H.B. 1083 Summary

• Appropriates $2,003,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $2,003,000 for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to protect Hawaii's ohia forests from rapid ohia death disease.

• Allocates $750,000 for ongoing research including disease diagnostics, investigation of the two fungi species (Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia) causing rapid ohia death, and development of disease-resistant ohia for forest restoration.

• Allocates $750,000 for survey and control activities including twice-yearly helicopter surveys to detect outbreaks, ground crew follow-up, beetle suppression treatments, and post-treatment monitoring.

• Allocates $253,000 for expedited removal of hooved animals from fenced areas on Hawaii and Kauai islands to reduce wounding of healthy trees and prevent disease spread.

• Allocates $250,000 for public outreach through announcements, signage, community meetings, and sanitation workshops to educate residents and visitors on protecting ohia forests.