Not the
animals’ fault
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has confirmed that sheep, goats, pigs and other game animals are deliberately being denied water by the DLNR, even in drought-stricken Game Management Areas.
Watering units once used to support our game animals and other wildlife are now left empty, since game animals are now considered “invasive,” according to the DLNR, which is ignoring its mandate to protect these animals.
In some cases, there are watering units for game birds, but these are fenced to keep out sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and other nonavian wildlife. Many times, these fences cut across migratory pathways, preventing animals from reaching water that is on the other side of the fence, leaving some to die. Other animals seek water in tree bark, or look for water along roadways. This causes environmental damage and road hazards.
The DLNR is causing these problems, not the animals. Providing water to these animals would keep them in managed areas where they belong. It would also be the humane thing to do.
Game Management Areas need to be what their name states: areas managed to support these animals. That includes making sure the animals have needed food and water. That’s what the DLNR used to do, providing game animal watering units that are now left empty.
Since low-income people are more reliant on hunting than more affluent people, this also becomes a matter of social equity.
The state Legislature’s Ways and Means committee is hearing HB1872 on Tuesday, April 5. This bill reminds the DLNR of the importance of game animals and their protection. You can comment by going to https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/home.aspx and typing in HB1872.
Sydney Ross Singer
Pahoa
Roth’s terrible
decision
Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth is, in a word, stupid. So it’s OK for local residents to die on Waipio Valley Road, but it’s not OK for tourists to die on that road? Disgusting!
As a local resident, I bought a Toyota Tacoma four-wheel-drive truck years ago specifically to visit my favorite spot on planet Earth: Waipio Valley.
I’ve been up and down that road 100 times over the past 37 years, with zero problems. So, because of one wreck last year, everything must change?
Hawaii County’s track record on road repairs is “out of Africa.” It takes Hawaii County 10 years to do road repairs that would take one year anywhere else. Maybe outsource county road repairs to mainland China, and get them done within a lifetime.
I hope that someone starts a recall petition to get Roth out of office, and that someone runs against him in the next election!
John Paul Wright
Volcano
