Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 1430 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase state funding to eradicate the Miconia Calvescens plant.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from a representative of the Mayor of Maui County, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species and the Invasive Species Committees, and the Nature Conservancy. The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of the measure and provided comments.

Your Committees find that the Miconia Calvescens plant is a rapidly spreading, noxious weed that, upon introduction into an ecosystem, rapidly spreads and leads to the indiscriminate destruction of native forests and agricultural lands. If aggressive attempts to control the spread of this weed are not continued, much of Hawaii's forests and wetlands will be destroyed. Therefore, your Committees believe that additional funding for Miconia eradication is warranted.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Water, Land, and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1430 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.