STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3481

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1179

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1179, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a pilot program within the Aina Mauna legacy program of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to remove and harvest gorse from Mauna Kea and develop it as a marketable product to expand economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii State Aha Moku, Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association, and two individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that gorse is a plant invasive species native to western Europe originally introduced as food for sheep. Gorse is difficult to remove and is detrimental to native habitats. There exists a need for greater economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians and therefore, the purpose of this measure is to establish a pilot program to remove and harvest gorse from Mauna Kea and develop it as a marketable product to expand economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians.

Your Committees note concerns that the method of gorse removal likely to be used will not lead to the eventual eradication of the invasive species due to seeds spreading despite the plant being consumed by animals. Additionally, there are concerns that this measure proposes a method to assist the Native Hawaiian people without gathering the voices of the Kanaka Maoli first.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1179, H.D. 1, 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 Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair