2018-03-06 Letter to Mike Gabbard re HB 2046, HD 1 Relating to Little Fire Ants

Home

Harry Kim Mayor &mufti of Ylitfurtill Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Nianaging Direc tor Offirr of thealIar 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 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 March 7, 2018 Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair Committee on Agriculture and Environment Hawaii State Capitol, Room 224 Honolulu, H 96813 Dear Chair Gabbard and Committee Members: Re: HB 2046, HD 1 Relating to Little Fire Ants Hearing Date: 03-09-18 – 1:30 pm; Conference Room 224 This testimony is in support of HB 2046, HD 1, but first !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 the county level are often, inadequate to protect our islands from harmful pests, and limited 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 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 can 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, HD 1 is a foot in the door, 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 move forward. White 1 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. Res ectfully sub ited„ Harry Kim (- Mayor County of Ha ail County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.