HI HCR52

Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a task force of government and private stakeholders to identify long-term solutions for controlling and eradicating Albizia trees in Hawaii.

Task force composition includes representatives from the Senate, House, DLNR, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, county emergency management offices, Hawaiian Electric Company, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, and a telecommunications company.

Albizia trees pose significant public safety and infrastructure threats due to weak brittle limbs prone to sudden drop, rapid growth of up to 15 feet per year, and tendency to grow in dense stands; removal costs can reach $10,000 per tree and the Department of Transportation spent $1,000,000 per mile removing trees on Kauai.

Task force must submit a report by 20 days before the 2022 regular legislative session analyzing the Hawaii Invasive Species Council's 2018 Strategic Plan, estimating control costs, and recommending legislative changes regarding landowner rights, funding sources, and agency authority to control Albizia on private property.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife shall provide administrative support to the task force, with the Legislative Reference Bureau assisting in report preparation upon request.