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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-25 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 Game Management Advisory Commission County of Hawaii Minutes Meeting Date: August 25, 2014 Time: 6:30 p.m. Place: Hawaii County Building, Puna Conference Room via Videoconferencing to West Hawaii Civic Center, Mayor’s Conference Room and Council Conference Room A CALL TO ORDER: At 6:56p.m. By Chair Tom Lodge ROLL CALL: Per B. Kossow: Willie-Joe Camara, District 1 (attended meeting on the Kona side) Dwayne “Ike” Yoshina, District 2 Anthony “Tony” Sylvester, District 3 Paul Bueltmann, District 4 Thomas H. Lodge, District 5 (attended meeting on the Kona side) Kenneth “Kalani” DeCoito, District 6 District 7 - Vacant Mark C. Bartell – District 8 (attended meeting on the Kona side) District 9 – Vacant Quorum established. ALSO PRESENT : B. Command, Deputy Planning Director Craig Masuda, Corporation Counsel Barbara Kossow, Administrative Specialist APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF: July 21, 2014 and June 9, 2014 Action: T. Sylvester moved to defer minutes; seconded by M. Bartell, and carried unanimously by voice vote. GUESTS: David Penn, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Access & Acquisitions Program and Lisa Hadway, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Administrator and the Hawaii Police Dept. PROGRAM : Chair Lodge welcomed and introduced David Penn from the Forestry and Wildlife Access & Acquisitions Program. 1 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 David Penn is employed through the University of Hawaii, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit assigned to the DLNR Access and Acquisition program that’s in the Wildlife Program at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. He moved to Hilo in 1981 and he has been in Hawaii most of the time since them. His career has been in state government, federal government, university, he owned a private company and did other things. He started in this job three months ago which was previously conducted by Jordan Jokiel. He met with J. Jokiel in June and is currently learning about the different access and acquisition projects issues that have been going on and taking care of loose ends that needed to be taken care of within a certain time frame. D. Penn has done some research and reconnected with the people who are involved, he is looking forward to making progress with this commission, with the hunting community, with the forest users in general, and get more things done so that we can have more access, better access into the different forests and hunting areas. GMAC asked D. Penn to give an update on three things. J. Jokiel provided this commission with written updates on various projects that he was working on. D. Penn will continue to do the same. Contact information: David Penn, Wildlife Access And Acquisition Program (WAAAP) Coordinator (Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit University of Hawaii at Manoa) Phone: (808) 587-4171 leave message and call will be returned. The Wildlife Program Manager Maureen Moren recently resigned and that position is now vacant and to be backfilled. John Vetter, the wildlife biologist, is currently on temporary assignment for that position. The game biologist position has been filled and that person will officially start on , October 12014. GMAC questions: 1) What is the scope of your work under the Access and the Access and Acquisitions Program? As defined in the job description there’s a few components,  Participate in strategic planning that goes on in Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 2 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014  Confirm existing access routes in Hawaii County  Formalize some of the existing access agreements  Make sure agreements that are expiring get renewed  Create new accesses  Create new hunting areas  Make acquisitions of lands for lands for both conservation and recreational purposes including public hunting  Public outreach and education 2. To provide an update on Jordan Jokiel’s activities and where we are now on some of the things that he was working on. 3. Access to hunting lands in Kona and Hualalai. D. Penn was not sure which areas GMAC was interested in. He has not gotten into that component of the access issues yet as deeply as some of the other ones. But he provided an example from maps that are in their hunting rules in his power point presentation. Some of the areas in Kona might be Honuaula Forrest Reserves which is open for hunting, which is map 7 in their hunting rules and then there’s some other areas further down in South Kona which are the natural area reserves and so these are all the hunting units and they’re labeled with the letters according to how they are in the hunting rules. D. Penn asked for more detail on which areas in particular that GMAC is concerned about and he will put that on the list for things to work on. T. Lodge point to an area on the map (a little strip) and suggested that D. Penn walk the access area since Kona hunters frequently ask questions about that area. It may be landlocked. Two other sites were pointed out on the map which is landlocked or almost inaccessible unless you trespass. Area is state, public land and yet there is no access. M. Bartell stated that he and W. Camara service on a sub-committee within GMAC and worked with J. Jokiel and that they look forward in working with D. Penn. Kona/ Hualalai access there was also a question posed to D. Penn about discussions between Palani Ranch and Kamehameha Schools. He did not have anything to report on that. Implementation of changes to hunting rules (Kona/Hualalai): D. Penn was not sure exactly what that question was about. L. Hadway could comment on that. 3 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 Akaka Falls subdivision in Honomu area - This is one that D. Penn heard about through the Na Ala Hele Trails Program that was pending. (D. Penn pointed the area out on his power point). No response from Planning Dept. As per county ordinance, six lot subdivision - there is a requirement that access be provided and DOFAW is able to keep tracking that and to help out with making sure that access is provided. Kau Forest Reserve Fencing – D. Penn visited the area the morning of GMAC meeting and went along the areas where the access road and the fence line is planned to go. D. Penn pointed the area out on his power point. DLNR Deputy Attorney General completed its review for a 20-year public access agreement across Olson Trust property that leads to the Forest Reserve. DOFAW sent the proposed agreement to Olson Trust. After DOFAW and Olson Trust agree to the terms, DOFAW will request that the Board of Land & Natural Resources (BLNR) approve the access agreement, and will notify GMAC when the license agreement is scheduled for BLNR consideration. As soon as that’s done, the fence material and whatever road building and everything can go forward. All the material has been bought through funding under a Voluntary Public Access grant received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Services Agency. Phase 1- the folks in Kau are putting together the labor force through, a combination of efforts with DLNR, Nature Conservancy, hunters, and a few other parties that can all contribute with labor, equipment, etc. Phase 2 - finalizing the agreement with this lessee to realign the fence at the bottom here (pointed out on power point) so it would take a little bit out just at the top of the pasture lease area and probably have to survey that fence line to finalize the lease. D. Penn pointed out the fencing area where the first survey was completed. He also pointed out another area that will be surveyed which is considered phase 2. D. Penn also pointed out the current access is either all right, up to the gorge at the waterfall, or way up Mountain House Road, but you can’t go all the way because there’s the water supply gate up there, so the idea is to have a way all the way along the bottom of the forest reserve with a lot of other points to go up. There’s a couple of like old roads that go up through the area, old 4-wheel drive roads that may or may not be passable. Once the landowner signs off on the agreement they will be able to move forward. Keamoku - a long-term Cooperative Game Management Agreement for Keamoku is unlikely because the need for unrestricted military access to the 4 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 training area. DOFAW will continue working to maintain some level of access and public hunting. It was shared by T. Lodge that Pohakuloa is thinking about hiring a game board type person like DOCARE and also a game manager. And then the other areas in the North Hilo, Hamakua side that had previously been worked on – here is one of the maps from Jordan that shows some of the priority areas which included I think Kaiwiki and Chin Chuck, Kamae’e, and also the Kaupakuea. So I’m going to talk about Chin Chuck and Kaiwiki havent’ really gotten to yet. The other two would become more familiar with and I can give you an update on those. Kaupakuea : DOFAW is in full support of completing the Kaupakuea public access easement and DOFAW’s position that if the access could be marked in the field. DOFAW would consider assuming some level of control for constructing and maintaining he access using volunteer support from the local community. Next steps will include negotiation with landowners to realign the existing access so that it ends at the Forest Reserve boundary, or to extend the existing access through adjoining private property to the Forest Reserve. D. Penn met with folks from Finance Factors to talk about getting a footpath. Any help from this commission would be appreciated. B. Command said that would be our top priority at this point, negotiate first before we proceed. Obtain a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of agreement with Finance Factors saying that they will work with us in order to make this happen, otherwise if they say “no” then it makes no sense to survey this because we will not be able to access the property. T. Lodge offered to talk with Finance Factors. Kamae’e : DOFAW land title abstractor is reviewing maps and conveyance records to determine the ownership status of Kamae’e Homestead Road and “Road Reserve” segments, which appear to run directly from the highway to the Forest Reserve boundary, intersected by private easements over private property. Kipuka AinahouLicense Agreement with Department of Hawaiian Homelands expired two years ago and is on a month to month. WAAAP and DLNR Deputy Attorney General are revising a standard license agreement received from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL). DOFAW will send the completed revisions to DHHL for concurrence. After DOFAW and DHHL agree to the terms, DOFAW will request that BLNR approve the license agreement, and will notify GMAC when the license agreement is scheduled for BLNR consideration. Meeting with Kamehameha Schools – As reported previously, KS lands in Kona Kau are not available to DOFAW for increasing public access and hunting 5 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 opportunities because most of these lands are leased to third parties. WAAAP will reschedule a meeting with KS to discuss opportunities on the Hilo side. Hawaii County Projects - Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program (USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service): DOFAW’s grant proposal, which included several public hunting projects, was not selected for funding in federal fiscal year 2015. WAAAP is revising the proposal for re-submittal in future funding cycles. Kuka’iau Acquisition (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Recovery Lands Acquisition Grant): DOFAW secured a grant extension through June 30, 2015. Negotiations with the landowner are ongoing. If negotiations and transactional due diligence are successful, then DOFAW will request BLNR approval of sub- grant to The Nature Conservancy for purchasing the property. Kahuku Coastline Protection and Management (Road to the Sea) (USFWS, Recovery Lands Acquisition Grant): DOFAW secured a grant extension through September 30, 2015. County of Hawaii completed an appraisal of the property and is reviewing that appraisal in accordance with federal standards. If subsequent negotiations with the landowner and transactional due diligence are successful, then DOFAW will request BLNR approval of a sub-grant to the County for purchasing the property. Honu’apo Estuary Restoration (USFWS, National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant): DOFAW is preparing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to complete the work specified in the 2011 Wetlands Habitat Restoration Plan. After BLNR approves the RFP, DOFAW will solicit and review proposals, select a contractor, and award and manage the contract. Chair T. Lodge thanked D. Penn for his presentation. Lisa Hadway, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Administrator- Q/A What is the status of our Game Rules and Regulations that have been out there since 2008? AG office reviewed rules. Questions were sent to staff and were reviewed with them. Plan at this point is to get in touch with folks that submitted comments and also email the version as well as post it on their website for the month of September and then to the first board meeting in October. John Vetter will help facilitate that. How is this going to affect the current hunting rules that we have right now as far as tag fees, stamp fees, license fees and what have you? 6 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 L. Hadway did not have an answer but will get back to Chair Lodge. If any animals were released from Pohakuloa would they be available to be moved into or pushed into Puuanahulu? If you’re familiar with the situation we had when we moved some animals in about a year and half ago. At this point it would take more planning to get that all in order. Chair Lodge thanked Lisa Hadway for attending the meeting. DOCARE Officers – Game Laws and Poaching Hawaii Police Dept. – Trespass, Property Damage, Animal Control Chair T. Lodge introduced Police Officers, Captain Durian, community policing Officer Passmore from Hamakua and Lieutenant Mahuna. Also, DOCARE Officer James Weller Police welcomed folks to contact them with specific issues and they will be happy to assist in any way. Call or drop by your district station or call the non- emergency number 935-3311 and an officer will response. Whatever crime that can be proven – research must be done and evidence gathered - trespassing is an easy one for police to handle. Signage posted and would be best if the area were fenced. Each case is different. Cameras are wonderful to have. The land may be leased and police will probably need to work with the owner. Police will work with all parties. You may call but the land owner needs to be on board to prosecute. For folks packing, it would be wise not to use deadly force. You will be in a worst position than the person who was trespassing on your land. These types of situations can quickly get out of hand. Police prefer a one on one sit down versus having a large meeting which is a lot of what ifs can come out of this. Each case is different. Police encouraged folks to call them to find out what your options are. They are 24/7, call 911 or dispatch. This is their job and if you are not satisfied, please call for an appointment to see or to speak to the supervisor in charge. Community Policing Officer Passmore who is stationed in the Hamakua District shared that he had one call in a year and 3 months for poachers – after the fact. Police cannot help if they don’t know about it. He encouraged folks to report these incidents. By reporting it is documented. James Waller, State of Hawaii Enforcement Officer stated, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement does not respond to calls on trespassing on private lands. Main focus is state lands - Land and Natural Resources. 7 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 DOCARE has developed a lot of cases through hunters who do drive by and they notice something out of the ordinary, or it’s just something that catches their eye. They encourage all hunters to give them a call and from there they will filter things out and see: if a violation may be occurring or not. They encourage anyone to call. Like their partners in the police department. DOCARE: The Department of Land and Natural Resources – DOCARE – under the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement – so we’re the law enforcement agency for the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The lands that we are authorized to control and work hand-in-hand with the other divisions would be DOFAW lands, natural reserve areas, forest reserve areas, watershed areas, those types of properties within DOFAW as well as your state parks, historic preservation, Division of Land Management. Chair T. Lodge thanked the officers, Captain Burian, Officer Passmore, and Lt. Mahuna for joining us this evening, and James Waller of DOCARE. Public Testimony on Agenda Items (Statements) Pali Kapu Dedman speaking on item 10. Item 10 is announcements. He asked, “What you do about protection of the resources and the native gathering rights through these properties and the resources protection of these practices?” Chair Lodge: You know that is basically a question that you should actually bring to the commission as an agenda item itself so we could get the proper people to address at a meeting. We’re talking about access and you’re talking about protection. And it would be better to have that as an agenda item separately and you know talk to us tomorrow, give me a call and we’ll try and get it on the next th agenda which is going to be on the 15 of next month. Chair Lodge asked that Mr.Pali Kapu Dedman to call him the next day to discuss and confirmation issue(s) for the next agenda. No confirmation was made at meeting. Terry Ahiahi: \[Unclear\] they’re discussing access to the forestry reserves. Is there \[unclear\]? I’m gonna specifically talk about on this island – an issue that we have in Kau Forest Reserve access. And when Jordan Jokiel and then \[unclear\] movement to have access with an access road. I remember seeing any testimony to public about the access they have in private roads that Jordan Jokiel had been working on. And the damage it could bring to the forest with an access. And a lawsuit because we have pending lawsuit with Kau Forest Reserve and we were never told about the access trail that they were or road 8 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 that they were putting in there and um that’s what we’re asking. What’s – I mean are they still fencing \[unclear\] access even without mitigation \[unclear\]. C. Masuda: Mr. Chairman, do you want to entertain that question and have it answered by Lisa? Chair Lodge: If Lisa (Hadway) can answer that question that would be fine. L.Hadway: As part of the management plan for the entire forest reserve I know that access was discussed and David may be able to chime as well \[unclear\]. And in the discussion when I think you heard David say fencing – it was in reference to fencing that access corridor through the Olson Trust. Is that correct, David? D. Penn: Yeah, it’s fencing to keep animals from moving across the boundary between the state land and the private land – to keep the cows out of the forest and the pigs out of the pasture and also to discourage the hunters from going on to the private land and staying in the public land on the forest reserve side. And any other people who are going up there. Chair Lodge: Through the access road… D. Penn: Yeah. And my understanding is that most of the route that we’re taking is basically existing roads that were put in by the plantation and that people generally had access to when the plantation was in control of the whole area, but since things have gotten broken up, and the pastures have gone in on both the state leases and on the private lands, that it’s a different situation so we’re in a way trying to recreate – at least that existed before where there was more freedom to move along the bottom of the forest reserve boundary there. Woman: OK, but my question is that \[unclear\] you’re going through private property to fence with state monies, am I correct? D. Penn: Ah, actually some of it is federal money that was – the US Department of Agriculture. L. Hadway: I think what the view was is that this was a public benefit by initiating an agreement with the private landowner for additional access to a spot that was happening it would have been trespass for folks to get to the forest, and so the concept was with the public benefit that it’s acceptable to use public funds to try and garner access for the public to that forest reserve. Woman: And the public’s view of what hunting? L. Hadway: Hunting, gathering, hiking, bird watching… 9 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 Woman: Even where there’s no pigs in there to hunt? L. Hadway: \[Unclear\] lower section has a forest reserve that’s got… K. DeCoito: I can answer that one. As from the 56 \[sounds like Douse Road\] forest line straight across to where Mountain House come out \[sounds like Makino\] our forest. OK what OC did forest line here, police fence here, so \[unclear\] road that needs to come out to \[sounds like Waibada\] to Makino – it’s \[unclear\]. So \[unclear\] Mountain House, made Mountain House Road, you come down you turn around you go back out. 56 no can go because he drop all that – but the fence never \[unclear\]. So what was your question was this fence go makai – and leave that road open go up – so you can come from Makino go up Mountain House, come down Mountain House at the road, all main road, come across, go across through \[sounds like Waibada\] and come up Makino junction… Man: \[Unclear\] P. Dedman: That’s why, that’s why I was grumbling about this. So that’s why \[unclear\] go through all of this. That we could have solved this from day one that they show up – I was \[unclear\] writing the letter on the thing he had \[unclear\] right up to the forest reserve. That’s my - was my question. Woman: Well he started that litigation suit. I read the whole entire litigation - Kau Forest Reserve Plan. M. Bartell: So what’s the question? Woman: Your partnership \[unclear\] with The Nature Conservancy. Your partnershiping with private owners and they have all to save, all to save from that fencing. And then that’s what I’m saying, so you have people that are making decisions for the public that are private owners and I just don’t see that – the \[unclear\] there. And that’s all I have to say. Dustin Wamar: Right on. This question is for officer \[sounds like Web\]. \[Unclear\] a hunter is someone who \[unclear\] poachers \[unclear\]. Can you explain to me and the rest of the guys here, what exactly you mean by that because when I spoke to you a few months back regarding checking hunting licenses and that, you \[unclear\] opening day at the gate and your response to me was no. We’re not gonna check because you didn’t want to discourage anybody from hunting because nobody hunts, you told me federal regulations. So \[unclear\] you will be in there on that opening day and it’s, you catch anybody coming out that don’t have a license you’re cite them. So does this mean you’re promoting poaching to make a bust or that you won’t have be stand by your statement \[unclear\] a hunter… 10 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 C. Masuda: Mr. Chairman, do you want to entertain that question? It’s a question directly to the officer, so… This is for statements not for really for questions. - unless the chairman entertains them. Mr. Chairman… Chair Lodge: Well, that’s a question if the DOCARE officer is willing to address this, it’s fine. Officer: You asked me \[unclear\] in there, yeah? \[Unclear\] because the gates are locked. There’s no reason for an officer to be in there waiting for you walking in. D. Wamar: \[Unclear\] you guys to be checking license at the gate. That’s people lined up at the gate before \[unclear\] if you’re gonna be there to check if anybody’s \[unclear\]. Officer: We have worked there and there were reasons for us to be there… D. Wamar: Right, and that’s why \[unclear\] but you also told me that you guys will be in there \[unclear\]. Officer: In other words, we’ll be there when you least expect us. I’m not going to tell you what time the officers would be there or what time we planned on being there. That’s something that we don’t share. D. Wamar: My question to you is – why not stop it right there at the gate, where you can tell these guys, say you know what, you guys don’t have a license there, you don’t have a hunting license \[unclear\] leave the public hunting area or some of ‘em has a license \[unclear\] anybody in there without a license is considered a poacher at the gate waiting for him. Officer: Correct. D. Wamar: So, my question to you is why not stop them right there? Officer: They felt that it wasn’t a need to stop people before they entered. It’s a one way in – no, two ways in two ways out – \[unclear\] wait out at both ends. I’m wanting – I’ll ask seven officers that cover Laupahoehoe to Kau \[unclear\] all spread out. I don’t have enough officers to make sure that we have officers there from the time \[unclear\] to when \[unclear\] or even later, I don’t have enough officers. That’s one of the reasons why I didn’t give you an exact time when we’d be there. D. Wamar: OK. Chair Lodge: All right, and also as you testify, please address the chair also with your name clearly. And what agenda item you’re addressing. 11 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 C. Masuda: Chair, the next testifier is Stephen Arullo. Mr. Arullo is not \[unclear\] the next testifier is Kerri Marks. K. Marks: Oh, hi, everybody. I have a general comment on the entire agenda and it’s entirely missing from the laserfiche system. I also have to comment on \[unclear\] support \[unclear\]. This is not the only connection to software because the room was too small and too hot and the equipment didn’t work so the meeting started late and people left and got disenfranchised. I did not take issue with the hunting commissioner at all but the staff that is recording \[unclear\] a lot. None of these agendas are available on Laserfiche until after the meeting. For tonight’s meeting there was some confusion about whether we were to meet in this room – Puna Conference room – or the Aupuni Conference \[unclear\]. There was never posted in a public place other than the bulletin board outside this building for anyone to check on them. So I am requesting Bobby Command to make sure that the staff makes sure that all minutes, agendas, and any other pertinent documents are posted in a public place so that the public has access to them. That is all. Mahalo. Chair Lodge: Thank you \[unclear\]. C. Masuda: Next one is Richard Onishi. C. Masuda: Next one is Speedy Birdfeld. C. Masuda: Next one is Gary Thomas? C. Masuda: Next one is Stan Botelho S. Botelho: My name is Stan Botelho I’m a rancher \[unclear\] and I’ve had a lot of problems with poachers and some of them call themselves hunters. \[Unclear\] is a real problem, you know you’ve got just about three \[unclear\] and when they get caught it’s a slap on the wrist and they out and they right back moving in. So my \[unclear\] question to the board is if there’s any way you can bring some fees on them – should they get caught, or even if the hunters see \[unclear\] please report it to the police officers and tell them \[unclear\]. In this day and time \[unclear\] backwards instead going forward. I need help, and I could use some help, any kind of help. And that’s why I’m here. Chair Lodge: Thank you. That is something that we will address actually. C. Masuda: Ryan Kohatsu R. Kohatsu: \[Unclear\] thank you for coming here. You know I appreciate what DOCARE has done \[unclear\] officers so I appreciate – I was getting at – my question – would be – based on the \[unclear\] Robinson out there – there are only 12 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 a few places that are designated for game reduction – mammal, game reduction on this island, and everybody else \[unclear\] and everywhere else is slated for \[unclear\] so we have these two places that are for game reduction – we can do some kind of management there – I was hoping that there would be some kind of emphasis on watching these areas as far enforcement \[unclear\] we all know that people cross over from the \[unclear\] gulch. It’s very easy to \[unclear\] something like that – we all know that the ranchers do it themselves \[unclear\] people who do it – so I was just wondering it’s been going on for years, and everyone knows, you see it on the Internet, you see it \[unclear\]. \[Unclear\] been reporting violations of people and stuff, I mean they do it on the mainland, they put these big things out when who violated what and this and that and maybe it’s not in the budget for DOCARE but that might be something in the future and also what does it take to stop these folks that are doing – coming in with evidence that we already have. C. Masuda: Do you want to have officer \[sounds like Malaire\] entertain that question? Chair Lodge: Ah, yes, actually, I would. Man: That area you’re talking about is in West Hawaii? Man: Yeah, I know it’s not your district. Man: So I can’t speak much about the information you’re talking about I’m not \[unclear\] to. But if there’s a commissioner people \[unclear\] I suggest you talk to the DOCARE guys \[unclear\] and see how they help you. As far as Pittman- Robinson \[unclear\] you got to speak to DOFAW. And I don’t \[unclear\] that. Man: They know… Man: So you know with the man power that we have on the east side we, you know, we plan our patrols and so you may not see us up at the mountain maybe for a week or you might see us \[unclear\] we try and to take things around, but with the crew that I have I think we’re the best we can… Man: Oh, I think it’s \[unclear\]. Man: We \[unclear\]. Man: \[Unclear\] it was kind of all over the Internet that guy bullying the sea turtle. Man: OK. \[Unclear\] so like these people who that blatantly doing these things \[unclear\]. Man: \[Unclear\] 13 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 Man: I don’t know much about the case \[unclear\]… Man: Yeah, yeah. Man: But from what I assume – on the Internet you have to be careful what you see – supposedly and it’s unofficial – I think – and this is what I heard down the grapevine – that picture was taken in Micronesia was legal. But see, they posted it, but people have given us information on people posing with turtles and we’ve followed through with that and with that case you call the police department when they do search warrant \[unclear\] law enforcement aspect that they need to do they come across \[unclear\] turtles – the turtles \[unclear\]. \[Unclear\] And then again, the public sees give us a call – cause we were always looking \[unclear\]. Oh yeah that ones, \[unclear\] in Micronesia \[unclear\]. Chair Lodge: Thank you. C. Masuda: Stephen Hurt? C. Masuda: Paul Griffith? P. Griffith: My first question is to David Penn. Mr. Penn are you available. D.Penn: Yeah, I’m still here. P. Griffith: Mr. Penn – you talked about making new hunting areas… C. Masuda: Mr. Chairman, are you gonna take – are you gonna pass along the question to Mr. Penn? Chair Lodge: Yes. P. Griffith: Mr. Penn,, we have more than enough lands that have been taken \[unclear\] eradicated that they’re not dead and dormant. We can use those lands. These lands, they could be reassessed, Mr. Penn, \[unclear\] game management plan before ever considering – take care of looking at more lands to hunt. By doing that we wouldn’t have to be looking at taking more lands. Those lands that are left that is dormant, we need to reassess those and correct them. And \[unclear\] would you take an answer? D. Penn: I think that we shouldn’t rule anything out if we take reasonable, scientific, cultural, whatever factors we have to consider and look at all the lands that are available and make the decision based on the best information that we have. So, yeah, I wouldn’t rule that out, but that’s not the focus right now, that’s a big effort to go in and do all of that reassessment work and I don’t think that, that’s something that we’re necessarily geared up for at the moment. 14 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 P. Griffith: Mr. Penn, that land that you guys are looking for more is gonna take a lot money to \[unclear\] eradicate. The lands that are when they get \[unclear\] th we’ve got 49 states, Hawaii being the 50 state never having a game management plan is a perfect solution and being able to save who we’re looking here to save. D. Penn: It sounds like Lisa ought to weigh in on that. L. Hadway: I just – I mean I don’t know if you’re referencing additional acquisitions. David’s position is access and acquisition. P. Griffith: Yes. L. Hadway: And in certain circumstances cause we’re doing it across the state there’s acquisition opportunities that resurface that may provide easy access for recreation like ATVs now \[unclear\] and perhaps even hunting. So I think we \[unclear\] surface you have a better \[unclear\] we’re gonna hold a \[unclear\] there’s some opportunity there… P. Griffith: The only problem I have with that Lisa and when we sat down with you guys in September we seen your guys master plan for the Watershed Initiative Program – when money is available you guys take every forest in the State of Hawaii for fencing and eradiation. That Mr. Aila himself, when we sat in the meeting, that was his answer for us. 5% goes now, we lose four thousand eight hundred thousand acres from Halawa to Waipio now, we’re losing that now. \[Unclear\] that watershed bill has been proven to be false, it’s being restructured – they’re gonna call it the aloha challenge. They’re not gonna call it the rainfall reforest program – and they’re restructuring but what happens, you know, to the lands that have already been taken, we’re not getting \[unclear\] , \[unclear\], have a game management plan in place where the animal in the forest and we co-exist. There’s nothing happening there. Man: \[As an aside\] That’s not on the agenda… LH: \[Unclear\] P. Griffith: I understand, but we need to get this addressed. It’s the bottom line which solves a lot of these things that we’re sitting here \[unclear\]. Man: \[As an side\] for next meeting… Chair Lodge: Can I interject here for a minute? P. Griffith: He doesn’t have money for members so they can write grants? They get millions of dollars \[unclear\], he can’t, you know, he’s got police \[unclear\] sitting out the door. They could use 100 more cops on the streets, to stop these 15 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 kids and stop – I just got hired to take care of ranch – I’ve got a letter that I’m gonna file with the police department \[unclear\] phone number – they give me authorization to stop the hunter coming in . They’re to call 911, where I’m protected, the landowner’s protected, I get DLNR involved, I get Steve involved, you know, I just brought an issue to \[unclear\] fifty and three quarter, a guys playing \[unclear\] over there. They just had fist fight and they gave, where they beat up an old man, the landowner at the house sitting there, you know, we’ve got a lot of problems here, but his watershed bill – it totally kills us, you know, there’s not restructuring that can be done on it so we \[unclear\] back into these areas and have a game management plan and reassess it. \[Unclear\] taxpayers \[unclear\] a man over here’s getting his cattle nailed because there’s no access to the forest, there’s no animals there to hunt, you know. He can remember, \[sounds like Boutellian\] family they all hunt for years. They know what the forest used to be. They don’t get no game management plan, you know, these guys are gonna go get the easiest way. Get a lot of drugs on the streets these is out cowboys all night long, days on end, like you said he’s got to sleep in his pasture. TL: Thanks. I want to move. Keep it to the agenda we have other people that want to testify. PG: OK.OK. I’m good. Thank you. Chair Lodge: All right, thank you. C. Masuda: Next testifier is Ronald Fujiyoshi. R Fujiyoshi: My name is Ronald Fujiyoshi. I’m going to testify on unfinished business. My wife who is here with me who wrote the letter to the Game st Management Advisory Commission dated May \[sounds like 91\] and has not received and answer. An informal answer to her was that the Game Management Advisory Commission couldn’t agree on how to answer the letter. To me, I feel that I’m more than a member of the public. I am a pastor of the \[unclear – sounds like Owao\] First Hawaiian Church and although I may be a pastor I’m a proud member of Pele Defense Fund. When the first resolution came before the county, setting up the Game Management Advisory Commission I took the time to testify and say \[unclear\] and it was placed on the ballot and I think a large overwhelming number of people passed it and my understanding of what the Game Management Commission was supposed to do is to do a game management plan for this island and I don’t see this plan coming over and I think that’s the crisis of what’s they think with all of these problems – if we have a game management plan for this island than we wouldn’t have all of the wild pigs coming in to residential areas looking for food because you’ll get rid of the fencing but do it in a way dealing with the hunters, the practitioners, the gatherers, and so everybody gets a win-win situation if that plan gets done, so we should not be waiting for game management plan from the state, but your job as a people on this island was to do, to serve the public, and do a game 16 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 management plan for this island and I think that should be your number one priority and you shouldn’t be doing any \[unclear\] with the state or bringing state officials here to negotiate without your game management plan first. If you have the plan done then you got to tell the state what they’re position should be on it according to your principals and I think that’s your priority and I say to the public who passed the resolution and voted the resoulti9ipn in that that’s what we expect you to do and we encourage you and give you support to do that, you know, anybody can go down to one computer and download a game management plan from any of the 49 other states and work on one draft for this Big Island and bring it to the next meeting and call up the Hawaiians and practitioners and others to testify to that draft so you can improve it for the next meeting. And I don’t know why that’s not being done, you know, we trust you guys, you know, we trust you guys representing \[unclear\] districts to serve us and do their jobs and if you do that I think we’ll \[unclear\] this hakaka between ranchers and hunters and others and then using words like poachers and others that make all the hunters look bad, yeah, I think we need to work on this plan together and if we do that I think you’ll do a great service to all of us and we will back you up 100% and thank you for getting the work done. Man: I have some testimony. C. Masuda: The next person testifying is \[sounds like Mel Griffiths\] Chair Lodge: I need to comment to that last gentleman. Man: Is that Tom Lodge? Chair Lodge: Yes, sir. Tom Lodge. To answer your question specifically, a game management plan has been addressed not only last year, it’s currently being addressed again this year with the legislature. Man: Can you make it public for us to see? So we can put feedback into it? Chair Lodge: We have a game management plan that we’re asking the legislature… Man: Can you make it public for us so we on this island can look at it and give feedback? Chair Lodge: There is a game management plan already in existence that has not been released by DLNR. We’re trying to get that document released and we’re told that… Man: \[Unclear\] not DLNR… 17 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 Chair Lodge: OK. The hunting lands – and this is not the time to get into a debate into this – why don’t you call me tomorrow and I’ll be happy to discuss this with you. Man: This is not a personal thing… Chair Lodge: No, I understand that. Man: It’s \[unclear\] that everybody on this island \[unclear\] consider kuleana and we voted you in and passed that resolution for you to do that job and it’s \[unclear\] and for the people who live here, not for DLNR. Chair Lodge: I appreciate that. Thank you. C. Masuda: Testifiers. Connie. I’m sorry I can read the last name. No? \[Unclear\] Woman: Hi, neighbors and we’re macadamia nut farmers…And as macadamia nut farmers we expect the pigs to come in a few months a year and eat some of the nuts, but beginning last year they’ve been coming in every night and they not only do damage to the farm, they come into our back yards, our gardens, out anthurium gardens, everything and we get dig it up and it hasn’t stopped. This \[unclear\] before and I have a feeling it has something to do with the fencing, which \[unclear\] from them and so they’re coming down into the residences. And \[unclear\] going on and I think as long as you keep fencing and have these fences up it’s gonna continue and \[unclear\] all the residences are gonna \[unclear\]. Chair Lodge: Thank you. CM: Next testifying is Kaniu Scottsdale. K. Scottsdale: Aloha. Thank you. My name is Kaniu \[unclear\] and at this time I’d like to relinquish my time to Mr. Dedman on some unfinished business. Mr. Dedman, quick. Is that OK, Mr. Chairman? Chair Lodge: Ah, yes, fine, three minutes please. P. Dedman: Yeah, as an Hawaiian, in a court room I seen a lot of Hawaiians in the courts going through gathering issues, gathering opae in conservation areas so I’m wondering about where is the line drawn on the Hawaiian when his gathering becomes a crime. You have the natural birthright to go into and gather stuff, but when does it become a criminal when it’s a natural birthright and it’s a state statute about protecting traditional rights. How much did you understand as a DOCARE \[unclear\] what traditional practice is and when it becomes a criminal for just be one Hawaiian gathering. So \[unclear\] a young son have a criminal record just for gathering and you folks 18 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 come up with the rules and do you turn this citations over to the police department or does the police department and who follows through with the prosecution that is all coming from a DOCARE officer who is – no one lets nature with the hunter or the gatherer that’s got the citation – \[unclear\] leave and grow into another department where they’re not sensitive and no understanding of gathering and assessing \[unclear\] criminals. Then further away from the permits and now we our judged where there’s no understanding about gathering rights or subsistence. Chair Lodge: All right, Pali Kapu, you’re getting away from our agenda. P. Dedman: No, I’m done. Chair Lodge: OK. Thank you. P. Dedman: \[Unclear\] than the DOCARE officers… Man: I can’t answer that \[unclear\]. Thank you. C. M: Next testifier is Jason Sanborn. J. Sanborn: I’m Jason Sanborn. This is a question for Lisa Hadway. There is \[unclear\] they did a census few months ago I understand the \[unclear\] fenced enclosed areas there’s approximately about 1500 animals left in the fence enclosures in PTA. There was a promise, I don’t know if it was on paper but it was promised to the hunters that the hunters could go in and try to take care of the these areas It is my understand \[unclear\]. \[Unclear\] and I want to \[unclear\] that \[unclear\] has been awarded to a mainland outfit and will be starting next month to eradicate these remaining and the last 1500 animals in PTA. C. Masuda: Mr. Chairman, are you gonna forward that question to Lisa. Chair Lodge: ….that’s a PTA question and this is something we want to address with Lisa, as well, and I’ve asked her about it and she’s agreed to talk to us about it, so I’d like to let these gentlemen know that we are aware of that and we are trying to do something about it. C. Masuda: Mr. Chairman, are you going to have Lisa answer. I’m sorry for using your first name, by the way, Lisa. Chair Lodge: This is a question for PTA. C. Masuda: Okay C. Masuda: Mr. Chairman the last testifier is Patrick Pacheco 19 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 P Pacheco: Mr. Chairman and all of the members of this Game Management Committee. Every time I come to a meeting, it’s the same old thing. You hear what they want to tell you, but they don’t listen to you what you want to tell them. These problems is not started now, it started back in the 60s. And it still remains. Land taken away, now eradication. Mr. Chairman, I have a question \[unclear\] in my opinion \[unclear\] me \[unclear\] the place here is not filled \[unclear\] I respect all testimony that was given, granted, very good. I request also that minutes – I’d like the minutes of what said by everybody here cause apparently, the minutes don’t get back to the people. 2) Mr. Botelho, very good question he had about fines. I brought this up 2 years ago to the County Council, the County Council answer was they had to pass a bill, send it to the legislature, the senate, to make it law for the fiduciary to push this. Talk to your councilmen and tell them get on the phone and get off their butt because this continuous to \[unclear\] and I agree with you Mr. Botelho. Fines have to be put where people gonna look at it and say no longer I’m going to do this because I don’t have the money. So without the fines they donna continue, continue and as we through \[unclear\] as it is right now, the hunters, unfortunately because of eradication the state has been doing and taking away all our game, they’re gonna go to private sector, they gonna start stealing and let it be known, or hear as I say, let it be known that the state DLNR is totally responsible for all \[unclear\] ranchers \[unclear\]. Because if they had a game management plan from way back which was implemented in 1960 and thrown under the table, this would never happen. And like I say, they come to the meeting, they tell you what they want you to hear, but they’re not gonna listen to you. These have been going on and on and on. I went to Honolulu to testify. DOCARE, they need more men. Mr. Aila was sitting there. He supported a bill to \[unclear\] to designate more money. What did Mr. Aila do? You guys see your money? Of course not. It doesn’t go to DOCARE. Whoa! They got new truck, new computers, \[unclear\] office where they need the man power. Chair Lodge: \[Unclear\] P. Pacheco: ….down here. It doesn’t go. So where it starts from the top and the top is the ones that are doing this. We have representative right here, Mr. Ishii. We have people in the state – go to them – I paid my own way to go down there to testify. To testify to let them know that we the people of these islands \[unclear\] we support fishing and hunting is our lifestyle. So \[unclear\]. You keep taking away, taking away \[unclear\]. \[Unclear\]. \[Unclear\] the sanctuary \[unclear\] they spend millions of dollars \[unclear\] now. The grass is all over the place. That’s where the money goes, people. Now they don’t work with us they want to do what they want to do. Chair Lodge: Patrick, we have other people that want to testify. P. Pacheco: I’ll be done in a minute. You know, apparently, I have this to say and I’m sorry Mr. Lodge but now \[unclear\]. When you guys gonna call on me \[unclear\] agenda \[unclear\] let everybody know what is \[unclear\] and how many 20 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 minutes you guys get to talk too, because apparently the time has gone now, because every time \[unclear\] on time. So we have limited time, that’s not fair. Bring it up at a meeting, discuss it, and bring it up to the people out here. We listened out here to what you’re gonna say when it could be on a board meeting. Don’t get me wrong, nothing personal, I think you guys are doing a great job and a hell of a job, but try find a way so we the people can say, there are a lot of people out here, they got frustrated because all the questions was asked. Let’s try to find a better way, professional way to get people here so they can listen and they can voice their opinions. Thank you, Mr. Lodge, and thank you commission. Chair Lodge: \[Unclear\]. C. Masuda: That’s testimony from the public for Hilo, you have testimony, Kona? Chair Lodge: We do… T. Nakama: Teresa Nakama. I have more of a question for both David and Lisa and for GMAC. Have you folks considered having on your panel or in your organization or department someone that is knowledgeable of the native Hawaiians, their lifestyle and I’m not going to call them an expert, I’m more so a kupuna that understands the ancient knowledge that brings forth the present knowledge that can be incorporated in today’s management. I’m not asking for an expert because then he’ll – get into feel the specific and it gets to be public opinion. But I’m saying go to – a go to person that can be an advisory to GMAC to DOFAR to DLNR. You do not have the component of understanding when it comes to native Hawaiian rights. It’s missing, it’s a missing element here and I’m pretty sure everyone would support that because my knowledge come from generational knowledge. And everything encompasses from mountain to ocean, it’s not a specific area in – I would have to agree that the areas that have been fenced off – poho – because now the wild invasive species have taken over, but that’s another subject. But please consider an advisory person of some position. I can give you some advice, some knowledge whether if comes from Hawaiian Kingdom law down to HRS laws, because even if we have Corporation Counsel, even if we have the AG’s office, what you’re – the missing component is generational knowledge and would you please consider that. Chair Lodge: Absolutely. All right, thank you, we’re done with our testimony here (Kona). L. Hadway: I just – it’s Lisa – it’s just an FYI – the legislature this past session passed that the Endangered Species Recovery Act – the Natural Area Reserves Commission – the Board of Land and Natural Resources should have someone knowledgeable with traditional customary practice in Hawaiian \[unclear\]. I’m just telling you what the legislature… 21 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 T. Nakama: You have not followed that and yet don’t have that into the departments or organizations or council or commissions,. Chair Lodge: OK. All right, Lisa, thank you. Future meeting date is going to be September 15. Anyone here want to move for adjournment? Action: W. Camara moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by M. Bartell and carried unanimously by voice vote. Note that a lot of talking was going on while the motion was made. Chair Lodge adjourned the meeting at 9:21p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Barbara Kossow Secretary ATTEST Tom Lodge 22 Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2014 23