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  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 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