HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new bill would prevent green waste and mitigate wildfire risk by holding large property owners accountable.
HB175 recognizes that neglected properties create environmental and public safety hazards, according to officials.
“There’s piles of green waste, which is a fire hazard, but now it’s also a breeding ground for coconut rhinoceros beetles that have now also adapted to not just tackling coconut trees or palm trees. They’re now also attacking some of our banana trees,” said Rep. Rachele Lamosao, who introduced the bill.
The bill would require property owners to regularly maintain their land to prevent invasive species, wildfire risks and dry vegetation overgrowth that could obstruct roads or access for emergency responders.
“Large land owners, they have a responsibility to take care of their property for the sake of public safety,” said Lahaina resident Jeremy Delos Reyes. “The penalty should be very severe financially.”
Delos Reyes lost his home to the Maui wildfires when his neighborhood burned down.
“If you look above Lahaina right now, there’s been zero mitigation with invasive species, with invasive grasses,” Delos Reyes said.
Landowners could be fined thousands of dollars per violation. Officials will decide who is responsible for enforcement as the bill moves forward.
“My intention was never to impact our residential owners. It’s essentially for large landholders. I hope that moving forward that we do make this a priority of the state to prevent such disasters like what happened in Maui,” Lamosao said.