By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Hawai’i, in order to provide relief for disaster damages, losses, and suffering, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people, I, JOSH GREEN, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawai’i, hereby determine, designate and proclaim as follows:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), emergency powers are conferred on the Governor of the State of Hawai’i to respond to disasters or emergencies, to maintain the strength, resources, and economic life of the community, and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and

WHEREAS, on March 23, 2022, May 23, 2022, July 22, 2022, September 20, 2022, November 18, 2022, January 17, 2023, March 18, 2023, May 17, 2023, July 14, 2023, September 13, 2023, November 8, 2023, January 8, 2024, and March 8, 2024, Proclamations were issued declaring an emergency as a result of emergency conditions caused by the overpopulation of axis deer in the County of Maui; and

WHEREAS, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the year 2022, Maui County continues to be designated as a primary natural disaster area due to drought conditions; and

WHEREAS, despite ongoing efforts, axis deer have propagated to approximately 60,000 or more, which cannot currently be sustained by the environment in Maui County; and

WHEREAS, the axis deer population in Maui County has not been sufficiently reduced through hunting efforts alone; and

WHEREAS, the large number of axis deer in Maui County have devastated pasture forage and much of the vegetation that is already scarce due to persistent drought conditions; and

WHEREAS, the devastation of vegetation has forced wildlife, in particular axis deer in Maui County, to migrate into agricultural and developed areas seeking food and water; and

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