HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-05 Letter to Angus L.K. McKelvey re HB 2506 Relating to Rat Lungworm DiseaseHarry Kim
Mayor
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Wil Okabe
lanaging Director
Barbara J. Kossow
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25 Aupuni Street., Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'I 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
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February 5, 2018
Representative Angus L.K. McKelvey, Chair
Committee on Higher Education
Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 309
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair McKelvey and Committee Members:
Re: HB 2506 Relating to Rat Lungworm Disease
Hearing Date: 02/06/18 — 2:10 pm; Conference Room 309
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of funding for activities aimed
at the prevention and eradication of rat Iungworm 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 Iungworm 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 2506.
Respectfully submitted,
Mayor, County of Hawai'i
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer..