Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2136 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate $50,000 to implement short-term methods for the control of fireweed.

Your Committee received testimony in favor from the Board of Agriculture, Ulupalakua Ranch, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, Big Island Farm Bureau, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, and Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that fireweed is a poisonous weed toxic to cattle, horses, and other livestock, and poses a growing threat to the livestock industry in Hawaii. When ingested in large quantities, it causes damage to the liver and neurological system and eventually leads to death. Because of its invasiveness, fireweed is also a threat to Hawaii’s native ecosystem and plants. It is presently spreading rapidly on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.

The appropriation provided by this measure would assist ranchers, farmers, and county personnel who want to control fireweed but may not have the funds needed to purchase herbicides for the control work. Under the Department of Agriculture’s noxious weed rules, the department could provide assistance in the form of cooperative agreements with landowners for the purpose of initiating fireweed control or eradication projects.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2136 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.