| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's native pollinators are facing the threat of extinction. Decreasing populations of native pollinators have cascading impacts on Hawaii's environment and biological diversity. While non-native pollinators are important, native species of essential pollinators, such as the nalo meli maoli, or yellow-faced bee, are able to cross-fertilize better with native plants that are facing similar threats of extinction. Nalo meli maoli, as well as other native pollinators, have very close plant associations and display strong morphological and behavioral adaptations to native plant species. The loss of these native pollinators therefore further endangers native plants and ecosystems that are already vulnerable, and in a dangerous cycle, the loss of native plant habitats further impacts native pollinator populations. The legislature also finds that preserving native ecosystems is crucial for the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, as flora and fauna play important roles in ceremony, medicine, food, and other cultural practices. Therefore, the legislature finds that this issue is a matter of statewide concern. The legislature further finds that state institutions must play a role in nurturing ecosystems that support native plants and pollinators. The University of Hawaii is well-positioned to create these ecosystems on its campuses. This work is aligned with the University of Hawaii system's 2023-2029 strategic plan, which highlights sustainability as a foundational principle and upholds the University system's "responsibility to the āina through its own practices, through education, and by developing solutions to the complex global challenges of climate change, sustainability, and resilience". The purpose of this Act is to support the revitalization of native pollinators by requiring the University of Hawaii to develop and implement a two-year native pollinator habitat pilot project to be executed at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Hawaii at Hilo campuses. SECTION 2. (a) There is established a two-year native pollinator habitat pilot project to be developed and implemented by the University of Hawaii. The pilot project shall be deployed at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. (b) The native pollinator habitats shall be integrated into the University of Hawaii's existing land management program and shall be developed using in-house experts and resources. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) technician position, student help, and supplies to support the native pollinator habitat pilot project at the University of Hawaii at Manoa site. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) technician position, student help, and supplies to support the native pollinator habitat pilot project at the University of Hawaii at Hilo site. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's native pollinators are facing the threat of extinction. Decreasing populations of native pollinators have cascading impacts on Hawaii's environment and biological diversity. While non-native pollinators are important, native species of essential pollinators, such as the nalo meli maoli, or yellow-faced bee, are able to cross-fertilize better with native plants that are facing similar threats of extinction. Nalo meli maoli, as well as other native pollinators, have very close plant associations and display strong morphological and behavioral adaptations to native plant species. The loss of these native pollinators therefore further endangers native plants and ecosystems that are already vulnerable, and in a dangerous cycle, the loss of native plant habitats further impacts native pollinator populations. The legislature also finds that preserving native ecosystems is crucial for the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, as flora and fauna play important roles in ceremony, medicine, food, and other cultural practices. Therefore, the legislature finds that this issue is a matter of statewide concern. The legislature further finds that state institutions must play a role in nurturing ecosystems that support native plants and pollinators. The University of Hawaii is well-positioned to create these ecosystems on its campuses. This work is aligned with the University of Hawaii system's 2023-2029 strategic plan, which highlights sustainability as a foundational principle and upholds the University system's "responsibility to the āina through its own practices, through education, and by developing solutions to the complex global challenges of climate change, sustainability, and resilience". The purpose of this Act is to support the revitalization of native pollinators by requiring the University of Hawaii to develop and implement native pollinator habitats to be deployed on all campuses of the University of Hawaii system. SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§304A‑ Native pollinator habitats on all campuses. (a) The University of Hawaii shall develop and implement native pollinator habitats to be deployed on all campuses of the University of Hawaii system. (b) The native pollinator habitats shall be integrated into the University of Hawaii's existing land management program. (c) The native pollinator habitats shall be developed using in-house experts and resources." SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000. |
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