Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023

This bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2024 to 2034 to continue efforts against Rapid Ohia Death (ROD), a fungus killing over 1 million native ohia trees in Hawaii. It requires collaboration between the Interior and Agriculture Departments, the State of Hawaii, and local stakeholders to conduct research on ROD transmission, manage invasive animals affecting forests, and propagate disease-resistant trees for restoration. The funding supports ongoing activities like preventing ROD spread, restoring native forests, and maintaining research infrastructure at the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. This directly affects Hawaii's native ecosystems and forest management, with no changes to existing laws or new regulations for residents.