STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1702

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 40

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 40 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES TO WORK WITH COMMITTED COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CO-STEWARD COMMUNITY FORESTS LOCATED ON PUBLIC LANDS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE STATE'S FORESTS AND COMMUNITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources and other state agencies to work with committed community groups to co-steward community forests located on public lands for the betterment of the State's forests and communities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Food+ Policy; Hawaii Climate Change and Health Working Group; Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that trees and forests provide extensive environmental, cultural, and economic benefits. Your Committee further finds that active community collaboration and involvement play an important role in the effective management of the State's forests. Establishing a co-stewardship between the State and local communities for the management of community forests will greatly improve and benefit the State's communities and forests and aligns with the State's mission to responsibly manage and protect Hawaii's natural and cultural resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 40 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair