HomeMy WebLinkAboutGMAC 2023 4th Quarter Report (002)
GMAC 2023 4th Quarter Report
County of Hawai’i
Game Management Advisory Commission
2023 4th Quarter Report to County Council
Prepared by Commissioner Cortney Okumura, District 8
The County of Hawai’i Game Management Advisory Commission (“GMAC”) submits this
Quarterly Report pursuant to Hawai’i County Charter, Section 6-9-3.
October 17, 2023
Presentation: Kathleen Clark, Marine Stewardship Supervisor, The Kohala Center, “A Story of
Hope: Cauliflower Coral Recovery at Kahaluʻu Bay.”
Synopsis: Corals on the reef provide coastal protection from wave energy, and having a
structurally intact reef helps provide structure for and complexity for new fish to settle - larval
settlement for any number of different invertebrates, and is a really important part of the whole
reef ecosystem. Up until 2015, cauliflower coral colonies were abundant in Kahaluʻu Bay, when
the bay experienced a big thermal stress event, also known as bleaching, which resulted in a
loss of about 90% of the species. Shutting down the park annually during coral spawning has
allowed for the colonies to return and recover. They have also worked to educate the public
about the dangers to the reef of using chemical sunscreens, and provide reef-safe mineral
sunscreen in dispensers onsite.
Discussion and Decision Making:
● Commissioners discussed capital improvement plans for Wailoa Small Boat Harbor,
presented by Commissioner Duerr.
November 21, 2023
Presentation: Jake Merkel, Kohala Watershed Field Supervisor, The Kohala Center, presenting
on “‘Eke Project: Protecting and Sustaining Source Waters of Kohala.”
Synopsis: The ‘Eke Project is taking place mauka of Kohala Mountain Road on Queen Emma
Land Company Property. It is directly adjacent to a hunting area and also Parker Ranch land.
The goals of the project are to protect one of the highest quality leeward cloud forests of Kohala
through removal of invasive species, including Himalayan ginger and pigs, and also monitor the
change and secure a clean water source. They are trying to involve and work with the local
hunting community for guidance as to how to remove the pigs.
Presentation: Joshua Pang-Ching and Ian Cole, East Hawaiʻi Wildlife Biologist, DLNR Division
of Forestry and Wildlife: “Update on East Hawaiʻi DOFAW Projects.”
Synopsis: There have been some questions as to the process for accessing the Kapapala
Ranch which is a cooperative game management area and a working ranch. Those who wish to
access the forest reserve for mammal hunting, they need to go through an online system
accessed through the Kapapala Ranch website. For game bird season, you have to access the
ranch via the gate which is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and you check in at the check station.
If no one is manning the station, there is a number to call and youʻll receive the combo for that
day to access. There will also be some 1020 rule changes (the Stateʻs adaptive rule
management process) that will affect bag limits in areas such as Mauna Kea, Hilo Forest
Reserve, Puʻuanahulu, and increasing hunt days for areas such as Puʻuanahulu, which will
include Friday, in addition to Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Discussion and Decision Making:
● Commissioners discussed creating a letter to DLNR, DOFAW in opposition to
fencing within the buffer zone of the south boundary, Stainback to Kulani
Correctional Facility in order to maintain access for kupuna and families.
● Commissioners discussed creating a letter to oppose fencing in the Piha Forest
Reserve to keep it open for rifle hunters who are losing valuable hunting areas.
December 19, 2023
Discussion and Decision Making:
● Election of Chair and Vice Chair - Austin Griffey was nominated to serve as Chair, and
Cortney Okumura was nominated to serve as Vice Chair.
● Acknowledgement: Abraham Antonio, Sr.’s term as a Commissioner, and Chair, ended
on December 31, 2023. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his
distinguished service.
Presentation: Alan Nakagawa, Hawaiʻi Countyʻs GMAC representative on the Feral Ungulate
Task Force Committee.
Synopsis: Mr. Nakagawa provided a summary of the initial meetings of the Task Force. The
group reviewed HCR17 to ensure everyone was on the same page. Jason Omick from DLNR
was selected to serve as chairperson. Mr. Nakagawa stated that he had some concerns with
some of the data that the Task Force was provided regarding population data, claiming that the
population is stable, but his personal experience is that the population has been reduced quite a
bit. His assessment is that the plan is more like an eradication program, and not a sustainable
hunting program or game management any longer. He also has concerns with the number of
personnel dedicated to the project and how they are using their time. The task force will be
dissolved June 30, 2024, and is requested to submit a report of its findings and
recommendations including proposed legislation to the legislature no later than 20 days prior to
the convening of the regular session 2024.
Presentation: Troy S. Saikihara, Aquatic Biologist, Division of Aquatic Resources, DLNR, State
of Hawai’i: “Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) 2023 Updates.”
Synopsis: Mr. Saikihara covered four main topics: rule making initiatives that they took on in
2023, ecological monitoring and biological sampling projects that the Hilo office has been
conducting, outreach and education efforts, and lastly, future initiatives.
The first initiative that took effect this year was the lay net rule amendments which requires all
lay net users to acquire an annual lay net permit, which can be acquired online, or in the DAR
offices. There is no fee for residents or active duty military, there is a $25.00 annual fee for non-
residents.
DAR rules and regulations can be found here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/fishing-
regulations/