Mosquito Control Resolution to be acted on at Board Mtg 10/20/16

WHEREAS, mosquitoes are an alien species in Hawaii having been introduced in the late 1800s; and

WHEREAS, mosquitoes are vectors of diseases that affect humans and wildlife; and

WHEREAS, it is only a matter of time till diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus become established in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, avian malaria has decimated the native bird population throughout the range of the mosquito; and

WHEREAS, as our climate warms mosquitoes are able to survive at higher altitudes; and

WHEREAS, our native birds will continue to loose survivable habitat as mosquitoes move mauka; and 

WHEREAS, eliminating the mosquito will restore the original habitat of our native birds and quite possibly save them from extinction; and

WHEREAS, it is technically possible to eliminate mosquitoes from Hawaii using genetically engineered mosquitoes now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii be asked to report to the Thirtieth Session of the Hawaii State Legislature on what techniques can be used to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes from Hawaii, the estimated cost of such a program and the expected environmental impacts of the proposed program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii, and the Chair of the Department of Health.

Background information

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-zika/479793/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/feds-approve-controversial-plan-release-mutant-mosquitoes-fight-zika/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2016/08/05/genetically-engineered-mosquitoes-get-a-green-light-to-fight-zika-in-florida/#5e7991022fde

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600689/we-have-the-technology-to-destroy-all-zika-mosquitoes/

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600793/when-extinction-is-a-humanitarian-cause/

Mosquito-Borne Viruses, Sustainability Plan On Agenda For Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Meeting

The agenda for the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board’s May 19 business meeting is now available online. 

Among the scheduled topics are:

A presentation by Dr. David Johnston of the state Department of Health about dengue fever and the Zika virus. The Department says there have been recent outbreaks of both diseases in the state, but that no locally transmitted cases are present at this time. However, the mosquitos that transmit the viruses are present here and could pick it up from infected travelers. The Department’s Fight the bite program urges residents to protect themselves against mosquitos and eliminate areas where mosquitos can breed.

A presentation by Raymond Young of the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting about the Koolaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan. A proposed change to the plan would allow expansion of the cemetery at Hawaiian Memorial Park. The Department of Planning and Permitting supports the change. The group SaveKaneohe.Org has asked the Board to oppose the expansion.

An opportunity to fill the three vacant seats on the Board. The seats represent Sub-District 8, Kapunahala; Sub-District 9, Keapuka; and Sub-District 12, Pikoiloa. The Board is authorized to fill vacancies by appointment. Community members may indicate their interest by contacting Board Chairman Mo Radke or by attending a Board meeting. A map of the district is available online, as is a street index that is organized by sub-district (search for District 30 in the index, then find the sub-district).

The Board also will discuss establishing a Public Interaction Group, filling the Board Treasurer’s position, filling committee vacancies, tables for the Windward Hoolaulea, and a banner to promote Board meetings.

Click on the highlighted text above to read the full agenda and find more information about agenda topics. The minutes of the Board’s April meeting also are now available. Click on the highlighted link to read them.

We welcome your comments, in person and online

The Board meeting will take place in the cafeteria of Benjamin Parker Elementary School, 45-259 Waikalua Road, starting at 7 p.m. 

Please join us for all of our meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may provide testimony online and contact Neighborhood Board members directly.

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