Tectococcus ovatus: Biological Control Agent Proposed for Release against Strawberry Guava

I am concerned that the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service has been researching the possibility of releasing the Brazilian scale insect (Tectococcus ovatus) prior to June, 2005 and this fact has not been a matter of education to the general citizenry until very recently.

Of even greater concern is the failure of the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture to bring a policy issue such as this to the attention of the Hawaii Legislature for deliberative consideration and legislative over site of this program.

C-17 Testimony

The C-17 training route over the Big Island for which a Environmental Impact Statement is being developed highlights the need for greater public notice and education by our government. While the Air Force has argued that currently training flights have been unrestricted and have involved a large area of the Big Island, I personally have not seen them. I believe that the public has a right to know exactly what impacts these proposals would have and to "see for ourselves" exactly what it is we are talking about before we are required to make a decision regarding it's pros and cons.


I commend the Hawaii County Council for taking the lead in preserving the health and safety of our Big Island communities.