HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCILDLNR Board Room
March 1, 2004
MINUTES
Members Present:Peter Young, Co-Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)
Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Co-Chairperson, Department of Agriculture (DOA)
Sam Callejo for Evan Dobelle, University of Hawaii (UH)
Major General Robert Lee, Department of Defense (DOD)
Rodney Haraga, Department of Transportation (DOT)
Dr. Chiyome Fukino, Department of Health (DOH)
Mark Recktenwald, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
Ted Liu, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT)Bill Kenoi, County of Hawaii
Rob Parsons, County of Maui
Others Present:
Linda Chow, Deputy Attorney General, Attorney General’s Office
Mike Pitzler, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
Mark Ono, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
Earl Campbell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Jeff Burgett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Mark Fox, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Alenka Remec, The Nature Conservancy
Christy Martin, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)
Jamie Runnells, Big Island Association of Nurserymen (BIAN)/Plant It Hawaii
S. Okihara, Senator Rosalyn Baker’s Office
Cathy Goeggel, Animal Rights Hawaii
Erin Ching, student
Ron Swafford, Department of Defense
Rebecca Alakai, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)
Bill Brennan, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Liz Corbin, DBEDT
Maurice Kaya, DBEDT
Larry Lau, DOH
Greg Olmsted, DOH, Vector Control Branch
Barry Brennan, UH-College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)
Arnold Hara, UH-CTAHR
Claudia Hamblin-Katnik, UH-HCA
Lyle Wong, DOA
Neil Reimer, DOA

2Carol Okada, DOA
Larry Nakahara, DOA
Nilton Matayoshi, DOA
Kenneth Teramoto, DOA
Kyle Onuma, DOA
Mike Buck, DLNRPaul Conry, DLNR
Mindy Wilkinson, DLNRRob Hauff, DLNR
Tony Montgomery, DLNRCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Co-Chairperson Peter Young at 3:42pm.
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA (Addition of Item)Peter Young requested a motion for approval of the minutes of the Hawaii Invasive
Species Council meeting of October 29, 2003.
MOTION: Ted Liu made a motion to add to the agenda the approval of the minutes ofthe Hawaii Invasive Species Council held on October 29, 2003. Larry Lau seconded themotion and the motion was unanimously carried.
Discussion:Sam Callejo proposed an amendment to the minutes on page 3 under Discussion, toread “…. Would this be by rule-making or required statutory authority?”
MOTION: There being no other discussion, Ted Liu made a motion to approve theminutes with the amendment. Sam Callejo seconded and the motion was unanimouslycarried.
West Nile Virus Briefing:
Jeff Burgett of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Larry Lau of the Department of
Health briefed the Council on the West Nile Virus – its mode of transmission primarily
from mosquitoes and birds; its flu-like symptoms with no cure and potential impact on
Hawaii; early detection and rapid response programs; the need for teamwork and speed
as once established West Nile Virus cannot be eliminated.
Larry Lau asked that the HISC schedule another meeting to take action on therecommended plan for prevention of West Nile Virus.
Ted Liu asked if this was the first outbreak of this type of disease in the history of thestate.

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Larry Lau stated that he doubted that. Dengue fever had a very bad outbreak in the1940’s; an outbreak a few years ago was not as bad as the earlier outbreak.
Peter Young asked if there were any objections to having another meeting before theCouncil for a single item to address the West Nile Virus recommendations. A week
would be required to schedule this meeting.
There were no objections.
Peter Young said the arrangements will be made and the meeting will be a quick one.
Approval of Invasive Species Strategic Plan
Mindy Wilkinson of the Department of Land & Natural Resources explained the“Strategic Plan for Invasive Species – Prevention, Control, Research and Public
Outreach” and the budget associated with this plan.
Mindy explained that the 2003 State Legislature authorized the creation of the Hawaii
Invasive Species Council (HISC). One of the tasks for the HISC is to create andimplement a plan that includes the prevention, early detection, rapid response, control
and education with respect to invasive species.
Five HISC working groups were established: (1) Interagency Working Group (LeadHISC Member: DOT); (2) Working Group on Pests Not Present in Hawaii (Lead HISC
Member: DOA); (3) Working Group on Established Pests (Lead HISC Member:DLNR); (4) Resources Working Group (Lead HISC Member: DBEDT); and (5) Public
Outreach Working Group (Lead HISC Member: DOH).
These working groups were approved by HISC at the October 29, 2003 meeting. Thesefive working groups would help to outline the framework for a statewide invasive species
prevention, response and control, research, and public outreach program.
There are four parts to the strategic plan: (1) Prevention; (2) Response and Control; (3)Research and Applied Technology; and (4) Public Outreach. Each part is divided into
objectives, time frames, and measures of effectiveness.
HISC is supportive of efforts to advise, consult, and coordinate invasive species related
efforts between state, federal and county agencies and non-profit organizations, suchas The Nature Conservancy.
Approval of Invasive Species Budget Request
Mindy continued with an overview of the budget – Prevention will take up 35% of total
funding; Response and Control 30%; Research and Applied Technology 30%; and4
Public Outreach 5%. The budget consists of state dollars matched 1:1 by non-state
dollars or equivalent in-kind services.
This budget request is under the DLNR, but will include and involve programs andprojects through nine different departments, the four counties, and federal and privatepartners. This funding will not replace any of the current funding but will complement
and expand existing programs.
Sandra Lee Kunimoto reported that none of the five working groups have met yet. Theworking groups are to develop their own objectives, time frame, and measures ofeffectiveness. She added that a caveat should be added that since the working groups
have not met it should be noted that any objectives that are discussed are offered only
as examples.
Rodney Haraga made a correction on page 24. Under Federal Aviation Administration,
the figure should be $1,000,000 and the money can only be for Kahului Airport.
Mindy Wilkinson added that the $1,000,000 will be spent in state fiscal year 05.
Sam Callejo suggested that on page 12 under Public Outreach, that the development ofpublic service announcements with a variety of media outlets should encourage
travelers and residents not to introduce or transport invasive species into and between
the islands. A link should be created between the HVCB website. Also, looking at thenumbers, it does not add up – sometimes the numbers are rounded off and sometimes
left at the dollar amount.
Larry Lau commented that it looks like a competent piece. The counties should beincluded as working group members. The University of Hawaii is specifically a memberof the Working Group on Established Pests. Time frames should be made much
shorter, especially for West Nile Virus. Inspection capabilities are listed at two years –this should be two months. Hawaii needs to be ready by mid-May.
Peter Young then asked if there are any other comments and we noted that the Council
had received some favorable written comments.
Alenka Remic of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) stated that TNC strongly supports thestrategic plan and budget. But there was no mention of the Invasive Species
Committee (ISC) on each island. Each ISC has a voluntary board with a chairperson
and paid staff and plays a vital role in provided the infrastructure for the State
Environmental Workforce.
Peter Young said that it was never the intent to leave out ISC, but that the committees
were always considered an integral part of the process.

5Peter Young also assured the members that the plan would be a living document andwill change as participants change. This plan will not be adopted just to say that HISC
has a great strategic plan.
Lyle Wong commented that the Department of Agriculture plays an important role in afew areas, prevention and rapid response. As the working groups start their meetings,
they should not be limited to the percentage breakdown as identified in the budget.
MOTION: Sandra made a motion to adopt the strategic plan as an interim plan notingthat the specific programs will be refined by the working groups. Chiyome seconded.
Discussion on Strategic PlanPeter Young brought up the question as to how to amend the strategic plan whenpriorities change. Do we bring it up before the full Council for adoption or is there
incidental amendments to the plan?
Sandra Lee Kunimoto felt that this plan should not be so specific that every change
needs to be brought up to the Council. This plan should only be a basic guideline anddon’t think that every single operational change needs to come before the Council.
Bill Kenoi asked if there was any idea how often the working groups will meet and how
often they will report back to the Council
Peter Young said there is no formal time frames for the working groups. We are hopefulthat as soon as the legislature is over, there will be more time for the groups to meetand get started.
Vote taken. Motion unanimously carried.
Discussion on Budget
Mark Fox said that the Senate Ways & Means Committee asked if the Council approved
the strategic plan and if the budget was aligned with the strategic plan.
Sandra Lee Kunimoto said that if would be very important that the Senate Ways &Means Committee to know that it is an interim strategic plan and all the caveats justheard here. This may all change after the working groups incorporate their findings in
the percentages or tasks.
MOTION: Sam Callejo moved to approve the budget as amended by DOT on Table 1
with all subsequent pages reflecting the change on Table 1. Sandra Lee Kunimoto
seconded the motion.
Vote taken. Motion carried unanimously.

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Larry Lau requested to return to West Nile Virus and requested for the next meeting that
include a review of the tasks, as well as the approval of the plan for the prevention ofWest Nile Virus, be on the agenda.
Peter Young asked if there are any other items that should be addressed in the next
meeting or should the next meeting be limited to just those two issues.
Mark Fox brought up a good point that the legislature wanted information from theCouncil. Is there any other agency or organization that is waiting for us for any type ofinformation? If not, there shouldn’t be anything else. We need to get the working
groups working on their issues.
Sandra Lee Kunimoto suggested that the plan should be more general working
document. Every time it changes it shouldn’t have to come before the Council. Detailshould be kept at a minimum because the plan will be evolving as the work continues.
Sandra Lee Kunimoto questioned the authority to fumigate containers for mosquito
control to prevent entry of the West Nile Virus.
Larry Lau said DOH needs help exploring this possibility, probably federal rules
Lyle Wong said that there would be problems spraying the inside of airplane cabins.
DOA would need to get more information and discuss with staff on this.
Suzanne Case of TNC suggested that another topic would be the Kahului Pest RiskAssessment.
ADJOURNMENTPeter Young adjourned the meeting at 4:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,

SUE H. SAKAMOTO
Recording Secretary