EDITORIAL
We need a stronger Salvinia molesta ban

As the battle against Salvinia molesta gains momentum, we can't be the only ones wondering why the aggressive alien weed that is choking the life out of Lake Wilson, Kawainui Marsh and other freshwater locales hasn't been banned.

Well it has, sort of. A federal law forbids the interstate transportation of salvinia, which means you're not allowed to bring it in or out of Hawai'i. But what good is that ban when the pest has already spread like reality TV? The federal prohibition took effect after salvinia was already legally brought into Hawai'i.

Apparently, the state is still in the process of adding salvinia to its long noxious-plant list, which includes miconia, fountain grass, kudzu and gorse.

What we clearly need is a state law to outlaw salvinia within Hawai'i. As it is, no state entity has the legal authority to enter private property without the landowner's permission to track down or destroy salvinia.

So we're glad that lawmakers are addressing the issue in Senate Bill 552, which "encourages landowners to allow land and water access to personnel and volunteers of invasive species control or eradication programs" by limiting the landowners' liability to those entering the property for these purposes.

The measure would make it easier to control salvinia, and so we support it as an interim measure. Meanwhile, we'd like to see lawmakers work on even stronger legislation that would impose penalties on transporting or peddling salvinia.

We also need the aquarium and nursery retailers who sell salvinia to stop. And many are cooperating. In a report by Advertiser science writer Jan TenBruggencate, Lelan Nishek, the owner of Kaua'i Nursery and Landscaping, said his firm would be getting rid of salvinia and advising its customers to do the same.

That's encouraging because this battle must be fought on several fronts.