STAND. COM. REP. NO. 186-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1497

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1497 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a two-year pilot program to remove invasive species such as albizia in and around Waiahole Stream on Oahu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; WWCA; ‘Ohulehule Forest Conservancy, LLC; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that proper management and maintenance of watersheds are crucial to preventing loss of life and protecting public and private property in nearby communities. However, invasive species such as albizia pose a serious threat. For instance, in Waiahole Stream, the brittle nature of albizia has led to heavy clogging of the stream, and the rapid growth of albizia has crowded out native species.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1497, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1497, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair