Case: National Parks in Hawai‘i need greater protection from invasives

Case: National Parks in Hawai‘i need greater protection from invasives

Honolulu, Hawaii - Congressman Ed Case (2nd District, Hawai‘i) today said the federal government must bolster efforts to stop the accelerating invasion of alien species that are seriously threatening Hawaii's national parks.

"Hawaii is the endangered species capital of the United States where invasive species and diseases are devastating our flora and fauna and costing us millions of dollars in agricultural losses and other expenses. The impact of this threat is equally dangerous to the seven National Park Service units located in my 2nd Congressional District," said Case who will participate in a congressional field hearing on the National Parks in Hawai‘i on Thursday in Honolulu by the U.S. House Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources Subcommittee. "It is imperative that we do all we can to deliver this message with the greatest urgency to our Congress."

The field hearing will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2005 in the Hawaii State Capitol, Room 329, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Chaired by Congressman Mark Souder (3rd District, Indiana), the subcommittee is responsible for oversight of the National Park Service and is conducting a series of field hearings throughout the United States to examine key issues facing the national park system.

Earlier this year, Case introduced a bill to require the same or greater level of federal inspection of all visitor and cargo shipments arriving in Hawai‘i from domestic and foreign locations as now exists for outgoing traffic. He said the measure, the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Prevention Act, is the only way to overcome "a true crisis" caused by invasive species and diseases.

"Without this federal protection, other threats could find their way into Hawai‘i and cause more serious harm, if not devastating damage, to the local economy and the state's native ecosystems which are protected in our national parks," said Case, a member of the House Agriculture Committee.

The subcommittee has invited a panel of witnesses to discuss the challenges facing the national park system in Hawaii. The witnesses at the hearing on Thursday will be:

* Frank Hays, Pacific Area Director, National Park Service;
* Suzanne Case, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i;
* Craig Obey, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association;
* George Sullivan, Chairman, Arizona Memorial Museum Association;
* Casey Jarman, Board Member, Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Case has also proposed creation of new parks or national seashores on Maui's south and north coasts and along the Ka‘u coastline of the Big Island. And, he has worked toward expansion of existing parks through appropriations and legislation. Recently approved appropriations have allowed for expansion of Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island and Haleakala National Park on Maui.

Last year, Case joined Souder in congressional hearings on Maui and the Big Island to review illegal drug trafficking and federal government efforts to attack the crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," epidemic in Hawai‘i. "Congressman Souder is definitely familiar with our state and the unique challenges we face because of our geographical remoteness, which is an important factor to consider when we talk about invasive species."

http://wwwc.house.gov/case/press_releases/2005/2005-68-Natl%20Parks%20Field%20Hrg.html