Trees for Honolulu's Future

Trees for Honolulu's Future’s vision is a tree-filled Oahu that preserves and enhances our quality of life, especially in the face of climate change.

Our mission is: 1) facilitating the planting and caring for new trees and the protecting of existing trees in communities across O‘ahu and specifically connecting communities with expert assistance and funding; 2)
educating the public and government officials on the benefit of the right tree, in the right place, getting the right care; and 3) advocating for laws, policies, projects, and funding that support the planting and caring for and protection of trees. Our work benefits the people of Hawaii and its physical environment/well-being.

Our overall goal is increasing Honolulu’s urban canopy to 35% by 2035. (Currently at 22%.) See below for more specific goals/objectives.

GOAL 1: INCREASED AND MORE ROBUST CANOPY IN URBAN HONOLULU

Objective 1: By 2024, reduce Honolulu’s current net canopy loss from about 1% annually to 0% (no net loss for year), setting the stage for net increases thereafter. Long-term, TFHF will work with public agencies, nonprofits, private organizations and individuals to encourage and facilitate a net canopy increase from 20% of the urban Honolulu footprint in 2013 to 35% by 2035.

Objective 2: Based on experiences and research during this Strategic Plan, be able by late 2024 to specify subsequent Strategic Plan targets that break down future canopy increases in realistic specific numbers for future time periods.

Objective 3: Publish/disseminate (a) a guide to cost, shade, and other factors for choosing best trees for initial tree planting in various parts of O‘ahu; and (b) a short summary of ways to solve problems that may lead to removal of healthy trees.

Objective 4: Have new professional positions that coordinate with the community and more effective laws that support tree planting in City and State forestry related agencies.

Objective 5: Based on experience in pursuing the above objectives, be able by late 2023 to generate a new TFHF strategic plan that will contain more quantified baseline and future targets for improved canopy characteristics.

GOAL 2: GREATER SUPPORT FOR CANOPY AMONG GENERAL COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDERS MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT TREES

Objective 1: Develop/implement research-based communication plan for raising awareness among the general O‘ahu public of canopy issues and ways to help.

Objective 2: Design and field a statistically valid countywide survey of resident perceptions of and attitudes toward importance of canopy growth. Include a few core questions suitable for repeating in future surveys over time.

Objective 3: Develop and begin to implement a tactical plan for engaging community leaders and organizations in tree planting and management in their locales.

EDUCATE! Some people dislike trees in urban environments because they can break up sidewalks/roadways, create "trash", block views, or cost too much to maintain. Our strategy is to acknowledge these downsides and stress, "don't blame the tree"; it comes down to RIGHT TREE. RIGHT PLACE. RIGHT CARE.

Trees for Honolulu's Future hosted a major urban forestry conference, successfully advocated for increasing urban forestry resources, initiating a resource-laden website, and actively engaged in social media channels. We've also launched an App to help select tropical trees that would result in an online way to help interested people find a tree that fits their desires and location. (https://www.righttreehawaii.com/)

FACILITATE! Two major problems are common around tree planting initiatives in urban areas: 1) lack of concentration, and 2) not addressing care and maintenance. We are addressing both through a community-based initiative called "Trees for Kaimuki":

1) By planting a street or park tree here and there, not only is there little visual impact, it is difficult to maintain the trees in such a scattered approach. Since it’s not feasible to address the entire island’s needs simultaneously, we started this initiative, that has garnered the support of the City & County of Honolulu ($500,000 in funding) and technical support from the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. This is serving as a demonstration project to show the impact of a comprehensive initiative. In the process it will become a replicable community-based model, with appropriate learnings and modifications incorporated, for other communities on Oahu.

2) For tree plant survival to have the greatest likelihood of success, community participation in the planning, planting and maintenance steps is essential. Trees for Kaimuki signs up residents/business owners who commit to caring for the tree planted on City-owned rights of ways.

ADVOCATE! We are addressing vulnerable communities by leveraging an EPA grant to develop mitigation strategies in heat island by engaging youth as "Student Scientists" to come up with solutions for their schools, parks, and home. We are also unifying scattered references to trees in existing laws/administrative rules to draft a comprehensive tree ordinance for Honolulu.

Trees for Honolulu's Future has a ethnically and gender diverse 14 member volunteer Board that represents a cross-section of organizations, private, public, non-profit, working in the urban tree space. (https://www.treesforhonolulu.org/board-of-directors/)

These volunteers are augmented by an esteemed Panel of Advisers. (https://www.treesforhonolulu.org/panel-of-advisers/)

Working with partners, we are making progress in meeting our goals.

What we have accomplished so far:
- Adopted a four-year Strategic Plan with a mission.

- Initiated the community-based Trees for Kaimuki project in cooperation with EnVision Kaimuki, the City’s Division of Urban Forestry, Smart Trees Pacific, The Outdoor Circle, and the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. (https://www.treesforhonolulu.org/trees-for-kaimuki/) [Continuing Project]

- In Spring 2022, TFHF premiered a Honolulu Theatre for Youth theatrical production on trees that will reach over 50,000 children and their families.

- Partnered, for the six years consecutively, with Healthy Climate Communities, and others, on “We Love Trees” student art exhibit, involving hundreds of children. On display online (https://www.treesforhonolulu.org/keiki-art-contest/) as well as at public venues including Honolulu City Hall and the Hawaii State Capitol building. [Continuing Project]

- Quoted in and published numerous news pieces in support of our mission (see: https://www.treesforhonolulu.org/in-the-news/)

- Website unique visitors up markedly along with social media followers in the thousands. Updated website that includes sharing news/events and link to the City Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency’s online platform to record newly planted trees. [Continually updating web and social media]