STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1868-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 91

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 91 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Education to establish a formal, long-term collaborative program to expand, equitably distribute, and sustain tree-canopy coverage across public schools statewide.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Healthy Eating, Active Living; Kaululani Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that excessive heat and limited shade on public school campuses can negatively affect student health and learning conditions. Your Committee further finds that disparities in tree-canopy coverage across public schools, particularly at schools serving lower‑income communities, raise concerns regarding equity and student well-being. Your Committee additionally finds that trees can provide environmental, health, and educational benefits. This measure requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to collaborate in establishing a formal, long term program to expand, equitably distribute, and sustain tree canopy coverage across public schools statewide that will ensure durable climate, health, and educational benefits for Hawaii's students.

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. 91 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair