodical way of
addressing this, although it seems like such a long and daunting process. I know
there are so many things that you folks have to consider. And coming to the
realization or coming to opening Ho`okena beach which was ground zero, about
two miles from my house, was very enlightening and I was very happy that we
progressed to that. So it gives me hope to go along with what Ms. Eoff is saying,
if there is anything else that we can do and providing contingency for Miloli`i and
certain areas. I just wish we could help everybody in that way. But I will leave it
up to you folks as the experts and knowing where to progress from here forward.
And I thank everybody, the Mayor's office for the declaration and the Governor
for his declaration and let's move forward and get this thing taken care of. Also, I
really want to welcome Kanani and thank you, because I think you have a very
good excellent public relations person. Welcome, Kanani and mahalo for your
good service. Alright, I yield.
CHR KANUHA: Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: In terms of strategies and solutions and I know the concern to let's
use whatever monies we need. I also want to reinforce one of your comments and
that is the organizing and community organizing and community education, as
perhaps more important and more effective than spending more money or more
staff And utilizing the CERT or neighborhood watch. I also think, sometimes
when these events happen, it's an opportunity to strengthen all of those networks
that we have out to the community. I'm glad you mentioned like appreciating
CERT. I don't think this is true now, but in the past when I think some of the
CERT's felt like a step child. It's not so much, as not being appreciated from us
but how do you—like, okay, it's so and so in the department. We have to go
through the Waimea CERT to this other CERT person, and then we don't, and then
they are not available, but we are not supposed to be contacting you directly.
So, I think sort of strengthening where they are so energetic and helpful to the
extent neighborhood watch. I just always, the human beings tend not to do things
when it's chronic or cumulative or somehow taking harnessing when one does
have an acute issue is important. I think a lot of times whether it was the fire ant
and that's where I worked back in 2008, and they said well, that's a State matter
and not just getting out there and getting everyone to do this now and where we
can do prevention or not. So I really think it's in large part, it may not be so much
money as being organizing and that network in that community education and
getting people to work together. I mean I know just like the gutters on my house,
they had plenty of mosquitos. Getting everybody to be accountable for their space,
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March 2, 2016
and if you do it as a group, it becomes fun, we are all doing this together and not
just go and a neighborhood catchment party and go work on everybody. Anyway,
those points that you made are the solutions and the strategies that are most
important. The last thing is you mentioned some product that is an over the
counter and people can use that's somewhat successful. I didn't hear what that
was and what the choices were. I just want to make a note and if you could say it
again, what you had mentioned.
MR. OLIVEIRA: Sure. This is just one of the products that I can speak from.
Personal use; using the project has been very effective as a pesticide and that is
Talstar P.
MS. WILLE: Okay. Before Greg Smith who spoke mentioned something from
Home Depot, do you know what that product was that he was talking about?
MR. OLIVEIRA: I think they were talking about the lethal Ovitraps which is put
out by Spring Star and it's called "Trap -N -Kill".
MS. WILLE: Okay. I just wanted to get that out there so if people hear this, they
can pursue that. Again, thank you very much and hopefully we are—caught
things, and done good and pat ourselves and you on the back, and you all. So,
thank you for coming here and for those of you who are here from the State.
Okay, I yield.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Eagan?
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Okay, the controversial question. GM
(Genetically Modified) mosquitos. I brought this up last time. What have you
guys come up with regarding that issue of trying to use that method as a way to
eradicate aeries aegypti mosquitos?
(Note: At this time, Department of Health, District Health Officer
Aaron Ueno came forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. VENO: Hi, Aaron Ueno, District Health Officer. I remember you bringing
that subject up and, I think, at that time I mentioned that Florida had made an
application to FDA (United States Food Drug Administration) for the use of the
GM mosquitos. We have not heard of FDA approval for that product yet for the
system. I'm talking to Darryl, a week ago. There are other processes that are
going on right now. Another one is in bacteria laced a mosquito which is being
used in Australia with good results. I think that bacteria was called Wolbachia and
it's being tested right now in Vietnam, Cambodia, and, I think, also in Brazil.
MR. ILAGAN: Can you explain a little more about that?
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March 2, 2016
MR. VENO: There are several studies. I think, one was also being done by
University of Kansas. The one in Australia; the bacteria is actually is found in
about 60-70 percent of all insects. It's like a symbiotic type of bacteria that
doesn't actually kill the insect, but in this case for mosquitos it actually prevents it
from transmitting the dengue virus. They are introducing it into the population.
As it starts to breed, the population comes with this Wolbachia bacteria they
becomes ineffective to transmit dengue, that's the concept. But it's being studied
right now. So, I cannot tell you for sure if it's a viable solution.
MR. ILAGAN: It doesn't sound like a long-term solution. The long-term solution
is to eliminate the mosquitos; that's what I'm thinking. And it seems like what this
is, would be just to prevent the spread of dengue within the breed of the
population. Is that correct?
MR. VENO: That's correct. So my feeling is that in regards to eliminating the
mosquito, there are multiple mosquitoes around, several that are transmitting
disease. We have both the albopictus and the aegypti on island. We also have the
culex mosquito that can also transmit disease, not particularly dengue, but the
West Nile virus, etcetera. And I am not confident that there is any society that has
been successful in eliminating mosquitos completely.
MR. ILAGAN: I see. So, the possibility of that is really—okay. Could you
mention that other mosquito that's spreading the West Nile virus.
MR. VENO: It's called a culex mosquito. I don't know if maybe Chris you can
help me out, I think it's called culex quinquefacsciatus.
MR. ILAGAN: Okay. So the reason why I wanted to ask about that is we do need
to think about long-term and what are some of those solutions and, definitely, what
we can afford also.
I still need to do my own set of thinking. But I want to say thanks, to the
Department of Health because I know that you have other responsibilities and you
have been pulled away from those responsibilities to act on dengue. I know you
guys are working extra hard, especially the vector control and other staff from
other areas, and your department is getting affected. So I just want to say thank
you for doing an awesome job and I also want to thank, Civil Defense for their
effort as well.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you. Okay, I'm going to give the last question to Ms.
Poindexter before I wrap it up, because 11 o'clock has come around really fast
unless, Mr. Paleka would like to say anything. Ms. Poindexter?
MS. POINDEXTER: Do you remember in the first Waipi`o meeting that we had
and someone came up with some organic material and it was bacterial in nature.
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March 2, 2016
Some people have said they tried it and it worked. I know that you cannot
advertise that because you don't know, but there are things and I will get you the
information. I think I have the card of the person who was making that and all you
do is put two tablespoons in a big sprayer and you spray your yard and it has this
bacterial growth. Do you know anything about that? But you remember that,
Darryl?
MR. OLIVEIRA: I think they had brought products to the meeting and were
sharing that.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yes. They said that was working and then at edie Bickel
shop. I've tried that and it has worked, but you have to do more application on
that. So, there are things out there and I sent the product to Kanani, I just texted
you that information.
But I do want to say to Civil Defense; to the Mayor's office, you have done a
tremendous job. I know I can speak for my community and the district I serve and
being out there at the very onset and with the Department of Health, as well,
definitely. The collaboration and what you have done, you know; the prevention
and all of the time that you have spent out in Hamakua. And yes, a lot of times
kicking and screaming. However, you kept it calm and you kept it from the
division and especially in Waipi`o. Your response the other night; knowing that
we have tour operators, we have businesses, we have the people in the valley, just
the overall community concern and that may start to cause some division. You
saw that and it was you who recognized that because of all the calls and we got
together to ensure that our community will remain together in this because together
we stand; divided we fall. So thank you very much for all you do at Civil Defense,
I really appreciate that and Department of Health, as well, and the collaboration.
Thank you.
CHR KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. I will wrap it up if there is
anything else you would like to say before we end? I think you have said a lot so
far.
CHR KANUHA: Just that it's not over yet, so we just need everybody to keep up
what they're doing because what the public is doing are really helping. So just
keep it up.
CHR KANUHA: I was also going to say something but just mahalo, for Civil
Defense and State Department of Health. Thank you for taking your time out of
your schedules to be here to update ourselves as well as the entire community
about what has been going on. And like you said, keep up the fight. It is
education on that the public really needs to know about and for us to continue that
education because we don't want this to happen again. There are a lot of things
out there that could possibly come up but, again, mahalo for all of you coming here
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Hawaii County Council -35 March 2, 2016
Vote on Motion to
The motion to concur with the recommendation of
Concur:
Corporation Counsel regarding Comm. 679 was carried by
(Approved)
the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff,
(lagan, Onishi, Palcka, Poindexter, Wille,
and Chair Kanuha — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent None.
Excused: None.
OTHER
The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Other
BUSINESS:
Business.
(There were none.)
ANNOUNCE-
The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
MENTS:
Announcements.
(There were none.)
ADJOURN-
There being no further business, at 3:52 p.m., Mr. Onishi moved to adjourn the
MENT:
meeting. Seconded by Ms. Eoff and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff,
(lagan, Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter Wille,
and Chair Kanuha — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: We are adjourned.
Council Approval: FEB 2 2 2017
CO TY CLERK
SM/slm
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