VOTING MEMBERSDAVID IGE

SUZANNE CASE
DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURALRESOURCES

GOVERNOR OF HAWAIIJOSH GREEN

DENISE ALBANO
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORKEITH KAWAOKA D.Env
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHNICHOLAS COMERFORD, Ph.D.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIIHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
1151 PUNCHBOWL ST, #325
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813

LEO ASUNCION
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT & TOURISMDAVID RODRIGUEZ
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONPUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Hawaii Invasive Species Council

January 29, 2019, 10:00 a.m
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board Room (Rm 132)
1151 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI, 96813
AGENDA
Call to order
Introductions
Approval of minutes from August 14, 2018 meeting
Presentation: Summary of the January 2019 Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan
Progress Report
5. Discussion of legislative goals related to biosecurity in the 2019 legislative session
6. Presentation: Update on the federal Vessel Incidental Discharge Act and impacts to
Hawaii’s regulation of ballast water and biofouling
7. Presentation: Research and Technology Working Group position paper: “Understanding
the Value of Glyphosate in Protecting Hawaii”
8. Submittal: Requesting a resolution supporting the use of best available science inregulation of herbicides and recognizing the utility of glyphosate as a tool for invasive
species control
9. Submittal: Requesting a resolution supporting the keeping of pet cats indoors and the useof peer-reviewed science in pursuing humane mitigation of the impacts of feral cats on
wildlife and people
10. Public Comments
11. Adjournment
1.
2.
3.
4.

The Council may go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 92-5(a) (4), Hawaii Revised Statutes, inorder to consult with its attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Council’s powers, duties,
privileges, immunities and liabilities.
Testimony may be provided in person or in writing, submitted electronically to
Randal.T.Bartlett@hawaii.gov. To give Board members sufficient time to consider written testimony,please submit the testimony no later than 24 hours prior to the Board Meeting. Any late written testimony
will be retained as a part of the record, but we cannot assure that Board members will receive it with
sufficient time for review prior to decision-making.
Individuals requesting special accommodations (e.g., large print materials, sign-language interpreters) are
asked to contact the staff below at least three days prior to the meeting.
For information, contact:
HISC Support staff: 1151 Punchbowl St, #325, Honolulu, HI 96813; Fax: 587-0160
Josh Atwood, Program Supervisor: 587-4154, Joshua.P.Atwood [at] hawaii.gov

Randy Bartlett, Interagency Coordinator: 870-6443, Randal.T.Bartlett [at] hawaii.gov
Leyla Kaufman, Mamalu Poepoe Project Coordinator: leyla [at] hawaii.edu
Elizabeth Speith, 643pest.org Report Facilitator: speith [at] hawaii.edu

Hawaii Invasive Species Council
August 14, 2018, 1:00 p.m
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board Room (Rm 132)
1151 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI, 96813
AGENDA1.

Call to order – Suzanne Case/Co-chair at 1:02p

2.
Introductions – Suzanne Case/DLNR, Scott Enright/DOA, Leo Asuncion/DBEDT, Kelvin
Sewake/UH, Grace Simmons/DOH, David Rodriguez/DOT, Josh Atwood/HISC, Randy Bartlett/HISC, Rob
Hauff/DOFAW, Randy Bartlett/HISC, Cynthia King/DOFAW, Mark Fox/TNC, Lori Buchanan/MoMISC,
Rachel Neville/OISC, Chelsea Arnott/CGAPS, Christy Martin/CGAPS, JC Watson/KMWP (1:05P),
3.
Approval of minutes from January 18, 2018 meeting – Scott Enright/Motion to Approve, Leo
Asuncion/2nd, Approved Unanimously.
4.
Submittal: Requesting approval of a recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2019 – Josh Atwood
for Justine Nihipali/Resources WG Chair. See http://hisc.hawaii.gov for final award amounts and project
abstracts.
1. Hawaii Early Detection Program, BISH
2. Ballast Water & Hull Fouling, DAR
3. Jellyfish Biosecurity, DAR
a. Scott Enright: What do you get for $1907?
b. Josh Atwood: Supplies for DNA analysis.
4. Landscape Scale Mosquito Birth Control, DOFAW
5. Coconut Rhino Beetle, UH
a. Scott Enright: This is $51,000 less than requested. Will they be coming to DOA
for the balance?
b. Josh Atwood: Yes, possibly. The amount recommended here was arrived at aftera discussion on available resources weighed against the needs of otherproposed projects.
6. New Ant Baiting Tools, UH
7. Plant Informatics, UH
8. Invasive Plant R&T Capacity, UH
9. Sponge Detection & Monitoring, UH
10. BIISC Outreach, UH
11. BIISC ROD Response, UH
12. BIISC Core Targets, UH
13. CGAPS, UH
14. Hawaii Ant Lab, UH
15. KISC Core Targets, UH
16. KISC Outreach, UH

17. KMWP Albizia Control, UH
a. Suzanne Case: Which watersheds would be worked in under this project?
b. JC Watson: Waiawa & Helemano.
18. MISC Core, UH
19. MISC Outreach, UH
20. MISC LFA Nahiku, UH
21. OISC Outreach, UH
22. OISC Plants, UH
23. OISC Pests, UH
24. Weed Risk Assessment, UH
25. Biocontrol of Himalayan Ginger, USDA
26. Biocontrol of High Priority Plants, USDA
27. Mongoose Toxicant, USDA
Not Recommended for Funding
1. MISC Coqui Community Empowerment (absorbed into overall MISC award)
2. Rat & Cat Control for Kauai Forest Birds, DOFAW
3. ROD Outreach, UH
a. Scott Enright: How is this being taken care of?
b. Rob Hauff: DOFAW will match 50% of award from UH.
4. Spittle Bug Detection & Control, UH
5. Biocontrol of Albizia, USDA
6. Africanized Honey Bee Prevention, NCSU
a. SE: What was the proposal for?
b. JA: To do genetic analysis on older samples of bee swarms.
7. Building Canine Detection Capacity, HISC
8. Lobate Lac Scale Management, UH
9. Rat Lungworm, USDA
10. Snail Surveys for RLW, BISH
11. KMWP Leptospermum polygalifolium, UH
12. UH Trial Garden, UH
13. Banana Fusarium Wilt, UH
14. Toxoplasmosis Diversity & Hosts, Auburn U
15. Kauai Parakeets, UH
16. Biochar Production, UH
a. Suzanne Case: Chair will entertain a motion to approve the FY19 budget asrecommended by the Resources WG.
b. Scott Enright: Motion to Approve.
c. Kelvin Sewake: 2nd the motion.
d. Approved Unanimously.
5.
Staff Presentation: Proposed work plan for HISC Support Staff in Fiscal Year 2019 – Josh Atwood(see presentation at http://hisc.hawaii.gov)

6.
Departmental Presentation: Update on efforts to develop landscape-scale mosquito control
technology - Cynthia King, Department of Land and Natural Resourcese. DLNR and USFWS continue to collaborate with American Bird Conservancy and otherpartners to explore the potential to develop lab-reared mosquitoes that contain a formof the naturally-occurring Wolbachia bacterium that is incompatible with wildtype
mosquitoes, making any offspring of lab and wildtype mosquitoes inviable. Researchand permitting are current foci.
i. Suzanne Case: Thanks for the presentation. Any comments or questions frommembers?
ii. Scott Enright: Let me know when you’re ready to apply for registration withHDOA and the Department will support it through the process.
iii. Kelvin Sewake: How do you insert the Wolbachia into the mosquito?
iv. Cynthia King: With a micro-pipette.
v. Grace Simmons: DOH was approached last year by OxiTech regarding support
for their GMO method of mosquito control. Cost was $5 million.
1. Cynthia King: Puerto Rico was able to get over $40m for mosquito
control from CDC.
7.

Public Comments –f.

Rachel Neville: Want to thank the HISC for support/approval of the budget and would
like to share some of OISCs successes:
i. Pampas grass efforts
ii. Miconia – only 6 mature individuals found. Removed over 1,555 immatureplantsiii. Expanded use of drones for surveys
iv. Supporting Mamalu Poepoe program at HNL.
g. Christy Martin:
i. For mosquitoes, CGAPS will conduct focus group surveys to identify public areasof support or concern.
ii. CGAPS is premiering a Rapid Ohia Death documentary.
1. Suzanne Case: Is the documentary available online yet?
2. Christy Martin: Not yet, but soon after the premieres are done showing
on the Big Island.
3. Scott Enright: Saw it on TV the other night. Congratulations on aprofessional production.
h. JC Watson:i. Albizia Plan – Mahalo for supporting, look forward to working on this issue.
i. Josh Atwood:i. Hawaii Ant Lab received the Conservation Innovation Award at the 2018 Hawaii
Conservation Conference for their work on little fire ants.
8.

Adjournment –j. Suzanne Case: Chair will entertain a motion to adjourn.
k. Scott Enright: Motion to adjourn.

l. Kelvin Sewake: 2nd the motion.
m. Meeting adjourned at 1:17p.

Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan

January 2019 Snapshot

147 actions in the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan (HIBP) provide aroadmap to a safer, more sustainable Hawaii. Implementation is underway and aheadof schedule.
25%
completed or
ongoingof HIBP50%

50%
not yetstarted20%of timeline
passedCompleted25%
in progressactions have been
initiated, are ongoing in
perpetuity, or have been
completed. This is anincrease of 4% over the
past year.

In Progress• Vector Control restored• Restricted Plant List

• 10 new extension agents• Rapid ohia death
emergency responseplans• Detector dog program
restored• Phase I of E-manifest
technology developed• 643pest.org online pest
reporting tool
• Airport biosecurity signs• Funds for biocontrol
facility planning• Vessel biofouling tools• Aquaculture risk
assessment tool
• Biocontrols for miconia,
ginger, albizia• New tools for ant &mosquito control

Needed• DOFAW biosecurity
techs for protected lands• Specialist positions forimport risk assessments• Biosecurity emergency
response fund
• Increased funds for HISC
and watershed fencing• Policy changes for ballast
water & hull fouling regs
• Coqui barrier for Maliko
Gulch, Maui

Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan

An investment in Hawaii’s Future
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity is the full set of measures taken to manage the risk from invasive species.
This includes risks to agriculture, environment, economy, and the health of Hawaii’s
people.
The Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan (HIBP)The HIBP looks for gaps in our biosecurity system, which consists of a network of Stateagencies and partners mitigating impacts of invasive species. The HIBP includes 147
actions to increase our capacity to protect Hawaii.
What Do We Save?

What Do We Spend?
$57M/yr in current biosecurity
expenditures across all agencies(0.4% of the state budget)
State Budget~ $13B/yr$37.8M/yr additional if every
action item in the HIBP were
funded (0.3% of the budget)

There are thousands of species that haveinvaded (and thousands more that could
invade) Hawaii. Here are just a few.
By funding inspectors at
HDOA, we save $2B
every year in damages
from brown treesnake
By funding the UH Invasive
Species Committees, we canreduce the $672M that welose to miconia every year
By funding the Hawaii Ant
Lab, we reduce the $174M
yearly damages from little
fire ant on Hawaii Island
alone

Biosecurity protects our economy…

…and our way of life in the islands

Ag production:$680M

Native species

Tourism revenue:$15B
Floricultureindustry: $69M

Healthy keiki

Healthywatersheds
Vibrant reefs

DAVID IGE

VOTING MEMBERSSUZANNE CASE
DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURALRESOURCESJOSH GREEN

DENISE ALBANOHAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

GOVERNOR OF HAWAII

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORKEITH KAWAOKA, D.Env
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHNICHOLAS COMERFORD, Ph.D.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘IHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
1151 PUNCHBOWL ST, #325
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813

LEO ASUNCION
OFFICE OF PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &TOURISMDAVID RODRIGUEZ
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

January 29, 2019SUBMITTALTO:

Co-chairs and Members
Hawaii Invasive Species Council
State of Hawaii

FROM:

Joshua Atwood
Program Supervisor, Hawaii Invasive Species Council

SUBJECT:

Requesting a resolution supporting the use of best available science in regulationof herbicides and recognizing the utility of glyphosate as a tool for invasive species
control

Background
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many herbicide formulations registered in the State of
Hawaii to control non-native weed species in many different types of environments. Glyphosatebased herbicides are critical tools in the management of invasive plants in multiple contexts,
including control of weeds in natural areas, to protect agricultural resources, and in the creation of
firebreaks that limit the spread of wildfires.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published an evaluation ofglyphosate categorizing this chemical as “probably carcinogenic.” The IARC uses thisclassification when a positive association has been observed between exposure to the agent andcancer but other explanations for the observations, such as chance, could not be ruled out.
In 2017, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluated the cancer risk of glyphosate
to humans in the Draft Human Health Risk Assessment in Support of Registration Review. The
EPA determined that glyphosate was “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans” and supports
continuation of current approved use patterns.
Glyphosate continues to be approved for use by the EPA and the Hawaii Department ofAgriculture.
Discussion
The apparent contradiction between the findings of the IARC report and the EPA evaluation has
caused much confusion in the discussion of glyphosate as a chemical tool. The Research andTechnology Working Group, an informal group of practitioners that voluntarily meet to discuss
invasive species research and technology issues in Hawaii, has produced a position paper that
attempts to reconcile these two positions. In particular, the paper highlights that the IARC

assessment of “hazard” is made without regard to the context in which a compound is typicallyused. The EPA assessment of “risk” is made with respect to the context of use, e.g., thelikelihood of negative impact to a user when appropriate dosage and protective equipment areused, as described on the product label.
The Research and Technology Working Group paper additionally recognizes that there havebeen previous attempts to legislative bans or restrictions on the use of glyphosate, in part relying
on the IARC assessment. The working group has adopted a position that future policy
discussions relating to glyphosate should be based on scientific evidence and include a carefulconsideration of hazard versus risk. Reliance on scientific evidence should include utilizing
appropriate expertise at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the EPA. Such discussions
may also benefit from a recognition of the value of this tool, when used appropriately, in thecontrol of invasive plants.
Legal Authority• HRS 194-2 (a): Establishes the HISC for the purpose of cabinet-level coordination andplanning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives• HRS 194-2 (a)(2): Advise, consult, and coordinate invasive species-related efforts with andbetween the departments of agriculture, land and natural resources, health, andtransportation, as well as state, federal, international, and privately organized programs andpolicies.
Recommendation:
1. That the HISC adopt a resolution, substantially similar to the attached draft resolution, inorder to:a. Recognize the utility of glyphosate, when used according to label requirements, asa tool for invasive plant control;b. Support the use of best available science, including reliance on expertise at the
Hawaii Department of Agriculture, as the basis for discussions regarding theregulation of herbicides and other chemical tools in Hawaii.
Attachments:
1. Draft HISC Resolution 19-1: Supporting the Use of Best Available Science in Regulationof Herbicides and Recognizing the Utility of Glyphosate as a Tool for Invasive Species
Control
2. Research and Technology Working Group position paper: Understanding the Value ofGlyphosate in Protecting Hawaii

VOTING MEMBERSDAVID Y. IGE

SUZANNE CASE
DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURALRESOURCES

GOVERNOR OF HAWAIIJOSH GREEN

DENISE ALBANOHAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORKEITH KAWAOKA D.Env.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHNICHOLAS COMERFORD, Ph.D.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIIHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
1151 PUNCHBOWL ST, #325
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813

LEO ASUNCION
OFFICE OF PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &TOURISMDAVID RODRIGUEZ
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONRESOLUTION 19-1
SUPPORTING THE USE OF BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE IN REGULATION OF
HERBICIDES AND RECOGNIZING THE UTILITY OF GLYPHOSATE AS A TOOL FOR
INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROLWHEREAS glyphosate is the active ingredient in herbicide formulations registered in the Stateof Hawaii; andWHEREAS glyphosate is used to control invasive plant species that threaten native plant habitat,alter ecosystem function, decrease agricultural production, and increase risk of wildfire; andWHEREAS the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World HealthOrganization in 2015 identified limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate
in humans and classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans;” andWHEREAS the US Environmental Protection Agency found in the 2017 Summary Review of
Recent Analysis of Glyphosate Use and Cancer Incidence in the Agricultural Health Study nostatistically significant relationship between exposure to glyphosate and cancer incidence inhumans; andWHEREAS the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
are responsible for regulation of pesticides that are used in Hawaii; andWHEREAS, Chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the Hawaii Invasive Species
Council to advise and coordinate invasive species-related efforts with and between state, federal,international, and private programs, and to coordinate the State’s position with regard to invasive
species; andRECOGNIZING that there has been considerable public discourse, including policy discussions,over the use of chemical control tools; andRECOGNIZING efforts to mitigate the impacts of invasive species in Hawaii are best served byhaving a broad array of pest management strategies that include appropriate mechanical,
chemical, and biological control tools; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council recognizes the utility ofglyphosate, when used according to label requirements, as a tool used to control invasive plants
in Hawaii for the protection of native ecosystems, agricultural production, and wildfire
mitigation; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supports the use of

best available science, including reliance on expertise at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture,as the basis for discussions regarding the regulation of herbicides and other chemical tools in
Hawaii; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to theGovernor of Hawaii, the President of the State Senate, the Speaker of the State House ofRepresentatives, and to the directors or chairpersons of each HISC agency.
Adopted by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council on the following date:

Suzanne D. Case, Department of Land & Natural
Resources

Denise Albano, Department of Agriculture

Keith Kawaoka, D. Env., Department of HealthDavid
Rodriguez,
Transportation

Leo Asuncion, Office of Planning, Department
of Business, Economic Development, andTourism

Nicholas Comerford, Ph.D., University of
Hawaii

DepartmentofUnderstanding the Value ofGlyphosate in Protecting Hawai‘i

could not be ruled out. A chart listing othersubstances that are probably carcinogenic to humans,such as very hot beverages and wood fires, is below.

A position presented by the Hawai‘i Invasive Species
Council (HISC) Research and Technology Working
Group

In 2017, the US Environmental Protection Agency
evaluated the cancer risk of glyphosate to humans in
the Draft Human Health Risk Assessment in Supportof Registration Review. The EPA determined thatglyphosate was “not likely to be carcinogenic tohumans” and supports continuation of current
approved use patterns. So, how could we haveapparently conflicting positions from respectedscientific agencies?

January 2019
The Position
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many herbicide
formulations registered in the State of Hawai‘i tocontrol non-native weed species in many different
types of environments. Glyphosate-based herbicides
are critical weed management tools that help
maintain profitability in local agriculture, turf andlandscape industries, prevent degradation of our
natural environments, mitigate wildfires throughcreation of firebreaks and control of fire-prone
invasive grasses, and reduce disease vector habitats.
With several decades of regulated use, this pesticide
technology has proven to be one of the most costeffective options in weed control with no historical
reports of environmental or human health impacts in
Hawai‘i. The new Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity
Plan (HIBP) provides an ambitious mission toprotect against new and existing biological threats tothe local economy, environment and health of ourisland state. Pesticides, including glyphosate, areintegral technology options for rapid, effective
interventions against these threats. We recognize
growing interest by some stakeholders to limit or insome cases ban the use of chemical control options.
Efforts to restrict or ban these tools, however, could
compromise the feasibility of participating agencies
for implementing a well-developed plan to protect
Hawai‘i. We recommend a careful consideration ofrisk and benefits in any future discussions about
policies relating to glyphosate use, and endorse theexpertise within our state and federal agencies
responsible for pesticide regulation.
The Controversy
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) published an evaluation ofglyphosate categorizing this chemical as “probably
carcinogenic.” The IARC uses this classification
when a positive association has been observed
between exposure to the agent and cancer but otherexplanations for the observations, such as chance,

IARC Evaluations of Selected Products andChemicals
Processed red meat(consumption)
Carcinogenic
Alcoholic beverages
to humans
TobaccoVery hot beverages
Probably
Red meat (consumption)
carcinogenic to
Glyphosate
humansBiomass fuel (wood fire)
Aloe vera whole leaf extract
Gingko biloba
Possibly
Goldenseal root powder
carcinogenic to
Kava extract
humansRadio frequency
Electromagnetic fields
Hazard vs. Risk
Hazard is defined as a potential source of harm or
adverse health effect on a person, while risk is thelikelihood of harm or adverse health effects due toexposure of the hazard. The IARC Monographs
Program evaluates cancer hazards distinct from
actual risk. This means that the IARC classified
glyphosate as a hazard even though it may beunlikely to cause cancer with current known uses andexposure rates. The EPA conducts risk assessment of
hazard exposures under normal or adverse use
patterns. Therefore, the IARC determination of
hazard and EPA determination of risk may not be
conflicting.
Risk Management
Risk management is the process of identification,
evaluation, and prioritization of risks, along with the
adoption of corresponding measures to minimize thepotential impact due to hazard exposure. Pesticiderisk in Hawai‘i is managed through the registration
and regulation processes administered by the US
EPA in coordination with the Pesticide Branch of the
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. Each registeredpesticide product has a set of vetted guidelines
explicitly stating how, when and where a pesticide
can be applied, as well as how much and by whom.
The product label also describes any protective
equipment or training required for the applicator.
These specified conditions are determined byestablished scientific protocols that aim to minimize
the risk factors to people and the environment. In
addition, the College of Tropical Agriculture andHuman Resources (CTAHR) offers the "Pesticide
Risk Reduction Education" short course foreducating and training professional applicators onproper pesticide stewardship. Any use of a registeredpesticide that is inconsistent with the label
instructions is illegal and punishable by law.
Alternate positions that support the prohibition ofglyphosate potentially undermine the authority andregulatory protocols established by these federal andstate agencies. A ban on glyphosate would also
remove currently irreplaceable tools for combatting
invasive species, creating extreme challenges for
local, state and federal agencies charged withprotecting the unique, fragile ecosystems of Hawai‘i.
Prohibiting effective tools could potentially result in
the irreversible debilitation of our food, water,
residential landscapes, and rare native plants andanimals, all of which are heavily impacted byinvasive species. Prohibition of this tool could also
result in increased costs for physical control ofinvasive plants in forests and urban environments.
Pesticides, including herbicides, are technologies
that have greatly benefitted from public andscientific scrutiny over the decades since theirintroduction. Today’s pesticide safety standards anduse guidelines are a direct result of this scrutiny andhelp ensure that the risks associated with exposure
are minimized. When used according to label
instructions, in concert with established integrated
pest management practices, herbicides such as
glyphosate are an invaluable tool in managing
invasive plants.

To learn about the differences between
hazards and risks of glyphosate go to:International Agency for Research on Cancer,
2017. Some organophosphate insecticides andherbicides: tetrachlorvinphos, parathion,
malathion, diazinon and glyphosate. IARC
Working Group. Lyon: IARC Monogr Eval
Carcinog Risk Chem Hum, 112, pp.9-31.
https://monographs.iarc.fr/wpcontent/uploads/2018/07/mono112.pdf
US Environmental Protection Agency. 2017.
Draft Human Health and Ecological Risk
Assessments for Glyphosate.
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-usedpesticide-products/draft-human-health-andecological-risk-assessments-glyphosate
To learn about the Hawai‘i Interagency
Biosecurity Plan 2017-2027 go to:
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture:
http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr1702biosecurityplan/
Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council:
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/plans/hibp/
This position paper was prepared by the staff andstakeholders participating in the HISC Research
and Technology Working Group and does not inand of itself reflect a position of the Council.

DAVID IGE

VOTING MEMBERSSUZANNE CASE
DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURALRESOURCESJOSH GREEN

DENISE ALBANOHAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

GOVERNOR OF HAWAII

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORKEITH KAWAOKA, D.Env
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHNICHOLAS COMERFORD, Ph.D.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘IHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
1151 PUNCHBOWL ST, #325
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813

LEO ASUNCION
OFFICE OF PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &TOURISMDAVID RODRIGUEZ
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

January 29, 2019SUBMITTALTO:

Co-chairs and Members
Hawaii Invasive Species Council
State of Hawaii

FROM:

Joshua Atwood
Program Supervisor, Hawaii Invasive Species Council

SUBJECT:

Requesting a resolution supporting the keeping of pet cats indoors and the use ofpeer-reviewed science in pursuing humane mitigation of the impacts of feral catson wildlife and people

Background
Feral and free roaming cats are documented predators of wildlife. This predation is a particularly
problematic issue in Hawaii, where a large proportion of native bird species are federally listed as
threatened and endangered. Because Hawaii’s native birds evolved in a habitat free frommammalian predators, some have evolved to be ground-nesting birds. This behavior makes themespecially susceptible to mammalian predation.
Cats are the sole reproductive host of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, commonly referred to as
toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis has been documented as the cause of death in both terrestrial andaquatic wildlife in Hawaii, including but not limited to the spinner dolphin, the endangered
Hawaiian monk seal, the endangered alala, the endangered nene, and the red-footed booby.
Toxoplasmosis also presents a health risk to humans, particularly immunocompromised
individuals and pregnant women. Toxoplasmosis is associated with birth defects and miscarriage.
Discussion
Pet cats live longer, healthier lives when kept indoors or contained within a given area. By
keeping cats indoors or using outdoor mitigation strategies like fencing, leashes, or cat patios,
negative interactions between pet cats and native wildlife in Hawaii can be minimized.
Policy discussions regarding feral cats in Hawaii often revolve around a system referred to as“Trap-Neuter-Return,” or TNR. A variant of this system is “Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage,” orTNRM. In either case, feral cats are trapped by interested individuals, neutered, and then rereleased onto the landscape, often on public property or on property not owned by the individual
providing care for the released cats. The system further encourages the maintenance of “catcolonies” in the wild by a caregiver often providing food for cats. In theory, TNR is a tool forreduction in the number of feral cats on the landscape, since the cats are neutered and eventually
die in the wild of disease, injury, or other causes.
TNR as a system has been researched in a number of scientific, peer-reviewed studies,summarized in a meta-analysis titled “Critical Assessment of Claims Regarding Management ofFeral Cats by Trap-Neuter-Return” by Longcore et al (2009) in the journal Conservation
Biology. This analysis has shown TNR to be ineffective at its primary goal of reducing thenumber of cats on the landscape. TNR also does not mitigate the primary impacts of feral cats on
native wildlife or humans: neutered, re-released cats can continue to prey on native wildlife andcontinue to spread disease that is harmful to wildlife and humans.
Legal Authority• HRS 194-2 (a): Establishes the HISC for the purpose of cabinet-level coordination andplanning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives• HRS 194-2 (a)(2): Advise, consult, and coordinate invasive species-related efforts with andbetween the departments of agriculture, land and natural resources, health, andtransportation, as well as state, federal, international, and privately organized programs andpolicies.
Recommendation:
1. That the HISC adopt a resolution, substantially similar to the attached draft resolution, inorder to:a. recognize that feral and free roaming cats can have a variety of impacts in Hawaii,
including predation of native species and the proliferation and transmission of
disease to wildlife and humans
b. support the keeping of pet cats indoors or otherwise contained to a pet owner’s
property through use of cat patios, fencing, or other tools to minimize impacts suchcats may have on the surrounding environmentc. recommend that proposed methods for mitigating the impacts of feral cats on native
wildlife and/or humans should be both humane and supported by peer-reviewed,
scientific evidence demonstrating the efficacy of such methods
d. discourage the use of “Trap-Neuter-Return” or other efforts that support the feedingor re-release of feral cats into the wild or into public spaces.
Attachments:
1. Draft HISC Resolution 19-2: Supporting the Keeping of Pet Cats Indoors and the Use ofPeer-Reviewed Science in Pursuing Humane Mitigation of the Impacts of Feral Cats on
Wildlife and PeopleVOTING MEMBERSDAVID Y. IGE

SUZANNE CASE
DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURALRESOURCES

GOVERNOR OF HAWAIIJOSH GREEN

DENISE ALBANOHAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORKEITH KAWAOKA D.Env.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHNICHOLAS COMERFORD, Ph.D.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIIHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
1151 PUNCHBOWL ST, #325
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813

LEO ASUNCION
OFFICE OF PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &TOURISMDAVID RODRIGUEZ
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

DRAFT RESOLUTION 19-2
SUPPORTING THE KEEPING OF PET CATS INDOORS AND THE USE OF PEERREVIEWED SCIENCE IN PURSUING HUMANE MITIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF
FERAL CATS ON WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE
WHEREAS feral and free-roaming cats have been documented as predators of wildlife native to
Hawaii, including endangered bird species; andWHEREAS the toxoplasmosis parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) reproduces only in the feline
digestive system; andWHEREAS toxoplasmosis has been documented as the cause of death in both terrestrial andaquatic wildlife in Hawaii, including but not limited to the spinner dolphin, the endangered
Hawaiian monk seal, the endangered alala, the endangered nene, and the red-footed booby; andWHEREAS in humans toxoplasmosis can present health risks to pregnant women and/or
immunocompromised persons if they handle cat feces or eat raw or undercooked meat; andRECOGNIZING that previous public policy discussions in Hawaii have included considerationof funding or exempting from other laws practitioners of a system referred to as “Trap-NeuterReturn” that includes the re-release of neutered feral cats into the wild; andRECOGNIZING that indoor cats have greater life expectancy than free roaming or feral cats;
andRECOGNIZING that numerous scientific studies, summarized in a meta-analysis titled “Critical
Assessment of Claims Regarding Management of Feral Cats by Trap-Neuter-Return” by
Longcore et al (2009) in the journal Conservation Biology, have shown that “Trap-NeuterReturn” is not an effective strategy to reduce the number of feral cats in a given area or the
predation and disease impacts of feral cats; andWHEREAS, Chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the Hawaii Invasive Species
Council to advise and coordinate invasive species-related efforts with and between state, federal,international, and private programs, and to coordinate the State’s position with regard to invasive
species; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council recognizes that feral and freeroaming cats can have a variety of impacts in Hawaii, including predation of native species andthe proliferation and transmission of disease to wildlife and humans; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supports the keeping

of pet cats indoors or otherwise contained to a pet owner’s property through use of cat patios,
fencing, or other tools to minimize impacts such cats may have on the surrounding environment;
andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council recommends that
proposed methods for mitigating the impacts of feral cats on native wildlife and/or humans
should be both humane and supported by peer-reviewed, scientific evidence demonstrating theefficacy of such methods; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council does not recommend
the use of “Trap-Neuter-Return” or other efforts that support the feeding or re-release of feral
cats into the wild or into public spaces; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to theGovernor of Hawaii, the President of the State Senate, the Speaker of the State House ofRepresentatives, and to the directors or chairpersons of each HISC agency.
Adopted by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council on the following date:

Suzanne D. Case, Department of Land & Natural
Resources

Denise Albano, Department of Agriculture

Keith Kawaoka, D. Env., Department of HealthDavid
Rodriguez,
Transportation

Leo Asuncion, Office of Planning, Department
of Business, Economic Development, andTourism

Nicholas Comerford, Ph.D., University of
Hawaii

Departmentof