HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2202
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE SYMBOLS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, in 1960, the kukui tree was designated as the official tree of the State. The legislature today continues to recognize the important cultural significance and many uses of the kukui in Hawaii. The legislature also recognizes the unique cultural, ecological, and economic importance and threats to the ‘ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) in Hawaii. As an endemic species, it is only found in the Hawaiian Islands.

The legislature further finds that ‘ōhi‘a lehua is a keystone species of Hawaii's native forests. ‘Ōhi‘a is endemic to Hawaii's six largest islands and it occurs in a variety of forms from sea level to over eight thousand feet in elevation, in bogs to deserts. Forests dominated by ‘ōhi‘a are home to at least twenty-two extant species of forest birds, many of which rely on the abundant nectar of the lehua blossoms. The Hawaiian hoary bat and many of Hawaii's remaining native plants and invertebrates also make their home in ‘ōhi‘a forests. ‘Ōhi‘a is very efficient at capturing water from the air and from rainfall which allows fresh water to slowly seep into the ground, making it essential to the recharge of state aquifers and overall ecosystem health from the mountains to the sea.

The legislature additionally finds that there are many oli (chants), mele (songs), and hula (dances) relating to ‘ōhi‘a, and of the sayings compiled in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau (Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings) by the renowned Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui, only the hala exceeds ‘ōhi‘a lehua in the number of sayings recorded. ‘Ōhi‘a lehua blossoms are iconic, symbolizing Pele's fire, the blood of warfare, and the bounty of a generous chief. The beautiful and brilliant flowers make prized lei and are featured in art and clothing design. Historically, the wood of ‘ōhi‘a was preferred for papa ku‘i ‘ai (poi boards) and was used to make tools and weapons. It is still regarded as a high-quality wood for construction and furniture.

The legislature also finds that, while the ecological and cultural importance of ‘ōhi‘a lehua is worthy of recognition and appreciation, ‘ōhi‘a is under threat, including from diseases such as a fungal pathogen called rapid ‘ōhi‘a death. Rapid ‘ōhi‘a death has already killed over one million ‘ōhi‘a trees on the island of Hawaii. In recognition of the importance of protecting ‘ōhi‘a, new state and federal regulations have been adopted restricting the importation of close relatives of ‘ōhi‘a, plants in the myrtle family, to prevent new strains of ‘ōhi‘a diseases from entering Hawaii. Climate change, other invasive species, and other environmental pressures will no doubt pose additional threats to ‘ōhi‘a in the future.

The purpose of this Act is to designate ‘ōhi‘a lehua as the state endemic tree in order to recognize its cultural and ecological importance and raise awareness of the critical threats to ‘ōhi‘a with the hope that this awareness will result in effective conservation and healthy ‘ōhi‘a forests across the Hawaiian Islands.

SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§5-    State endemic tree. ‘Ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is adopted, established, and designated as the official endemic tree of the State, to be effective so long as the legislature of the State does not otherwise provide."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2044.

Report Title:

Ohia Lehua; State Symbols; Endemic Tree

Description:

Designates ohia lehua as the state endemic tree. Effective 7/1/2044. (HD1)

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