The following sample statements were submitted as part of a legally required formal public comment process of HRS 341 and 343.  The letters (submitted voluntarily by a range of respondents including the EPA, state Department of Health, the former head of Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Branch, native Hawaiian organizations, policy groups and residents) expressed specific concerns regarding the state and federal Draft Environmental Assessments.

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The letters, in various ways, express the need for careful, comprehensive, place-based researched and a more serious exploration and consideration of alternatives before resorting to aerial blanketing of an island to achieve conservation goals. 

 

Many of the letters stated support for the protection of migratory birds but felt that the means of addressing protection unreasonably jeopardized the overall ecosystem health of Lehua, Ni'ihau. Several also commented on the lack of genuine community outreach and local input in this policy decision.

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Synopses of the statements will be added shortly, but the letters can now be downloaded individually. 

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• Letter from Kathleen Martyn Goforth, Manager, Environmental Review Section of EPA

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• Email submission from Fenix Grange, Program Manager, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office

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• Letter from Robert Boesch, former Head of Pesticides Branch, state Department of Agriculture

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• Letter from Laura McIntyre, Planner, Department of Health Environmental Planning Office​

 

• Letter from Kekaha Hawaiian Homestead Association Board of Directors

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• Statement of Opposition from Kekaha Hawaiian Homestead Association, citing violations and the possibility of a prolonged fishing ban

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• Na Kia'i Kai, a west Kauai fishers and cultural practitioners, citing gaps in information in the Draft EA and agency  misrepresentation of the public input from the Kekaha public consultation meeting

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• Letter from Maggie Sergio, Island Watch

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• Letter from American Bird Conservancy, April 6, 2017

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• Letter from American Bird Conservancy, May 18, 2017

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• Letter from the Good Shepherd Foundation, April 6, 2017

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• Letter from the Good Shepherd Foundation, May 5, 2017

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• Letter from Kaliko Santos, memorializing the comments from the small west Kauai audience at DLNR's public consultation meeting on April 3, 2017

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• Letter from Soma Grismaijer

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• Constituency Letter to State Senate President Ron Kouchi from 53 Kaua'i Residents, West Kaua'i Fishers and Ni'hauans, August 7, 2017, cc'd to Rep. Dee Morikawa

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