HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 603 Draft 01 2024-2026 •�0,1.Oi N CJ
COUNTY OF HAWAII 4 ` 1* STATE OF HAWAII
'•l,•rE F,N��'.
RESOLUTION NO. €S03 2 B
A RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND
BIOSECURITY TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE PLANT QUARANTINE INTERIM
RULE 26-1,REGULATING THE TRANSPORTATION OF COCONUT RHINOCEROS
BEETLE HOST MATERIAL ON HAWAII ISLAND.
WHEREAS,the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (hereinafter, "CRB"), is
an invasive species that feeds on palm trees and other plants by burrowing into and damaging the
growing portions of trees,which can weaken plants, impair growth, and result in significant
impacts to their health and survival; and
WHEREAS, CRB also feed on hala,kalo, sugarcane,pineapple, banana, and other
agricultural and culturally significant plants,thereby threatening Hawai`i Island's ecosystems,
agriculture,landscaping industries, economy, and food security; and
WHEREAS, CRB larvae were first detected in the Waikoloa area in October 2023,adult
CRB were subsequently detected in 2024, and detections expanded to multiple sites outside the
Waikoloa area beginning in March 2025; and
WHEREAS,the detections triggered a multi-agency response from the County of
Hawai`i,the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity(hereinafter, "DAB"),the
Hawai`i Department of Transportation,the Hawai`i Invasive Species Council, CRB Response,
and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee; and
WHEREAS,response actions included fumigation of breeding sites,trapping and
monitoring efforts throughout West Hawai`i,pesticide application to coconut trees, and public
outreach; and
WHEREAS, to stop the spread of CRB,the County adopted a voluntary compliance
order for CRB host materials from July 1,2025,through September 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on January 9, 2026,two community organizations,Hawai`i Wildlife Fund
and Pohaku Pelemaka, submitted a petition for interim rulemaking to regulate the transportation
of CRB host material on Hawai`i Island to the State Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; and
WHEREAS,in response to the confirmed spread of CRB and the petition for interim
rulemaking,DAB extended the voluntary compliance order through April 30, 2026,to allow
time for interim rules to be drafted; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2026,DAB adopted Plant Quarantine Interim Rule 26-1
pursuant to Section 150A-9.5 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes; and
WHEREAS, Quarantine Interim Rule 26-1 regulates the transportation of CRB host
material in a CRB infested area by requiring persons engaging in activities related to CRB host
material to enter into compliance agreements with DAB and complete a required training by May
1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, as of May 26,2026,the Big Island Invasive Species Committee has
conducted twenty-six training sessions and trained one hundred sixty-four individuals from
nineteen entities,which included assisting trainees with completing the compliance agreement
forms; and
WHEREAS,DAB's Plant Quarantine Branch has not designated an employee on
Hawaii Island to assist with the implementation of Plant Quarantine Interim Rule 26-1; and
WHEREAS, as of May 26, 2026,DAB's Plant Quarantine Branch had not approved
compliance agreements necessary for businesses and individuals to legally conduct activities
involving CRB host materials pursuant to Interim Rule 26-1, creating uncertainty for regulated
parties and limiting implementation of the adopted quarantine measures; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the efforts of community organizations, agricultural
producers, and residents who have assisted in CRB response efforts and urges continued
collaboration between the State, County, and local partners to prevent further spread of CRB;
now,therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I that,in
accordance with Section 150A-9.5 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes,the Hawai`i Department of
Agriculture and Biosecurity is hereby urged to immediately implement and enforce Plant
Quarantine Interim Rule 26-1.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai`i Depai tiiient of Agriculture and
Biosecurity is hereby urged to provide public awareness of the requirements of Interim Rule 26-1
and expedite the issuance of compliance agreements.
2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture and
Biosecurity is hereby urged to designate a Plant Quarantine Branch employee who is located on,
or regularly travels to,Hawai`i Island as a point of contact to assist businesses, agricultural
producers, community organizations, and residents with implementation of Plant Quarantine
Interim Rule 26-1.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Joshua B. Green,M.D., Governor of the State of Hawai`i; Sharon
Hurd, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; the members of the Hawai`i
Senate and Hawai`i House of Representatives representing the Island of Hawai`i; and the
Honorable C. Kimo Alameda,Mayor of the County of Hawai`i.
Dated at ,Hawai`i,this day of , 20
INTRODUCED BY.
JAMES TACE
Council Member
1/
CG 'HOLEKA INABA
Council Member
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo,Hawai`i GALIMBA
HUSTACE
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA
County of Hawaii on
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST: KIMBALL
ONISHI
VILLEGAS
Reference: C-958/GOEAC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 6®3 26
if if DI I III_ III H I III
3 LRB 25-256 D8&9