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Committee advances Telone ban after heated testimony from public health advocates and growers
Summary
Lawmakers voted to advance HB1880 (HD2), which would ban pesticides containing 1,3‑dichloropropene (commonly called Telone), after lengthy testimony from public-health groups urging a ban and industry witnesses warning of severe impacts for pineapple growers; the committee adopted amendments including a later effective date and a savings clause.
The House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee voted to advance House Bill 1880 (HD2), a proposal to prohibit use of pesticide products whose active ingredient is 1,3‑dichloropropene (commonly marketed as Telone), following extensive testimony that laid out competing scientific and economic claims.
Public-health witnesses urged immediate action. "The science on this is clear," said Chris Koffel of the Hawaii Public Health Institute, summarizing citations to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer that classify the active ingredient as a probable or possible human carcinogen. Koffel told the committee the chemical’s volatility means it can move through the air and expose farm workers, families and nearby children.
Industry witnesses countered that the product is critical to Hawaii’s pineapple industry. Daniel Nellis of Dole Food told lawmakers that 1,3‑dichloropropene is used to control nematodes and that, "If we don't control nematodes, we don't have a pineapple industry." Nellis described application practices used by his growers, argued there is no EPA‑registered alternative labeled for pineapple in the U.S., and said growers apply the fumigant to deep soil shanks and follow label mitigation measures.
Environmental and community groups presented usage maps and monitoring data and stressed that fumigants are prone to drift even when label restrictions are followed. Annie Frederick of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action summarized an analysis of restricted‑use‑pesticide reporting and said Telone has been among the most heavily applied restricted‑use fumigants statewide.
During decision-making, Chair David Tarnas recommended moving the bill forward with amendments that include a savings clause and changing the defective effective date—shifting the implementation date from 2027 to 2030 to give agencies and affected parties time to prepare. He also said the standing committee report should highlight implementation and outreach issues. The committee adopted the recommendation and recorded votes with several members noting reservations.
Members asked agencies to continue technical outreach (including monitoring and workforce questions) and to provide clearer implementation language as the bill moves through the legislature. Industry witnesses urged longer phase‑out windows than those under consideration; public‑health witnesses reiterated that safer alternatives exist elsewhere and urged the committee to advance the proposal.
The bill now moves to further consideration with the committee-recommended amendments.
