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| The first axis deer was killed this week during the eradication program to prevent herds from spreading. Photo from BIISC |
THE FIRST AXIS DEER was shot and killed on the Big Island this week during eradication efforts led by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee and state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Invasive Species Committee manager Jan Schipper said, “We are not able to disclose the exact locations of deer we have sighted, or the animal that was shot, out of respect for cooperating landowners’ privacy. We are mindful that trespassing and poaching are a major concern for some landowners.” Schipper noted “a very strict protocol in place to ensure that we not only remove the problem deer with the landowner’s blessing, but also verify that the deer do not have any diseases.” Since it is unknown who originally brought axis deer to the island, “where they came from or how they got here – we cannot be sure of the risks these animals present, so we are taking every precaution,” said Schipper.
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| Axis deer on Maui have grown into herds that destroy farms. Photo from The Nature Conservancy |
Two highly skilled marksmen working for the Invasive Species Committee are assigned to take down the axis deer after training sessions with hunters on Moloka`i. The hunters are promising to ensure that the deer being removed are treated as humanely as possible.
Reports of sightings across the Big Island have been increasing since an Invasive Species Committee representative used a game camera to photograph an axis deer in Ka`u on April 29 last year. The game camera was set up in response to a deer sighting by local ranchers.
The project also maps the probable distribution of axis deer after numerous reports, with photographs the only solid evidence of their existence on the Big Island.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the DLNR, the first attempt to bring axis deer to the Big Island for game hunting began in the 1950s and 1960s – a process that was halted by protests from the farming and ranching community who were already aware of the risks of this animal. “Now, more than 50 years later, ranchers and farmers are again raising their concerns over the threat these deer pose – especially in light of recent flurry of reports of deer in areas dominated by local agriculture.”
The DLNR notes that illegally introduced deer also threaten preservation of culturally significant and native species.
The first axis deer was taken last Wednesday, April 11, after nearly a year of extensive field surveys, training and coordination with landowners and managers.
Reports of sightings across the Big Island have been increasing since an Invasive Species Committee representative used a game camera to photograph an axis deer in Ka`u on April 29 last year. The game camera was set up in response to a deer sighting by local ranchers.
The project also maps the probable distribution of axis deer after numerous reports, with photographs the only solid evidence of their existence on the Big Island.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the DLNR, the first attempt to bring axis deer to the Big Island for game hunting began in the 1950s and 1960s – a process that was halted by protests from the farming and ranching community who were already aware of the risks of this animal. “Now, more than 50 years later, ranchers and farmers are again raising their concerns over the threat these deer pose – especially in light of recent flurry of reports of deer in areas dominated by local agriculture.”
The DLNR notes that illegally introduced deer also threaten preservation of culturally significant and native species.
The first axis deer was taken last Wednesday, April 11, after nearly a year of extensive field surveys, training and coordination with landowners and managers.
DLNR chair William Aila said, “We only need to look at Maui to see the devastating impacts axis deer can have on local people, especially ranchers and farmers. For the past year we have been chasing reports and leads about several deer populations on the Big Island, and we are very pleased to see the progress being made by the team. We are hopeful, with the community’s cooperation, that we can get all the deer off the Big Island before it’s too late.”
Sen. Gil Kahele said: “I want to commend the DLNR, Hawai`i Invasive Species Committee and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee for their efforts to control, and for working closely with the local ranchers and other land owners – which has led us to this success.”
Sen. Gil Kahele said: “I want to commend the DLNR, Hawai`i Invasive Species Committee and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee for their efforts to control, and for working closely with the local ranchers and other land owners – which has led us to this success.”
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| Axis deer were brought to the Islands for hunting. Photo from mauideerhunting.com |
Rumors ran that axis deer may have been introduced to the Big Island by helicopter. Whether by boat, plane or helicopter, Kahele said, “This is an issue that needs immediate resolution by getting rid of the deer before they become a problem. I think this issue really emphasized the need to focus more attention on interisland transportation issues to prevent this from happening again.”
State Department of Agriculture chair Russell Kokubun said “the deer are considered injurious to wildlife and pose a serious threat to the environment and agriculture.”
Tim Richards, president of the Cattlemen’s Association and owner of Kahua Ranch, said, “If we want to promote local food production and sustainable ranching, then we need to get rid of the deer before they become established.”
According to the DLNR, as Hawai`i is working toward greater food sustainability, protecting local, diversified agriculture from the devastating impacts of axis deer will be critical.” To report a suspected sighting of axis deer on the Big Island, call 808-936-2409.
State Department of Agriculture chair Russell Kokubun said “the deer are considered injurious to wildlife and pose a serious threat to the environment and agriculture.”
Tim Richards, president of the Cattlemen’s Association and owner of Kahua Ranch, said, “If we want to promote local food production and sustainable ranching, then we need to get rid of the deer before they become established.”
According to the DLNR, as Hawai`i is working toward greater food sustainability, protecting local, diversified agriculture from the devastating impacts of axis deer will be critical.” To report a suspected sighting of axis deer on the Big Island, call 808-936-2409.
GAPS IN POLICE RADIO IN KA`U would be solved by a new system, with funding to be proposed by County Council member Brittany Smart on Tuesday. Mayor Billy Kenoi discussed it during his recent talk story session in Na`alehu, and Smart has authored the bill for a $31 million bond float to pay for the new narrow band communications system around the island for police and emergency communications. According to Smart, who met with the staff of Sen. Daniel Inouye in Washington, D.C. recently, the improvements in communication are federally mandated, and the fed is likely to help pay for it, once the project is underway. The $30 million price tag is about $60 million less than a proposal for the county in 2006. Technological advancements and proposing a simpler system have brought the price tag down, said Smart. The Federal Communications Commission asked the county to complete the work by Dec. 31 so it can free up broadband for other uses. The county has asked for an extension but wants to get going on the project to show some progress.
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| Police cars would carry equipment to allow better communication with Hawai`i Police Department. Photo by Julia Neal |
Kenoi said that the new system, which would require new communications towers, will cut out the dead spots in Ka`u that prevent police officers from communicating with police station and from writing reports, filing them and receiving information back in the field. Officers have to drive long distances to a police station for paperwork before going back on their beat, making the Ka`u District, the largest area to patrol in the state, even more difficult to manage for the Hawai`i Police Department.
County Council chair Dominic Yagong is not so sure the bond should be issued, according to a report in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald. The story by Nancy Cook Lauer reports that Yagong opposed the county taking on $58 million in bond debt in 2010 and suggested yesterday that the county consider using money already borrowed rather than tacking on more obligations to the bond debt, which already totals $305.6 million.
THE REAPPORTIONMENT SUIT that seeks to take back the new state Senate seat sought by Rep. Bob Herkes has been tentatively scheduled for the week of May 10 before a a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, of Honolulu, will hear the case along with two additional judges yet to be appointed. Plaintiffs want the court to include the military and other nonpermanent residents in the population count used to create the new political districts in the Islands. Courts earlier required their exclusion after Big Island plaintiffs argued that this county and its fast population growth needed one man, one vote fair representation, which included the establishment of a fourth state Senate seat.
County Council chair Dominic Yagong is not so sure the bond should be issued, according to a report in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald. The story by Nancy Cook Lauer reports that Yagong opposed the county taking on $58 million in bond debt in 2010 and suggested yesterday that the county consider using money already borrowed rather than tacking on more obligations to the bond debt, which already totals $305.6 million.
THE REAPPORTIONMENT SUIT that seeks to take back the new state Senate seat sought by Rep. Bob Herkes has been tentatively scheduled for the week of May 10 before a a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, of Honolulu, will hear the case along with two additional judges yet to be appointed. Plaintiffs want the court to include the military and other nonpermanent residents in the population count used to create the new political districts in the Islands. Courts earlier required their exclusion after Big Island plaintiffs argued that this county and its fast population growth needed one man, one vote fair representation, which included the establishment of a fourth state Senate seat.
PILLARS OF PEACE is the name of the program sponsoring the Dalai Lama in Hawai`i this weekend. Representatives of Wood Valley Temple & Retreat Center are joining in the meetings with native Hawaiian students and the public on O`ahu. The visit is sponsored by the Hawai`i Community Foundation through a lead grant from the Omidyar `Ohana Fund and other funders. The Dalai Lama’s visit is hosted by Pierre and Pam Omidyar.
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| Dietrich Varez' Pele & Hi`iaka |
DIETRICH VAREZ SIGNS HIS prints and books tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Works include his collection of over 250 Hawaiiana prints and books he has written and/or illustrated, including the new release of Pele and Hi`iaka. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply. Call 967-7565 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
NA`ALEHU MAIN STREET sponsors its monthly Plant and Seed Exchange tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. at Na`ohulelua Historical Church on Kama`oa Road. Parking is available along the road. Call 929-7236 for more information.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
NA`ALEHU MAIN STREET sponsors its monthly Plant and Seed Exchange tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. at Na`ohulelua Historical Church on Kama`oa Road. Parking is available along the road. Call 929-7236 for more information.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.