HCR 61

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
61
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources to
work with its partners to increase investment in policies, incentives,
workforce, and nursery capacity to reforest Hawaii's public and private lands.
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii's
forests are the foundation of the State's water supply, cultural heritage,
biodiversity, near coastal ecosystem, and climate resilience, and are a key
piece of the natural infrastructure upon which life on the islands relies; and
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii's
forests are unique to the State, provide a multitude of values including local
enjoyment and recreation, cultural foundation for Native Hawaiians, visitor
attraction, and economic opportunities from the management of species, such as
koa, ʻiliahi,
maile, and ʻōhiʻa lehua, that can be
restored and sustainably managed so as to expand the forest economy in the State;
and
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii's
native forests were cleared and are�
degrading due to a history of land use changes, unmanaged ungulates,
invasive weeds, and other disturbances, which have resulted in significant
ecological, cultural, coral-fishery habitat, and economic losses that will
continue if reforestation is not a priority for the State; and
���� WHEREAS, restoring
degraded forests and former forest lands to a healthy and fire resilient status
will have many benefits to people in the State and the economy while also
supporting agricultural diversification, including through silvopastoral
systems and other markets; and
���� WHEREAS, reforestation
requires a suite of conditions, including landowner incentives, policy
directions, stable funding, and strategic investments, to support the pipeline
of reforestation needs on public and private lands; and
���� WHEREAS, among
the needs is investment in state and private nursery modernization to increase
the supply of high-quality, clean native seedlings necessary for reforestation,
including expanding the collecting, banking, and management of seed resources
and seed orchards; and
���� WHEREAS, strengthening
reforestation in Hawaii has been identified by the Green Fee Advisory Council
as a priority to achieve Hawaii's resilience, watershed protection, and
ecosystem restoration goals; and
���� WHEREAS, this
body expressly recognizes reforestation as a priority for Hawaii and
acknowledges that supporting and investing in reforestation will expand Hawaii's
future economic opportunities and improve clean water supply and climate
resilience; 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 urged to work with its partners to
increase investment in policies, incentives, workforce, and nursery capacity to
reforest Hawaii's public and private lands; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through its
Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is urged to invest in its nurseries to
modernize and increase capacity to meet Hawaii's present and future
reforestation needs; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that, as part of the reforestation efforts, the Department of Land and
Natural Resources is urged to include and strengthen outreach, coordination,
and partnerships with private nurseries, seed collaboratives, community
organizations, and landowners; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to explore
and advance reforestation policies, programs, tools, and structures that will
support reforestation efforts and attract additional public, philanthropic, and
private investment in reforestation across Hawaii; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to work
with its partners and use existing programs to further address barriers to
reforestation in a manner that will defray upfront reforestation costs,
including the costs for fencing and invasive weed and ungulate management, and
support coordinated programs and planning across landowners and agencies; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor and Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:�
Department
of Land and Natural Resources; Reforestation