HI HR95

Urges the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and University of Hawaii to develop and implement a mosquito control program using Wolbachia bacteria to reduce mosquito populations statewide.

Identifies mosquito-borne diseases including Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and avian malaria as threats to public health and native wildlife, with 26 confirmed Zika cases, 36 Chikungunya cases, and 360 dengue cases between 2013 and November 2, 2020.

Notes that nine unique native bird species have gone extinct in Hawaii since the 1980s, with virtually all native forest birds below 4,000 feet eliminated by avian malaria, and that climate change is pushing mosquitoes toward mountaintop refuges.

Explains that Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacteria present in 15-70 percent of all insects that is safe to humans and the environment, and that infected male mosquitoes cannot produce offspring with uninfected or differently infected wild females.

Directs certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Director of Health, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and President of the University of Hawaii System.