RELATING TO PLANT-BASED BUILDING MATERIALS.
SB9 establishes a temporary Plant-Based Building Materials Working Group to study how Hawaii can develop an industry around plant-derived construction materials. The bill’s findings emphasize Hawaii’s climate and agricultural conditions as potentially well-suited for growing materials such as bamboo and industrial hemp, and for developing products like hempcrete and biocements that could substitute for conventional building materials. The stated goals are to identify how to grow the necessary crops, process them into building materials, and support a new green agricultural sector in the state.
The working group would be chaired by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and include representatives from UH Hilo, the Board of Agriculture, the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, building materials expertise, and other invited specialists. It must report findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2027 regular session, and it is set to dissolve on June 30, 2027. The bill also appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the University of Hawaii to support the working group’s work.
SB9 does not directly change existing building, agriculture, or environmental statutes; instead, it creates a study body and appropriates state funds to the University of Hawaii to administer it. Its practical effect would be to initiate state-supported research and policy development around plant-based construction materials, potentially leading to future legislation, regulatory changes, or industry incentives. The bill also signals state interest in linking agriculture, climate policy, and construction materials development under Hawaii’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The bill appears generally positive and exploratory in tone, with its findings framing plant-based building materials as an opportunity for jobs, innovation, and climate benefits. The available context shows no recorded committee testimony or votes opposing or supporting the measure, but the bill’s referral to EDU and WAM suggests it was treated as a policy-and-appropriations proposal requiring further review. Overall, the measure is presented as a forward-looking research initiative rather than a controversial mandate.
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the use of public funds for a study group, the uncertainty of the unspecified appropriation amount, and whether the state should prioritize this emerging industry over other housing, construction, or agricultural needs. There may also be practical questions about feasibility, market readiness, building-code compatibility, and whether materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, or biocements can be scaled reliably in Hawaii. Any debate would likely center on the balance between climate innovation and the costs and risks of creating a new industry through state government.