H.C.R. NO. 189 Summary

• Urges the State to prohibit introduction of biocontrol agents that could threaten economically important forage grass species used in beef cattle production.

• Recognizes Hawaii's beef cattle industry contributes over $48,000,000 annually to the state economy and manages approximately 750,000 acres (20 percent) of Hawaii's rangelands.

• Requests the State adopt a holistic approach to wildfire risk that prioritizes fuel reduction using multiple tools including grazing, fire buffers, and mechanical controls while considering economic and ecological impacts.

• Urges the State to protect rangelands and forage grasses through funding, policies, and agency directives that incentivize livestock grazing for vegetation management on State and private lands.

• Directs transmission of the resolution to the Governor, Board of Agriculture Chairperson, and all county mayors.