HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-29 Letter to Chris Lee re HB 2046 Relating to Little Fire AntsHarry Kim
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Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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January 29, 2018
Representative Chris Lee
Chair, House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection
Hawaii State Capitol
Dear Chair Lee and Committee Members:
Re: Hz 2046 elating to Little Fire Ants
Hearing Date: January 30, 2018
This testimony is in support of 2046, but first I want to thank you for the time
and energy that you and your colleagues have devoted to invasive species in general,
and to little fire ants in particular. A year ago, the Council of Mayors identified invasive
species as a top priority that deserved everyone's attention. Our best efforts at t e
county level are often inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and limite
resources make it imperative that the State, counties, Feds, and private sector work
together in pursuing solutions to what often seem intractable problems. This Legislature
really stood up last year, and hopefully will do even more this year.
With the possible exception (so far) of the parakeet problem, it seems that
Hawail 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, 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 the State as you can offer.
Particularly with respect to little fire ants, it sometimes seems that we have
thrown in the towel, This must not hap e en—it is a horrific species that causes great
pain in humans and has been reported to cause kali bliL dness in pets and horses. We have
to make the effort to fight back, and H 2046 is a foot in the door. Please provide as
much funding as you can manage, broaden the initiative if you think it appropriate, and
let's move forward.
Resp ctfully submitted,
Harry K
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County of lawli`i is an [qual Opportunity Provider and Lunployer,