HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-26 Letter to John M Mizuno re HB1762, Rat Lungworm DiseaseHarry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawai
Office of the Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
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January 26, 2018
Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair
House Committee on Health and Human Services
Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 439
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Mizuno and Committee members:
RE: HB1762, Rat Lungworm Disease — Relating to Health
Hearing: 01-30-18 — 9:30 am; House Conf. Rm. 329
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of funding for activities aimed
at the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease. Until those worthy goals
have been achieved, a third aim could also be better treatment for those who fall victim
to this illness.
The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo
established the Hawaii Island rat lungworm disease working group. It has been
conducting research and educational outreach on the disease for the past four years,
and it is my understanding that it has been doing very valuable work.
Apparently the impact of this disease has been different in Hawaii than on the
mainland, with unusually severe consequences reported for Hawaii victims. Therefore,
the funding of local research is uniquely important.
Please support HB 1762.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor
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County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.