What efforts are underway to fix the problems of pigs?

The question I ask this week deals with what measures are being taken as of now. We know the problem so how are we going to fix it.
Concern about the increasing intrusion of feral pigs into residential areas has led to a proposal to declare open season on the animals and establish a bounty, over the objections of the state agency that promotes both hunting and protection of forest lands.
The threats posed by expanding pig populations include increased erosion, threats to native species, the spread of weeds and perhaps even increased flooding, said state Rep. Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa-University), who introduced HB2942, which calls for year-round hunting and an undetermined cash bounty for each pig killed.
Caldwell said that in his own district, pigs may have contributed to the devastation of the Oct. 30, 2004, flood that caused millions of dollars of damage in Manoa Valley. He said pigs have wiped out the undergrowth that normally slows runoff and soaks up rainwater.
"What's becoming clear is that the undergrowth in the back of the valley is getting really depleted. I went back there and it smelled like a pig sty," he said.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources opposes the bill. In testimony submitted to the House Water, Land and Ocean Resources committee on Friday, the agency said it has the authority on its own to remove seasons and bag limits, but there are reasons not to promote hunting in specific areas. The department supports meetings in communities with problems to develop solutions.
"Declaring wide-open seasons and methods would conflict with many current uses such as hiking, gathering forest products and dog walking. Portions of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve in Tantalus and Manoa are not normally open to hunting because of the proximity to residential areas and the high public recreational use on the trail network in this area. Opening these areas up would put many more hunters and dogs in residential areas on a frequent basis," the DLNR said.
The committee approved the proposed measure anyway, and the bill likely is headed next to the House Finance Committee.

Eradication of pigs answer

Although there is opposition against the eradication of Feral Pigs in Hawaii, Native polynesian groups argue that by erasing the pig from the islands they are erasing an integral part their culture, and certain hunting outfits also oppose this idea, as there will be nothing left to hunt if the pigs are removed .

Many would be opposed to the thought of eradication because pigs are so indebted to our culture. So in my opinion I believe as well that we shouldn't just kill them off. If you ever watched the movie the Jungle Book one of the main ideas is that you kill only what you eat. Therfore I believe if you kill a pig you should eat it.

The lack of native mammals leaves the Hawaiian ecosystems very vulnerable. Plants have not evolved defenses against native browsing animals, especially pigs. Entire forests and have been destroyed and leveled by this species.

Response to Question and new ideas

I thank all of you for your great input and suggestions as to what would be the appropriate measure taken. I agree that although it may be expensive to fence off areas. It would definitely be worth the effort. Were basically investing in the land and what makes Hawaii so beautiful. Just think at the rate were going what Hawaii would look like 10 years down the road. I thinkat this rate it would go contrary to what people come to Hawaii. for. Tourism would drop , the attractiveness of this place would really take a hit. Son I do agree of the notion of spending more money toward fencing in appropriate areas.
The other solution presented would be to allow greater freedom toward hunters. I know of local people here in Hawaii who love to hunt. It would really serve their own purpose as well as the environments. In my opinion according to jugle law you should only kill what you eat. So I do disagree with the notion of just eradicating feral pigs. Anneliese brought up a great point of how it is intertwined within our culture to respect pigs.
So that leads to my next question is what are your opinions on the the complete eradication of pigs?

Question Of The Week

What do you think would be the most logical solution to preserving our native hawaiian plants because of feral pigs? Why?

I ask this so we can go into further detail later, and answer what the consequences of such actions will entail. I also ask this question to see what the majority of the responses will be. The majority of answers would probably indicate the feelings of most people in Hawaii. But for now answer the question above and explain why you feel that way. Has past experiences in your life shaped your thinking?

The rain forest we love.

Our great forests are dissapearing in Hawaii. For those of us who grew up in Hawaii taking beautiful walks in the forsests was such a nice experience. But over a course of time the forests seem less greener and less livelier. Why is that? Why is our beautiful rainforests home to thousands of plant and many birds dying off?

How would you like to have pigs running loose in your yard or garden? This is the situation in Hawai‘i’s forests and watersheds. It is impossible to fence in everything we want to protect (and would be much too expensive). If hunting is important to residents, fenced preserves should be built, and the animals located inside, so that everything else can begin to recover from their devastating presence in the islands.

“Pigs are the biggest animal bane Hawai‘i’s flora has ever had to stand. They eat nearly everything and reproduce very efficiently. Their biggest impact is generated by the fact that they tend to feed on the roots of the plants rather than leaves, leaving no chance of recovery, even for the plant species that are able to resprout after grazing.” From the Master’s thesis of Germain Mesureur