HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 184 Draft 02 2024-2026AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE USE OF NATIVE PLANTS IN COUNTY LANDSCAPING.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I:
SECTION 1. Findings and purpose. The Council finds that native Hawaiian plants contribute to the protection and restoration of Hawaiʻi Island’s natural resources, biodiversity, watersheds,
and cultural landscapes. Their use in public landscapes supports endemic wildlife, improves ecosystem resilience, reduces erosion, conserves water, and helps maintain the island’s ecological
character.
The Council further finds that County parks, public facilities, public rights-of-way, and other County-owned properties provide opportunities to demonstrate environmental stewardship
through sustainable landscaping practices. Increasing the use of native Hawaiian plants on public lands can reduce long-term irrigation and maintenance needs, support pollinators and
other native species, and promote public awareness of Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural heritage.
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a County policy that prioritizes the use of native Hawaiian plant species in landscaping on County-owned and County-managed properties,
where appropriate and practicable, while allowing flexibility to address public safety, engineering requirements, site conditions, cultural considerations, and other operational needs.
SECTION 2. Chapter 14 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) is amended by adding an article to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
“Article . Native Plants in County Landscaping.
Section 14- - . Definition.
As used in this article, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
“Native plant” means a plant species that is:
(1) Endemic or indigenous to the Hawaiian islands;
(2) Introduced to the Hawaiian islands by Polynesians prior to 1778, commonly known as a “canoe plant”, including but not limited to kukui, kalo, niu, noni, and kamani; or
(3) Traditionally associated with or used for making lei or other Native Hawaiian cultural practices, including but not limited to plumeria, carnation, pakalana, pīkake, pua kenikeni,
gardenia, and crown flower.
Section 14- - . Native plant landscaping requirements.
(a) In undertaking any design, installation, renovation, restoration, or maintenance of any property or portion of property owned, managed, or controlled by the County, including but
not limited to parks, facilities, public open spaces, streetscapes, and rights-of-way, the County shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate native plants that are appropriate to
the site’s location, climate, and intended use.
(b) Native plant species shall be selected with consideration given to local climate, site conditions, drought tolerance, irrigation needs, protection of existing native vegetation,
avoidance of invasive species, benefits to pollinators and native wildlife, traditional Hawaiian cultural uses, and long-term maintenance requirements and lifecycle costs.
(c) For the purposes of determining whether a particular plant species is a native plant, the administering department may consult the State department of land and natural resources,
the University of Hawai‘i, the cultural resources commission, or another recognized botanical or cultural expert.
Section 14- - . Education; reporting.
(a) To promote public understanding of native plants and traditional ecological knowledge, departments are encouraged to incorporate interpretive signage and educational materials,
where appropriate, in landscaping projects.
(b) As part of each department’s annual budget presentation to the council, any department administering a landscaping project subject to this article shall provide a summary of landscaping
projects completed or in progress during the current fiscal year.”
SECTION 3. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application hereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions
or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
ASHLEY KIERKIEWICZ
Council Member
_______________, Hawai‘i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date: