HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0364.019 2018-2020 P/tTco
COUNTY
O UNTY CLERK
From: Heather Keiko Lona OF HAWAII
To: Council Testimony
Subject: In support of Resolution 219 19 g # AUGDate: Monday,August 05,2019 9:17:15 AM C AD
03
Hawaii County Clerk:
Each day we witness the impacts of modern technology on our environment and natural
resources. While our scientific and technical achievements have positively shaped our world,
in just as many cases, they prove to be forces for destruction. Just as our technological
advancements have changed our climate and brought about a rise in sea level, so have they led
to the widespread annihilation of the humble bee,pollinator of over a third of the world's food
supply.*
As we learn more about the criticality of bees and beekeeping in modern food cultivation, we
must also continue to study the links between bee deaths, colony collapse and industrial
herbicides. We must better understand what we can do as a society to promote pollinator
health and provide an environment conducive to bees and beekeeping.
I believe the first step in this process is to review current local ordinances on beekeeping to
ensure relevance, common sense and efficacy. My understanding of the current Hawai'i
County Code is that bees and beehives face more restrictions than do handguns. This is not a
situation grounded in reality. I believe it is time for legislators, academics, apiarists and
backyard beekeepers to join forces and investigate the revision of beekeeping regulations in
Hawaii County. As such, I fully support Resolution 219 19 and urge the Hawaii County
Council to pass this measure and allow for the formation of a working group on Hawai'i Island
beekeeping.
Very Respectfully Submitted,
Heather Keiko Long
* USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/aortal/nrcs/""main/national/ lantsanimals/Pollinate)
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Comm. N
Ref. To: U
Ref. Dote AUG 0 5 2019