HI HR47

Urges the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to develop a comprehensive strategy for managing invasive rose-ringed parakeet populations.

Rose-ringed parakeet populations have grown to approximately 20,000 on Kauai, 10,000 on Oahu, several hundred on Hawaii, and a few on Maui since their introduction in the 1960s.

Invasive parakeets damage agriculture by depredating corn, lychee, mango, papaya, and citrus crops, with some farmers reporting losses of 10-25 percent and over $1,000,000 in total losses.

Parakeets harm native ecosystems by stripping tree bark causing tree death, dispersing invasive plant seeds, and injuring native wildlife for roosting cavities; they also pose human health risks through droppings and excessive noise.

Requests the Hawaii Invasive Species Council submit the comprehensive strategy, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2024 Regular Session.