Hawaii House Bill HCR111

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Investigate The Causes Of And Update Key Information On, Including Facts And Statistics, The Decline Of The Critically Endangered Palila (loxioidies Bailleui) Bird On Mauna Kea.

Impact

This resolution aims to gather updated information and statistics regarding the palila's decline, emphasizing the need for active intervention to safeguard this endangered bird. Furthermore, it seeks to examine the results of a federal mandate mandating the eradication of livestock on Mauna Kea to protect the palila. The expected outcome is a comprehensive report detailing causal factors affecting the bird’s population decline and recommendations for future legislative actions or interventions.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 111 (HCR111) requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources in Hawaii to conduct an investigation into the decline of the critically endangered palila bird, a native species found on Mauna Kea. The resolution highlights the precarious status of the palila, indicating that over ninety-six percent of its population exists within a designated critical habitat in the area. Despite past efforts to eradicate threats such as sheep and goats that have negatively impacted the palila's habitat, numbers remain critically low, with only one thousand mature adults reported.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HCR111 may involve differing opinions on the extent of necessary interventions and the effectiveness of past measures taken to preserve the palila. While proponents of the resolution are likely to advocate for immediate and robust action to address the decline, there could be contention regarding the financial and resource burden these measures may impose on the state's agencies. Additionally, stakeholders may raise concerns over how these actions balance with other land use and conservation interests in the Mauna Kea area.