HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_09_19 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes
Game Management Advisory Commission
County of Hawai’i
Minutes – Final DRAFT
Meeting Date: September 19, 2023
Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
Place: Zoom and In-Person 25 Aupuni Ctr., Ste. #1501, Hilo HI
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
District 1 - Robert Duerr, excused.
District 2 – Vacant
District 3 – Rhon Leomana Turalde, Present, in person
District 4 – Brian Ley – Present, in person
District 5 - Abraham Antonio, Present via Zoom
District 6 – Austin Griffey, via Zoom Present and lost service – excused
District 7 – Natalie Reynolds, Present, via Zoom
District 8 – Cortney Okumura – Present via Zoom
District 9 – Justin Ackerman – Present via Zoom
Quorum Established with 7 in attendance.
STAFF: Sylvia Wan, Deputy Attorney, Corporation Counsel – in person
Barbara Kossow, Administrative Specialist – via Zoom
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Action: Motion made by A. Antonio to approve August 15, 2023, minutes as
circulated. Seconded by Cortney Okumura. Motion carried by poll vote with 6
ayes, 2 excused.
3. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: None
4. COMMISSIONER REPORT BY DISTRICT:
LT: Commissioner Reports by District. District – 1, excused. District – 2, vacant, District – 3?
OK. I’m District – 3.
Aloha, Leomana, District – 3, my update for today is gonna be on top of – reminding
everybody that district boundaries, which is outside of Panaewa all into Keaukaha
shores – from Keaukaha District – 3 goes up at the edge of Wailoa Center area to the
top of Waiakeauka which is the capital of the Island – Hilo. Right now, the main things
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that is happening in our district is – earlier this year I brought up the millions of gallons
of raw sewage that was split into Keaukaha in all of the fishing zones – I was talking to
an engineer who is replacing the pipes that is currently ongoing right now. A lot of the
raw sewage is still leaking but the pipes are being replaced and he said it’s gonna be
about 2 years from the main plant to the edge of the ocean. I didn’t get any email from
the County back – the Wastewater Treatment facility or anybody at all – so that’s where
we stand with that. We have a new lay net rule that was sent out where it’s the changes
of the new lay net rule went into effect in Keaukaha. I don’t know the actual rule coming
from the policy I know because I am a lay net holder so I got this mailed to my house –
so if you guys are current lay net holders or you guys have a license to have any type of
net you guys can look in your mail and find the new rules passed in your district on how
they want to conduct the lay net stuff. Outside of that it’s the same thing with the pigs
going off and on – on season off season – every couple of months we get a new batch of
pigs right at the bottom of Saddle Road in our big \[unclear\] intersection – you guys know
that popular intersection at the top of Hilo outside of those areas in Panaewa I know
more people are buying lots and fences are going up and so outside of Mauna Loa
Macadamia Nuts – all of the pigs are coming into the back of Panaewa Homestead more
often now and so I’m getting a lot complaints about that – outside of those two things
that’s the district report for District – 3. Mahalo.
BL: Brian Ley, District – 4. The usual. Pigs are still an issue. Still haven’t any effective ways to
\[unclear\] the population or to control with their legislation currently. And a side note – I
Sportsman is having trouble doing background checks and they’re under the impression
that with the current schedule there’s gonna be no to very little activity on PTA and
another thing I just found out at the last minute is that outer \[unclear\] the one thing
where we can do online and everything won’t sell permits or won’t sell \[unclear\] if
they’re minors. So, you know, we found this out Saturday night – thank God they were
selling pads so I was able to get a used hunters’ pad for Sunday, so just to let everyone
know that OuterSpatial does not sell pads to minors so I’m not sure exactly if they’re
gonna have to go to the person to the Forestry Department or wherever to get tags if
you have a minor and also another thing that we got dinged on with a lot of the youth is
you’ve gotta have your paper hunting license. They’re not gonna accept it – he gave us a
waiver, but he said, you know, you’ve got to have your paper hunting license. You can’t
have a picture of it on your phone so – \[unclear\] keep up – let everyone, you know,
especially the youth since everything is so digital right now so… That’s the issue with
that so that’s it for District – 4, thank you.
AA: Abraham Antonio, District – 5, nothing really to report. I’d just like to thank Brian for
taking my son out on his hunting expedition on Sunday. That was pretty awesome. Brian
got him up 2 goats so… Thanks, Brian.
LT: District – 6, which his Austin Griffey,
BK: Austin, via Zoom. Lost service.
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LT: Ah, yeah, we’re gonna move past Austin. We can come back to him later. District – 7?
NR: Natalie, District – 7. In regard to commercial fishing at the Ahi/Mahi/Marlin and Ono it’s
been a very slow season. The numbers are not doing what they’ve doing in the past so
the local fishermen are hoping that it’s gonna be a late fall run for the fish to come back
hopefully. That’s it.
LT: OK. Thank you… District – 8.
CO: Cortney Okumura, District – 8. A couple of wildfire related announcements, um, there is
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a panel discussion taking place this Friday, September 22 that’s virtual from 2 –
3:00pm on Zoom I believe. Can I put it in the chat even if people can’t – if it’s not in the
minutes or is it preferred, I send it to Barbara to send out or how do we do that?
SW: Ah, you can send it to Barbara, but I think it would be better if you read it into the
record if you can.
CO: It’s being put on by Civil Beat and it’s featuring Elizabeth Picket from the Hawaii Wildlife
Management organization? So I’ll send along the link to that and there’s also – the
Forest Service is putting out – it’s called the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program
and apparently non-profit organizations are – which include homeowner associations or
organizations that assist communities are eligible to apply for the grant for wildfire
prevention funds so if anyone is interested in that you can email me and I can send you
information on that.
LT: Thank you very much, I’m interested in that. I’ll email you. Let’s figure this out.
SW: And please provide whatever information you are referring to Barbara. Thank you.
CO: Will do.
LT: Mahalo District – 8, and last is District – 9.
JA: Last but, not least – Justin with District – 9, just been given a map, checking out the boat
ramps in the area. The three boat ramps we have in District – 9, and really trying to find
access to our hunting areas, cause some of them are land locked behind ranches. I was
up talking story with C & S Archery trying to figure out how to get to those places and
it’s pretty convoluted how to access our hunting lands in District – 9. That’s all I’ve got. I
am interested in that range information if someone could send that out – the link to
that news article – I couldn’t find it.
LT: OK. Will do…
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SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan – I’m just going to note for the record – the
article that you’re referring to Commissioner Ackerman, that’s not a part of the meeting
today. So, that would have to happen outside the meeting. That’s all.
LT: OK. Thank you. Actually, I got a question for you. In District – 9, do you know any of the
local hunters and can they do like a mapping – a trail mapping on how you can get to
the hunting areas – maybe easy access for people who don’t hunt too often?
JA: I will talk to them about that – the ones I know and see. I’m not even sure how many
people actually, cause I think it’s ranch locked…
LT: Yeah…
JA: That a lot of them just outside of District 9 for hunting. I mean, we’re close enough to
Unit A and G – most guys are up on the slice in those areas, but I will ping ‘em on that.
AA: Abraham, District – 5. Justin I would suggest reaching out to Kanalu Sproat and maybe
he can hook you up to one of the field guides and maybe he can – they can take you out
because we work with Ian Cole on the East side and me and Brian got to go for a ride
and show us, well, actually we showed them areas in the lower Puna area that they
didn’t even know.
JA: Yeah, will do…
LT: Move to new business.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
a. GMAC 2023 Third Quarter Report to Mayor Roth and County Council.
SW: Yeah, so, um, does anyone want to make a motion as to assigning who is going to do it?
AA: I’ll make a motion for Natalie to – if she’s available.
LT: I second that motion. Leomana, District 3.
SW: Now discussion.
LT: Open for discussion. There you go Natalie – here’s your chance.
AA: Any discussion Natalie? You’re muted.
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NR: Natalie, District – 7. When is the deadline, October is very crazy with travelling for
gymnastics.
AA: Doesn’t have to be in October. It’s the quarterly report.
NR: Oh, the quarterly report.
LT: January.
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. Quarterly, so just a second. So, it would be
from – so it would cover July, August, and September. If you could get it done by
October, great, but if not, November’s probably not too far off. There obviously is gonna
be a lag as far as doing the quarterly report, so I would say October/November would be
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the due date for the 3 quarter.
LT: Leomana, District – 3, is this the - which one would we say is the more important one to
rdth
turn in 3 quarter or 4 quarter right before…
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. So, the Charter requires quarterly reports from
this Commission, so it doesn’t say when they are specifically due to the Council – it’s just
that you do have to submit reports for every quarter.
LT: OK.
NR: I can – how many hours did you guys put into it?
AA: You’d have to reach out to Cortney – so Cortney did the – well actually Nani Pogline did
the first one – the yearly one last year. Cortney did the first quarterly report, Leomana
did the second and…
NR: Don’t you want to do it before you’re done with your job duties? Don’t you want to go
out with a big bang?
AA: I already made a motion for you to do it. And we got a second?
NR: Natalie, District – 7, I make a motion for Abraham…
AA: A motion is already on the table…
SW: Sorry, sorry Natalie – Abraham is correct.
NR: OK, yeah… \[Unclear\]
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SW: Sylvia Wan – I can also help you, Natalie, as far as, if you put together a draft – I can help
review it with you.
NR: OK.
SW: \[Unclear\]
NR: Yeah, I just wanted to, yeah, I can do that. I’ll be happy to do that as long as we can have
October’s meeting in Kona.
AA: That’s working on.
?: Deal, deal!
AA: We’re working on it.
LT: I second that motion, Leomana, District – 3.
AA: Leomana second – we’re in discussion right now.
LT: Yeah.
SW: I’ll just remind everybody that you need to keep to the parameters of the motion.
NR: So sorry. I’m sorry. Where are we at to the \[unclear\] we’re compliant.
AA: We’re just in discussion right now.
NR: OK. I’ll do it since I’ll have help. Thank you. My travel schedule is pretty crazy and, oh,
and I have fall grades. You’re making me do this with kids at home. OK. I’m happy to do
it.
LT: Amen. Mahalo to Natalie. Is there any further discussion? Let’s take this to…
SW: You can call for a vote.
LT: A group vote?
SW: No, no, because you’re on line you have to do a roll call vote.
Action: A motion was made by A. Antonio nominating N. Reynolds to complete
the third quarter report that is due to Mayor Roth and Council. Seconded
by L. Turalde. Motion carried by voice vote with 6 ayes and 2 excused.
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LT: Oh, OK. Roll call vote – District – 1. Not here. District – 2, vacant. District - 3, aye,
District 4?
BL: Aye.
LT: District – 5?
AA: Aye.
LT: District – 6? Absent. District – 7?
NR: Can I say nay. Just kidding. Aye.
LT: District -8?
CO: Aye.
LT: District – 9?
JA: Aye.
LT: We have 6 in favor all passes with aye. \[Unclear\] Natalie. Thank you very much for your
hard work in helping GMAC Commission being the best..
6. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Drafted Letter of Gratitude to House Rep. Mark Nakashima for
introducing bills of GMAC interest, Commissioner Leomana Turalde
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. So, we reviewed the minutes, Barbara and I,
and upon reviewing the minutes it was quite clear that this Commission has already
approved the form of the letter back in, May 16, 2023. Following Robert’s Rules of Order
– that’s done. That vote was final so that letter will be finalized for Chair’s signature and
then be sent. Any other modifications that have been discussed afterwards would have
required a new letter. So, this item is done.
AA: OK.
LT: OK. That takes care of item a. Moving on to item b.
b. Discussion and Decision Making: Regarding recommendations provided
by the Investigative Committee Report Re: Rules and Regulations
Related to Lobster Harvesting and Sale.
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SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Wan. So I just want to remind the Commission that
there is a motion presently on the floor so we’re revising now by calling it on the
agenda so I’m gonna read verbatim what is the motion that’s presently on the floor and
I’m coming closer to the speaker so everybody can hear. So, the motion that’s on the
floor was proposed by Austin, seconded by Natalie – the motion is for GMAC to send an
advisory letter to DLNR Aquatics Resource Division to 1) shorten lobster season from 8
months to 6 months, 2) impose bag limit of 10 lobsters per person and 3) illegalize/ban
the sale of lobsters. For all those who care – it is, starting on the minutes page 32 to
page 33. I will also just note for the record as a part of the discussion – Robert had
mentioned in his discussion wanting to add “not to harvest the same \[unclear\] or the
same season – no spearing or taking of female lobsters – Austin added in discussion to
ban all sales commercial and private. I’m just gonna note for the Board that those 2
discussion points did not amend the motion – they were merely discussion – if the
Board or the Commission wants to adopt either of those points there would need to be
an amendment of the motion and just for clarity – I’ll read the motion one more time
cause it’s a long one. Motion for GMAC to send an advisory letter to DLNR Aquatic
Resources Division to shorten the lobster season from 8 months to 6 months, impose
bag limit of 10 lobsters per person, illegalize ban the sale of lobsters. We’re in
discussion.
AA: Abraham, District – 5. I’d just like to say you guys all need to keep in mind – any advisory
that we do to DAR on this issue or pretty much any other issue – it does not just consist
of the Big Island – that’s gonna be statewide unless we kind of like put in that advisory
letter where it’s just regulated for Hawaii Island. And at the last meeting, one of my
main concerns was about the sale of the lobsters, right, because we don’t know how the
rest of the state or other individuals go about doing it. Austin said he talked to the local
guys around in District – 6, but there is a broader base of people that do it. I do not
support the selling of lobster like the overabundance of selling lobster so there still
should be like a normal take or amount, just like the bag limits of how much you can go
and harvest per sale or something cause, yeah, that’s pretty much my take on that. So,
we’re in discussion.
JA: Justin, District – 9. I agree with bag limits 100% and shortening the season but I think
with any finite resource like spiny lobster when we talk sustainable living I’m not sure if
selling it falls under that term sustainable living, you’re trying to make a buck off
somebody on the corner is different from providing for your family or your kupuna. So,
I’ve a hard time with not banning the sale. But agree with every other point. Trying to
limit which puka you get ‘em from – that’s a little harder.
LT: Leomana, District – 3, a lot of my friends, my brother included and all the people I grew
up with – they’re all the hunters and fishermen and so they really go out like, you know,
like when I watch them go they go by season and like sustainable business when it
comes to hunting and fishing is – it happens on a seasonal basis but every season,
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especially here – right outside of Hilo on the coastline – I see boats coming in every
night and just raking and we don’t really know who these people are and I think that’s
the one thing that’s kinda new for the Island – that there’s so many people with boats
that live here now that can go do anything and the local fishermen in the area – they
cannot regulate these areas on their own anymore – kinda just like being invaded.
Before, a long time ago down Kau – people used to
get their boats shot at if you weren’t from the area and that’s how they
used to regulate it down there. But things changed now and even Kau has an influx of,
you know, hundreds of boats coming into Milolii to South Point and so I don’t want to
ban the sale of this either – that’s how my family makes their money, but I don’t really
know how to – I don’t know what to do about management of this. So, I think banning
of the sale – I’m not for that. But the bag limits 100%. Maybe we can talk about having
stricter rules to do with – what’s it called – boats registration – like make sure your boat
is registered. Make sure you got your boat up to standards. Make sure you have your
insurance for your watercrafts or however you choose to go out. If you’re, you know,
what horsepower is an engine when it’s considered a watercraft cause then I have like a
8 horsepower that has no regulations.
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan – how is that point related to the taking of
lobsters?
LT: Ah, cause that’s how you get out to get the lobsters on boats usually.
SW: So how does regulating the boat affect the taking of the lobsters?
LT: Well, it prevents a lot of people who cannot access the lobsters legally from taking their
new watercraft in the area to go harvest. It’s kinda, you know, it’s just like having a –
registering your car – you cannot go hunting in the zone if you don’t have a car to get
you there and if you drive an illegal car or truck into the hunting zone, um, I don’t know,
maybe that’s one way.
AA: You can’t go penalize for that.
LT: Yeah.
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. So just – I’m just trying to clarify what your –
point you’re trying to make. So, what you’re saying is that if you want a regulation that
requires boats that are hunting lobsters be registered.
LT: Well, maybe, just watercrafts period because like even in Kona we have an excess of
boats being out there and we don’t know if the boats are legal, if they’re safe, if they
have trailers, are they moored someplace – where do these boats go? Who owns them?
And so…
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SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. So that sounds like a larger issue…
LT: Mum-hum…
SW: ….more than just the lobsters.
LT: OK.
SW: Right?
LT: Yeah, um-hum…
SW: So that’s kinda where I was trying to get to.
LT: Yeah. And ah…
SW: So that’s a little bit beyond \[unclear\].
LT: And that’s why I was saying – I don’t really know what else to do other than bag limits.
SW: OK.
LT: But that was my discussion, thank you…
JA: Justin, District – 9. Just to piggyback on the boat ramp and marina. Part of that is
increase signage at the ramps – maybe during season or increase signage anyway of
limits, size, don’t take females, responsible harvesting, you know, so hopefully bring
some more awareness to what’s happening.
AA: That’s a good idea. Abraham, District – 5.
SW: Natalie…
AA: Natalie if you’re trying to speak, you’re still mute.
NR: Sorry, I need a stronger \[unclear\] than I get. Natalie, District – 7. Um, I agree with that, I
think the problem is there’s no funding to have those people out there. I’ve seen on the
mainland when it’s the height of the season, they have people checking the boats so
they’ll get, um, fines and fees if the lobster, for example, are too small, if they have too
many, if their boat is not registered, if their trailer lights are out, everything like that –
it’s just the problem is we don’t have the resources here on this Island and you know
whenever we talk to DLNR or DOBOR they don’t have funding to have the manpower
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out there to regulate. And then it’s also it’s like not in our scope of things to go out
there and do stuff.
AA: Abraham, District – 5, well as you guys know they just hired 15 new DOCARE agents or
13 for the Big Island so hopefully, we’ll get more of a DOCARE presence, on the water,
off the water and also up on the mountains and all the hunting areas. I see them often.
NR: I haven’t seen them down in my district. I’m out on the water a lot, my husband and kids
are out there all the time – we haven’t seen anyone down at Keauhou.
BL: Brian Ley, District – 4, as far as the boats, maybe we could do something like they do
with the bottom fish. If you’re gonna get lobster from a boat you have to have the big LV
on there like the bottom fish, so maybe that’s something we could generate to do
something to help the lobster kind of thing – that people if you’re going to harvest from
the boats you need to register the boats as a lobster taking vessel.
NR: That’s a good idea.
BL: And it would be a little easier for DOFAW to spot when they see boats with it - coming in
without an LV and they don’t have – and they’ve got lobster in there they could really
hit ‘em with – just a suggestion. Thank you.
LT: Leomana, District – 3, I know I always ask this about marine animals but like what
marine animals that we know of fall under Game Management, cause I always ask like
what – in the ocean, what falls under, you know, our jurisdiction of advising.
SW: So, ah, Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan – I believe that question is for me.
LT: OK.
SW: Ah… One second, I’m going to find the lines. So, it says, under Section 6-9.3 Game
Management Advisory Commission second paragraph – for the benefit of present and
future generations, the Game Management Advisory Commission shall advise the
County, State and Federal agencies on matters related to the preservation of
subsistence hunting and fishing which include protecting traditional and cultural
gathering rights as well as you can advise on the matters affecting the taking and
conservation of aquatic life. So from that perspective, the Game Management
Commission’s authority is rather broad in that it includes fishing, subsistence fishing so
that would be fishing for sustaining your families, but also it talks about the taking and
conservation of aquatic life because even if you may not be taking a particular animal, to
necessarily eat – that particular animal may be important for sustaining that particular
aquatic…
LT: Uh-huh, ecosystem… Yeah…
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SW: Exactly.
LT: OK. The food’s food. Thank you for that understanding. OK. So, we have any more
discussion? Anymore, amendments to this motion?
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan – I’ll just note for right now there has been no
amendments to this motion at present – there has been a number of different points
made, however, the only provisions that are currently being proffered for this letter is
shortening lobster season from 8 to 6 months and imposing bag limit of 10 lobsters per
person, illegalizing or banning the sale of lobsters. There have been other points, but
they have not been amended as far as this motion goes. Now, technically, in order to
amend a motion, the person who posed the motion would need to choose to amend the
motion, which would have been Austin, and Austin isn’t present. So, if you want to go
down that route – it would appear that it would be best to table this and maybe have
Austin come back, or the Commission can decide to vote on the motion as is and that
would be drafting a letter with one of these three points. I would be OK if you want to
break it down as to voting on each point individually, but I think that’s probably as far as
you can go.
AA: Abraham, District – 5, I think more better we make a motion to table this…
SW: Yeah…
AA: ….because it’s pretty much led by Austin and I don’t know if really…
NR: Yes, I…
AA: \[Unclear\] other way so, I make a motion to table this agenda item to next month’s
meeting or to Austin is in present, um, there you go – in a sentence.
NR: Natalie, District – 7, I second that motion.
Action: A motion was made by A. Antonio to table Old Business item “b”
relating to the D iscussion and Decision Making: Regarding
recommendations provided by the Investigative Committee Report Re:
Rules and Regulations Related to Lobster Harvesting and Sale.
Seconded by N. Reynolds. The motion passed unanimously with 6 ayes
and 2 excused.
LT: OK. We have a motion made by Abraham to table this and a second by Natalie, any
discussion? Ah, roll call vote – District – 1…
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SW: Absent.
LT: Not here. District – 2…
SW: Vacant.
LT: Vacant. District – 3, aye. District – 4?
BL: Aye.
LT: District – 5?
AA: Aye.
LT: District – 6, not here. District – 7?
NR: Aye.
LT: District – 8?
CO: Aye.
LT: And to round it up, close it out, District – 9?
JA: Aye.
LT: All in favor, motion passes to table to… (6 ayes and 2 excused)
SW: Next month’s…
c. Discussion and Decision Making: Capital Improvement Plans for
Wailoa Small Boat Harbor, presented by Commissioner Robert Duerr
LT: Next month’s meeting. OK. Moving on from that. Ah… Item c. Discussion and Decision
Making: Capital Improvement Plans for Wailoa Small Boat Harbor, presented by
Commissioner Robert Duerr who is not here presently, um, so we can…
AA: I make a motion to table section in Old Business section c.
LT: We got a motion to table this, ah, we need a second.
NR: Natalie, District – 7, I second that motion.
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Action: A motion was made by A. Antonio to table Old Business item “c”
Discussion and Decision Making - Cap ital Improvement Plans for
Wailoa Small Boat Harbor, presented by Commissioner Robert Duerr
to next month. Seconded by N. Reynolds. The motion passed
unanimously with 6 ayes and 2 excused.
LT: Any discussion? No discussion – roll call vote. District – 1, not here. District – 2, not here.
District – 3, aye. District – 4?
BL: Aye.
LT: District – 5?
AA: Aye.
LT: District – 6, not here. District – 7.
NR: Aye.
LT: District – 8?
CO: Aye.
LT: And District – 9?
JA: Aye.
LT: All in favor – item tabled to next meeting (6 ayes and 2 excused).
Next on the agenda is item d. Discussion: “Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration
Program Game Management Program FY17-FY21,” published by DLNR Division of
Forestry and Wildlife, discussion lead by Chair Abraham Antonio. Chair take it away.
d. Discussion: “Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program Game
Management Program FY17-FY21,” published by DLNR Division of
Forestry and Wildlife, discussion lead by Chair Abraham Antonio
AA: OK. Have all you guys seen the Pittman-Roberson Wildlife Restoration Program – Game
Management program? Oh, it’s already been loaded on to our folder – the GMAC folder.
All you guys should have got it.
NR: Yup.
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AA: You got it. You guys all had chance to take a look at it? We can have a discussion about
it.
NR: \[Unclear\] very long.
LT: Yup, I seen through it a while ago.
AA: As Natalie stated it was very long but like I suggested as long you guys stay right in the
Hawaii – cause there’s East and West Hawaii, portions of this thing – so as long as you –
like if you read the whole thing then kudos to you but I was just – stay within Hawaii
Island that’s where we’re regulated to so that would be great. We have problems like
right off the beginning as far as the Game Commission because, like I mentioned to you
guys before, , the State of Hawaii doesn’t really recognize our game animals as – game
animals is more of an invasive species and endangered species pretty much trumps
everything else and it pretty much states that right in the first two pages of this book
multiple times. But, as you go down into the book until where we come to like East
Hawaii and West Hawaii then kinda like you kind of \[unclear\] themselves. So…
NR: What page are you referring to Abraham cause I printed out \[unclear\].
AA: Yeah, I going through ‘em right now. \[Unclear\] starts page 13, project game animal
research accurately estimate sheep and goat survival rates population, demo graph and
habitat use in the Puuwaawaa forest and Puuanahulu Game Management Area, West
Hawaii. So, like when it comes to – and we can carry this conversation like we can carry
on this conversation like longer and not just for today…
LT: Yeah…
AA: ….because I like the West Hawaii guys really look into some of this like even like Brian he
can help out the West Hawaii guys because he’s like a hunter always in Puuanahulu, like
that’s where he took my son and Brian’s like all over on the West side pretty much.
There is a Habitat Conservation Plan and Development for these two areas that would
give the State greater ability to manage game animals – game mammal populations in
these areas while protecting threatened and endangered plant and animals species
found around there, so they saying that basically there is a plan for that area but
endangered species pretty much trumps it so they kinda like you are on a harder time to
actually do anything for any of the animals and that’s where like I think a lot of the
hunters and the people that use that resource kinda like get problems or they get angry
with DOFAW or just DLNR in general.
NR: Natalie, District – 7, are we allowed to write to them and ask them to explain why it’s in
the endangered species column when it goes to feeding your family?
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AA: Ah, that part goes more towards federal agencies cause it’s actually one federal
mandate. So, you’d have to go to like the US Department of Forestry and to – let me
see…
NR: And my other question was is somewhere in the beginning they said that they have like
a I think it was like a hunting commission or they were reaching out to government, or
not government, excuse me, they were reaching out to local hunters – there was like a
little group that they formed so I didn’t know like if they were actual hunters or hunting
in that area cause it didn’t clarify it – they just said they established something and it
didn’t say like how many people were in that group.
AA: Right. I read that too.
NR: So, are we allowed to ask like who that is?
SW: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. So, I’m just gonna try to provide some
parameters for GMAC at this point, so I kinda let you guys go on for a little bit to try to
dive into this but there needs to be a motion – there needs to be some kind of direction
for actions for this Commission. I understand that everybody kinda needed to have an
opportunity to view and peruse this game management plan – at this point – if this
Commission wants to tackle this and try to do anything regarding this particular game
management plan – it would make sense maybe you create working groups – maybe
divide the chapters so that you can maybe present it to the Commission as a whole and
then you can take it into like bite size pieces so that it’s not a – how do we say this – just
random shots in the air of advice.
NR: OK. Abraham, how do you want to do it?
AA: That’s pretty much how I was – well, I wasn’t kind of planning it like that but like my
plan was kinda like for us to just go through this where you guys kinda like take the lead
on the West side which pretty much sounds like exactly what Sylvia’s suggesting.
So, I’d like to make a motion for the East side and West side Game Management
Commissioners to go and research or to create their own \[unclear\] search their sections
of the Island and come up with their own kind of advisory or problems that they see
with this Game Management Plan.
SW: OK, so Chair? Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. I’m gonna try and clarify your
motion for you or at least help you out…
AA: Yeah…
SW: So, when you say East side, West side, how are you suggesting to divide the
Commissioners East side, West side, cause we have nine districts.
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AA: Yeah, so, West side going be Justin Ackerman, Cortney and Natalie and Austin – Austin
going have to kinda like play both sides because his district runs into the East side.
SW: OK, so remember we can’t have more than quorum on – if you’re trying to make this,
two different PIGs you can’t have more than quorum on any PIG. So, you can have four
on West and you can have four on East which makes, um, you can include Austin on
West if you want to do, well, actually, you’ll only have 3 then: You, Leomana and Brian
on East…
AA: And Robert.
SW: And Robert on East, yeah, so then that’s four and four.
AA: Four and four because District 2 is vacant right now.
LT: Yeah, you guys should take Austin too, by the way. \[Unclear\]
SW: Yeah, OK. So then, so right now you are suggesting your motion is suggesting dividing
the chapters within the Game Management Plan to two groups so you’re making two
PIGs – one East side one West side and the chapters we’re looking at is, Project 5 Game
Operations, Maintenance Hawaii County East Districts will go to the East side, Project 6
is dealing with Game Operations Maintenance Hawaii County Chapter West Hawaii
District. Then we’ve got Project 10 is East Hawaii, Project 11 is West Hawaii, Project 15 is
East Hawaii, Project 16 is West Hawaii, Project 20 is East Hawaii and Project 21 is West
Hawaii, Project 25 East, 26 West, 30 is going to be East, 31 is gonna be West – is that
correct here is that what you want to do?
AA: Yes. And then just keep in mind, on page 84, 87 and 94.
SW: And what is that for specifically?
AA: That’s just for both sides, yeah, for everybody.
NR: Can you say the three pages again one more time please. 84, 85, 87.
AA: I’ll go from the front – page 4, which is the beginning, page 7, page 8, ah, page 10, page
12, and then page 84, page 87 and page 95 and that’s it.
NR: 95… 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 84, 87, 95.
AA: Yeah.
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SW: OK. So, we have a motion posed by Chair Abraham, we need a second.
NR: Natalie, District – 7. I second the motion to divide the district up.
Action: A motion was made by A. Antonio to separate the Commissioners into
two separate PIGs. One dealing with East side, and one dealing with the West
side of the Island. Commissioners will be divided equally, four on each side.
The motion was seconded by N. Reynolds. Motion passed unanimously by voice
pole votes with 6 ayes, 2 excused.
LT: OK. We have a motion by Chair Abraham to separate the Commission into two separate
PIGs. One dealing with the East and one dealing with the West side of the Island. Ah, set
four and four so that way we have – we don’t break any Sunshine laws. Any discussion?
SW: So, Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan – I’ll just note – so right now we have just
divided the teams, divided the chapters but what we need is the purpose.
AA: The purpose is to \[unclear\] advisory so we can readjust because this, this Game
Management book is not – it’s very old – it’s from 2017 – 2021, no, yeah, yeah. FY 2017
– 2021. So technically this thing is old and I see problems with it already from the old
way that we can help them move along.
SW: OK. So, to clarify what you’re asking, is for each group review their chapters and provide
advice regarding comments, suggestions, and proposed changes.
AA: Yeah.
BL: Brian, District – 4. I got a question. This is supposed to be the Pittman-Robertson
Wildlife Reservation Fund, which is the federally program and the money is supposed to
be designated for the use of hunting and fishing enhancement and the fact that on that
one page they’re talking about a pedestrian trail which is not the purpose of this fund,
we’re looking at misappropriation of funds – we’re doing boundaries, which are
eradication
that is not helping wildlife and these things so money and like they said in the beginning
– we can’t do anything for this but on the other hand we’ve got the same DLNR giving
kill permits to windmills for endangered bats, birds and everything but I can’t put a
water up for the goats and the sheep. So, you know, we’ve got some serious issues with
the Pittman-Robertson funds. I’ve gone down this rabbit hole before with these people,
there’s a lot of money being misappropriated, lot of money I get these things, I was told
not to say where the money is from DAR, where these things are going. This money is
supposed to be going through there – we should be…
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SW: OK. I’m sorry. Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan – sorry – just to get us back into
scope - the motion on the floor is to create the PIG so the discussion should be related
to the creation of the PIG as far as comments on the content – that can be saved for
your report and incorporated in your report. So, assuming you guys’ Commission adopt
the creation of the PIG. So right now, Chair, are you amending your motion to
incorporate the purpose that you just stated?
AA: What was the purpose I just stated, sorry…
SW: The purpose would be to create the two PIGs East side West side to review the chapters
that are selected for their East side, West side – the purpose would be to review it, to
provide comments, suggestions and proposed changes to the plan variance.
AA: Yup.
SW: OK. So, are you suggesting to amend your motion to include that?
AA: Yes. OK.
SW: Second, on the motion to amend.
LT: Leomana, District – 3, I second that motion.
SW: OK. So, right now you can have discussion on the motion to amend, if you want to
discuss, and then it’ll be to vote, and this is just to amend the creation of the PIG. The
original motion to create the PIG.
Action: A. Antonio motioned to amend prior motion with the purpose to create
the two PIGs East side West side to review the chapters that are selected
to review it, to provide comments, suggestions and proposed changes to
the plan variance. Seconded by L. Turalde. Motion carried unanimously
by voice poll vote with 6 ayes, 2 excused.
LT: No discussion? We can head to a vote.
SW: Vote…
LT: Roll call vote, District – 1, absent, District – 2, \[unclear\], District – 3, aye, District – 4?
BL: Aye.
LT: District -5?
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AA: Aye.
LT: District 6?
AA: Absent.
LT: District – 7?
NR: Aye.
LT: Cortney, District – 8?
CO: Aye.
LT: And District – 9?
JA: Aye.
LT: Mahalo, all in favor, motion passes. We amended the first motion and now we can…
SW: Go forward.
LT: Now we can go forward. Do we still need to make a roll call vote?
SW: Yes. So, you can now have further discussion on the PIG motion as amended if you want,
if there’s no further discussion then you can move on to the next.
LT: OK. Is there any further discussion?
AA: I’d just like to bring up Natalie’s comment about the groups that don’t get in our
\[unclear\] it’s on page 11. Conduct outreach and education to landowners and other
stakeholders that will increase DOFAW’s capacity to create and maintain public access
throughout the state. Participate in the public forums organized by other DOFAW
programs and partners such as DOFAW Na Ala Hele Trail and Access System, DOFAW
Watershed Partnerships, DLNR Aquatic Life and Wildlife Advisory Committee, DLNR’s
Soil and Conservation Districts, State Game Management Advisory Commission and
Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission. And this is from our
predecessors that were also involved in this at the time, so, we were involved in it
before, and we can advise them and be involved in it with this new one.
NR: Sounds good.
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AA: And as for Brian, you are correct but, in this book, man they supposed to be doing it and
as we know they’re not doing it, there’s controversies so we can have that discussion in
our groups.
NR: Natalie, District – 7. Do we have a time sensitive issue with this so, you want everyone
to have their stuff ready for you next month so that the following month we can vote on
it or, no.
AA: Abraham, District – 5, it’s not necessarily time sensitive the time sensitivity will be on
my expiration date.
NR: Which is pretty soon?
AA: Well, I can stay in, I think, 90 days after so…
NR: Just in time for you to do a quarterly report?
AA: Moving on now…
LT: OK. With no further discussion let’s take a roll call vote. District 1, absent, District – 2,
absent, District – 3, aye, District – 4?
BL: Aye.
LT: District – 5?
AA: Aye.
LT: District – 6, not here. District – 7, Natalie?
NR: Aye.
LT: District – 8, Miss Okamura?
CO: Aye.
LT: And District – 9, Justin?
JA: Aye.
LT: Mahalo sir. All unanimously passed, we passed a motion to create a PIG. (Two Pigs)
SW: Now you need to create or assign chairs for each PIG. Chair for East, chair for west.
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LT: Oh. OK, now that the two PIGs are created we can assign chairs for both East and West.
SW: You can ask for volunteers or you as Chair can select.
LT: OK. I will volunteer myself, to do the East Hawaii. Do we have any volunteers for West
Hawaii?
AA: I just have a comment on that. Leomana just make sure you make yourself available, ah?
I know you’re busy.
LT: For this one – we’re going to pause, I like come to your house and talk.
AA: Roger.
LT: Or meet me on Mauna Kea. OK. West side – do we have any volunteers or should we
vote in Austin.
AA: No, you can’t vote in Austin.
LT: OK. Sorry, everyone, present.
NR: Natalie, District – 7, I will do…
LT: Leomana, District – 3, thank you Natalie.
AA: What? And you was grumbling about the quarterly report.
LT: \[Unclear\] you read the whole thing already.
AA: ….the, the, the quarterly report.
NR: We can’t do anything. We can’t move this forward.
LT: And the quarterly report is easier.
NR: Cortney doesn’t even \[unclear\]. I don’t want to make her volunteer for something she
doesn’t even do. That’s like Austin \[unclear\].
LT: Thank you, Natalie. It sounds like you know a lot though.
NR: Yeah.
LT: It sounds like you read this before so I’m sure you’re going to be the best one for that
position.
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SW: OK. Deputy Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Wan. I just wrote to remind the Board, your
PIGs have been created, you can speak with your PIGs about your assignment,
remember your purpose – but it’s not going to be placed back onto the agenda until you
guys have a report OK?
AA: Yeah.
SW: So, if you guys get it together and you’re ready for next month and you can provide your
report next month – we’ll put it on the agenda. If you need more time, let Barbara
know. It will not go on the agenda until you’re ready – because as soon as you get the
report your PIG is gonna be done.
AA: Yeah.
NR: Sounds good, I’m happy with that. I’ll head it out so we can move forward.
SW: And just as a friendly reminder there are still some outstanding PIGs – just let Barbara
know once your reports are ready, we’ll put them back on the agenda. OK. Advisory
done.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
LT: All right moving forward, OK, created PIGs. Discussion done, thank you Chair Abraham
Antonio for all of that information and for this book. Next on the agenda, #7
Announcements. The announcement is – next meeting will be held on October 17, 2023,
9:00 – 11:00a at the West Hawaii Civic Center. 74-5044 Anne Keohokalole Highway,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
AA: So, I guess, I just asking for, I know you just said it but Barbara is that confirmed? West
Hawaii next month?
BK: Yes.
NR: Thank you so much.
SW: We will be there in person.
LT: Do we have a County vehicle for us to utilize and get the team out there? Perhaps a 4-
wheel truck cause we could…
AA: We had that discussion last time, no we do not, Leomana. But we’ll have that discussion
after.
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LT: OK. I’d like to make a motion to add County vehicles if we are travelling across Island.
SW: I’m sorry…
NR: I second that motion.
SW: I’m sorry Vice Chair Leomana but that is not a motion that’s appropriate – it’s not on the
agenda.
LT: OK. District – 3, I have a question about travelling, if we car pool can the person driving
get reimbursed by the $1,500 that we are allotted?
SW: So, mileage for going to the meetings can be reimbursed, however, just note that all of
the Commissioners need to make sure that they fill out the appropriate forms…
LT: OK.
SW: ….cause they creates an account in which the County can pay you too. I think it’s like a
VA form or something. Contact Barbara after this meeting and everybody can get
reimbursed for their mileage.
LT: Ah, what about per diem?
SW: No, we don’t do per diem.
LT: OK. We got mileage, no er diem. A longer trip I’ll try and get COLA or something. Do we
move forward from here after Announcements?
SW: So, you’re done with your announcements so it’s Adjournment.
LT: Um, there’s no more announcements. We reached the time of that meeting where we
can have a motion to adjourn or else if anyone would like to, ah…
SW: I mean, you’ve reached the end of you agenda.
LT: We’ve reached the end of our agenda so we can have a motion to adjourn or if anyone
has any last statements…
AA: Last statements – you’re welcome Leomana for me to keeping it short and sweet for
you today. \[Unclear\]
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LT: For the next one I, um, you know, on the way forward I know this is for myself cause
there’s a lot of weapons youth coming out. I don’t personally own a weapon, I don’t
have guns, I have a knife and a bow, but a lot, there’s thousands of guns on the Island
and for me as a combat veteran I want to push for weapon safety – for everyone who
owns a gun to be highly skilled, or for people who register to have a place to go utilize
their guns, it’s not on the side of Saddle Road cause when I go bow hunting up there it’s
like a fricking, you know, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom all day and sometimes I
worry that bullets might stray off in to Hawaiian Homes where I go into the Nene area
and hunt. So I want to push gun safety, whatever, and to me gun safety is not blocking
weapons use, it’s more providing safer training, safer spaces for people who choose to
have weapons because I believe in weapons, I personally as a combat veteran don’t own
them but I support everybody who does legally, um, so for me I wanted to promote
better weapon safety, better weapons handling and consolidate areas on the Big Island
so that way are kids don’t got to go hiking and hear guns or, you know, possible stray
bullets flying out all over. So that’s where I’m kind of heading and, um, for the next
meeting I hope we can have some of that on top of the agenda.
NR: So, Natalie, District – 7. Do we have to add that to…?
SW: Yes, Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. I am just going to note for the record that,
that was outside the scope of this agenda. However, there was prior to the meeting
started a discussion about adding a related agenda item to next month’s meeting.
LT: But we don’t even do that with a vote, right? Just add that, yeah?
AA: No, OK.
SW: We’ll add that \[unclear\].
LT: Leomana, District – 3, that’s all I have to say. If there is no more discussion we can have
a motion to adjourn.
8. ADJOURNMENT (11:00 AM):
A motion was made by A. Antonio and seconded by N. Reynolds to adjourn
the meeting at 10:09 am. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote with
6 ayes, and 2 excused.
Respectfully submitted by,
Barbara Kossow
Secretary
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