HI SB2988

Appropriates $700,000 from general revenues to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2016-2017 to research and develop prevention and treatment methods for macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to work in cooperation with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources on the research initiative

Addresses the spread of macadamia felted coccid, an Australian insect discovered on macadamia trees in South Kona in March 2005 that has expanded to the Pahala area and threatens the state's top five agricultural commodities

Recognizes that insecticidal oil treatments have proven ineffective on mature macadamia trees due to their size and dense canopy, requiring development of alternative control methods

Takes effect on July 1, 2016