HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-15 Letter to Mike Gabbard & Karl Rhoads re HB 904 HD 1 Rrelating to Invasive Species j'�•M
.:v�
,� ',' . `. Wi101ube
•'\ bwv , Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor Barbara J.Koslow
\4 a.
�,�';N'+►..- Deputy Managing Director
(1tuuntu of giniutti`i
(Office of the gita ar
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961.6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ace Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(B08)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
March 15, 2017
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Committee on Agriculture & Environment
Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair
Committee on Water & Land
Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chairs Gabbard, Rhoads, and Committee members:
RE: HB 904 HD 1
Relating to Invasive Species
I offer this testimony in support of HB 904, HD1, an innovative approach to
improve our response to harmful invasive species.
The Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as a top-priority that
deserves all our attention. Even our best efforts are often inadequate to protect our
islands from harmful pests, and limited resources make it imperative that we work
together in pursuing solutions to what often seem intractable problems. For that reason,
I would like to thank you for all the hard work this year's Legislature is devoting to help
mitigate these problems.
With the possible exception (so far) of parakeets, it seems that Hawaii County
has suffered a disproportionate share of the damage caused by invasive species,
including rapid ohia death, little fire ants, coqui frogs, coffee berry borer beetle, and
probably others. But all our islands, and all our constituents, are at risk. My primary
request to you would be "Please don't give up." As a county, we do not have the
resources or expertise to fight these devastating invaders on our own. We need as
much assistance from you as you can offer.
County of Hawar`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer-
Gabbard/Rhoads
March 15, 2017
Page 2
I hope you can approve HB 904 with adequate funding and an early effective
date.
Resp-ctfully submitted, (.
kfLAn't\
arry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawer'r is an Equal ppponunity Provider and Employer.