HomeMy WebLinkAboutGMAC Minutes 4.15.25
Game Management Advisory Commission
County of Hawai’i
Minutes – Final Draft
Meeting Date: April 15, 2025
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, Present, in person
District 2 – Taysen Wong Chong, Present, in person
District 3 – Rhon Leomana Turalde, Present, in person
District 4 – Brian Ley – Excused
District 5 - Vacant
District 6 – Vacant
District 7 – Vacant
District 8 – Cortney Okumura – Present via Zoom
District 9 – Justin Ackerman – Present via Zoom
Quorum Established with 5 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 J. Ackerman to approve February 18, 2025 minutes as circulated.
Second by T. Wong-Chong. Motion carried by poll vote with 5 ayes, 1 excused.
3. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS:
Chuck Flaherty testified on Item 7, b. To add to the next agenda an opportunity to
submit and present information about the current Hawai’i County Plan Comprehensive
Review process as it relates to the county Game Management Advisory Commission.
Jojo Tanimoto testified that there is a need to create a game management plan
regarding feral goats in the South Kohala district and is requesting GMAC to assist with
this process. She will also reach out to Councilmember James Hustace.
4. COMMISSIONER REPORT BY DISTRICT:
District 1, Commissioner Duerr spoke about the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor River – State
Sen. Lorraine Inouye continues to focus on improvements.
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GMAC access to the County of Hawai’i General Plan
District 2, Commissioner Wong-Chong
Feral cat feeding at Lili o – a few citations were issued
Cattle – 3 cattle were shot and left to rot at Mana Road recently
Makahana Forest Reserve, a tree planting farm, would like to see an area open for the
hunters.
District 3, Chair L. Turalde
Missing person Earl Hind – Apps are available to locate a missing person, MarineTraffic
and Flightradar24. Check it out.
Wastewater facility on going. Cost 375 million. Source of funds unknown.
Turtles are eating all the limu, aki’aki, kohu
District 8, Commissioner C. Okumura. Nothing to report.
District 9, Commissioner J. Ackerman
Continue to reach out to the current Council person in his district to discuss game
management issues.
5. PRESENTATION:
a. Lawrence L. Terlep, Jr., Hawai’i Island DOCARE Branch Chief, and Ivan
Tamura, DOCARE Lt., “Update from Hawai’i Island Division of
Conservation and Resources Enforcement: Overview of Job Duties;
Changing in Hunting and Hunting Related Issues; New regulated Fish
Species; Updates to Waiakea Public Fish Area and Wailoa River Rules;
and update on Conservation Goals relating to Issuance of Citations for
Resource Violation.”
DOCARE enforces the rules and regulations that serve to protect, conserve and
manage our limited natural, cultural and historic resources which are held in public
trust for all to enjoy and for future generations.
30 Officers - Hawai’i Island,
14 East Hawaii, cover South Point to Honokaa
10 West Hawaii – North Kona to South Point
6 North Hawaii – Honokaa to North Kona Boundary
There is more land than all the islands combined to cover.
Officers don’t have shifts like the HPD does. No officers on the Kau side.
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The greatest challenge is the amount of land and water to cover with the current
officers on hand. Travel time could be 3 hours to get to the site and 3 hours back.
Respond to burial sites, use of water, water resource management, all encumbered
lands under DLNR.
The largest issue is people who are homeless, which takes a lot of the officer’s time.
It Includes all boat harbors.
The office is manned from 7:45am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday.
Officers work 24 – 7.
The easiest way to contact an officer is on the “Tip” app, which is monitored by the
Chief and LT. Please leave your message and contact information.
Feral cats – DLNR has no specific laws, but the harbors have it in their rules. Nothing
in place for the feeding of the feral cats.
Goats – once the game is outside of the state management area, DOCARE has no
claim.
A plan on goats – Division of Wildlife to come up with a plan to control those
animals.
Eradication on Mauna Kea since 1981 has shown a decline in sheep.
PA Training area – not enough opening of area and the frequency of opening these
areas. Suggest GMAC investigate this.
Kau community concern over feral cattle in the forest – DLNR reached out to control
Mana Road – Laupahoehoe Forest Reserve area – hunting goes on - DLNR did not
give permission.
Slice area across of Gil Rec area fall under Mauna Kea Unit A – but it was changed
back – a little confusing - DOFAW needs to educate the public of that area.
Safety zone sign was added by Gil Rec Area
Fishing – A 2025 Hawai’i Fishing Regulations booklet available online.
Weapon use – creating and changing rules – suppressers #134 rule - allowed in
hunting area.
Civil citations – appears in an administrative process – does not go to court
Criminal violations – appear in court
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Discussion followed between the commissioners and DOCARE.
Chair Leomana thanked DOCARE’s Branch Chief Terlep, Jr. and Lieutenant Tamura
for taking the time to meet in person with GMAC. The men offered to return at the
future date. They also invited commissioners to contact them regarding any issues
or concerns. Visit the DLNR website for more information.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Nomination for Chair and Vice Chair.
Action: Motion made by R. Duerr nominating Leomana Turalde as Chair and Taysen
Wong Chong as the Vice Chair. Second by J. Ackerman.
Attorney S. Wan polled each commissioner, 5 ayes, 1 excused
Discussion followed. Attorney, S. Wan offered to meet with both men to go over
their duties. Commissioner C. Okumura was thanked for her service as Vice Chair.
7. NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Commissioners’ opportunity to suggest any other items to be placed on
the agenda for the next meeting. *No discussion or voting on these
matters.*
b. Public’s opportunity to submit a written request to suggest specific items
to be considered for the agenda for the next meeting. *No discussion or
voting on these matters.*
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
a. Next Meeting: May 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
25 Aupuni Street, Puna Conference Room, 1501, Hilo, HI 96720
9. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Barbara Kossow,
Secretary
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