HR 126: URGING THE STATE, COUNTIES, AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INCREASED AND SUSTAINED FUNDING TO THE INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEES AND HAWAIʻI ANT LAB WITHIN THE PACIFIC COOPERATIVE STUDIES UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE STATE, COUNTIES, AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INCREASED AND SUSTAINED FUNDING TO THE INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEES AND HAWAIʻI ANT LAB WITHIN THE PACIFIC COOPERATIVE STUDIES UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA.

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is home to unique and fragile ecosystems, many of which are found nowhere else in the world, and protecting these ecosystems is crucial to preserving Hawaii's natural heritage, biodiversity, and the overall health of the environment; and

     WHEREAS, invasive species, both plant and animal, pose one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's native flora and fauna, disrupting natural processes, outcompeting native species, introducing diseases, and altering habitats, often with irreversible consequences; and

     WHEREAS, the impact of invasive species extends beyond environmental damage, severely affecting Hawaii's agricultural sector, a key pillar of the State's economy, by damaging crops, reducing yields, and increasing production costs; and

     WHEREAS, invasive species also threaten Hawaii's tourism industry by compromising the beauty and biodiversity of natural landscapes, which are a significant draw for visitors, and by degrading the quality of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and fishing; and

     WHEREAS, the economic consequences of invasive species are wide-ranging, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue from agriculture and tourism, as well as increased costs for property owners, businesses, and agencies tasked with managing and mitigating these threats; and

     WHEREAS, the Invasive Species Committees (ISCs), including the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Molokai Maui Invasive Species Committee, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Kauai Invasive Species Committee, and Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, have played a critical role in managing and preventing the spread of invasive species throughout the State, focusing on early detection, rapid response, control, and eradication of harmful species that threaten Hawaii's natural ecosystems, economy, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, the ISCs serve as an important gap filler by tailoring their target pest lists to be area-specific, addressing localized invasive species threats, and ensuring that control efforts are aligned with the unique needs of each region, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of limited resources; and

     WHEREAS, the ISCs rely on limited funding to implement targeted control programs, provide education and outreach to the public, and conduct on-the-ground management actions to prevent the establishment and spread of invasive species, which, if left unchecked, could cost the State and residents millions of dollars in damages and lost revenue; and

     WHEREAS, investing in invasive species management will protect Hawaii's environment and economy by safeguarding agriculture, tourism, and local industries, while also enhancing the State's resilience to climate change by maintaining healthy ecosystems that support essential services such as water quality, soil stability, and biodiversity; and

     WHEREAS, failure to address invasive species in a timely and effective manner will result in long-term ecological and economic damage, costing millions of dollars annually in treatment and mitigation efforts; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the counties, State, and other relevant agencies are urged to provide increased and sustained funding to the Invasive Species Committees within the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the counties, State, and other relevant agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources, to provide sustained funding to the ISCs to strengthen their ability to combat the growing threat of invasive species and protect Hawaii's ecosystems and economy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding be directed toward expanding invasive species control programs to target priority species, increasing research and monitoring efforts to detect new invasions early, enhancing public outreach and education to raise awareness about preventing the spread of invasive species, supporting interagency and community collaboration to improve response coordination and resource-sharing, and providing treatment options for residents and farmers impacted by these species, including grants for control efforts and the purchase of treatment supplies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; and Mayors of the Counties of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

Report Title: 

Biosecurity; Invasive Species Committees; Funding

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the State, counties, and other RELEVANT agencies to provide increased and sustained funding to the invasive species committees within the pacific cooperative studies unit of the university of hawai‘i at mĀnoa.

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is home to unique and fragile ecosystems, many of which are found nowhere else in the world, and protecting these ecosystems is crucial to preserving Hawaii's natural heritage, biodiversity, and the overall health of the environment; and

     WHEREAS, invasive species, both plant and animal, pose one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's native flora and fauna, disrupting natural processes, outcompeting native species, introducing diseases, and altering habitats, often with irreversible consequences; and

     WHEREAS, the impact of invasive species extends beyond environmental damage, severely affecting Hawaii's agricultural sector, a key pillar of the State's economy, by damaging crops, reducing yields, and increasing production costs; and

     WHEREAS, invasive species also threaten Hawaii's tourism industry by compromising the beauty and biodiversity of natural landscapes, which are a significant draw for visitors, and by degrading the quality of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and fishing; and

     WHEREAS, the economic consequences of invasive species are wide-ranging, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue from agriculture and tourism, as well as increased costs for property owners, businesses, and agencies tasked with managing and mitigating these threats; and

     WHEREAS, the Invasive Species Committees (ISCs), including the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Molokai Maui Invasive Species Committee, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and Kauai Invasive Species Committee, have played a critical role in managing and preventing the spread of invasive species throughout the State, focusing on early detection, rapid response, control, and eradication of harmful species that threaten Hawaii's natural ecosystems, economy, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, the ISCs serve as an important gap filler by tailoring their target pest lists to be area-specific, addressing localized invasive species threats, and ensuring that control efforts are aligned with the unique needs of each region, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of limited resources; and

     WHEREAS, the ISCs rely on limited funding to implement targeted control programs, provide education and outreach to the public, and conduct on-the-ground management actions to prevent the establishment and spread of invasive species, which, if left unchecked, could cost the State and residents millions of dollars in damages and lost revenue; and

     WHEREAS, investing in invasive species management will protect Hawaii's environment and economy by safeguarding agriculture, tourism, and local industries, while also enhancing the State's resilience to climate change by maintaining healthy ecosystems that support essential services such as water quality, soil stability, and biodiversity; and

     WHEREAS, failure to address invasive species in a timely and effective manner will result in long-term ecological and economic damage, costing millions of dollars annually in treatment and mitigation efforts; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the counties, State, and other relevant agencies are urged to provide increased and sustained funding to the Invasive Species Committees within the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the counties, State, and other relevant agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources, to provide sustained funding to the ISCs to strengthen their ability to combat the growing threat of invasive species and protect Hawaii's ecosystems and economy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding be directed toward expanding invasive species control programs to target priority species, increasing research and monitoring efforts to detect new invasions early, enhancing public outreach and education to raise awareness about preventing the spread of invasive species, supporting interagency and community collaboration to improve response coordination and resource-sharing, and providing treatment options for residents and farmers impacted by these species, including grants for control efforts and the purchase of treatment supplies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; and Mayors of the Counties of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

Report Title: 

Biosecurity; Invasive Species Committees; Funding

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1807

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 126

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.R. No. 126, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE, COUNTIES, AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INCREASED AND SUSTAINED FUNDING TO THE INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEES AND HAWAIʻI ANT LAB WITHIN THE PACIFIC COOPERATIVE STUDIES UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the State, counties, and other relevant agencies to provide increased and sustained funding to the Invasive Species Committees and Hawaii Ant Lab within the Pacific Cooperative Studies unit of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 126, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1564

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 126

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.R. No. 126 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE, COUNTIES, AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INCREASED AND SUSTAINED FUNDING TO THE INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEES WITHIN THE PACIFIC COOPERATIVE STUDIES UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the counties, State, and other relevant agencies to:

(1)    Provide increased and sustained funding to the Invasive Species Committees within the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; and

(2)    Provide sustained funding to the ISCs to strengthen their ability to combat the growing threat of invasive species and protect Hawaii's ecosystems and economy; and

(3)    Direct funding toward expanding invasive species control programs to target priority species, increasing research and monitoring efforts to detect new invasions early, enhancing public outreach and education to raise awareness about preventing the spread of invasive species, supporting interagency and community collaboration to improve response coordination and resource-sharing, and providing treatment options for residents and farmers impacted by these species, including grants for control efforts and the purchase of treatment supplies.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Board of Water Supply; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Ant Lab; Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Control Species; and one individual. 

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)    Expanding the list of Invasive Species Committees (ISCs)to include Hawaiʻi Ant Lab; and

(2)    Amending the title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(3)    Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee finds that invasive species pose one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's native flora and fauna, as well as severely affect Hawaii's agricultural sector and Hawaii's tourism industry, resulting in millions of dollars lost in revenue and increased costs for property owners, businesses, and agencies tasked with managing and mitigating these threats.  

Your Committee further finds that the Invasive Species Committees (ISCs) have played a critical role in managing and preventing the spread of invasive species throughout the State and serve as an important gap filler by tailoring their target pest lists to be area-specific, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of limited resources.  Despite this, the ISCs rely on limited funding to prevent the spread of invasive species, which could result in millions of dollars in damages and lost revenue for the State and residents, as well as long-term ecological and economic damage, if left unchecked.  

Your Committee further finds that investing in invasive species management will protect Hawaii's environment and economy and enhance the State's resilience to climate change.  This measure urges the counties, State, and other relevant agencies to provide sustained funding to the Invasive Species Committees within the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the ISCs to strengthen their ability to combat the growing threat of invasive species and protect Hawaii's ecosystems and economy, and to direct funding toward expanding invasive species control programs to target priority species.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 126, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 126, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,