Additional inspection requirements aimed at preventing increasing spread of invasive species

U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, both Democrats from Hawaiʻi, are battling serious threats to the state’s agriculture, environment and economy by reintroducing the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Protection Act.

The act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Inspection Service, in cooperation with other federal departments and the state of Hawai‘i, to perform visual, X-ray and, if deemed appropriate, canine inspections on all individuals, baggage, cargo and any other articles destined for direct movement to Hawai‘i.

“Invasive species pose an especially grave threat to Hawaiʻi”s ecosystems, natural resources and agricultural communities, in part due to Hawaii’s unique geography,” Case said. “Hawai‘i is the most isolated island chain and one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. However, tragically, in large part due to invasive species, Hawai‘i has become the endangered species and extinction capital of the world.”

Islands in the Pacific are home to 44% of the threatened and endangers species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Hawaiʻi has 578 species listed as endangered or threatened, more than any other state.

Some invasive species, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle, gravely threaten Hawaiʻi’s delicate ecosystems by causing damage to endangered species, the environment and the economy.

The Hawai‘i Invasive Species Protection Act seeks to address this issue by requiring inspections not only of domestic travel but also of international shipments, enhancing the state’s ability to prevent the further spread of invasive species.

“Invasive species are not the kind of visitors we want in Hawaiʻi. Our year-round growing climate has been both a blessing and a curse when it comes to invasive pests and diseases,” Tokuda said. “On one hand, it is an opportunity to grow more of what we eat and decrease food insecurity in our islands. On the other, if all visitors to our islands do not go through the same screenings and inspections people leaving Hawaiʻi do, we will always be vulnerable to pest and disease that end up decimating our local agricultural industry.”

Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture, said control, mitigation and eradication of pests and pathogens are the top concerns of Hawai‘i farmers and ranchers.

“Protecting our islands from invasive species requires a multi-agency effort, including state and federal agencies, as well as private sector partners,” Hurd said.

The bill requires the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Protection Act to work with the state to develop and publish a list of the high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials for the state.

Inspection costs would be paid for by increasing Agriculture Quarantine Inspection fees.

“If we truly care about the threat that continued and escalating invasive species pose to one of the most invaluable and unique ecosystems on earth, in addition to our unique economy and way of life, then the stark reality is that this bill is what it will take,” Case said. “Again, it is not revolutionary when compared to other island countries, most notably New Zealand, that have not only recognized this threat but actually done something about it.”