HI HB643

Establishes short-term management initiatives for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program at the University of Hawaii, including industry training, residential treatment subsidies, and biocontrol research.

Requires annual workshops on each island to educate tree trimmers, arborists, and landscaping companies on best management practices, with a public list of trained companies posted online.

Authorizes subsidies for canopy treatments for residential palm owners and canine inspections of high-risk cargo between islands in coordination with the Department of Agriculture.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund training programs, residential subsidies, response team deployment to neighbor islands, cargo inspections, three drones, and permanent positions for biocontrol research.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to contract with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to implement the program.