HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2026-03 - Draft Letter SB2336 Submitted by Charla ThompsonSB2336 Relating to Trees and Best Management Practices in Arboriculture
Aloha (Recipient),
The Kona Community Plan Development Action Committee strongly supports SB2336 Relating to Trees, which would require that all arborists and other professionals managing trees, including contractors, adhere to best management practices.
Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Hawai’i mandates the conservation and protection of
Hawai’i’s natural beauty and resources for present and future generations. Similarly, the first Guiding Principle of the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP) is to "Protect Kona’s natural resources."
KCDP Goals, Objectives, Policies , and Actions 4.3.3 speaks of our Environmental Resources Goal to
create a healthy active lifestyle with a financial and moral commitment that reflects a high level of
caring for the land. Under Emerging Strategies in the Kona CDP, Managing our Impacts 4.3.2-1.a, the importance of managing our trees and forests is expressed and encouraged.
We have an obligation as responsible stewards of the land to adhere to a standard of Best Management
Practices to advocate for the health and resilience of our trees. Chapter 4.3.2 Overall Strategy which states, “People in Kona have a growing ecological awareness and respect for their diverse resources – one that must be translated into a commitment to protect and manage these resources. This commitment will only be implemented by policies that are based on knowledge about our diverse
resources…”
Proper care of our urban trees is an investment that saves the state monies. Urban trees and forests will serve to manage our shade, reducing air temperatures, manage our storm runoff, increase our groundwater filtration and provide habitat for our native birds. Having professional best practices also
provides the element of risk assessment that may mitigate future tree damage, personal injury and
potential arbitration.
Hawaii County will soon have the honor of Tree City recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. SB2336 would provide a framework that would improve our existing ordinance and support the
KCDP’s vision statement concerning our community’s well-being that emphasizes beauty and respect
in order to maintain Kona’s natural environment.
Sincerely,
Communication No. 2026-03