HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	98
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

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.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Requesting state agencies to collaborate to control feral pigs.