HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1472

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to rapid ohia death.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the ohia is Hawaii's most common and widespread native tree.  Ohia trees can be found at sea level and up to elevations of twenty-five hundred meters.  The trees provide critical habitats for rare and endangered native birds and insects.

     In recent years, the disease known as rapid ohia death, caused by the non-native fungal pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata, has been killing ohia trees in the forests and residential areas in Puna, South Hilo, Kau, and South Kona on the island of Hawaii.  When infected, the crown of an ohia tree first turns yellow, and then brown within a few days or weeks.  The fungal pathogen progresses up the stem of the tree and manifests as a dark staining in the sapwood along the outer margin of the trunk.  Landowners have noticed that when healthy-looking trees begin exhibiting symptoms, the trees die in a matter of weeks.

     Based on recent surveys, approximately fifty thousand acres of ohia forest on the island of Hawaii show signs of rapid ohia death disease.  Human movement of infected trees and wood, and contaminated tools, gear, and vehicles are thought to be the main impetus for transmission of the fungus.  There is no known treatment that can protect ohia trees from rapid ohia death and there is no cure for infected trees.

     The legislature finds that rapid ohia death has the potential to destroy ohia trees statewide.  The loss of ohia trees would be catastrophic to the diversity, structure, and function of the State's remaining native forests.  Currently, the disease has only been found on the island of Hawaii, and active monitoring and attempts to contain the disease are necessary to prevent the disease from reaching other islands.

     Researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture, the University of Hawaii, and other organizations have made progress in combating rapid ohia death, including isolating the fungal pathogen, researching alternative hosts for the pathogen, eliminating other causes for the ohia tree deaths, and making recommendations on preventing the spread of the disease.  However, the researchers require additional funding to continue their work.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to combat rapid ohia death.  The funding will help to continue pathology research by the Daniel K. Inouye United States Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center and other organizations.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $160,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the sum of $460,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for rapid ohia death research to be conducted by the Daniel K. Inouye United States Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, including the employment of forest pathologist post-doctoral fellows, molecular biology post-doctoral fellows, pathology post-doctoral fellows, technical support for pathology research, materials and supplies for pathogen and molecular detection, and other necessary materials or items.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Rapid Ohia Death; Ceratocystis; Trees; Research; Study; DOA; USDA; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys for research to combat rapid ohia death.

 

 

 

 

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