STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1790

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 112

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.R. No. 112 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO PRIORITIZE THE CONTROL OF HIGH-THREAT INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize the control of high-threat invasive species in the County of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and O‘ahu County Democrats Committee on Legislative Priorities. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

Your Committee finds that invasive species have become one of the most challenging problems impacting Hawaii. Many invasive species are damaging the environment and the State's economy. Every year, numerous new pests are introduced into the State, such as the coqui frog, coffee berry borer, axis deer, macadamia felted coccid, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, small hive beetle, and varroa mite, to name a few. Your Committee further finds that eradication of invasive species in Hawaii is a difficult task and often is only possible when a species is a relatively new introduction and its population size and distribution are limited. Some species are unfortunately established beyond the ability to eradicate, requiring a cost-benefit analysis that considers the costs of controlling a species in perpetuity, versus scaling back or suspending control activities until new technological advances provide more effective control methodologies. Your Committee supports prioritizing the control of high-threat invasive species.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 112 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair