Regarding recent news regarding the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources’ push to “Don’t Let it Loose” of non-native animals (coral, fish and other) into Hawaii’s ahupua’a, including reefs, perhaps our state should reciprocate this respect.

While “Don’t Let it Loose” is an excellent message and program, the same consideration should be given to shipping our corals and fish to other states and countries.

The State of Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources just this past year allowed certain permit holders on the Big Island to resume Hawaii reef fish collection for potential distribution worldwide after Oahu’s Circuit Court lifted an injunction that had banned fish collecting in Hawaii.

So, if our government is asking Hawaii’s residents to not buy and potentially dispose of non-native species here, perhaps Hawaii should also ban the distribution of its fish and coral animals to other parts of the world. We need to set an example.

Kelli Lundgren

Kaanapali