HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.740 2018-2020 KaiahahUi "ci Ka Nahelehele P.O. Box 2933, Kamueia HI 96743
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December 16,2019 rt 0w w
Hawau County Clerk's Office Sent via email to: cogndLeatiMonvP nawalicouiitvaa-Tg-
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Attention: Aaron S.\L[hun� Cound| Chair and k4embemofthe HawayiCounty CouncU ^� gp Cri
Written Testimony on BiD 101
Dear Esteemed Council Chair and Council Members,
Atorecentmeetin8nftheKa'ahahu| 'okeN5he|ehe|eboard (Nahe|ehe|e), anurnberofconcernswere
raised by board members regarding Bill 101 on herbicide use which are described below. Nahe|ehe|e
also concurs with the concerns raised by the Mayor's Office on this bill, and urges that more time be
spent on developing this proposed legislation before it becomes law.
There is strong Nahelehele agreement that for County lands subject to high public use, such as parks and
playgrounds,the goal should be to move towards little or no herbicide use. In ecological restoration, we
endorse adaptive weed management approaches that work towards minimizing or eliminating herbicide
use by transitioning to native or other beneficial plant cover. However, Nãhelehele believes County use
of certain herbicides should not be outright precluded by this proposed legislation without further
study. For example, the judicious and appropriate use of select herbicides may be the best
management approach at times to eliminate invasive species and protect communities from wildfire
threat,while posing minimal impact to the public and environment. Nãhelehele's experience has found
this may especially pertain to the leeward and south side of the island,where coastal drylands and
lowland dry forests are highly impacted by inVasive species and subject to extreme wildfire threat. It is
of utmost importance to effectively maintain fire breaks that protect communities and watersheds from
the devastation of wildfires, which are increasing worldwide as a result of climate change. Due to
circumstances such as rough terrain and the aggressive persistence of many invasive species,judicious
use of select herbicides may be the best overall option at times to protect people and the environment.
We recommend the County review and analyze carent herbicide use and conduct an analysis of the full
cycle cost of alternative vegetation control, including factors such as effectiveness, impacts,energy use,
greenhouse gas emissions, etc. Given the reality of limited public resources, it is essential this legislation
be developed with full knowledge and understanding of its consequences, in order to best serve the
needs of the public and the environment.
Respectively submitted,
Mary Metcalf, President
Ka'ahahuibkaNaheehe|e INC( ���
Comm. No. u�K ^ K��
Ref. To: �KD uuri0|"'�
Ref. Dote JAN - 8 2.020_
From: Bob Miyake-Stoner
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in Support of Bill 101
Date: Sunday,January 05,2020 10:25:15 PM
I urge you to support Bill 101 that would prohibit the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides on
many count-owned properties. I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania, and I know how sick her
besides can make a person. For the sake of our aina and our people,please support Bill 101.
(sent from cell phone)
BOB MIYAKE-STONER
99-043 Kealakaha Drive
Aiea, HI 96701-3544
808-389-7759 (cell)
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