HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2026-072 2024-2026 +trosM��
COUNTY OF HAWAI I •;_ _ : STATE OF HAWAII
•T�Tl Oi N�'�'
BILL NO. 184
ORDINANCE NO. 26 72 (DRAFT 2)
AN 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 HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Findings and purpose. The Council finds that native Hawaiian plants
contribute to the protection and restoration of Hawai`i 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 Hawai`i'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,
pikake, 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.
INTR CED BY•
AS Y KIERKIEWICZ
Council Member
Kona , Hawai`i
Date of Introduction: September 16, 2026
Date of 1st Reading: September 16, 2026
Date of 2nd Reading: October 7, 2026
Effective Date: October 22, 2026
REFERENCE Comm. 1023.3 1111111111111111111
I
2
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK �y;� ,f r , " :'
County of Hawai`i
Hilo, Hawai`i „r.,, r^ ' . !2: 36
(Draft 2)
Introduced By: Ashley L. Kierkiewicz ROLL CALL VOTE
Date Introduced: September 16, 2026 AYES NOES ABS EX
First Reading: September 16, 2026 Galimba X
Published: September 25, 2026 Hustace X
Inaba X
REMARKS. Kagiwada X
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder X
Kierkiewicz X
Kimball X
Onishi X
Villegas X
Third Reading: October 7, 2026 9 0 0 0
To Mayor: October 16, 2026
Returned: October 23, 2026 ROLL CALL VOTE
Effective: October 22, 2026
Published: November 6, 2026 AYES NOES ABS EX
Galimba X
REMARKS. Hustace X
Inaba X
Kagiwada X
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder X
Kierkiewicz X
Kimball X
Onishi X
Villegas X
8 0 1 0
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing BILL was adopted by the County Council published as
indicated above.
. 4?t,E4-Z
COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON
rove Disapproved this day �--►-
of Oc7 , 20 2(P COUNTY CLERK
42:rt Bill No.: 184 (Draft 2)
MAYOR, COUNTY WAI`I c-1023.3 /PCHSW-10
Reference:
Ord No.: 26 `72