Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1504 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to adopt the legislative proposal made by the Hawaii State Student Conference to increase state funding to eradicate the Miconia Calvescens plant.

The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and Hawaii Forest Industry Association submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Board of Land and Natural Resources submitted testimony in support of the overall concept of this measure and the Board of Agriculture provided comments on this measure.

Your Committee finds that Miconia Calvescens is a noxious alien weed that threatens cultivated agricultural lands, commercial tree farms, watersheds, and native forests. Its invasive nature is well documented, as is the damage it causes by establishing a monoculture in place of desired plant species. Although it can spread rapidly, Miconia can be controlled. The success of government and private eradication efforts to date is encouraging but more must be done. Unless Miconia eradication continues, this invasive weed will recover, reestablish itself, and menace the State's lands.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1504 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.