WASHINGTON — Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced legislation to combat rapid ‘Ohi‘a death (ROD), which has killed more than a million ‘ohi‘a trees in Hawai‘i since its discovery in 2014.
WASHINGTON — Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced legislation to combat rapid ‘Ohi‘a death (ROD), which has killed more than a million ‘ohi‘a trees in Hawai‘i since its discovery in 2014.
The Continued Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death Response Act of 2022 authorizes $55 million in federal funding over the next 11 years to support ongoing efforts by federal agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, working in partnership with state agencies, to help combat ‘ohi‘a tree death in Hawai‘i.
“‘Ohi‘a trees are Hawai‘i’s most abundant native tree, making up nearly 80% of our native forests,” said Hirono. “But over the last decade, rapid ‘ohi‘a death has decimated Hawai‘i’s ‘ohi‘a population, presenting an existential threat to our environment and the species’ future.
“As a key component of our watersheds, ‘ohi‘a play an important role in protecting our native ecosystems and preventing erosion and flooding,” she said.
