LIHU‘E — State cutbacks have led to the recent loss of 10 staff members at the Kaua‘i District Health Office, according to state Department of Health spokesperson Janice Okubo. Since November, a “majority” of the cut positions were linked to
LIHU‘E — State cutbacks have led to the recent loss of 10 staff members at the Kaua‘i District Health Office, according to state Department of Health spokesperson Janice Okubo.
Since November, a “majority” of the cut positions were linked to the Vector Control Branch which helps regulate and prevent the spread of disease from infected organisms.
“Requests for these services will be primarily consultation and recommendations for private pest control services,” she said.
While no Clean Water Branch positions were affected, one Safe Drinking Water staff position was “given up,” Okubo said.
“As a result, work and services will require prioritization,” she said.
In addition, all Hawai‘i Government Employees Association workers have been on furlough schedules since October 2009, which includes employees of the DOH.
Overall impacts are unknown at this time, but the public is advised that delays or reduced services could be experienced in the meantime, Okubo said.
Luckily, it has been a “moderately slow rodent season,” Mokihana Pest Control owner Gary Smith said Thursday.
“That could be one of the saving graces,” he said, when asked if the DOH cutbacks have caused any spikes in infestations.
The “peak months for rodents” typically fall between November and February, he said.
On average, Mokihana receives around five to 10 calls per month regarding rodent infestations from business and homeowners across Kaua‘i and those numbers have continued to remained relatively steady, he said.
Managing and abating pests is really homeowners’ or business owners’ responsibility, he said. The DOH will step in when situations are beyond control, such as a negligent neighbor.
“Everyone gets a mouse or rat from time to time,” he said. “You really cannot rely on someone like Vector Control” to take care of every situation. “Their job is to answer the tough complaints.”
One of the ways to avoid contributing to a pest problem is maintaining your property, Smith said. Overgrown banana and avocado trees are sanctuaries for rats.
By keeping your property up to date, not only will you decrease the population of rodents, but you will help contribute to keeping neighboring areas infestation-free, he added.
If “budget holes” continue, there may be a time when services will be on over-drive, though there have been no noticeable changes yet, he said.
Kaua‘i County declined to comment regarding the DOH setbacks and whether it would be taking any extra steps to ensure public health.
The reduction in force continues to occur among all state agencies and final outcomes are still unknown at this time, Okubo said.
