WASHINGTON, D.C. (BigIslandVideoNews) – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard took her concerns about the harmful impacts of invasive species in Hawaii to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today. Gabbard’s spoke in support of of her Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act (H.R. 3893) legislation to support long-term and sustainable solutions to fight invasive species. The bill was introduced by Gabbard in November 2015.

“In my home state of Hawaiʻi,” Gabbard said at the podium, “the coffee berry borer, coconut rhinoceros beetle, macadamia nut felted coccid and others have cost our local economy millions, and threaten our unique ecosystem, our agriculture and waterways, as well as our food supply and public health. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to combat the more than 4,300 invasive species that are present in Hawaiʻi and across the country.”

Gabbard said her Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act would “bring local stakeholders together with researchers and other key players in order to find sustainable, cost effective, and comprehensive solutions that will better help all of us to manage and prevent the spread of these harmful pests and invasive species.”

Gabbard’s speech was also in recognition of National Invasive Species Awareness Week.