HCR 98 To be heard on Thursday 3-20-14 at 9:35AM

Hawaii Concurrent Resolution


3/17/2014 H Resolution scheduled to be heard by AGR on Thursday, 03-20-14 9:35AM in conference room Auditorium.


REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COLLABORATE TO CONTROL THE STATEWIDE PROLIFERATION OF FERAL PIGS.




    WHEREAS, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) were first brought to Hawaii by the early Polynesian voyagers; and

    WHEREAS, numerous descendants of those pigs are currently roaming the islands; and

    WHEREAS, small black pigs that weigh up to one hundred twenty-five pounds are believed to be of the same breed introduced by the early Polynesians and can be found on the island of Kauai; and

    WHEREAS, the later introduction of domestic pig breeds from throughout the world has produced mixed breeds of feral pigs that range in color from black through red and white and that weigh from two hundred to four hundred pounds; and

    WHEREAS, these mixed breeds have prospered on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu; and

    WHEREAS, in the past, the sugar and pineapple plantations would control the population of feral pigs to prevent crop damage; and

    WHEREAS, with the closing of most plantations, land was left fallow and the population of feral pigs grew, as sows have gestation periods of approximately one hundred fifteen days and commonly bear litters of two to eight piglets; and

    WHEREAS, Hawaii is now faced with a growing feral pig population that destroys crops and livestock and damages parks and forest land throughout the State; and

    WHEREAS, private land owners can control pig populations by conducting hunts and eradication operations on their properties; and

    WHEREAS, hunts and eradication operations often divert feral pigs onto state lands, which now hold the largest pig populations; and

    WHEREAS, feral pigs also invade residential areas where they damage trees, gardens, and other property and threaten the health and safety of children and household pets; now, therefore,

    BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Forestry and Wildlife and State Parks Divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation are requested to collaborate to control the growing statewide population of feral pigs; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015, the respective agencies submit a combined report to the Legislature of each agency's respective actions in response to this measure; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the Chairperson of the Agribusiness Development Corporation Board of Directors, and the Governor.

Howzit braddah Muns.

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Forestry and Wildlife and State Parks Divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation are requested to collaborate to control the growing statewide population of feral pigs; .............

Mahalo for the heads up on this. I was just wondering how do we as hunters fit in on this as no indication is shown that "we/hunters" are requested to collaborate to control statewide population of feral pigs.

I guess we should see if there might be funds set aside to see all of this through and maybe we can get in and offer our services for a fee, like how they paid hunters from New Zealand (Aotearoa) in the past to murder our pigs.

Am half way kidding and half way serious about it.

Hey, good seeing you yesterday (Monday) at the HB 1902 hearing.

Here on Maui, one of the most heavily used public hunting areas is Polipoli/Kula Forest Reserve Unit C. Pig hunting is only allowed from Feb to June, weekends and Holidays only. On Monday, they closed the Forest until June 1 for road work. AGAIN! The Forest Reserve has been closed for all or most of 3 out of the last 5 pig seasons there, due to fires and storms. No wonder the population is growing. And I bet they will claim the hunters are ineffective at controling the pig population, and will want to eradicate. I asked the Maui DOFAW managers if they would expand or modify the season to give us more opportunities to hunt the pigs....All I got was a shoulder srug for a reply. Auwe!