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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 111 Draft 03 1998-2000 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. 111 93 (DRAFT 3) A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ONGOING WORK OF THE TROPICAL REFORESTATION AND ECOSYSTEM EDUCATION (TREE) CENTER IN THE KONA DISTRICT WHEREAS, the first forest reserve system in the nation was established in Hawaii over a century ago; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Constitution provides that, for the benefit of present and future generations, the State and its political subdivisions shall preserve and protect Hawai'i's natural beauty and all natural resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self- sufficiency of the State; and WHEREAS, Public Law 102-574, the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Action Plan, recommends that a center for tropical forests be established to restore and perpetuate forests in Hawaii; and WHEREAS, such a center would provide Island residents, including youth, with significant opportunities for research, education, training, and outreach to accomplish this mission; and WHEREAS, the Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystem Education (TREE) Center, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and the first of its kind in the nation, has been established in Kona and is wholly devoted to fulfilling this mission; and WHEREAS, the TREE? Center has received support from the national Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and is one of the first educational entities to be recognized as a Cooperator with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS); and WHEREAS, the TREE Center also has received substantial support and cooperation from the local community, including major landowners, ethnic Hawaiian leaders, renowned scientists, ranchers, business leaders, and educators; and WHEREAS, the Kona district contains some of the finest and last remaining native dryland forests in the world, most of which are seriously threatened and in need of restoration and protection; and WHEREAS, the TREE Center already has organized youth group projects to augment State and County management of these forest ecosystems; and WHEREAS, these management efforts will offer new and increased forestry, ecotourism, and land management opportunities for Island residents; and WHEREAS, these new opportunities can positively impact the local economy and, thereby, provide significant long term benefits to Hawaii County; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'1, that the Council supports and encourages the establishment and ongoing work of the Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystem Education (TREE) Center in the Kona District; and BE [T FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council extends its congratulations and gratitude to the TREE Center for its pioneering efforts in reforestation, soil conservation, and land management for the benefit of present and future generations of Hawai'i's citizens; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk transmit copies of this resolution to Glenda Humiston, Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources & Environment, Denver James of the USDA Forest Service, Ernest C. Shea, CEO of NACD, Reed Smith the First Vice President of NACD, Pearlie Reed of NRCS, the Pinchot Institute, the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts, Caroline Cordova, President of the NACD Auxiliary, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Representative Patsy Mink, Representative Neil Abercrombie, State Forester Mike Buck, Len Newell of USDA Forestry, Hawaii and Bruce Goines of USDA Forestry, Region 5. DATED: Hilo, Hawaii this 8th day of July , 1999, INTRODUCED Y: , ~ L ~ ~i COU , CIL EMBER, CO ~ T OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii AYES NOES ARS EX ARAKAKI I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the CHUNG vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of EfAR1oNOFr g the County of Hawaii on July 8, 1999 JACOBSON g LF.ITHEAD-TODD g ATTEST: PISICCIIIO X tiMlTll y, l'YLER YAGONG X i 9 O ~ ~ Reference C-351.003 1~1 9g (DRAFT 3) COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.