Hawaii House Bill HCR17

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/22
• Refer: 3/3/22
• Report Pass: 3/14/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/29/22
• Engrossed: 3/29/22
• Refer: 3/30/22
• Report Pass: 4/20/22
• Passed: 4/21/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Convene A Task Force To Develop A Feral Ungulate Management Plan For West Hawaii.

Impact

The proposed management plan intends to address the detrimental effects of feral ungulate populations on native ecosystems and agricultural lands by collaborating with various stakeholders including wildlife managers, hunters, and agricultural experts. By exploring effective management methods, such as targeted culling, higher bag limits, and incentivization of guided hunting, the task force aims to establish practices that could help restore ecological balance while considering the needs of local farming and recreational activities.

Summary

HCR17 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii. It calls for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a task force aimed at developing a comprehensive management plan for feral ungulates in West Hawaii. The resolution highlights the pressing issues caused by the overpopulation of feral goats and pigs, which have negatively impacted public health, agriculture, watershed health, and the natural environment in the area. The lack of natural predators in Hawaii has exacerbated the situation, leading to urgent calls for management strategies that can mitigate these effects.

Contention

While some may support enhanced management practices for feral ungulates, potential points of contention include the ethics of culling and the implications for local hunting traditions. The resolution promotes engaging local communities and stakeholders throughout the process to ensure inclusive decision-making. However, it remains to be seen how different interest groups, ranging from environmental advocates to agricultural stakeholders, will negotiate these management strategies and address concerns about biodiversity preservation and economic impacts on local farming.

Recommendations

The task force is tasked with submitting a report on its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by a specific deadline in 2024. This will provide a structured approach to addressing a significant environmental issue in Hawaii, potentially leading to legislation aimed at establishing lasting solutions to the challenges posed by feral ungulate overpopulation.