2019-02-08 Letter to Kaialii Kahele and Mike Gabbard SB 650 Relating to Rapid Ohia Death

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Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawai i Office of the Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 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 8, 2019 Senator Kaiali'i Kahele, Chair Committee on Water and Land Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair Committee on Agriculture and Environment Dear Chair Kahele, Chair Gabbard, and Committee Members: RE: SB 650 Relating to Rapid Ohia Death The initial shock of the discovery of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) has passed, and therefore the media has largely moved on. But the devastation of ROD and the loss of Ohia in Hawaii should not be ignored. Therefore, I am grateful to the authors of this bill, and to you and your Committees, for keeping this issue alive at the Legislature, and hopefully furthering the battle to defeat this terrible scourge. I will defer to the scientists as to how much funding can be productively used, and urge that, at the end of the Session, there be sufficient money allotted to find an ROD cause and cure, or at least treatment. I must also defer to the Committees' wisdom whether requiring a match for the State appropriation is necessary. Perhaps such a provision will make it more likely that SB 650 will be approved, but I would be concerned that it might scuttle the good work that you are trying to foster. With whatever amendments are appropriate, please approve funding to combat ROD. Respectfully Submitted, Harry Ki MAYOR County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.