THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2400
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE STATE MICROBE.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there are more than fifteen adopted, designated, and established official symbols of the State of Hawaii, or more than thirty official symbols when designated flowers and colors of the individual islands are also included.  From the state motto, "ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono," which, translated, means "the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness," to the state plant, kalo (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), these designated symbols are representative of all things unique to the State of Hawaii and its individual islands.  Missing from this group of symbols is an official state microbe.

     In 2012, those who supported the establishment of a state microbe were tasked with finding a new and relevant species that is unique in origin to the State.  Scientists and students joined together in research efforts and studies and collaboratively decided upon Flavobacterium akiainvivens, which originates from or lives on Wikstroemia oahuensis, whose Hawaiian name is akia, which means an endemic shrub.

     The bacterium was discovered and named by Iolani School student Iris Kuo in collaboration with Dr. Stuart P. Donachie and Dr. Jimmy Saw of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's department of microbiology; Dr. Durrell D. Kapan and Dr. Kenneth Y. Kaneshiro of the university's center for conservation and research training; and Stephanie Christensen of the university's department of oceanography.  The bacterium forms two to three millimeter diameter colonies that range from cream to off-white in color and wet to mucoid in viscosity, and was isolated from decaying Wikstroemia oahuensis collected on the island of Oahu.

     The legislature further finds that the designation of Flavobacterium akiainvivens, an organism originating in Hawaii, as the state microbe will further emphasize the unique nature of our State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to designate Flavobacterium akiainvivens as the official microbe of the State.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§5-     State microbe.  The Flavobacterium akiainvivens, originating from or living on akia, a native Hawaiian shrub, is established and designated as the official microbe of the State."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

State Microbe

 

Description:

Establishes and designates Flavobacterium akiainvivens as the official microbe of the State.

 

 

 

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