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University and natural-resources witnesses back endemic-plant seed‑bank pilot; committee defers for planning
Summary
Witnesses told senators the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) could host a pilot endemic‑plant seed bank but said planning and design funding are needed. The committee deferred SB 1337 HD1 to allow coordination and a concrete plan to be developed.
University of Hawaii and state natural-resources witnesses outlined the need for a centralized endemic-plant seed bank to support disaster response and native plant restoration and said CTAHR has land and technical capacity to take a coordinating role if resources are provided.
Matthew Kier, a botanist with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR), and CTAHR staff testified that current seed-bank efforts in the state are small and focused primarily on rare and endangered plants and lack the storage and production capacity for large-scale restoration following disasters. CTAHR representatives said federal grants and recent investments have increased demand for coordinated storage, but design and startup resources are required to build a scalable state-level facility.
Why it matters: Witnesses and some senators noted the Maui wildfire response highlighted the gap in locally produced native and endemic seed for post-disaster restoration and said relying on imported seed can undermine local ecological appropriateness. CTAHR and partners said they can host a pilot but need planning and design funds, plus a staff coordinator, to manage collections and production across partner organizations.
Committee action: The committee deferred SB 1337 HD1 to allow CTAHR, DLNR and other partners to develop a detailed plan and to explore federal–state partnership options. Senators urged the university to coordinate with existing seed banks and community groups and to return with a concrete design and budget for a seed-storage facility and distribution plan.
Ending: The committee left the measure pending further coordination and asked CTAHR to return with a more defined plan and any required funding requests.
