STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1245

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 643

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish short-term management initiatives for the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program; and

(2) Appropriate funds to support the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program's activities and positions.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; University of Hawaiʻi System; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauaʻi; two members of the Kauaʻi County Council; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Hawaii Oil Seed Producers; The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Carol Kwan Consulting LLC; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaii Island Palm Society; Windward Coalition; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and nine individuals.

Your Committees find that the coconut rhinoceros beetle poses an existential threat to the State's agricultural industry and food security and self-sufficiency. Your Committees further find that the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program is a coordinated partnership that investigates new control methods and best practices to mitigate the effects of coconut rhinoceros beetle infestations and prevent them from occurring elsewhere in the State. This measure ensures that the important work of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program will continue.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair