SUPPORT HB1929 HD1: Protect Molokaʻi From Invasive Pests

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March 14 Update

HB1929 HD1 would provide funds for a plan to keep the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) and other invasive pests not found on Molokaʻi from devastating the food security, ecological integrity, cultural practices, and ways of life of this island – a kīpuka of Hawaiian cultural practices and values that may be the key to our islands’ and planet’s future resilience. This measure is being heard on Wednesday, March 18, at 3:30 p.m. in conference room 224 by the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee (to be broadcast live on Youtube here).

Please take a moment to testify on this measure and to ask your friends and networks to do the same! Sample testimony and testimony instructions below.  

Sample Testimony for HB1929 HD1

Aloha Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Richards, and Committee Members,

My name is [your name] and I STRONGLY SUPPORT HB1929 HD1, to provide the resources needed to keep Molokaʻi secure in the face of looming, ever-present biosecurity threats.

Molokaʻi is known as a “kīpuka” island, where Native Hawaiian values, practices, and relationships between and among people and ʻāina continue to persevere, despite the dynamic changes our islands have seen over the last two centuries. Notably, climate scientists and cultural practitioners alike agree that places like Molokaʻi, still steeped in time-tested, indigenous wisdom, may hold the key to our future resilience as humanity contends with an ever-destabilizing climate.  

Unfortunately, Molokaʻi remains at constant risk of exposure to potentially devastating invasive pests, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB). The introduction and establishment of such invasive species on the island may permanently impact the ecological integrity, cultural practices, food security, and ways of life for Molokaʻi and its people. This in turn may not only rob all of Hawaiʻi and the world of the unique beauty and cultural heritage maintained by Molokaʻi Nui A Hina, but also inhibit us from learning and applying the knowledge and insight that has been maintained by its communities in the highly uncertain decades to come.

While Molokaʻi has been able to get the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to promulgate temporary rules to restrict the movement of CRB host material to the island, a much more comprehensive, long-term strategy is needed to truly protect the island from the devastating impacts of CRB and other invasive pests. This measure would accordingly provide critical resources for the development of a much-needed biosecurity plan for the island.

Therefore, I respectfully urge the Committee to PASS HB1929 HD1.  Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify. 

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email).

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter “HB1929” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information, select “SUPPORT”, write or copy/paste your testimony, and select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able!

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4).

  6. Spread the word!

March 4 Update

HB1929 HD1 was passed unamended by the House Finance Committee on March 3. This measure would provide funds for a plan to keep the coconut rhinoceros beetle and other invasive pests not found on Molokaʻi from devastating the food security, ecological integrity, cultural practices, and ways of life⁠.

Mahalo nui to the over 49 individuals and organizations who submitted testimony in support and special thanks to Chair Todd and Vice Chair Takenouchi for passing this measure.⁠

February 28 Update

HB1929 HD1 would provide funds for a plan to keep the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) and other invasive pests not found on Molokaʻi from devastating the food security, ecological integrity, cultural practices, and ways of life of this island – a kīpuka of Hawaiian cultural practices and values that may be the key to our islands’ and planet’s future resilience. This measure is being heard on Tuesday, March 3, at 2pm in Capitol Conference Room 308 by the House Finance Committee (to be broadcast live on Youtube here).

Sample Testimony for HB1929 HD1

Aloha Chair Todd, Vice Chair Takenouchi, and Committee Members,

My name is [your name] and I STRONGLY SUPPORT HB1929 HD1.

Molokaʻi is known as a “kīpuka” island, where Native Hawaiian values, practices, and relationships between and among people and ʻāina continue to persevere, despite the dynamic changes our islands have seen over the last two centuries. Notably, climate scientists and cultural practitioners alike agree that places like Molokaʻi, still steeped in time-tested, indigenous wisdom, may hold the key to our future resilience as humanity contends with an ever-destabilizing climate.  

Unfortunately, Molokaʻi remains at constant risk of exposure to potentially devastating invasive pests, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB). The introduction and establishment of such invasive species on the island may permanently impact the ecological integrity, cultural practices, food security, and ways of life for Molokaʻi and its people. This in turn may not only rob all of Hawaiʻi and the world of the unique beauty and cultural heritage maintained by Molokaʻi Nui A Hina, but also inhibit us from learning and applying the knowledge and insight that has been maintained by its communities in the highly uncertain decades to come.

While Molokaʻi has been able to get the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to promulgate temporary rules to restrict the movement of CRB host material to the island, a much more comprehensive, long-term strategy is needed to truly protect the island from the devastating impacts of CRB and other invasive pests. This measure would accordingly provide critical resources for the development of a much-needed biosecurity plan for the island.

Therefore, I respectfully urge the Committee to PASS HB1929 HD1.  Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify. 

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email).

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter “HB1929” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information, select “SUPPORT”, write or copy/paste your testimony, and select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able!

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4).

  6. Spread the word!

February 19 Update

HB1929, which would provide funds for a biosecurity plan to protect Molokaʻi from invasive pests found elsewhere in the islands, was passed by the House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems on February 18. 

Mahalo nui to the over 60 individuals and organizations who submitted testimony in support and special thanks to Chair Chun and Vice Chair Kusch for passing this measure.

Bill Background & Info

On Wednesday, February 18 at 9:30am in room 325 the House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems will hear HB1929 which would protect Molokaʻi from coconut rhinoceros beetles and other invasive pests.

Please take a moment to support this measure! Sample testimony and instructions below.

What this bill does

HB1929 would provide funds for a biosecurity plan to protect Molokaʻi from invasive pests found elsewhere in the islands.

Why this is important

HB1929 would help to keep the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) and other invasive pests not found on Molokaʻi from devastating the food security, ecological integrity, cultural practices, and ways of life of this island, a kīpuka of Hawaiian cultural practices and values that may be the key to our islands’ and planet’s future resilience.

Sample Testimony for HB1929

Aloha Chair Chun, Vice Chair Kusch, and Committee Members,

My name is [your name] and I STRONGLY SUPPORT HB1929.

Molokaʻi is known as a “kīpuka” island, where Native Hawaiian values, practices, and relationships between and among people and ʻāina continue to persevere, despite the dynamic changes our islands have seen over the last two centuries. Notably, climate scientists and cultural practitioners alike agree that places like Molokaʻi, still steeped in time-tested, indigenous wisdom, may hold the key to our future resilience as humanity contends with an ever-destabilizing climate.  

Unfortunately, Molokaʻi remains at constant risk of exposure to potentially devastating invasive pests, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB). The introduction and establishment of such invasive species on the island may permanently impact the ecological integrity, cultural practices, food security, and ways of life for Molokaʻi and its people. This in turn may not only rob all of Hawaiʻi and the world of the unique beauty and cultural heritage maintained by Molokaʻi Nui A Hina, but also inhibit us from learning and applying the knowledge and insight that has been maintained by its communities in the highly uncertain decades to come.

While Molokaʻi has been able to get the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to promulgate temporary rules to restrict the movement of CRB host material to the island, a much more comprehensive, long-term strategy is needed to truly protect the island from the devastating impacts of the CRB and other invasive pests. This measure would accordingly provide critical resources for the development of a much-needed biosecurity plan for the island.

Therefore, I respectfully urge the Committee to PASS HB1929.  Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify. 

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email).

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter “HB1929” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information, select “SUPPORT”, write or copy/paste your testimony, and select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able! 

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4).

  6. Don’t forget to spread the word!

SUPPORT HB1931 HD2: Strengthen Invasive Species Response

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March 5 Update

HB1931 HD1 passed out of the House Finance Committee on March 4. This measure would implement longstanding recommendations to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s ability to fight invasive weeds and plants and address the threats they pose to our food security, water resources, ecosystems, cultural practices, climate resilience, and local economy.

Mahalo nui to the over 53 individuals and organizations who submitted testimony in support and special thanks to Chair Todd and Vice Chair Takenouchi for passing this measure.⁠

March 2 Update

Our prior bills on invasive species response didn’t make it through the lateral deadline. However, a bill we have been monitoring has moved ahead! HB1931 HD2 would implement longstanding recommendations to boost our ability to fight back against invasive weeds and plants, and the threats they pose to our food security, water security, ecological and cultural integrity, climate resilience, and economy. It s a hearing this Wednesday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m., the House Finance Committee will hear the following bill in room 308. Please take a moment to submit testimony in SUPPORT of this critical measure:

Sample Testimony for HB1931 HD2

Aloha Chair Todd, Vice Chair Takenouchi, and Committee Members,

My name is [your name] and I STRONGLY SUPPORT HB1931 HD2.

Invasive species, including noxious weeds and plants, threaten tremendous harm to our water security, agricultural operations, ecological and cultural integrity, recreational activities, climate resilience, and local economy. For example, miconia and guava have already displaced entire native ecosystems, preventing our drinking water aquifers from recharging and contributing to flooding and runoff events; highly invasive and toxic fireweed threatens to upend our livestock industry; and cane and guinea grasses are a bane for both farmers as well as backyard gardeners, and exacerbate the risks of wildfires throughout the islands.

Unfortunately, despite a litany of hard lessons about the dangers of invasive plants, and despite longstanding recommendations made by experts and stakeholders to shore up our defenses against even more invasive plant introductions to our islands, the state’s noxious weed program has not been updated since 1992.

This bill would accordingly provide much-needed updates to our beleaguered noxious weed program, providing it with dedicated staff, allowing for a public alert process to submit newly found invasive plant species for follow-up assessment and action, and giving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) additional regulatory and enforcement authorities. These critical adjustments, consistent with the recommendations of DAB’s Noxious Weed Working Group, could save hundreds of millions of dollars or more in damages and remedial costs; more importantly, however, this bill will protect our future generations from the harshest consequences of living on invasives-infested landscapes -- which may be all but inevitable under the current status quo. 

Accordingly, I respectfully urge the Committee to PASS this measure. Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify. 

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email).

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter “HB1931” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information, select “SUPPORT”, write or copy/paste your testimony, and select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. You can also choose to provide  verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) on HB1931 .

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4).

  6. Spread the word!

Bill Background & Info

Three common-sense and much-needed measures to boost Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity framework need your support! Please take a moment now to submit testimony on one or all of the bills below, and help secure stronger protections for our food systems, natural resources, cultural practices, and ways of life from the generations-long impacts of invasive pests.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11 at 10am, the Senate Committees on Agriculture and the Environment and Commerce and Consumer Protection will hear SB2760 and SB2048. These measures address long-standing gaps in Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity framework and will help mitigate the ongoing and future impacts of invasive species on our native ecosystems, cultural practices, food security, public health, economy, and overall quality of life.

Later that day, at 1pm, the Senate Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment will hear SB2488, which would allow the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) and its partners to continue and expand their vital role in Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity strategy, and avoid looming disruptions that may soon occur under current law. 

What these bills do

SB2760 proposes a suite of practical, much-needed fixes to fill longstanding gaps in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s (DAB’s) statutory authorities. It expands the entities who DAB should work with on our wide range of biosecurity issues, expands the types of potential pest host material DAB can regulate, and extends the validity of interim biosecurity rules from one year to two—ensuring needed emergency protections remain in place while permanent rules are developed.

SB2048 prohibits the sale of invasive pests or products infested with pests. This measure clarifies DAB’s authority and responsibility to intervene before the sale of infested plants, mulch, or other materials leads to another invasive species crisis.

SB2488—similar to HB1601—restores HISC funding back to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, where HISC housed, rather than DAB, which does not have the experience, expertise, or staff capacity to administer these funds - especially on top of its many other new biosecurity responsibilities it is struggling to uphold. This bill also creates a dedicated executive director position for HISC, whose ability to fully focus on our biosecurity needs would supercharge HISC’s ability to fulfill its mission.  

Why these bills are important

For years, DAB (previously the Department of Agriculture) has cited a lack of authority and clarity as reasons for slow or inadequate response to invasive species threats. This has contributed to the multiple, simultaneous invasive species crises we are now experiencing across the islands, including little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, coqui frogs, and others.

SB2760 and SB2048 address many of these challenges by clarifying responsibilities, expanding regulatory authority over pests and infested materials, and allowing interim rules to remain in effect long enough to be meaningful—especially given how long it often takes to adopt permanent rules.

SB2488 corrects a funding shift made last year that redirected HISC funds from DLNR to DAB, creating a significant risk of funding delays and even indefinite disruptions to critical biosecurity efforts. DAB has no experience administering these funds, and continues to face staffing and capacity challenges in implementing its historical and new biosecurity responsibilities. As a result, there is a real and significant risk that DAB’s administration of HISC funds may result in funds not being distributed in a timely manner, or at all, to critical programs, including the island invasive species committees, 643PEST.org, and the Plant Pono Program. By restoring funding to DLNR and establishing an executive director position to work full-time on facilitating HISC’s mission, SB2488 protects and strengthens HISC’s ability to coordinate biosecurity actions and respond quickly and effectively to new and ongoing invasive species threats.

Sample testimony for SB2760

Aloha Chairs Gabbard and Keohokālole, Vice Chairs Richards and Fukunaga, and members of the Committees, 

My name is [Name], and I am writing in strong support of SB2760.

Invasive plants, animals, and diseases have already caused immense harm across Hawaiʻi—damaging watersheds, threatening native species, undermining cultural practices, and impacting food security, public health, and our economy. Once invasive species become established, the damage is often irreversible, making prevention and rapid response absolutely essential.

SB2760 addresses long-standing gaps in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s authority by clarifying who the department can work with, expanding its ability to regulate high-risk materials that spread invasive species, and allowing interim biosecurity rules to remain in effect long enough to be meaningful. These are common-sense fixes that will help agencies act more quickly and effectively to stop invasive species before it is too late.

At a time when Hawaiʻi is facing multiple invasive species crises, SB2760 will help ensure that our biosecurity system is proactive rather than reactive, and that agencies have the tools they need to protect our ʻāina, waters, and communities.

I respectfully urge you to PASS SB2760.

Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Sample testimony for SB2048

Aloha Chairs Gabbard and Keohokālole, Vice Chairs Richards and Fukunaga, and members of the Committees, 

My name is [Name], and I am writing in strong support of SB2048.

Hawaiʻi’s history has shown us how devastating invasive species can be once they become established. Invasive pests have harmed our native ecosystems, threatened food security, increased pesticide use, and damaged cultural practices and livelihoods across the islands. Preventing the spread of invasive species at the point of sale is one of the most effective ways to stop new infestations before they cause irreversible harm.

SB2048 would prohibit the sale of invasive pests or products infested with pests, such as plants and mulch. The sale of infested materials has played a significant role in the spread of destructive pests like little fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles, yet the Department of Agriculture still has not adopted rules to make this highly harmful conduct illegal. This bill makes clear that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has both the authority and responsibility to intervene before unscrupulous business practices lead to yet another invasive species crisis.

I respectfully urge you to PASS SB2048 to protect Hawaiʻi’s environment, agriculture, public health, and communities.

Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Sample testimony for SB2488

Aloha Chairs Lee and Gabbard, Vice Chairs Inouye and Richards, and members of the Committees,

My name is [Name], and I am writing in strong support of SB2488.

This bill would restore funding for the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), where the Council is housed and where such funding has been successfully administered for years, while also adding much-needed capacity to the council by establishing an executive director position.

DLNR and its dedicated staff have the experience and expertise to ensure that Hawai'i Invasive Species Committee (HISC) funds get to the programs that we depend on, to protect our homes, farms, lands, and waters from invasive pests. These include the highly effective island invasive species committees, 643PEST.org, the Hawaiʻi Weed Risk Assessment, and the Plant Pono Program, among others.

In contrast, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) has limited expertise in the breadth of HISC’s work, continues to struggle with implementing the new authorities and staff positions it was given last year, and has a track record of inadequately administering biosecurity funding and ignoring invasive species threats generally. Having DAB administer FY26-27 HISC funds on top of DAB’s current challenges, a change that was enacted last year, would only hinder HISC’s partners and programs with potential funding disruptions and bureaucracy - at a time when Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity crises need faster responses, not undue delays. 

Placing HISC funds back in the DLNR would ensure continuity in HISC’s and its partners’ efforts, and avoid disruptions to our biosecurity framework that we simply cannot afford. 

Lastly, this bill would also strengthen HISC by creating a dedicated executive director position. A full-time director would ensure that HISC has staff that can focus fully on its mission, including by coordinating work between meetings, representing HISC in key discussions, and otherwise ensuring invasive species response efforts move quickly and effectively.

SB2488 will both protect and give a critically-needed, timely boost to our islands’ ability to address our invasive species crises. I urge you to please PASS this measure.

Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email)

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter "SB2760", “SB2048”, “SB2488” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information and your written testimony, select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able! 

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4)

SUPPORT HB1601: Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council Funding

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January 30 Update:

HB1601, which ensures funding for the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council and its programs and partners is not disrupted by months of bureaucratic delays, was passed out of the House Agriculture & Food Systems Committee on January 30.

Mahalo nui to the over 34 individuals and organizations who submitted testimony in support and special thanks to Chair Chun and Vice Chair Kusch for passing this measure.

HB1601 Bill Background & Info

What does HB1601 do?

HB1601 restores Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) funding back to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), where the Council is housed, and who has a long and proven track record of ensuring funds reach HISC programs and community partners protecting Hawaiʻi from invasive species and their impacts.

Why is this needed?

Last year, an omnibus biosecurity measure inexplicably gave all of HISC’s funding for FY26-27 to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) to administer, instead of to the normal recipient, DLNR. This risks significant delays and bureaucracy that could severely hinder Hawaiʻi's ability to respond quickly against invasive species. 

DAB has limited experience and expertise in the breadth of HISC’s work and is still struggling to implement the new authorities and staff positions to implement the new authorities and staff positions it was given last year, and has a track record of inadequately administering biosecurity funding and ignoring invasive species threats generally. Putting DAB in charge of handling HISC funding on top of its ongoing challenges means HISC’s highly effective partners and programs, including but not limited to the island invasive species committees, 643PEST.org, and the Plant Pono Program, could be left in financial limbo for months, if not indefinitely.    

HB1601 would address this problem by putting HISC funding back under DLNR, which has successfully administered HISC funds for years, has extensive institutional knowledge of where HISC funding needs to go, and has staff assigned to manage and distribute the funding. 

HB1601 will be heard in its first committee on Friday, January 30 at 9:30am in the House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems in room 325. Please take a moment to support this simple, common-sense fix that ensures critical invasive species funding flows directly to frontline biosecurity efforts, without bureaucratic delays.

Sample testimony

Aloha Chair Chun, Vice-Chair Kusch, and members of the House Agriculture & Food Systems Committee, 

My name is [Name], and I am writing in strong support of HB1601.

This bill would restore funding for the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), where the Council is housed, and where such funding has been successfully administered for years. 

DLNR and its dedicated staff have the experience and expertise to ensure Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) funds get to the programs that we depend on, to protect our homes, farms, watersheds, and ocean waters from invasive pests. These include the highly effective island invasive species committees, 643PEST.org, the Hawaiʻi Weed Risk Assessment, and the Plant Pono Program, among others.

In contrast, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) has limited expertise in the breadth of HISC’s work, continues to struggle with implementing the new authorities and staff positions it was given last year, and has a track record of inadequately administering biosecurity funding and ignoring invasive species threats generally. Having DAB administer FY26-27 HISC funds on top of the Department’s current challenges, as the law currently requires, would only hinder HISC’s partners and programs with potential funding disruptions and bureaucracy - at a time when Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity crises need faster responses, not undue delays. 

HB1601 will help ensure that invasive species response funds are deployed in a timely, transparent, and effective manner. I urge you to please PASS this measure

Mahalo nui for the opportunity to testify.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email)

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter "HB1601" where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information and your written testimony, select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able! 

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4)