HI HB1185

Establishes a Plant-based Building Materials Working Group within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to study growing plants and developing plant-based building materials in Hawaii

Working group members include UH representatives, the Board of Agriculture chairperson, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission coordinator, four plant-based building materials experts, and a building materials expert from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii

Focuses on materials such as processed bamboo (stronger and lighter than timber or steel), hempcrete from industrial hemp, and biocements from cyanobacteria as alternatives to traditional building materials

Requires an interim report 20 days before the 2026 legislative session and a final report with recommendations 20 days before the 2027 session; working group dissolves June 30, 2027

Appropriates an unspecified sum from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the working group's activities