Bill Text: HI SCR55 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution 55 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Native Hawaiian Plants; State Projects

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-13 - Referred to WTL/TIA. [SCR55 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SCR55-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	55
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES, Department of Land and natural Resources, and DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO INCORPORATE suitable NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANT SPECIES INTO THE LANDSCAPE OF STATE CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING PROJECTS wherever and whenever feasible.

WHEREAS, native Hawaiian plants are those that came to the Hawaiian islands by natural means, such as jet stream air currents, birds, or ocean currents; and

WHEREAS, over time, the plants that reached Hawaii, survived, and reproduced over millions of years, which culminated in species that were naturally acclimated to the Hawaii environment; and

WHEREAS, as Polynesians and others arrived in Hawaii and brought non-native plants and animals with them, the Hawaii environment and landscape were significantly altered, at times disrupting or destroying native Hawaiian plant life; and

WHEREAS, native Hawaiian plants can beautify facilities and properties while showcasing unique varieties of native Hawaiian plants; and

WHEREAS, some native Hawaiian plants have characteristics such as drought resistance, which can save precious water resources when planted in appropriate habitats or landscapes because they require less irrigation than other landscape plants; and

WHEREAS, the use of native Hawaiian plants in landscaping of state projects can serve multiple purposes of enhancing the aesthetics of various state facilities, conserving precious water resources, and promoting the cultivation of flora that is particularly suited to the unique local environment; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Accounting and General Services manages state buildings and appurtenances, including landscaping; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources manages public lands; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation is in charge of state highway construction and maintenance, including adjacent plantings of flora; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Department of Transportation are requested to incorporate suitable native Hawaiian plant species into the landscape of state construction and remodeling projects wherever and whenever feasible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and Director of Transportation.