Bill Text: HI SR151 | 2021 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Designating April As Tree Awareness Month In The State Of Hawaii.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-06-21 - Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-21-21. [SR151 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2021-SR151-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
151 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
DESIGNATING APRIL AS TREE AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.
WHEREAS, trees have been identified as an important tool to combat global climate change, reduce society's carbon footprint, and help communities become healthier; and
WHEREAS, trees, commonly described as
the lungs of the Earth, contribute to the environment by cleaning the air,
removing odors and pollutant gases, filtering particulates, and removing and
storing carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air; and
WHEREAS, trees cool heat-absorbing
streets and buildings by up to ten degrees Fahrenheit by releasing water vapor
into the air through their leaves, which encourages residents to enjoy the outdoors,
thereby improving their health, and contributes to more vital communities; and
WHEREAS, studies show that trees in urban
areas also encourage residents to spend more time outdoors under the canopy of trees
where they can immerse themselves in a forest-like environment and soak in the atmosphere
through their senses to achieve a feeling of rejuvenation; and
WHEREAS, trees reduce UV-B exposure
by almost fifty percent and provide protection to children from exposure to ultraviolet
rays on school campuses and playgrounds where they spend hours outdoors; and
WHEREAS, well-documented studies
confirm the positive effects of trees on people's health and productivity, such
as faster recovery times from surgery, lower blood pressure levels, higher performance
and productivity for those with views of trees outside of their offices, and higher
test scores and graduation rates for students with trees outside their school
windows, as trees have been found to aid in concentration by reducing mental
fatigue; and
WHEREAS, trees in our island state
are a crucial part of sustainable living and agricultural economy and harvesting
agricultural products, such as fruit and wood, helps create green jobs for our residents
and greater opportunities for small businesses; and
WHEREAS, in our tourism-based
economy, trees and landscaping contribute to the beauty of our urban areas and create
a welcoming environment that attracts tourists, thereby increasing the flow of business
to those areas; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture reported that street
trees increase property values and that planting large trees along streets,
sidewalks, and parking lots also help absorb heat, energy, and dust; mask
concrete walls and unsightly views; muffle sounds from freeways; create an eye-soothing
canopy of green; and foster civic pride within neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, state and community
organizations have endeavored to foster knowledge and awareness of trees, and collectively
have declared that "trees literally hold our island state together,
helping define our island sense of place, that special connection between our
diverse cultures and the environment, the land and its people"; and
WHEREAS, according to Dr. Camilo Mora
of Mora Lab of the Geography and Environment Department at the University of
Hawaii who heads the Carbon Neutrality Project, Arbor Day is but one day to
help raise awareness of trees and that designating the entire month of April as
Tree Awareness Month would raise greater awareness and adequately recognize the
multitude of benefits and importance trees have, particularly in an island
state that depends heavily upon sustainability and tourism; and
WHEREAS, the public should be encouraged
to learn more about the value of trees and designating April as Tree Awareness
Month would be an appropriate way to honor trees while also providing community
building and educational and economic opportunities through planned events;
now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first
Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that April
be designated as Tree Awareness Month in the State of Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies
of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of Board of Land
and Natural Resources, and mayors of all counties.
April; Tree Awareness Month
