THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	227
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE MOLUCCA ALBIZIA TREE.

     WHEREAS, the molucca albizia tree was first introduced to Hawaii in 1917 as an ornamental tree and for the purposes of reforestation; and

     WHEREAS, at one time, the United States Forest Service planted 135,000 molucca albizia seeds on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii for the production of lumber; and

     WHEREAS, molucca albizia is one of the fastest growing species among the broad-leaf tree species and has a life span of twenty-five to thirty years; and

     WHEREAS, today, the molucca albizia is present statewide, as it has adapted to the semi-moist areas below one thousand five hundred feet in elevation; and

     WHEREAS, the molucca albizia has a large crown and can reach more than one hundred feet in height; and

     WHEREAS, the molucca albizia has a soft and brittle wood, has a shallow root system in poor soil, and its large branches are often susceptible to breaking in high wind; and

     WHEREAS, these factors pose a significant hazard to people and property in various residential and recreational areas, including the Manoa Falls trail; and

     WHEREAS, there is increasing public concern about the risk to people and property presented by the spread of the molucca albizia tree in the State; and

     WHEREAS, the molucca albizia tree was last studied by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum in 1985 for the potential risks caused by the spreading and aging of molucca albizia trees; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii is requested to conduct a study on the molucca albizia tree, including a field inventory of these trees in at least the Ala Wai watershed area, as well as other areas throughout the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of its study, the University of Hawaii is requested to prepare recommendations on whether it is feasible to eradicate the molucca albizia and, if so, a method of how to eradicate this species of tree; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii is also requested to identify the necessary components of an eradication pilot project to be performed in Manoa Valley, Oahu, and other areas in the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii is requested to report any findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Regional Manager of the United States Forest Service, the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, the President of the University of Hawaii, the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the Director of the Lyon Arboretum, and the Director of the Center for Conservation Research and Training.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

UH; Molucca Albizia Tree