Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 25 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify alternatives, including hunting, to the use of snares, poisons, and unattended traps for the control of game animal populations, and to convene a working group to assist in identifying alternatives.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from Hawaiian Humane Society, Animal Rights Hawaii, Abandoned and Feral Cat Friends, Animal Care Foundation, and four individuals. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and one individual submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee finds that feral animals are a major cause of forest destruction, and are now one of the greatest threats to the few remaining strongholds of pristine forests and the habitat of native plant and animal species. Your Committee understands the dilemma that DLNR faces, but believes there must be a balance between the control of unwanted animal populations in order to protect Hawaii's natural resources – both native plant and animal – and the means of achieving this control.

Your Committee has amended this measure to:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 25, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 25, S.D. 1.