DAVID IGE

VOTING MEMBERSSUZANNE CASE
DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURALRESOURCESJOSH GREEN

DENISE ALBANOHAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

GOVERNOR OF HAWAII

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORKEITH KAWAOKA, D.Env
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHNICHOLAS COMERFORD, Ph.D.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘IHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL1151 PUNCHBOWL ST, #325
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813

LEO ASUNCION
OFFICE OF PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &TOURISMDAVID RODRIGUEZDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONJUNE 9, 2021
SUBMITTAL
TO:CO-CHAIRS AND MEMBERSHAWAIʻI INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCILSTATE OF HAWAIʻIFROM:CHELSEA ARNOTTPLANNER, HAWAIʻI INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL

SUBJECT: REQUESTING A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE PLANNING,CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION OF PACIFIC REGIONAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROLFACILITIES IN HAWAIʻI AND COMMITTING AGENCY ENGAGEMENTBACKGROUNDClassical biological control (biocontrol) is the selection and introduction of a natural enemy of aninvasive plant or insect pest which suppresses that pest in its home range. Biocontrol is a costeffective and sustainable tool that has been successfully employed across the globe for long-term
management of some of the world’s worst pests and weeds. For certain types of invasive species
that have spread beyond the ability to physically control, biocontrol is often the only viableoption for reducing the impacts of invasive species.
Hawai‘i has a long history of safely and effectively using biocontrol to reduce pest populations
and their impacts for the benefit of the islands’ forests, rangelands, farms, nurseries, and people.
Hawai‘i also is at the forefront of understanding potential unintended impacts of biocontrol onnative species and has worked successfully to avoid such risks in the last 50 years. Although
Hawai‘i enjoys broad international respect for its long history of contributions to biocontrol, in
recent decades our capacity for biocontrol research has not kept pace with the introduction andspread of invasive species.
Land managers and agricultural specialists in Hawai‘i have identified many dozens of invasive
species as targets for biocontrol, but inadequate greenhouse capacity and limited space forexpansion are preventing needed and possible work on some of the most important pests.
Furthmore, the two main facilities for biocontrol research, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture in
Honolulu and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) on Hawaiʻi Island, arelimited by design constraints and cannot handle the smallest of insect biocontrol agents or holdpathogens that could offer the best solutions to managing some of the worst pests. The USDA FS
facility in Volcanoes is also located near Kīlauea volcano that has its risks and challenges, e.g.,access was impacted by the recent eruption that closed area roads.

In addition to facilities, statewide attrition of biological control expertise must be addressed. In
the past 20 years, over a time when the need for even more projects and hiring additional
specialized staff has increased, retirements and program reductions have decreased the numberof active biocontrol researchers in Hawaiʻi.
DISCUSSION
The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA), University of Hawaiʻi, U.S. Department ofAgriculture Forest Service (FS), Agricultural Research Services (ARS) and Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Services (APHIS) together with their other Hawai‘i government, private andnon-profit partners formed the Biocontrol Working Group to mobilize a coordinated effort andregularly communicate on the planning and development of new, state-of-the-art biologicalcontrol facilities in Hawai‘i that can serve as a regional research center for biological control
programs benefiting the mainland US and the Pacific region. A collaborative, multi-agency planis also needed for maintaining and staffing new biocontrol facilities at a level that more
adequately meets the expanding needs of Hawai’i and the region.
The Biocontrol Working Group has been working since 2018 to identify funding assitance forthe planning, construction, and eventual operation of new biological control research anddevelopment facilities on the island of O‘ahu and the island of Hawai‘i. Current biocontrol
facilities are inadequate to address present and future needs due to under-sized, aging facilities
and reduced staffing. New facilities and added professional staff would provide the foundation
for a comprehensive multi-partner program to reduce the prevalence and impacts of tropicalinvasive pests and weeds to agriculture, the economy, the environment, and public health andwell-being.
Hawaii’s urgent need for modern biocontrol facilities and additional researchers is recognized asa top priority in the Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan and the Western Governors
Association’s intiative on invasive species and biosecurity. The Hawai‘i State Legislature has
provided initial location scoping funds for a new insect and pathogen biocontrol facility onO‘ahu.
Federal appropriations requests were submitted through Department of Land and NaturalResources (DLNR) and the Coordinating Group Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) for fiscal years
2021 and 2022 requesting USDA assistance in planning and construction of facilities on O‘ahuand Hawai‘i Island.
LEGAL AUTHORITY• HRS 194-2 (a): Establishes the HISC for the purpose of cabinet-level coordination andplanning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives• HRS 194-2 (a)(2): Advise, consult, and coordinate invasive species-related efforts withand between the departments of agriculture, land and natural resources, health, andtransportation, as well as state, federal, international, and privately organized programsand policies.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That the HISC adopt a resolution, substantially similar to the attached draft resolution, inorder to:a. Recognize the need for new regional biological control research facilities tocollaboratively conduct and develop safe and effective biocontrol agents forpriority agricultural and environmental pests and weeds that threaten Hawai‘i, thePacific region, and the continental U.S;
b. Recognize Hawaii’s need for modern biocontrol facilities and additional
researchers is a top priority in the Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan and theWestern Governors Association’s intiative on biosecurity and invasive species;
andc. Support the efforts of the Biocontrol Working Group to identify and pursue
funding assistance toward planning and development of new, state-of-the-art
biological control facilities in Hawaiʻi that can serve as a regional research centerfor biological control programs.
Attachments:
1. Draft HISC Resolution 21-1: Supporting the Planning, Construction, & Operation ofPacific Regional Biocontrol Facilities and Committing Agency Engagement