HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2290
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to landscaping.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that ingestion of yellow oleander (thevetia peruviana or cascabela thevetia) seeds or leaves is a common cause of accidental poisoning worldwide, particularly among children, and a common method of suicide in southeast Asia. Many children have been killed or hospitalized due to yellow oleander poisoning, including two toddlers in California in 2020 who died after ingesting the plant, and a small child who was hospitalized in December 2022 on Oahu after ingesting the plant at the Yacht Club Knolls townhomes.

The legislature further finds that yellow oleander is not a native plant, and there is no compelling reason to utilize this plant as a landscape plant over other ornamental plants that are less toxic to humans and animals.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to reduce the likelihood of accidental ingestion in Hawaii by disallowing planned community associations from planting yellow oleander on their properties.

SECTION 2. Chapter 421J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§421J-    Yellow oleander; prohibited. No association shall plant yellow oleander (thevetia peruviana or cascabela thevetia) or cause or allow yellow oleander to be planted on the real property of the planned community."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Planned Community Association; Yellow Oleander; Prohibited

Description:

Prohibits planned community associations from planting yellow oleander or causing or allowing yellow oleander to be planted on their real property. Effective 7/1/2025.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.