HI HB1179

Establishes a pilot program within the Aina Mauna legacy program of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to remove, harvest, and develop gorse (an invasive plant species) from Mauna Kea into marketable products.

Gorse is native to western Europe and has become invasive in Hawaii due to aggressive seed dispersal, currently affecting the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Molokai.

Program aims to expand economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians while addressing invasive species management on approximately 56,000 acres of native Hawaiian forest in the Humulu-Piihonua area.

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to submit reports to the legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of regular sessions in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 and sunsets the program on June 30, 2025.