HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0988.013 2018-2020HAWAII FOREST INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (HFIA)
P. O. Box 66 •S '0'6kala, HI 96774
Phone: 808-933-9411
n4_ Email: hfia@hawaiiforest.org
Website: www.hawaiiforest.org
July 2, 2020
Dear Hawaii County Council
Subject: Support for Bill 178: An ordinance amending Chapter 19, Article 8, Section 19-59, of
the Hawaii County Code 1983, relating to native forest dedications.
The Hawaii Forest Industry Association (HFIA) is Hawaii's forest industry trade association,
established in 1989. HFIA along with our affiliate the Hawaii Forest Institute manage four native
forests on Hawaii Island; Ka`upulehu Dryland Forest, Palamanui Dry Forest Preserve, La`i`Opua Dry
Forest Preserve, and Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest.
The value of the Hawaiian native forest is increasingly recognized by the public. Landowners
generally want to "give back" and "improve the environment for future generations". These are noble
goals that fit within the larger context of the emerging green economy of Hawaii and within the State
goals of carbon neutrality by 2045.
However, the Hawaii County tax code, while much improved, still incentivizes the conversion of
forests to other more lucrative land uses. This bill will provide a significant incentive to landowners
who are taking on the burden of managing and increasing forest cover. Maintaining a native forest or
increasing its cover is costly. Planting a typical acre of native forest runs from $3,500 to $5,000 per
acre, with no near term source of income.
The benefits of such individual landowner actions when aggregated at the landscape level are well
known. Clean air and abundant water supplies, healthy forests and increased native biodiversity and
carbon storage. All of this without removing land use choices from landowners who want to pursue,
other goals.
We therefore appeal to you to approve this ordinance, which will doubtless increase forest cover in
Hawai` i for the benefit of our and future generations.
Sincerely,
Heather Sim mDVus
Heather Simmons, Executive Director
Hawaii Forest Industry Association
hfia(a,hawaiiforest.org
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