SB1582 • 2026

RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: AWA, CHANG, DECORTE, GABBARD
Last action: 2026-03-20
Official status: Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE.
Coconut Palm; Tree; Cultural Significance; Food Source; Recognition Recognizes the coconut palm as a culturally significant plant and sustainable staple food source in the State.
Effective 7/1/3000.
(HD1)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB1582 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB1582 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
1582 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE .

Bill History

2026-03-20 H
Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
2026-03-20 S
Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-21 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 851).
2025-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards, Awa.
2025-04-03 H
Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 481).
2025-04-03 S
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
2025-04-03 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 449).
2025-04-02 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-04-02 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1757), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-03-27 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
2025-03-25 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-27-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-03-21 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5).
2025-03-21 H
Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1465) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2025-03-19 H
The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
2025-03-14 H
Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 03-19-25 10:01AM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-03-14 H
The committee(s) on AGR recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-19-25.
2025-03-12 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 03-14-25 10:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-03-06 H
Referred to AGR, JHA, referral sheet 19
2025-03-06 H
Pass First Reading
2025-03-04 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 374).
2025-03-04 S
Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-02-28 S
One Day Notice 03-04-25.
2025-02-28 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.
2025-02-28 S
Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 810) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
2025-02-26 S
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-02-18 S
The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-26-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2025-02-18 S
The committee(s) on AEN deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-19-25 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
2025-02-13 S
The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-19-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2025-01-27 S
Referred to AEN.
2025-01-23 S
Introduced and passed First Reading.
2025-01-22 S
Pending Introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE.
Coconut Palm; Tree; Cultural Significance; Food Source; Recognition
Recognizes the coconut palm as a culturally significant plant and sustainable staple food source in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB1582

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1582

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to the Coconut Tree
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that coconut palms,
cocos nucifera
, or niu in
Hawaiian, are a significant and underutilized natural resource in Hawaii.
�
The species has grown in Hawaii for thousands
of years and is considered a naturalized Polynesian canoe plant.

����
The legislature further finds that the
coconut palm is one of the most useful plants in the world.
�
Early Hawaiians were able to repurpose almost
every part of the tree, including using it for food and emergency drinking
water, using the oil from the meat as cosmetics for skin and hair, and using
the shells to make kitchenware, like spoons, cups, bowls, and containers.
�
Additionally, leaves and husks were used to
create cordage, baskets, and roofing thatch, among other goods.
�
The trunks were also used for house
construction, canoe building, and drums.

����
The legislature notes that pursuant to
section 226-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, it is the policy of this State to
encourage agriculture by making the best use of natural resources, enhance
agricultural growth by providing public incentives and encouraging private
initiatives, and promote economically competitive activities that increase
Hawaii's agricultural self-sufficiency.
�

Additionally, the legislature believes that increased food security and
self-sufficiency are priorities for the State.
�

However, the legislature finds that many of the coconut palm's edible
products, including its water and meat, are not being maximized for food
security and local food systems, nor is the coconut palm being maximized for
agricultural production.
�
As a result, there
is limited promotion of the coconut palm for public health, agricultural
policies, and food assistance programs.

����
The legislature recognizes that categorizing
coconut palms as a sustainable staple food source could encourage local
agricultural production and cultivation.
�

Formal recognition as a food source is also an important first step in
maximizing the coconut palm's utilization as a natural resource.

����
The legislature also finds that coconut
palms thrive in Hawaii's tropical climate and are abundant, providing an excellent
opportunity for economic development in the State.
�
Recognizing the coconut palm as a food source
will support local coconut farmers, processors, and businesses and will
encourage the growth of new industries and markets for coconut-based products.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
recognize the coconut palm as a sustainable staple food source in Hawaii.

����
SECTION 2.
�

Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�141-
��
��
Coconut
palm; food source.
�
The coconut palm (cocos nucifera), or niu
in Hawaiian, is established, designated, and recognized as a sustainable staple
food source in the State.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Coconut
Palm; Tree; Food Source; Recognition

Description:

Recognizes
the coconut palm as an official, sustainable staple food source in the State.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.