REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY STATE LANDS IN EAST OAHU SUITABLE FOR THE PLANTING OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN TREES.

HCR166

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

166

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
TO IDENTIFY STATE LANDS IN EAST OAHU SUITABLE FOR THE PLANTING OF NATIVE
HAWAIIAN TREES
.

WHEREAS, citizen participation
is a fundamental principle of democracy, and a healthy democracy depends upon
the engagement of its people in civic life; and

WHEREAS, legislators have a
responsibility to listen to their constituents and remain open to ideas that
arise from the community, recognizing that meaningful contributions to public
policy can come from citizens of all ages; and

WHEREAS, encouraging civic
awareness and participation among young people strengthens democratic
institutions and inspires the next generation of public servants; and

WHEREAS, Shane Fung, a
third-grade student at Hahaione Elementary School, who has taken an interest in
public service and government, recently shared an idea to plant more native
Hawaiian trees in the community; and

WHEREAS, Shane suggested that
increasing the presence of native trees could both beautify public lands and
help preserve Hawaii�s natural and cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, among the native
trees suggested was the milo tree (Thespesia populnea), a coastal tree long
valued in Hawaiian culture; and

WHEREAS, the milo tree holds
historical and cultural significance in Hawaii, having been used traditionally
for
ʻ
umeke,
plates, and other implements due to its attractive wood and durability; and

WHEREAS, milo trees were
historically planted around places of importance, and historical accounts note
that King Kamehameha I had his residence in Waikiki surrounded by milo trees;
and

WHEREAS, the milo tree was
once considered sacred, and its use was restricted in certain contexts, with
some traditions indicating that the tree and its wood were reserved for Ali
ʻ
i and not permitted to
be used by commoners; and

WHEREAS, planting additional
milo trees and other native Hawaiian species can help restore native
landscapes, support coastal ecosystems, and preserve cultural connections to
the land; and

WHEREAS, East Oahu contains
areas of state-owned land that may provide opportunities for planting native
trees that would benefit both the environment and the community; now,
therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the
Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to identify suitable
state lands in East Oahu for the planting of native Hawaiian trees, including
the milo tree; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that in identifying such lands, the Department is encouraged to
consider opportunities that may involve schools, community groups, and youth
participants, in order to foster civic engagement and environmental stewardship;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department is requested to report its findings and
recommendations, including potential locations and implementation
considerations, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to
the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Director of the
Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the principal of Hahaione
Elementary School.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Native
Trees; East Oahu; Department of Land and Natural Resources