Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB643: Relating to the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Program.
Status: In committee, April 17, 2026
Establishes short-term management initiatives for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Appropriates funds for activities and positions related to coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation control.
What the bill says
A bill foran act relating to the coconut rhinoceros beetle program.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Oryctes rhinoceros, or the coconut rhinoceros beetle, can have devastating impacts on palm species that are foundational to the State's agricultural economy, cultural heritage, and ecosystems. Native to Southeast Asia, adult coconut rhinoceros beetles feed on emerging palm fronds, causing damage that can often be severe enough to kill the plant. The coconut rhinoceros beetle was first detected in the State in 2013 and is now established on Oahu, with smaller infestations on the windward side of Kauai, Waikoloa village on Hawaii island, and other parts of the State. The legislature further finds that the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program is a coordinated partnership among the university of Hawaii, United States Department of Agriculture, Hawaii department of agriculture, and other key organizations. At the university of Hawaii at Manoa lab, the program investigates new control methods and best practices; a data team analyzes information from traps, mulch surveys, and tree damage; HB643 SDl LRB 25-1588.docx iniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHi Page H.B. NO. g? and an outreach team provides information to the public and professionals while supporting community response efforts. While the expertise and methodology developed were not available at the start of the infestation on Oahu, they can now be deployed to prevent infestations on islands …
Sponsors
- Lisa Marten (D, 51) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Luke Evslin (D, 16)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
- Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
- Lamosao, Rachele (D, 19)
- Michael Lee (D, 50)
- Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
Latest actions
- : Re-Referred to EDU/AEN, WAM.
- : Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
- : Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 826).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Gabbard, DeCoite Co-Chairs; Fevella.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 559).
- : House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
- : Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 548) in amended form (SD 1).
- : Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
Votes
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1) (April 3, 2025): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 28, 2025): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HRE: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 17, 2025): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- AEN: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 17, 2025): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4) (February 27, 2025): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (February 20, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Program, Report, Appropriations, Counties, Insurance, UH, Study, DOA
Common questions
- What is HB643?
- HB643 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Program.
- What does HB643 do?
- In its own words: A bill foran act relating to the coconut rhinoceros beetle program.
- What is the status of HB643?
- In committee as of April 17, 2026. Latest action: Re-Referred to EDU/AEN, WAM. (April 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB643?
- Lisa Marten (D, 51), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB643?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=643&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.