Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens Hawaii‑focused research, coordination, and targeted actions to confront Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and support local economies, but it relies on limited new federal funding, a narrow geographic scope, and voluntary private‑land cooperation — which may constrain effectiveness and shift costs to state and local partners.
Residents of Hawaiʻi, local economies (tourism, forest products), and restoration partners receive federal research funding, financial assistance, and sustained Institute staffing to prevent spread, restore native forests, and support long‑term monitoring.
Federal and State agencies gain a framework to coordinate response and collaborate on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death actions, improving capacity to protect forests and native ecosystems on federal, state, and adjacent lands.
Hawaiʻi agencies and local land managers get clearer statutory definitions (including of 'Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death' and 'State'), reducing jurisdictional ambiguity and enabling more targeted plant‑health planning and program eligibility.
State governments, federal land managers, and local partners may shoulder costs and activities because the bill lacks dedicated federal funding or timelines for many actions, shifting fiscal and operational burden to local actors.
Required coordination may be ineffective without clear statutory authority, implementation details, or additional resources — producing limited on‑the‑ground action and diverting Interior and Agriculture staff time from other priorities.
Federal spending on research and assistance increases taxpayer costs but does not guarantee eradication of the disease, creating a risk of ongoing expense with uncertain ecological outcomes.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Directs Interior and Agriculture to continue research, management, ungulate-control partnerships, and financial/staff support to prevent and restore forests affected by Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi.
Directs Interior and Agriculture to continue federal research, management, and restoration activities to address Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi. It requires interagency collaboration with the State of Hawaiʻi and continuation of research on disease vectors, ungulate-management partnerships across land ownerships (with owner consent), and financial and staffing support for Pacific Islands forest research and restoration efforts.
Introduced January 13, 2025 by Jill Tokuda · Last progress February 14, 2025