HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0988.025 2018-2020 Foresjinc So00
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42-378 Kalapahopuu Rd,PO Box 250, Pa`ouilo, HI 96776 (808) 776-9400 Fax: (808) 776-9901 www.forestsolutionshi.corri
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIII
RECEIVED 20 July 2020
Time 3:01 M
Re: SUPPORT for Hawaii County Bill 178 Relating to native forest dedication
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Aloha Honorable Chairman Aaron Chung, Vice-chair Karen Eoff and members of the Hawaii
County Council, 3
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Forest Solutions is the leading forestry services company in Hawaii; we manage over 160,000
acres of land on behalf of institutional and individual forest owners. Since our founding 24 years
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ago, we have planted over 18 million trees on 23,000 acres. With 6 foresters and 35 employees, I
we are the largest private forestry service provider in the State.
The value of the native Hawaiian forest is increasingly recognized by the public. Landowners we
encounter generally want to "give back" and "improve the environment for future
generations".These are noble goals that fit within the broader context of the emerging green
economy of Hawaii and within the State goals of carbon neutrality by 2045.
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Bill 178 will provide a significant incentive to landowners who are taking on the burden of
managing and increasing forest cover. Increasing forest cover is costly: planting a typical acre of a
native forest runs from $3,500 to $5,000 per acre, with no near-term source of income.
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The benefits of native forest cover are well known. Clean air and abundant water supplies,
increased native biodiversity and carbon storage. All of this without removing land-use choices
from landowners who want to pursue other goals, this is an elective process, after all.
I therefore appeal to you to approve this ordinance. This will help increase forest cover in
Hawaii for the benefit of future generations. I hope you concur.
Mahalo,
Nicholas Koch, President
Comm. No
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