SENATE COMMITTEES TO HOST INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON INVASIVE SPECIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2023
Senate Communications: Matthew Prellberg 808-586-6291
SENATE COMMITTEES TO HOST INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON INVASIVE SPECIES
Honolulu, HI – Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Committee on Agriculture and Environment will host an informational briefing on Invasive Species in Hawaiʻi. The purpose of this briefing is for the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), the Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (OCP, DCCA), and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) to update the committees on the actions underway to address these outbreaks.
Recent media reports have highlighted outbreaks of several notorious invasive pests, most notably Little Fire Ant (LFA) on Oʻahu and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) on multiple islands. Both outbreaks threaten to cause considerable damage to natural and agricultural resources in the state, as well as to residents' wellbeing.
The presenters will also discuss the steps being taken to ensure that pest-infested products are not knowingly being transported and offered for sale to consumers, thereby accelerating the infestation. Additionally, the HDOA will clarify why it has not enacted rules to ensure accountability and empower action to prevent the distribution of invested products to consumers across the state.
WHAT: Invasive Species Informational Briefing
WHEN: Wednesday, November 22, 2023
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Conference Room 229
Hawaiʻi State Capitol
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
A live stream of all Senate Standing Committee meetings will be available on the Senate YouTube Channel.
Photo ID is required for entrance to the State Capitol.
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Zoë Wilks
Deputy Director of Communications
Hawai‘i State Senate
O: 808.586.6290
