HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0988.015 2018-2020TO:
aaron.chung@hawaiicounty.gov
maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov
Karen.Eoff@hawaiicounty.gov
matt.kaneaIii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov
ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov
sue.leeloy@hawaiicounty.gov
Valerie.Poindexter@hawaiicounty.gov
tim.richards@hawaiicounty.gov
rebecca.viIIegas@hawaiicounty.gov
counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
FROM: Deborah Ward
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time 10:00 PM By
Date JUL0 3 2020
Kurtistown HI 96760,
SUBJECT: SUPPORT Bill 178 forest FC 7-7-20
Aloha, Chair and Councilmembers,
Please support Bill 178 to encourage forest preservation and restoration by property owners.
I would like to relate my story to give you an example of the practical and beneficial aspect of
restoring a native forest that is the subject of this bill. Fifteen years ago, we were growing trays
of ti seedlings to plant out on our Kurtistown farm, and the seeds took about ten weeks to
germinate. While we waited, 'ohi'a seeds blew into the greenhouse, and started in the trays,
We potted up the native seedlings, and eventually planted them out in a half acre section of
our farm. We planted other natives as well, including neneleau, 'akia, ho'awa, a'ali'i, kamani,
maile, mamaki, hapu'u, loulu, and milo. The trees we planted are now towering over us, over
20 feet tall, and none have succumbed to ROD. The native birds, including'io, and the native
'ope'ape'a bat both frequent the new forest growing on former cane land last harvested by
Puna Sugar in 1984. While the acres we have not yet cleared are harboring albizzia, miconia
and gunpowder trees, the land we planted to native trees is a thriving and beautiful habitat for
our native birds.
If Bill 178 were in place, we would gladly have dedicated a portion of our farm to native forest
restoration. Bill 178 would increase participation and would enhance the environment instead
of exploiting it. It would allow food crops and some non-native species (but not harmful
invasive pests). It is clear that the current forest dedication law is not working, because in the
16 years since it was passed, there have been only 129 dedications, and zero reforestation
dedications.
Bill 178 would also set lower taxes, and with no waiting period, to encourage owners to commit
to preservation and restoration work. We need healthy forests to grow food, slow climate
change, provide habitat for native species, support native Hawaiian culture, and provide places
to refresh our spirits.
Mahalo!
?/FC
PSill (7$
COMN.988
Comm. No. qw. �s
Ref. To: FG
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