HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-14 Letter to Sylvia Luke re HB 2046, HD 1 Relating to Little Fire AntsHarry Kim
Ilayor
&Until
Office
Wil Okabe
Afanaging Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy itlanaging Director
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 0 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
February 14, 2018
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Committee on Finance
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Luke and Committee Members:
Re: H 20 6, HD 1 Relating to Little Fire Ants
Hearing Date: 02/16/18 — 2:00 pm; House Conference Room 308
This testimony is in sup art of H 2046, HD1, but first I want to thank you for the time and energy
that you and your colleagues nave iiievoted 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 the county level are often inadequate to protect our islands from
harmful pests, and limited resources make it perative 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 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, and probably others. However, 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 ca offer.
Particularly with respect to little fire ants, it sometimes seems that we have thrown in the towel.
This must not happen—it is a horrific species that causes great pain in humans and has been reported to
cause blindness in dogs, cats, pigs, and horses. We have to make the effort to fight back, and HB 2046,
HD1 is a foot in the docr, in a geographic area that may still be salvageable. Please provide as much
funding as you can manage, broaden the initiative if you think it appropriate, and let's ove fon/yard.
While I would defer to others as to how precious dollars should be allocated, 1 strongly endorse
the investment of funds in combatting little fire ants, and therefore urge passage of HB 2046, HD 1.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaii
( inty of HaNvai`i is an Equal pportunity Provider and Employer.