THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

27

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO ERADICATE OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR.

 

 

     WHEREAS, two invasive species of octocoral, or Unomia stolonifera and Capnella spicata, are two of many invasive species that threaten Pearl Harbor's maritime ecosystem; and

 

     WHEREAS, octocoral takes over marine habitats extremely quickly because it is a "soft coral" that does not form a calcium exoskeleton like reef-building corals, allowing it to rapidly grow and spread colonies, smothering Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems; and

 

     WHEREAS, in areas where octocorals dominate the marine habitat, there is a lower density and diversity of fish; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States Navy reported the presence of octocoral near Pearl Harbor in late 2020 during surveys that were not focused on octocorals, and recent surveys have documented octocoral in a much larger area, indicating that they were most likely present before 2019; and

 

     WHEREAS, a strong, unified response is required to remove and eradicate octocorals and other invasive species from the waters of Pearl Harbor; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States Navy is the principal caretaker of Pearl Harbor and its waters; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that the United States Navy is encouraged to eradicate octocoral and other invasive species from the waters of Pearl Harbor; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Navy is encouraged to allocate resources to eradicate octocoral and other invasive species from the waters of Pearl Harbor, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Navy is urged to provide the state Department of Land and Natural Resources with regular updates on the status of eradication efforts and the extent of invasive octocoral; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of the Navy and Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Report Title: 

United States Navy; DLNR; Octocoral; Invasive Species