The state is proposing changes to the current state conservation district rules that critics say could prevent the public from having a voice in future projects, including ones involving invasive species control and eradication.
Strawberry guavas grow wild in Hawaii and are popular in juices, jams and jellies.
But the state considers the fruit an invasive species and is considering a draft environmental assessment and public opinion on ways to manage the fast-growing tree.
But environmentalists say that could change if a proposal by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its list of actions that are exempt from EA's is approved.
"Our fear is that these are being pushed through a little too quickly," said Robert Harris of Sierra Club Hawaii. "We think the exemption list should be updated, we think that they should be functioning but what is proposed is ridiculous."
Hilo environmentalist Sydney Singer is especially concerned about the proposal to exempt invasive species control and eradication.
"People of the government can go out into the forest and kill any species they call invasive using almost any method on any number of acres without an environmental assessment or public input," said Singer.
The DLNR says it periodically looks back at rules in an effort to streamline the regulatory process.
"We want to make the system a little more user friendly, less red-tape, less bureaucracy but also we think we're maintaining environmental quality and resource conservation," said Sam Lemmo, director of the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands. He says the proposed changes will not prevent the public from having a voice in future projects.
The state urges the public to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. Singer says the public must speak now before they are silenced later.
"Let's say spray herbicide in the forest to kill a species they suddenly decide is invasive according to their new exemptions. They'd be able to do that on thousands and thousands of acres for anything they call invasive without public comment," said Singer.
"Going forward not just strawberry guava but other invasive species, as we try and think of the strategies of how to get rid of them - the public should have an opportunity to involve in that process it should not just be closed off," said Harris.
