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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 H. C'j , R. NO.
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO
CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A FERAL UNGULATE MANAGEMENT
PLAN FOR WEST HAWAII.
WHEREAS, the populations of feral goats and pigs in west
Hawaii island have increased to sizes that cannot be sustained
by the environment; and
WHEREAS, feral ungulates in Hawaii have no natural
predators to limit their population growth and impact on native
ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, feral ungulates contribute to the spread of rapid
ohia death and can have deleterious effects on pasture forage
and native forests; and
WHEREAS, the overpopulation of feral ungulates has a
significant detrimental impact on the health of watersheds and
coral reefs through increased vegetative disturbance and
erosion; and
WHEREAS, grazing, browsing, trampling, and rooting by feral
ungulates in West Hawaii have contributed to the destruction of
crops, resulting in considerable losses for the agricultural
industry; and
WHEREAS, feral ungulates damage landscape plants and
structures within the built environment, causing significant
economic damage to businesses, resorts, parks, cultural sites,
and residential areas; and
WHEREAS, feral ungulates create major hazards on roadways
in West Hawaii, occasionally causing motor vehicle accidents;
and
2022-1624 HCRII HMSO
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`a°" H.C.R. NO. I%
WHEREAS, considerable private and public resources are
being expended to address the overpopulation of feral ungulates,
and more humane, effective, and beneficial solutions and best
management practices are needed; and
WHEREAS, the hunting of feral game mammals is an important
local food source and public recreational and subsistence
hunting opportunity; however, the populations of such animals
are not sufficiently controlled through hunting alone; and
WHEREAS, collaborative efforts are needed to identify
opportunities for more effective management of feral ungulate
populations, such as higher bag limits and increased open
seasons for hunters, incentivization of commercially guided
hunting operations, increased use of game mammals for meat and
food security, targeted culling in overpopulated areas, and
other methods; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
of 2022, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and
Natural Resources is requested to convene a task force to
develop a feral ungulate management plan for West Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consist of the
following members:
(1) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
(2) One member appointed by the President of the Senate;
(3) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the Board
of Land and Natural Resources;
(4) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the Board
of Agriculture;
(5) One member appointed by the Director of
Transportation;
2022-N1624II HCR HMSO
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Page H.C.R. NO. (I
(6) One member appointed by the Mayor of the County of
Hawaii;
(7) One member appointed by the Chancellor of the
University of Hawaii at Hilo;
(8) One member appointed by the Co -Chairpersons of the
Hawaii Invasive Species Council;
(9) One member appointed by the Manager of the Big Island
Invasive Species Committee; and
(10) One member appointed by the Chairperson of the Hawaii
County Game Management Advisory Commission; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at least:
(1) One member of the task force must have expertise in
conducting wildlife population estimates and estimates
of carrying capacity;
(2) One member must have expertise in managing populations
of feral ungulates;
(3) One member must have expertise in managing hazards to
public roadways; and
(4) One member must have expertise in the preservation of
biodiversity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to
select a chair from among its members and allow the chair of the
task force to invite other interested parties to join the task
force; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that while developing the feral
ungulate management plan for West Hawaii, the task force is
requested to work in close consultation with wildlife managers,
hunters, watershed managers, park and reserve managers, invasive
species control experts, and large landowners in West Hawaii;
and
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Pe9e H.C.R. NO. 1*7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force will
serve without compensation but will be reimbursed for reasonable
expenses necessary for the performance of their duties,
including travel expenses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to
submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including
any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of
2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force will be
dissolved on June 30, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor,
Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources,
Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Director of
Transportation, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Chancellor of the
University of Hawaii at Hilo, Manager of the Big Island Invasive
Species Committee, and Chairperson of the Hawaii County Game
Management Advisory Commission.
2022-1624 HCR HMSO
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OFFERED BY: Q
MAR 0 1 2022
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