HI SB2059

Designates ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) as the official endemic tree of the State of Hawaii.

ʻōhiʻa lehua is an endemic flowering evergreen tree found only in the Hawaiian islands with significant cultural, ecological, and economic importance referenced extensively in Hawaiian moʻolelo, oli, mele, and hula.

ʻōhiʻa lehua forests cover over 800,000 acres statewide and serve as keystone ecosystems supporting watershed protection, water recharge to aquifers, and habitat for at least 22 native forest bird species and other endangered native species.

The species faces threats from rapid ʻōhiʻa death (a fungal pathogen that has killed over one million trees on the island of Hawaii), climate change, and invasive species, prompting new state and federal import restrictions on related myrtle family plants.

Takes effect July 1, 2022.