HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	60
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of agriculture and BIOSECURITY to convene a working group to improve consumer awareness of invasive plant species, reduce the spread of invasive species through plant sales, and create a comprehensive labeling framework that provides an indication of a plant species' invasiveness risk when sold in the State.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the introduction of invasive plant species into Hawaii's ecosystem has serious environmental implications, including degrading watershed integrity, accelerating erosion, and decreasing biodiversity; and

 

     WHEREAS, invasive plant species also contribute to significant agricultural harm by causing crop destruction, competing with crops for resources, creating fire hazards, increasing costs, and reducing agricultural productivity; and

 

     WHEREAS, approximately ninety percent of invasive plants in Hawaii have been imported intentionally, primarily through horticulture; and

 

     WHEREAS, invasive plant species are sold within the State and often unknowingly purchased by consumers, highlighting a clear disconnect between consumer values and the information currently available at the point of sale; and

 

     WHEREAS, the list of plants designated by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity as noxious weeds, which are prohibited from import or sale in the State, was last updated in 1992; and

 

     WHEREAS, the list contains species that are now widespread and omits some invasive plant species that pose the highest risks to the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Plant Pono Program was created to help Hawaii residents and members of the nursery industry make informed decisions about plant purchases and sales and reduce the spread of invasive species; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Plant Pono Program provides a publicly accessible website and resources that allow users to select plants that are less likely to escape cultivation and harm native forests, watersheds, agriculture, and biodiversity; and

 

     WHEREAS, initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of invasive plant species have been effective abroad, including in New Zealand, which has implemented successful initiatives like the Weedbusters Program and Great Weeds Hunt, which seek to reduce the population of invasive plant species through public education and community engagement; and

 

     WHEREAS, despite this initiative, issues related to invasive species persist, demonstrating the need for further, collaborative efforts to raise consumer awareness about the potential invasiveness of plants at a time and place when consumers are making plant purchasing decisions; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is requested to convene a working group to improve consumer awareness of invasive plant species, reduce the spread of invasive species through plant sales, and create a comprehensive labeling framework that provides an indication of a plant species' invasiveness risk when sold in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, or the Chairperson's designee, is requested to serve as chairperson of the working group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite a representative from each of the following organizations to participate in the working group:

 

     (1)  Hawai i Farm Bureau;

 

     (2)  Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association;

 

     (3)  Hawai i Farmers Union United;

 

     (4)  Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species;

 

     (5)  Retail Merchants of Hawai i; and

 

     (6)  Invasive Species Committees, as selected by the chairperson; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Executive Director of the Hawai i Farm Bureau; President of the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Chief Executive Officer of Hawai i Farmers Union United; Program Manager and Information Officer of the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Merchants of Hawai i; and Program Manager of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Project Manager of the Kauai Invasive Species Committee, Manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and Manager of the Oahu Invasive Species Committee.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Invasive Plant Species; Working Group; Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity