Conservation

THE GARDEN CLUB OF HONOLULU IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING AND PRESERVING THE UNIQUE AND DELICATE ENVIRONMENT OF HAWAII BY ADVOCATING AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF BOIGA IRREGULARIS, THE BROWN TREE SNAKE.

The island of Guam is now infested with brown tree snakes.  The population density of brown tree snakes there is greater than any land snake anywhere in the world.  It is believed that the brown tree snake was inadvertently introduced into Guam around the period of World War II on military surplus equipment.  In 40 years, the brown tree snake has caused millions of dollar of damage to Guam's electrical lines and caused frequent power failures.  According to Smithsonian magazine, there have been as many as 100 snake-related power outages on Guam in one year.  Snakes have eaten puppies and kittens and rabbits, attacked small infants, and sent children to hospitals with respiratory arrest.  On Guam, the snakes "are hopelessly out of control, already having virtually wiped out the native forest birds and four species of lizards.  In some areas, they have reached an astounding density of up to 30,000 per square mile.  There are far too many to make a bounty system effective . . ."  [Smithsonian, August 1991]  A single female snake which has mated can carry fertilized eggs within her body for as many as 7 years.

Once established, there is no practical way to eradicate the snakes.  They have no known effective natural predators.

The brown tree snake is an aggressive and dangerous predator.  The snakes have destroyed nine of Guam's thirteen native birds.  Hawaii has many birds which live nowhere else on earth.  If the brown tree snake comes to Hawaii, there will be a potential ecological tragedy of almost incalculable proportions.  (Senator Daniel Akaka, News Release, November 1, 1991.)

Proposed Action 

1.	Public sector
	a.  To act as advocates at the State Legislature against the introduction of brown tree snakes to Hawaii, and for allocation of funds thereto.
	b.  To act as advocates at the Department of Agriculture against the introduction of brown tree snakes to Hawaii.  (This may include testifying on proposed rule changes relating to the Plant Quarantine Branch.)
	c.  To act as advocates to the Federal Government for assistance in preventing the introduction of brown tree snakes.

  Approved by Board 11/20/91; Approved by Membership 1/22/92