SUPPORT HB1929: Protect Molokaʻi From Invasive Pests
/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
Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email).
Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.
Enter “HB1929” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."
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.
If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4).
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