Video & Transcript Research : 'coconut trees'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAM-PSM, WAM-AEN Informational Briefings 01-07-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • tree to cut down and dispose.
  • And because right now the main problem for CRB, the dead coconut trees, those problems are on Oahu and
  • And because right now the main problem for CRB, the dead coconut trees, those problems are on Oahu and
  • And because right now the main problem for CRB, the dead coconut trees, those problems are on Oahu and
  • And because right now the main problem for CRB, the dead coconut trees, those problems are on Oahu and
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Jan 29, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • management initiatives for the coconut management initiatives for the coconut rhinoceros<00:47:12.960
  • <00:47:18.920> rhinoceros positions related to Coconut rhinoceros positions related to Coconut
  • I would say, what would Hawaiʻi be without a coconut tree?
  • tree?
  • be without a coconut be without a coconut tree tree tree so<00:49:48.720> departments so
Keywords: 910, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN-HOU, AEN, AEN DEFER, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-03-2025

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • individual this is really protection of individual this is really protection of individual trees
  • it really gives an option to trees it really gives an option to community<00:09:25.040> members
  • after we still to utilize the Coconuts after we still need<00:09:31.399> more<00:09:31.680>
  • this problem and manage coconut this problem and manage coconut rhinoceros<00:09:40.200> beetle
  • <00:59:32.839> rhinocerous initiatives for the coconut rhinocerous initiatives for the coconut
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committees heard several agriculture and food-system bills. SB 1562 would create a Combined Housing Operational Agricultural Mobilization Program to help bona fide farmers live and farm on agricultural lands and provide a tax credit for donated land. Testimony generally supported the goal of housing for farmers and farm workers, but raised concerns about placing the program within the Department of Agriculture, possible constitutional and drafting issues, land-quality standards, lease structure, and whether another agency might be better suited. The committees recommended passing SB 1562 with amendments, including clarifying DOA authority to acquire agricultural lands and establishing an advisory committee within the department; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 1171 on providing monofilament netting through hardware stores to help slow coconut rhinoceros beetle spread, SB 1186 on creating a statewide interagency food systems coordination team and working group, SB 1250 on a Farm to Families program, SB 1303 on agricultural loans, SB 1395 on a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund, SB 504 on a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program, SB 1185 on reviewing and repealing obsolete agricultural laws, and SB 187 on funding permanent agricultural biosecurity positions. Most testimony on these measures was in support, with some suggested refinements: for SB 1186, a youth advisory seat and clearer performance benchmarks; for SB 1250, broader eligibility for food pantries, cold storage, and staffing support; for SB 1303, support for lower interest rates and expanded loan tools; for SB 1395, debate over the fund’s structure and revenue source; for SB 504, clearer eligibility for small and beginning farmers, cooperatives, and food hubs; and for SB 1185, interest in joining the working group but concern about overbroad deregulation. No roll-call votes were taken on the other measures in the excerpt, but the chair reported testimony counts on some bills, including 89 in support and none opposed for SB 1250, 13 in support and one opposed for SB 504, and 14 in support with one comment for SB 1395. SB 1303 and SB 187 also drew supportive testimony from the Department of Agriculture, farm groups, food banks, and industry organizations, with SB 187 emphasizing the need to make Act 231 biosecurity positions permanent and fully funded.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator, as we know, the coconut rhinoceros beetle has been wiping out our coconut trees, but we're finding
  • Senator you as we know the coconut Senator you as we know the coconut rhinoceros<01:26:40.280> beo
  • <01:26:43.400> trees<01:26:43.760> but<01:26:43.880> we're not only our coconut
  • trees but we're not only our coconut trees but we're finding<01:26:44.280> them<01:26:44.440>
  • <01:33:42.800> I've people chopping down their trees I've people chopping down their trees
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're removing the dead coconut trees, which are of course breeding sites for CRB. session for a raise
  • CRB, they're completely gone, the coconut trees.
  • And if it does, we will save that tree. We'll tag it. It's been treated. Don't eat the coconuts.
  • Does this tree have does this<00:59:13.440> coconut<00:59:13.920> tree<00:59:14.079>
  • this coconut tree have potential for survival?
Keywords: 910, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-WLA-EIG, WLA-AEN-EDT, WLA-AEN, WLA-AEN-PSM Public Hearings 03-20-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I've noticed I've been by the coconut trees by my house where a whole bunch of chickens are, the
  • coconuts are growing back.
  • And I've noticed I've been by the coconut trees by my house where a whole bunch of chickens are, the
  • coconuts are growing back.
  • And I've noticed I've been by the coconut trees by my house where a whole bunch of chickens are, the
Bills: HB1979
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN-HRE Public Hearing 04-14-2025

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • we're going after whether it's CRB, LFA or cookies, those are our top priorities along with the brown tree
  • we're going after whether it's CRB, LFA or cookies, those are our top priorities along with the brown tree
  • along<00:11:04.800> with<00:11:04.959> the<00:11:05.120> brown<00:11:05.360> tree
  • along with the brown tree snate. Okay. along with the brown tree snate. Okay.
  • Coconut rhinoceros beetle.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog. A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work. After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • trees, as well as other palm trees, from the coconut rhinoceros beetle.
  • <01:30:54.080> as<01:30:54.200> other their coconut trees uh as well as other their
  • coconut trees uh as well as other palm<01:30:54.720> trees palm trees palm trees from<01:30:56.480
  • > the<01:30:56.600> coconut<01:30:57.000> rhinoceros<01:30:57.560> beetle.
  • from the coconut rhinoceros beetle. from the coconut rhinoceros beetle.
Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 01-23-2025 9:00am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • which last year appropriated $20 million to the DOA to fight a range of invasive species, including coconut
  • rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, and brown tree snake. legislature in a joint legislative legislature
  • a range of invasive<00:03:24.200> species<00:03:25.200> including<00:03:25.599> coconut
Keywords: 912, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN-PSM-EDT, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-10-2025

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • products for uh control of coconut products for uh control of coconut rhinoceros<00:42:11.400>
  • We use neonics for coconut rhinoceros beetle. I think that was brought up.
  • We use neonics for coconut rhinoceros beetle. I think that was brought up.
  • We use neonics for coconut rhinoceros beetle. I think that was brought up.
  • You know, we can grow papayas instead of coconuts, because, you know, we can do a lot of cool stuff.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The hearing began on SP 547, which would create incentives for graywater recycling systems and atmospheric water generators through an income tax credit, a Department of Health rebate program, and building code standards. The Department of Health and Department of Taxation offered written comments; Taxation said it had seven proposed amendments to improve administration. Testimony was largely supportive, with advocates and local users describing water-supply benefits, emergency use during the Maui fires, and potential help for drought conditions and Red Hill concerns. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii suggested only the rebate program should move forward for clearer cost transparency, and the Department of Health said it needed more time to study the bill. Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether combining a tax credit and rebate was typical, but staff did not have cost estimates. Decision-making on SP 547 was deferred to February 12, 2025. The committee then took up SP 242 on foreign ownership of agricultural lands. The chair recommended passage with amendments, including deleting a reference to the Attorney General in one section and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. Supporters argued the bill was a first step to limit foreign ownership of farmland, citing other states with similar restrictions, while several members said they supported the intent but had reservations about possible unintended harm to farmers and agriculture investment. After discussion, the measure passed with amendments on a 5-0 vote, with some members voting with reservations. The committee also discussed SP 1633, which would create a green building tax credit for structures using at least 30% Hawaii-grown hemp material. The chair said the bill was close but needed more work, and decision-making was deferred to February 12, 2025. Later, the committee heard several environmental measures: SB 683, which would ban intentionally added PFAS in certain products starting in 2028; SB 1109, which would replace the “finding of no significant impact” with a “finding of completion of environmental disclosure process”; SB 391, which would expand recycling requirements to certain lithium-ion batteries; and SB 12, which would classify neonic pesticides as restricted-use pesticides and limit certain seed treatments. Testimony on these bills included support from environmental and advocacy groups, comments from state agencies, and requests for amendments or further study, but no final votes were taken on those measures in the portion of the transcript provided.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 04-04-2025

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • How would it be if we could no longer have coconut trees or native bird species?
  • in biocontrol agents from Africa to control the pest, saving these willy-willy trees.
  • Thank you. coconut trees or native bird species? A coconut trees or native bird species?
  • <00:43:01.599> were short while ago, willy-willy trees were short while ago, willy-willy trees
  • I was asked why I willywilly trees.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard multiple gubernatorial confirmation nominations, beginning with GM509 for Jay Stone to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and other supporters praised Stone’s more than 30 years of engineering experience and said he would help balance environmental protection with economic development. Stone said he wanted to contribute to environmental health and sustainability, and identified sea level rise and PFAS in drinking water as key concerns. The committee then moved to GM531 and GM532, nominations of Judson Leair and Nicholas Ta to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported both nominees. Leair emphasized his farming background and said pesticide policy should be more comprehensive, selective, and threshold-based rather than relying on broad-spectrum use; Ta said he would focus on integrated pest management, label compliance, education, and using the least amount of pesticide necessary, including non-chemical alternatives such as exclusion and behavior changes. The committee next considered GM533, Janet Ashman’s nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported her, citing her experience, responsiveness, and prior service. Ashman said she wanted to help make pesticide regulations more understandable and stressed targeted pest control, scouting, and more precise products. Members asked about the complexity of pesticide regulations and the shift away from broad-based pesticide use; Ashman explained that regulations are complicated for both farmers and homeowners and that newer, more targeted products are needed as pests develop resistance. The committee then heard GM57 for Don Hegger Nordl to the Environmental Advisory Council. Supporters said she has environmental planning experience and knowledge of Chapter 343 and related rules. Nordl said she could bring state, county, and federal experience to the council and identified the need for more volunteers and broader professional representation as the council’s biggest challenge. Finally, the committee took up GM697, Dean Matsukawa’s nomination as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and several other testifiers strongly supported him, highlighting his 30 years with the department, his family farming background, and his understanding of farmers’ needs, especially access to capital and biosecurity challenges. Testifiers said he is calm, logical, experienced, and already familiar with the department’s work. Matsukawa was described as a reluctant nominee who was sought out for the role. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on the nominations during the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 1, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • traveling so fast that from the impact alone, the motor was ripped from the car, and it landed in a tree
  • And it landed in a tree across the field.
  • Joshua Rydell, City of Coconut Creek, is a proponent and wishes to appear in person.
  • Joshua Rydell, City of Coconut Creek, is a proponent and wishes to appear in person. Yes, sir.
  • Josh Rydell, I'm a city commissioner in the City of Coconut Creek.
Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and voted on a series of bills dealing with traffic enforcement, drug-related homicide charges, vessel regulation, crime-stoppers records, cyber harassment, pawn data sharing, hotel removals of nonpaying guests, and Fish and Wildlife Commission authority. Members and witnesses generally framed the bills around public safety, law enforcement efficiency, victim protection, and property rights, while several bills drew concerns about criminal penalties, due process, and impacts on workers or families. Public testimony included support from sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, hospitality workers, civil liberties groups, and industry representatives, depending on the bill. PCS for CSHB 351, creating a criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding, passed 13-4 after debate over whether the new offense would expand search-and-seizure authority and whether the penalties were too harsh. HB 457, which expands third-degree murder to include unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and removes the under-18 exclusion, was amended to add a knowledge/should-have-known fentanyl standard and then passed unanimously 17-0. CS for HB 1285 on disposition of migrant vessels and HB 1149 on vessel accountability both passed unanimously after brief discussion and a cleanup amendment on HB 1149. HB 397, providing a public records exemption for Crime Stoppers organizations, passed 16-0 after a clarifying amendment. HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment also passed 16-0 after an amendment expanding definitions, penalties, civil remedies, and limitations periods. PCS for HB 1359, requiring FDLE to study a statewide pawn database, passed 16-0 with support from law enforcement and concerns about linking local systems and private vendors. CSHB 535, which clarifies when guests in public lodging establishments may be removed for nonpayment and also addressed service-charge language affecting gratuities, generated the most extended debate and strong opposition from hospitality workers and labor advocates over due process and tipped income. Supporters argued it would clarify transient occupancy and protect property owners, but the bill passed 11-6. Finally, CS/HB 1133 on Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointments and warrant requirements for FWC officers passed 16-0 after an amendment requiring warrants or probable cause for entry onto private land. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported favorably.