Bills seek funding for albizia management on Big Island

HILO — Eighteen months after thousands of albizia trees toppled by Tropical Storm Iselle damaged homes, blocked roadways and knocked out power in lower Puna, multiple bills up for discussion by legislators this session appear poised to tackle the troublesome invasive species.

Senate Bill 2750, introduced by state Sen. Russell Ruderman, D-Puna, and its companion, House Bill 2516, introduced by state Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-Kailua-Kona, seek $5 million for the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee to follow through with a coordinated management program for the invasive trees.

The money, which would fund the program for fiscal year 2016-17, would only be used for control measures on Hawaii Island. It would include the complete removal of albizia from highway rights of way, while trees outside the right of way that are deemed non-hazardous would be treated with Milestone and left in place.

Targeted areas would include the 2-mile stretch of Pahoa-Kapoho Road between Lava Tree State Park and Pahoa; isolated patches of albizia trees between Kalapana and Pahoa; isolated patches of albizia trees between Pahoa and Keaau; the hospital corridor, particularly the segment of Waianuenue Avenue from Komohana Street to Akolea Road; the segment of Akolea Road from Waianuenue Avenue to Kaumana Drive; Puainako Street from Highway 11 to Kaumana Drive; and any additional areas of the island as deemed necessary by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee.

On Jan. 27, SB 2750 was introduced, passed its first reading and was referred to three different Senate committees. The bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing in those committees.

The companion bill, HB 2516, was introduced and passed its first reading on Jan. 27 and was referred to the House committees on finance, and water and land on Feb. 1. No hearings have yet been scheduled.

Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.