Kaʻū News Briefs June 22, 2024

Little fire ants, a risk to agricultural workers and other people, are targeted in the Clift Tsuji Bill that unanimously passed the Hawai'i Legislature but may be vetoed by Gov. Josh Green.

 A BIOSECURITY AG BILL IS ONE OF THE 2024 STATE LEGISLATURE BILLS LIKELY TO BE VETOED BY GOV. JOSH GREEN. The state Department of Agriculture biosecurity measure, which was passed unanimously by the Legislature this year, is designed to help keep invasive species and other pests out of Hawai'i and to control those already here in order to increase food production. The Legislature authorized $18.8 million to fund House Bill 2619. The Hawai'i Senate issued a statement calling the measure historic. The bill also honors the late Hawai'i Island legislator Clift Tsuji, who fought to solve the invasive species problem while serving in the House of Representatives. The legislation is called The Clift Tsuji Bill.

    The narrative says, "The legislature recognizes the significance of invasive species on Hawai'i’s agriculture, environment, natural resources, public health, and economy and supports the biosecurity program under the Department of Agriculture.

The Clift Tsuji bill may be vetoed by
 Gov. Josh Green. The late Tsuji worked
 with Kaʻū Coffee farmers and was keynote
at an annual Kaʻū Farm Bureau meeting.

    "The legislature further finds that the Department of Agriculture has created the biosecurity program to fight pests and prohibited or restricted organisms without a permit on several fronts by:
    "Administering pre-entry measures to minimize the risk 4 of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms without a permit entering the State;
    "Conducting port-of-entry inspections to detect and quarantine or destroy pests upon arrival; and
     Administering post-entry measures to mitigate the establishment of pests in the State.
    "The Department of Agriculture has also supported the growth of Hawai'i’s agriculture industry by attempting to reduce the State’s dependency on imported agricultural products that may contain pests."

     The funding would not only support more inspections of imports but would be used to develop more agriculture so less food has to be imported. Development of new seed types and pest resistant varieties of food crops is part of the plan.

    Hawai'i Island Rep. Kirsten Kahalo noted that some of the invasives targeted are coconut rhinoceros beetles, little fire ants, two-lined spittle bugs, and more. "This legislation will let our keiki play free without the fear of being bitten by little fire ants. It will keep our picturesque Hawaiian scenes with coconut trees proudly displayed across Hawaiʻi. This effort helps our state make biosecurity a priority.”

     The Governor's staff released his Veto Rationale for the Biosecurity Bill on Friday: "The Governor strongly supports the intent of this legislation and continues to work with the DOA on invasive pest control and eradication biosecurity efforts. Part of this ongoing effort is to determine the appropriate level of funding that is feasible and executable by the DOA. With existing challenges to staffing vacancies and existing appropriations for biosecurity, the dollar amount in this bill will be assessed to ensure effective impact of funds for biosecurity."

     Green has until July 10 to veto the bill or it becomes law.

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A BILL THAT WOULD LOOSEN LEASING RESTRICTIONS ON OWNER-BUILT RESIDENCES ON

FARM LAND is up for veto by Gov. Josh Green. House Bill 1633 would repeal the leasing restriction on owner-builders who obtain an owner-builder exemption to act as their own contractor and who build or improve residential or farm buildings or structures on property they own or lease and do not offer the buildings or structures for sale.

    The Governor's staff released his Veto Rationale on Friday: "Construction projects must maintain quality and safety standards, which is why licensed contractors are generally required. This bill would lift restrictions on owner-builders and create a broader exemption so that unlicensed contractors could be used for rental projects. There are concerns about how increased unlicensed activity would affect consumers. The bill also removes the requirement that structures be built for personal use, which increases the possibility such structures are built for other purposes such as short-term rentals."

    Green has until July 10 to veto the bill or it becomes law.

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A NEW MAHI 'AI AGRICULTURAL LOAN PROGRAM is offered by Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund is introducing a new program to support Native Hawaiian farmers on Hawaiʻi Island and across Hawaiʻi. In addition to low interest rates, new borrowers have the option of deferring their loan payments for the first six months without incurring additional interest. For more information on the Mahi ʻAi Agricultural Loan Program, visit their website, email NHRLF@ohaloanfund.org, or call the OHA office in East Hawaiʻi (Hilo) at (808) 933-3106 or West Hawaiʻi (Kona) at (808) 327-9525.

     To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.