WHEREAS, the Territorial Building and Aliiolani Hale are buildings of historic, cultural, and political significance; and

WHEREAS, the Territorial Building is open to the public and is visited by many residents for business purposes, such as obtaining a state identification card and procuring public records; and

WHEREAS, Aliiolani Hale, which houses the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court Library, and the Judiciary History Center is frequented by residents, students, and tourists who visit the featured exhibits and participate in guided tours; and

WHEREAS, the grounds area between the Territorial Building and Aliiolani Hale are traversed by many people daily; and

WHEREAS, the condition of the walkways, foliage, ground maintenance, and landscaping are a reflection of the people of Hawaii and the Hawaii state government; and

WHEREAS, a prominent banyan tree between the Territorial Building and Aliiolani Hale is adjacent to a semi-enclosed trash receptacle, which is often filled or overflowing with trash, with additional debris scattered near its surrounding areas; and

WHEREAS, the concrete, hollow tile trash enclosure is situated directly on the roots of the banyan tree and may be damaging its roots; and

WHEREAS, two parking stalls in the immediate vicinity are also damaging the banyan tree, evidenced by roots that are coming up from the ground and detracting from the cultural and natural beauty of the site; and

WHEREAS, the site is recognized by county and state government as part of the historic Capitol District, with view planes that need to be preserved; and

WHEREAS, the area would be a more pleasant site for residents and tourists to enjoy if it were cleaned up in a consistent manner and beautified to make it a more attractive and inviting locale; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary are requested to clean up and beautify the area between the Territorial Building and Aliiolani Hale immediately adjacent to the banyan tree; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary are requested to determine a consistent schedule of maintenance and beautification around the area between the Territorial Building and Aliiolani Hale; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary are requested to submit their plan to maintain and beautify the area between the buildings and immediately adjacent to the banyan tree to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller and the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Report Title:

Environment; Grounds Beautification