HomeMy WebLinkAboutHawai'i Island Game Management Advisory Commission Report (Q3-Q4 2022)Hawai'i Island Game Management Advisory Commission
Q3-Q4 2022 Report
July 19, 2022
• Commissioners listened to testimony from members of the public with regard to Hog
Stop, a contraceptive bait used to control feral hogs on pastures, rangeland, forests, and
non -crop areas.
• Commissioners listened to a presentation from Hawaii County Parks and Recreation
Director Maurice Messina regarding the Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp closure.
• Vice -Chair GMAC Commissioner Brian Ley reported on the Pohoiki Boat Ramp and the
Kumukahi Lighthouse access.
• Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Acting Pesticide Program Manager, Greg Takeshima
discussed the "HogStop" issue.
• Chair Abraham Antonio provided an update regarding the Volcano Transfer Station
boulders blocking the State Forest Reserve access and parking. A motion was made by
L. Turalde, District 3, to draft a letter to DOFAW for an accessible parking area at the
Volcano Transfer Station.
• Commissioners discussed and approved sending a unanimously -approved letter
advising Mayor Roth and the County Council to stop the sale of HogStop.
• Under Announcements:
• Per Chair Antonio, the GMAC-supported bills in the 2022 Hawai'i State
Legislature Session, HB1872 and SB3298 passed over into law.
• Kean Umeda shared an update regarding the Shooting Range - Development
Bill, SB3298.
• Teresa Nakama provided and update regarding the "Hunter, Fishing Day Expo"
September 24, 2022.
August 16, 2022
• Approval of the minutes was postponed to the next meeting.
• Commissioners heard a presentation by Kalena Blakemore, OHA Land Manager
Representative, about the history and OHA activities in the lowland wet forest of Wao
Kele O Puna.
• GMAC District 9 Commissioner George Donev led a discussion regarding a proposed
advisory letter to the government agencies in support of Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp and
seawall reconstruction. He motioned for GMAC to make a draft letter in support of the
boat ramp, with a second by Cortney Okumura, the motion passed.
• Chair Antonio provided an update on the Volcano Transfer Station Forest Reserve
access blockage and hunter parking issue.
• Chair Antonio led a discussion about the GMAC June 2023 Hunting/Fishing Expo. A
request was made to rename the event "Outdoors Day." Chair Antonio also requested a
motion to draft a letter for Mayor Roth's approval. With a motion by Leomana Turalde,
and a second by George Donev, the motion passed with Leomana Turalde and Teresa
Nakama to start working on the letter.
• Chair Antonio led a discussion about the reassessment of GMAC committees and
proposed that we cancel all existing committees at this time. Per the Deputy Corporation
Counsel, committees can be formed to work on certain issues as they come up. Brian
Ley made a motion to disband all current GMAC Committees for 2022 until we have a
reason to start another committee at a later date. With a second by Leomana Turalde,
the motion passed.
September 20, 2022
• A motion was made by Robert Duerr to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2022 and
August 16, 2022 meetings. With a second by Brian Ley, the motion passed.
• The Commissioners heard a presentation by Hawai'i County Corporation Counsel Sylvia
Wan - Game Management Advisory Commission: Role & Purpose, Parliamentary
Procedure. The presentation was followed by discussion, questions and answers.
• The Commissioners heard a presentation by DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources,
Aquatic Biologist Troy Sakihara will present/discuss the new Administrative amendment
to lay net rules. The presentation was followed by questions and answers.
• A motion was made by Robert Duerr to create a PIAG for the DAR rules change. With a
second by Cortney Okumura, the motion passed.
• DOFAW Wildlife Biologist Kanalu Sproat made a report on changes to Administrative
Rules in adherence to HCR17, for Puuanahulu and Puuwaawaa hunting areas. The
presentation was followed by questions and answers.
• A motion was made by Brian Ley to form a committee to draft a letter stating any
concerns of issues that GMAC may have with the proposed rule changes and submit the
letter to DOFAW, Kanalu Sproat. Seconded by Leomana Turalde, the motion was
carried.
• A motion was made by Robert Duerr to move the Old Business which is to discuss a)
Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp and Seawall Investigation Committee, b) GMAC development
and finalization of Draft Rules, and, c) Letter to Mayor Roth for approval of GMAC's "Out
Doors Day" event. Also, New Business, a) Chair recommendation for an HCR17 GMAC
representative. The motion was seconded by Leomana Turalde. Motion carried by voice
vote.
October 18, 2022
• DOFAW West hawaii Wildlife Biologist Kanalu Sproat discussed general Administration
rule changes in public hunting areas - specifically those proposed for Mauna Kea Unit A,
Unit G, and Pohakuloa Training Area. This was followed by questions and answers.
• Under Old Business, Commissioners voted to create a committee for the Laupahoehoe
boat ramp and seawall investigation. The motion passed; Robert Duerr, Teresa Nakama,
and Brian Ley volunteered to be on the committee.
• Commissioners discussed the development and finalization of Draft Rules. It was
postponed to the next meeting.
• Commissioners discussed a proposed Letter to Mayor Roth for approval of GMAC's "Out
Doors Day" event. With a motion by Robert Duerr, and a second by Brian Ley, the
discussion was tabled.
• Commissioners discussed finalization of the Puuanahulu/Puuwaawaa Rules Change
Committee. Commissioners Cortney Okumura and Brian Ley volunteered along with
members of the public, Stanley Mendes and Natalie Reynolds.
• Under New Business, Commissioners discussed the effects of the changed meeting
time. With a motion by Robert Duerr and a second by Leomana Turalde, the
Commission approved writing a letter to the Mayor Office regarding the meeting timing.
• Commissioners discussed the GMAC 2021-2022 Fiscal Year Report. With a motion by
Cortney Okumura and a second by Leomana Turalde, the approval was tabled until the
next meeting.
• Commissioners discussed recommendations for a GMAC representative for the HCR17,
West Hawaii Ungulate Control Force.
• Announcements:
o Fall bird hunting season runs from November 5, 2022 to January 30, 2023
o Rule changes to lower Puna hunting areas.
• Committee Reports:
o GMAC Investigatory Committee - Laynet Rule Changes - Chair- Commissioner
Robert Duerr. Cortney Okumura provided the report to the Commissioners on
behalf of Robert Duerr which offered two recommendations: 1) that the forfeiture
provision should be limited to fishing gear and net permits and 2) they should
remove the $25.00 fee as part of the registration for lay nets.
November 2022
• A motion was made by N. Reynolds to investigate the rules and penalties regarding
manta ray tours and their effects on the manta ray populations. Seconded by, L. Turalde.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
• Chair Antonio led a discussion on creating a draft letter to the Mayor asking for support
and restoration of scheduled 6:00-8:00 evening meeting times. A motion was made by
C. Okumura to table the draft letter to Mayor Roth for additional edits. Seconded by R.
Duerr. Motion carried unanimously by roll voice vote.
• Under Old Business, L. Turalde motioned to table GMAC development and finalization of
Draft Rules to next month's agenda. Seconded by R. Duerr. Motion carried unanimously
by roll call voice vote.
• A motion was made by A. Antonio to form a permitted inter -action group entitled
legislative committee to identify bills that affect hunting, fishing, and gathering rights for
the 2023 legislative session. Seconded by L. Turalde. Motion carried unanimously by roll
call vote. The motion passed with 7 ayes, 2 excused.
• A motion was made by A. Antonio to table the the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year Report to the
next meeting. Seconded by L. Turalde. Motion carried by roll call vote. (5 ayes, 2
abstained, 2 excused.)
• Under Announcements, Troy S. Sakihara, Division of Aquatic Resources, DLNR, State
of Hawaii Regarding Proposed Amendments to HAR 13-75.
• Robert Duerr provided a report regarding the Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp and Seawall
Investigation Committee.
• Cortney Okumura read the committee report regarding recommendations for the
Pu`uanahulu/Pu`u Wa`awa`a Administrative Rules Changes.