S.C.R. No. 174 Summary

• Governor Josh Green has proclaimed 2025 the Year of Our Community Forests in Hawaii.

• Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources and other state agencies to collaborate with community groups on co-stewardship of community forests on public lands.

• Identifies multiple benefits of community forests including health benefits (access to food and medicinal plants, stress reduction), environmental benefits (clean air and water, native habitat, carbon storage), and economic benefits (property values, business spending, job creation).

• Notes the State manages over 700,000 acres of public forest reserve lands plus additional public lands with trees and forests on school campuses, state parks, and transit corridors.

• Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson and each member of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.