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HB2374
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
2374
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to the department of education
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that hotter
temperatures induced by climate change affect a student's ability to play,
gather, and learn outside while attending school.
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To reduce the effect of hotter temperatures
on students at department of education schools, the department can take a more
proactive approach to increase the tree canopy on school campuses.
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In addition to lowering the temperature on
campuses through shade, transpiration, and reduction of the heat island effect,
trees will also absorb storm water, clean the air, beautify campuses, and help
reach county and state environmental goals.
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Furthermore, planting and caring for trees on campuses provide a
multitude of learning opportunities, including learning the role trees play in
the overall health of the ecosystem, cultural uses of indigenous trees, tree
propagation and care, and commercial uses of trees.
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The
legislature further finds that, during the regular session of 2021, the
legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 68, which requested that
the department of education create a landscape management plan with goals to
increase tree canopies on public school grounds, document existing inventory
and talent, and identify additional resources required to implement and sustain
the plan.
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The
department of education facilities development branch has subcontracted a
thorough professional inventory of campus trees.
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The inventory includes digital maps and
information on each tree, including a risk assessment, note of structural
defects, entity assigned responsibility for maintenance, pruning contracts, and
contact for emergency help.
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As of the
end of August 2025, one hundred forty-seven school inventories have been
completed and an additional two or three will be added each month going
forward.
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The inventory will be used to
identify schools with few trees and allow landscape architects to identify good
spots for new trees.
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The
legislature additionally finds that the department of education can utilize
management of the tree inventory as an educational opportunity.
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There are twenty-nine existing agriculture
and natural resource programs in schools statewide.
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These agriculture and natural resource
programs can support educational activities and encourage propagation of native
or fruit trees that can be planted and shared with department of education
schools and communities.
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The
legislature finds that the department of land and natural resources division of
forestry and wildlife has an existing community forestry program that works
with schools to plant native plants.
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As
such, the division can provide technical assistance and supplies within its
budget to add the trees recommended or approved by facilities in locations in
which the tree canopy will be expanded in a manner that is safe, prevents
damage to infrastructure, prevents liability for the school and department of
education, and maintains open outdoor space for school use.
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The
purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of education, in
collaboration with the department of land and natural resources division of
forestry and wildlife, to establish the shade and fruit tree program to
support educational activities and
encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees
on
department of education campuses.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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There is established in the department of education a shade and fruit
tree program that may:
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(1)
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Utilize existing agriculture and natural
resource programs in schools and establish further agriculture and natural
resource programs in other schools to educate students and propagate native
shade trees and fruit trees, which shall be planted or shared amongst all department
schools;
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(2)
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Encourage the propagation of native shade
trees and fruit trees appropriate to each school's climate; and
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(3)
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Encourage the inclusion of students of all
grades and ages to participate in the care of native trees and fruit trees.
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(b)
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The department of education shall collaborate
with collaborate with the department of land and natural resources division of
forestry and wildlife in establishing the shade and fruit tree program.
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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOE;
DLNR; Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Shade and Fruit Tree Program
Description:
Authorizes
the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and
Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and
Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation
of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education
schools.
The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.