At a ceremony held today, Governor Josh Green declared 2025 as the "Year of Our Community Forests." This initiative, developed by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and its Kaulunani Urban and Community Forest Program along with various partners, aims to highlight the significance of trees and forests in areas where people live, learn, and play. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about community forests and enhance people's connection to them.
Governor Green stated, "Community forests are the trees in our neighborhoods, yards, parks, schools, and along our streets. These forests can include native species but also non-invasive beneficial trees like ‘ulu, niu, mango, and others."
Ryan Kanaka‘ole, DLNR First Deputy, emphasized the importance of these trees saying, "We all live in a community forest; they’re not just mauka but all around us. Our trees are what makes Hawai‘i home. They’re not only ornamental landscaping but also provide food, shade, oxygen, habitat, and many other benefits."
DOFAW has launched a website providing information on the benefits of community forests and volunteer opportunities related to this initiative. DOFAW Administrator David Smith noted the economic value of urban forestry: "They also have great economic value with urban forestry having a $64 billion footprint nationwide in 2017. The same report indicated urban forests support more than a half million jobs."
Governor Green highlighted environmental benefits by adding that trees improve water quality by filtering pollutants and help mitigate climate change by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2). Hawai‘i's municipal trees manage substantial amounts of CO2 storage and stormwater runoff annually.