U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda have introduced new legislation aimed at combating the spread of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) in Hawaii. The Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 seeks to enhance coordination between federal agencies and the State of Hawaii to address this ecological threat.
Senator Hirono emphasized the significance of Ohia Lehua trees, stating, "Over the past decade, Rapid Ohia Death has decimated Hawaii’s Ohia population, posing a serious threat to not just the species’ survival, but to our local ecosystems as well." She highlighted the cultural and environmental importance of these trees in protecting watersheds and conserving water.
The fungus Ceratocystis, responsible for ROD, was first identified in Hawaii in 2014 and has since killed over a million native Ohia trees across several islands including Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. Efforts by the U.S. Forest Service in collaboration with state authorities have been ongoing to manage this crisis.
The proposed legislation mandates several actions: it directs the U.S. Geological Survey to continue research on ROD vectors and transmission; requires the U.S. Forest Service to provide resources for preventing ROD spread and restoring native forests; and calls for collaboration between the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and State of Hawaii to expand detection and prevention efforts.
The bill aims to ensure continued federal support for identifying resistant Ohia trees and propagating them to restore native forests. Senator Hirono expressed her commitment to securing necessary resources for Hawaii's biodiversity conservation.