STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3923

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 166

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 166, H.D. 1, entitled:

"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,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for the planting of Native Hawaiian trees.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Aloha Tree Alliance and one individual.

Your Committees find that, in a remarkable example of civic engagement, Shane Fung, a third-grade student at Hahaione Elementary School, recently suggested that the State plant more Native Hawaiian trees in his community in East Oahu to help beautify the landscape and preserve the State's cultural heritage. Mr. Fung specifically suggested the milo tree, a coastal tree once considered sacred with durable and attractive wood that has been traditionally used to make ʻumeke and other implements. This measure would help restore native landscapes and preserve cultural connections to the land, while encouraging further civic participation from the next generation.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 166, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs,

________________________________ HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair