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HAWAII COUNTY GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Draft letter
April 2022
Mayor Mitch Roth
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni St. #2603
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Hawaii County GMAC recommendation regarding endangered
native palila, and the continued eradication of sheep on Mauna Kea.
Dear Honorable Mayor Mitch Roth,
As requested by the Hawaii County Game Management Advisory
Commission, Senator Mike Gabbard gave support and introduced
SB2994 in the 2022 State Legislative Session. SB2994 requires the
Department of Land and Natural Resources update facts and statistics
on palila population decline on Mauna Kea and investigate the results
of the Federal court mandate to eradicate sheep on Mauna Kea to
protect palila populations. Unfortunately SB2994 did not make it
through this years session, but GMAC hopes to re-introduce this bill in
the 2023 Legislative session.
The Federal mandate to eradicate sheep on Mauna Kea was based on
information at the time, that game animals caused the palila population
decline. After more than 40 years of routine eradication, however, the
information has proven inaccurate, as the palila population has
continued to decline drastically since the removal of sheep. The
absence of game animals on Mauna Kea has instead contributed to
much greater threats to palila critical habitat, invasive weeds, grass fire
fuel build up, and potential wildfire.
We ask that you may consider bringing this issue to the attention of
Governor David Ige. To save the endangered native palila, the cause of
population decline needs investigation. The Federal Courts need to
be updated by the State, with new information that the federal sheep
eradication madate to save the palila has failed.
The return of properly managed game animal populations on Mauna
Kea would control invasive weeds, reduce grass fire fuel build up, and
protect native species from wild fire. Such management would also
satisfy hunters, and provide an important renewable backup food
resource for our communities, as we face inflation and soaring food
costs. Game resources should not be sencelessly depleted at a time
when residents need them most.
Sincerely,
Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission