HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 111 Draft 01 1998-2000 <
COUNTY OF HAWA#~Rh ,,~,~,TATE OF HAWAII
a
RES'fk~Tt~ON
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), is the first educational entity to be recognized as a
Cooperator with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and has
been recommended by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for
Congressional and Federal Agency support; 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
HAWAII, 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 IT 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 L. Hamilton, Deputy Undersecretazy 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, Peazlie 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 day of , 1999
INTRODUC B
I~
COUN IL EMBER, OUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawaii ARAKAKI
CHUNG
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by ELARIONOFF
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the JACOBSON
County of Hawaii on
LEITHEAD-TODD
ATTEST; PISICCHIO
SMITH
TYLER
YAGONG
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER Reference: C- 3 51
RESOLUTION NO. Ili ~ 7