STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1612

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 115

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 115 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PRIORITIZE THE PLANTING OF FOUR MILLION TREES ALONG STREETS AND ROADWAYS WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO HELP ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AND MAKE COMPLETE STREETS STATEWIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Governor to prioritize the planting of four million trees along streets and roadways within the next four years to help address climate change and make complete streets statewide.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that a single tree intakes carbon dioxide and releases oxygen into the air; can absorb as much as forty-eight pounds of carbon dioxide per year and sequester one ton of carbon dioxide by the age of forty years; and also absorbs odors and pollutant gases and filters particulates out of the air by trapping the particulates on its leaves and bark. Your Committee further finds that increased planting of trees along roadways can increase shade and enhance safety for pedestrians. Your Committee finds that the State can benefit from the planting of additional trees along streets in an effort to sequester carbon, remove pollution, beautify and make complete streets, and reduce the severity of vehicle crashes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 115 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair