Hawaii Senate Bill SCR102

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources And Department Of Education To Collaborate To Establish A Formal, Long-term Collaborative Program To Expand, Equitably Distribute, And Sustain Tree-canopy Coverage Across Public Schools State Wide.

Summary

SCR102 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together to create a formal, long-term program to expand and maintain tree-canopy coverage at public schools statewide. The resolution frames the issue as both an environmental and student-wellbeing concern, citing rising heat, limited shade on many campuses, and the need to improve outdoor learning and recreation conditions. The measure emphasizes equitable distribution of tree canopy, noting that Title I and lower-income schools often have less shade and greater heat exposure. It also highlights the broader benefits of trees, including cooling campuses, reducing the urban heat-island effect, absorbing stormwater, improving air quality, and supporting state and county environmental goals. The resolution specifically asks that the program include long-term maintenance planning, appropriate species and site selection, and support for staffing to sustain the effort over time.

Impact

Because SCR102 is a concurrent resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend Hawaii statutes or create binding legal requirements. Instead, it expresses the Legislature’s request that DLNR and DOE establish a durable statewide school tree-canopy program and that the state support staffing to implement it. If adopted and acted upon, it could influence agency priorities, interdepartmental coordination, and future appropriations or administrative agreements related to school landscaping, climate resilience, and campus greening.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly supportive of expanding tree canopy on school campuses. The measure presents the initiative as a practical response to heat, equity, and educational needs, and it points to prior successful collaborations and pilot programs as evidence that the approach is workable and beneficial. No opposing testimony, votes, or committee concerns are provided in the available record, so the context suggests a favorable posture toward the proposal.

Contention

The main issues raised in the text are not framed as objections but as implementation concerns: the need for long-term maintenance, durable species selection, and staffing to avoid reliance on short-term funding. The resolution also implicitly addresses equity concerns by focusing on Title I and lower-income schools that may have less canopy and greater heat exposure. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded committee debate are included in the provided materials.