STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1715

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 68

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 68 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO 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,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Education to 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.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Trees for Honolulu's Future; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Okahara and Associates, Inc.; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the increase in temperature and number of hot days per year make it difficult for students to learn at school. Increasing the tree canopy on school grounds will enable students to continue to play, learn, and gather outside, even as the temperature rises. Trees on school campuses will also absorb storm water, clean the air, beautify campuses, and help the counties and State reach environmental goals. An abundance of trees on school campuses would help cool each campus and 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, commercial uses of trees, and participation in community programs that promote tree planting. This measure will create a plan to increase tree canopies on school campuses, which will provide students with a cooler, more beautiful, and healthier learning space.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 68, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair