HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2025-14 Tree City Draft Letter
Subject: Request for Support in Reinstating Tree City USA Designation — Smart Investment in
Our Local Environment and Economy
Dear Mayor Alameda,
The Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee is reaching out to ask for
your leadership in reinstating Hawai‘i County’s Tree City USA designation — a national
recognition we previously held but likely lost due to changes in staffing and administrative
turnover.
Our goal is simple: to meet the third core requirement of the Tree City USA program —
investing at least $2 per resident per year into community tree planting, maintenance, and care.
We believe this is a small, high-impact investment that can yield tangible benefits for Kona and
the entire county.
Why This Matters to Our Community
The Kona CDP, adopted in 2008, reflects our residents’ priorities: protecting what makes Kona
special while planning for a strong future. This includes:
• Preserving Rural Character and Open Spaces: Tree-lined roads and shaded public
areas are part of what makes Kona feel like home — not just for us, but for the
generations who come after us.
• Enhancing Visual and Scenic Resources: Trees help maintain our island’s natural
beauty — something visitors admire and local’s treasure.
• Encouraging Community Stewardship: Our residents take pride in hands-on
participation to keep our communities safe, beautiful, and economically resilient.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, every dollar that goes into planting and caring for a tree
provides benefits to the community two to five times the investment. Benefits include:
• Sequestering and storing carbon dioxide, thus helping to mitigate the impacts of climate
change
• Providing oxygen
• Filtering air and water
• Conserving water and reducing soil erosion
• Serving as a habitat for wildlife
• Lowering air temperature for nearby buildings, which in turn helps to conserve energy
• Providing shade for humans and wildlife
• Reducing noise pollution
• Providing mental and social benefits
• Creating and reinforcing a sense of community
What the County Gains
Reinstating our Tree City USA designation is more than symbolic — it is smart policy that
checks key boxes:
• Access to Resources: Tree City status improves our chances for grant funding and
technical assistance — keeping more federal and nonprofit dollars working here in our
county.
• Economic Sense: Healthy urban forests increase property values, reduce stormwater
costs, and lower cooling needs in public buildings. Trees are the only city infrastructure
that appreciates in value over time.
• Restoring Civic Traditions: Public events like Arbor Day celebrations help bring our
community together, strengthen civic pride, and educate the next generation on the value
of local stewardship.
• Local Empowerment: This initiative is community-driven. We’re not asking for new
programs — we’re asking to recognize and strengthen the work already being done by
volunteers and public works staff.
Our Request
We respectfully ask for your help with the following:
1. A Designated Point of Contact in the Finance Department to help us understand
where urban forestry spending currently exists in the budget and determine if we already
meet or can easily reach the $2 per capita standard.
2. Coordination with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Parks
and Recreation to identify tree-related maintenance or planting programs already in
place that can be counted toward the requirement.
With your support, we can bring back a national recognition that reflects well on your
administration and on the residents of Kona and Hawai‘i County. The return on this modest
investment is substantial — cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and a stronger, more self-reliant
community.
We appreciate your attention and leadership and welcome the opportunity to follow up at your
convenience.
Respectfully,
Charles Young
Chair, Kona CDP Action Committee