HI SCR79

Encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for eradicating invasive octocoral species (Unomia stolonifera and Capnella spicata) and other invasive species from Pearl Harbor waters, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch.

The invasive octocorals are "soft corals" that rapidly spread and smother native Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems, reducing fish density and diversity in affected areas.

The U.S. Navy first reported octocoral presence near Pearl Harbor in late 2020, with recent surveys showing the species likely existed in the area before 2019 and have spread to a much larger area.

Urges the Navy to allocate resources to clean, maintain, and secure Pearl Harbor's shoreline as the principal caretaker of the harbor's waters.

Directs that a certified copy of the resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of the Navy.