THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	491
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the environment.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The molucca albizia was first introduced to Hawaii in 1917 as an ornamental tree and for the purposes of reforestation.  At one time, the United States Forest Service planted one hundred thirty-five thousand molucca albizia seeds on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii for the production of lumber.  Today, those seeds have flourished statewide and have particularly thrived in semi-moist areas below one thousand five hundred feet in elevation.

     The molucca albizia is one of the fastest growing species among the broad-leaf tree species, has a large crown, can reach more than one hundred feet in height, and has a life span of twenty-five to thirty years.  The molucca albizia has a soft and brittle wood, has a shallow root system in poor soil, and has large branches that are often susceptible to breaking in high wind.  These factors pose a significant hazard to people and property in various residential and recreational areas statewide, as evidenced by the significant damage inflicted by albizia trees during Tropical Storm Iselle in 2014.  The manager of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee estimated that over 90 per cent of the trees that did damage during Tropical Storm Iselle were albizia trees.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to study the risks, characteristics, uses, and effects of the molucca albizia tree on surrounding environments, and alternatives for the reforestation of these areas with native flora.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purpose of conducting a study on the molucca albizia tree, its characteristics and uses, effects on surrounding environments, risks, and alternatives for the reforestation of areas having molucca albizia trees with native flora.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The department of land and natural resources shall submit to the legislature its findings and recommendations from the study, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Natural Resources; Reforestation; Molucca Albizia; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to study the risks, characteristics, uses, and effects of the molucca albizia tree on surrounding environments, and alternatives for the reforestation of these areas with native flora.  Requires report by the department of land and natural resources to the legislature.

 

 

 

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