HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-27 Letter to Kaiali'i Kahele and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 2622, Relating to Invasive Species (2) s;t114 os N; Roy Takemoto
4.• - " Managing Director
•It♦`��j
Harry Kim *i �;,, �;.:
.11avor " -
•
' _ Barbara J. Kossow
�TE,os-N►�' Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
January 27, 2020
Senator Kaiali`I Kahele, Chair
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Water and Land
Dear Chair Kahele, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2622, Relating to Invasive Species
In the past three years, the Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as
a top priority that deserves everyone's attention. Our best efforts at the county level are
often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and limited resources make
it imperative that the State, counties, Feds, and private sector work together in pursuing
solutions to what often seem intractable problems. This Legislature has really stood up,
and hopefully will do even more this year.
With the possible exception (so far) of the parakeet problem, it seems that
Hawaii County has suffered a disproportionate share of the damage caused by invasive
species, including rapid ohia death, little fire ants, coqui frogs, coffee berry borer,
miconia, spittlebug, and probably others. However, we cannot give up. And since, as a
county, we do not have the resources or expertise to fight these devastating invaders on
our own, we need as much assistance from the State as you can offer.
While I would defer to others as to how precious dollars should be allocated, I
strongly endorse the investment of funds in combatting invasives, and therefore urge
passage of SB 2622 in some form. Please provide as much money as you can
manage, broaden the initiative if you think it appropriate, include positions and funding
in your priorities for the State budget, and let's move forward.
Respectfully Submitted,
k("Yv\
arry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.