Speeches & Testimony

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 7045. This  legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, to conduct a study to identify lands in the State of Hawai‘i that merit inclusion in  the National Forest System.

Hawai‘i is the most isolated island chain and one of the most  ecologically diverse places in the world. Within these constrained borders, we have 10 of the 13 world climate zones and ecosystems, ranging from the deserts to the tropics, where plants and animals that found their way to Hawai‘i evolved like nowhere else. The study would consider how a Hawai‘i national forest, which we do not currently have, could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System while supporting the research mission of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

My bill provides the first step in establishing a national forest in Hawai‘i. It would help inventory where Hawaii's native koa, ohia, and sandalwood forests can be conserved and expanded for cultural and commercial practices. It would help identify where cultural sites could be better conserved and access expanded to the public and 
practitioners. It would help provide the basis to bring together local stakeholders to move forward the conversation of how to responsibly establish a national forest in Hawai‘i in a manner that will benefit both Hawaii's island communities and the National Forest Service.

As we continue to identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step toward protecting Hawaii's unique forest resources and our native species.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.