HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

163

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO HIRE A PART-TIME PEST INSPECTION TECHNICIAN for THE ISLAND OF MOLOKAI to ERADICATe AND CONTROL INVASIVE SPECIES ON THE ISLAND.

 

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii enjoys a uniqueness and environmental quality unmatched in the rest of the world that is due, in part, to its isolation from continental land masses and its topographic and climatic diversity; and

WHEREAS, over time, this isolation has led to the generation of species entirely unique to Hawaii that are no match for invasive species transported to Hawaii by the advancement of human activities and global commerce and travel; and

WHEREAS, more than five thousand species of non-native plants and animals have become established in the Hawaiian islands in the past two hundred years, which represents the successful colonization of a new species in Hawaii every eighteen days; and

WHEREAS, the introduction of invasive species to Hawaii has resulted in the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and crop losses estimated in the millions of dollars; and

WHEREAS, resources to exterminate and control invasive species have been concentrated in the more populated areas in the State, even though the invasive species problem is statewide and pervades smaller communities and islands as well; and

WHEREAS, the island of Molokai has seen the proliferation of certain invasive species on that island, including the fountain grass, the cat's claw shrub, the goarse shrub, the erythrina gall wasp, and the pampas grass; and

WHEREAS, although not on the island yet, certain invasive species have the capability of gaining a foothold on Molokai, including the miconia plant, the Asian clam, the coqui frog, and the brown tree snake; and

WHEREAS, a part-time pest inspection technician on Molokai would provide "first line of defense" capabilities and would be able to inspect all incoming goods to detect organisms ranging from microscopic organisms (plant pathogens, etc.) to large plants and animals; and

WHEREAS, a pest inspection technician would be able to check all goods at ports of entry (harbors and airports) as well as inspect nurseries and special events (outrigger canoe channel races, etc.); and

WHEREAS, a pest inspection technician would also:

(1) Help coordinate and facilitate the rapid response of newly detected injurious wildlife, noxious weeds, and agricultural/aquacultural pests;

(2) Help report and monitor response efforts;

(3) Prevent invasive species on Molokai from being transported to other islands;

(4) Collaborate with other resource agencies to assist with the prevention, survey/detection, and control of new invasive species and established noxious invasive species;

(5) Conduct public awareness campaigns and workshops to empower the Molokai community to identify priority invasive species, notify proper authorities, and assist with eradication efforts;

(6) Enforce violators and certify outgoing foods with "passed" stickers; and

(7) Coordinate pesticide education, certification, and inspection; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to hire a part-time pest inspection technician for the island of Molokai to eradicate and control invasive species on the island; and

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

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Invasive Species; Molokai