Federal agencies commit to fighting Hawaii's native forest disease
H.R. 375 — Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 · Filed by Jill Tokuda (D-HI) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jan 13, 2025 · Passed chamber
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill directs the federal government—specifically the Interior and Agriculture departments—to work together with Hawaii to combat Rapid Ohia Death, a fungal disease killing native Hawaiian ohia trees. It requires ongoing research on how the disease spreads, management of wild ungulates (feral pigs and goats) that may transmit it, and provides funding for forest restoration and research through the Forest Service's Pacific Islands institute.
Why we flagged it
The bill is a straightforward federal commitment to research, coordination, and resource allocation aimed at combating a specific fungal disease threatening Hawaii's native forest ecosystem. It is a conservation and public-health measure with no private carve-outs or hidden mechanisms.
What the text implies
- The bill's success depends on sustained appropriations; if funding lapses, research and restoration efforts may stall despite the mandate to 'continue' efforts.
- Ungulate management on private land requires landowner consent, which may limit the scope of disease-control efforts if cooperation is uneven across the state.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Hawaii residents and the broader public benefit from protection of native ecosystems and biodiversity. The bill commits federal research and restoration resources to address a documented ecological crisis without imposing costs on citizens—it is a public investment in environmental stewardship and forest health.