We, the undersigned, urgently call upon Governor Green and his administration to fulfill their responsibility to our islands and our people, and do their part to help prevent the spread of invasive pests that are wreaking havoc on our communities, environment, and way of life.
Without much-needed and long-awaited action by the Department of Agriculture, the further spread of little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, hala scale, two-lined spittlebug, and other invasive pests will increasingly threaten the very fabric of our islands.
The Department’s years-long failure to come up with statutorily-mandated invasive pest action plans or to even regulate the sale of infested products is placing our islands at risk. While community members are valiantly working to educate each other on the need to look for, detect, and eradicate invasive pests, these efforts may end up in vain, if the Department of Agriculture continues to refuse to use its unique legal and regulatory authorities to stop the sources of new infestations.
We urge Governor Green and his Administration to take the following actions:
- Strengthen quarantine measures: Enhance inter- and intra-island, as well as entry port quarantine protocols to limit the spread of invasive species already present and to prevent new invasive species from entering the islands. This includes the adoption of draft quarantine rules that were approved for rulemaking in February 2023.
- Complete invasive pest action plans: Adopt comprehensive detection and eradication plans for invasive pests that still do not exist despite longstanding statutory mandates.
- Seek adequate funding: Work with the state legislature and federal agencies to ensure adequate funding for a working biosecurity program that can truly prevent or reduce the threat and impacts of invasive pests.
- Enhance coordination: Improve coordination between state, federal, and county agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations and community groups, to ensure a unified and effective response to the invasive species crisis.
- Expand public education: Launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate residents and visitors about the risks of invasive species and how they can help prevent their spread.
- Support community involvement: Empower local communities with the tools and knowledge they need to participate in pest detection and control efforts, ensuring that all residents are part of the solution.
The time to act is now. Without immediate and decisive action, the spread of invasive pests will have irreversible consequences for Hawaiʻi’s environment, economy, and cultural integrity. We call on the Governor to ensure that his administration demonstrates its commitment and responsibility to protect our islands by implementing these measures with the urgency and resources our biosecurity crisis requires.
