Bill > SB2779

This bill recognizes coconut trees as a vital source of food, water, and a cultural treasure in Hawaii, aiming to protect and promote their growth. It mandates the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules allowing for the use of coconut tree seed banks, which are collections of seeds or seedlings for propagation, and to recognize coconut trees as a cultural treasure. Property owners with coconut trees treated with pesticides that make the coconuts unsafe for consumption must clearly label them as "landscape palms" for ornamental purposes, and the department will set standards for these labels. Additionally, the bill introduces an income tax credit for individuals who maintain "consumable coconut trees" – those managed without harmful pesticides – through "natural management" practices, which are non-toxic or minimally toxic pest control methods. This tax credit is intended to incentivize environmentally friendly approaches to managing threats like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, ensuring the availability of safe coconuts and the long-term health of coconut tree populations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2779&year=2026