HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-29 Letter to Angus L.K. McKelvey re HB 474 Rat Lungworm DiseaseHarry Kim
A h,or
ounty of Hawai
Office of the Mayor
Wil Okabe
itlanaging Diredor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Afanaging Otreclor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 96 -6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
January 29, 2018
Representative Angus LK. McKelvey, Chair
ouse Committee on Higher Education
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 309
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair McKelvey and Cornmittee members:
RE: HB 474, Rat Lungworm Disease
Hearing: 01/30/18 2:00 pm; House Conference Room 309
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of funding for activities aimed
at the prevention and eradication of rat lungworms disease. Until those worthy goals
have been achieved, a third aim could also se 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 Hawail Island rat tungworm disease working group. It has been
conducting research and educational outreach on the disease for the past four years,
ans 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 Hawail victims. Therefore,
the funding of local research is uniquely important.
Please support HB 474.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Ki
Mayor
tiv
County of Iawai is an F:q )pportunity Provider and 1mpIoyc