SCR 209: Requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to identify existing large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove trees having the potential to obstruct the evacuation route; conduct comprehensive risk assessments for specific high-risk trees; implement best practices in urban forestry; and strengthen community-based disaster preparedness initiatives.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to identify existing large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove trees having the potential to obstruct the evacuation route; conduct comprehensive risk assessments for specific high-risk trees; implement best practices in urban forestry; and strengthen community-based disaster preparedness initiatives.

     WHEREAS, every second of potential evacuation time during an impending natural disaster makes a difference in protecting the lives of the State's residents; and

     WHEREAS, it is essential that evacuation routes be clear and free of obstructions to enable speedy evacuation during an emergency; and

     WHEREAS, large trees planted along thoroughfares that provide access to coastal communities may potentially obstruct these roads during an evacuation; and

     WHEREAS, if an obstructed road is the only means by which to flee an evacuation zone, any obstruction of the roadway may needlessly endanger lives; and

     WHEREAS, obstructions along evacuation routes may also prevent emergency response vehicles and personnel from getting to or returning from an evacuation zone, thus preventing lifesaving support from reaching those who critically need it; and

     WHEREAS, large trees planted along roadways can also damage roads due to root overgrowth; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is requested to identify existing large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove trees having the potential to obstruct the evacuation route; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is requested to conduct comprehensive risk assessments for specific high-risk trees and make its findings public; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is requested to implement best practices in urban forestry, including proper pruning, storm-resistant tree selection, and implementation of responsible planting guidelines; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is requested to strengthen community-based disaster preparedness initiatives to ensure that residents are educated about evacuation procedures without unnecessarily sacrificing environmental resilience; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation; Adjutant General, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Deputy Director for Highways.

Report Title:

Disaster Preparedness; Evacuation Routes; Obstructions; Large Trees; HIEMA; DOT

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1457

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 209

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 209 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO IDENTIFY EXISTING LARGE TREES ALONG EVACUATION ROUTES AND TRIM, SPRAY, OR REMOVE TREES HAVING THE POTENTIAL TO OBSTRUCT THE EVACUATION ROUTE; CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR SPECIFIC HIGH-RISK TREES; IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES IN URBAN FORESTRY; AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to identify existing large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove trees having the potential to obstruct the evacuation route; conduct comprehensive risk assessments for specific high-risk trees; implement best practices in urban forestry; and strengthen community-based disaster preparedness initiatives.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Life of the Land.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that ensuring evacuation routes are clear and accessible during times of emergency and ensuring community readiness for natural disasters is critical to public safety.  Your Committee further finds that urban forestry is important to the proper maintenance of plant life in the State, including the management of trees and root systems that grow close to evacuation routes.  Accordingly, this measure requests that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency appropriately address the hazards posed by large trees having the potential to obstruct evacuation routes and encourages best practices in maintaining trees and enhancing community-based approaches to disaster awareness and readiness. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 209 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,