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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.C.R. NO.            H.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE CONCURRENT
                        RESOLUTION
REQUESTING A SURVEY TO ASSESS THE AVAILABILITY AND POSSIBLE
   BARRIERS OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS IN LOCAL NURSERIES FOR
   USE IN PUBLIC LANDSCAPING PROJECTS AND/OR COMMERCIAL
   PROJECTS.


 1       WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is internationally renowned
 2   for the scenic beauty of its natural environment and a unique
 3   native flora, which includes many plants found nowhere else in
 4   the world;  and
 5   
 6       WHEREAS, native Hawaiian plants are currently faced with
 7   many threats that are a direct result of human activities such
 8   as the clearing of forests for urban expansion, agriculture,
 9   and grazing, and the introduction of exotic plants and animals,
10   both intentionally and unintentionally;  and
11   
12       WHEREAS, over the past several years the public's awareness
13   of environmental preservation has increased and with it has
14   come a growing interest in native Hawaiian plants and their
15   cultural significance;  and
16   
17       WHEREAS, the cultivation of rare and common native plant
18   species is a valid and necessary strategy to conserve Hawaii's
19   native flora, and such a strategy would create a market for new
20   businesses in the State to reduce the need to continue
21   importing potentially noxious exotic species;  and
22   
23       WHEREAS, using native plants in public places and/or within
24   commercial development can help to preserve these species,
25   further educate residents about our precious natural resources
26   and so encourage more widespread cultivation;  and
27   
28       WHEREAS, the State is currently encouraged to incorporate
29   native plants into public landscaping projects wherever and
30   whenever feasible (section 103D-408, Hawaii Revised Statutes),
31   but by requiring a minimum percentage of native plants that
32   could potentially increase incrementally over time as the
33   supply of native plants in nurseries increases, this would
34   create a greater awareness for Hawaii's natural and cultural
35   heritage among residents and visitors to the islands and
36   benefit our economy;  and

 
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 1   
 2       WHEREAS, there may be potential barriers that need to be
 3   addressed, such as difficulties for commercial growers in
 4   obtaining collecting permits that hinder the acquisition of
 5   seeds, cuttings and other propagules, the direct competition
 6   between privately owned nurseries and State nurseries that
 7   provide plants below market cost, and, although awareness has
 8   increased, further education and marketing needs to be done
 9   starting with landscape architects, many of whom are not
10   familiar with the native plants available nor how to use them;
11   now, therefore,
12   
13       BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
14   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
15   of 2000, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii
16   Environmental Center in collaboration with various government
17   agencies and private groups conduct a survey to assess the
18   current and potential availability of nurseries providing
19   native Hawaiian plants for use in public landscaping projects
20   and the feasibility of requiring the use of a minimum
21   percentage of native plants for such projects in order to help
22   preserve the species and their cultural significance;  and
23   
24       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii
25   Environmental Center in collaboration with private agencies and
26   other groups submit its findings and recommendations in a
27   report to the State Legislature no less than twenty days prior
28   to the convening of the 2001 Regular Session;  and
29   
30       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
31   Resolution be transmitted to the University of Hawaii
32   Environmental Center, the Governor, the President of the
33   Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.