Aloha,
This week Governor Josh Green, First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, and DLNR Chair Dawn Chang joined students from St. Andrew’s School to plant native trees in celebration of Earth Day.
Guided by Queen Liliʻuokalani's handwritten records, which mention these trees, ʻōhiʻa ʻāhihi and koaiʻa trees now enrich the landscape at Washington Place once again.
“These trees gather our water, support our wildlife, and make life in Hawaii possible,” said Governor Green. “We plant these trees to support both our natural environment and the people of our Hawaii.”
This week's tree-planting ceremony celebrates several important initiatives:
- Earth Day, reminding us of our profound connection to ʻāina and our responsibility to care for the lands that sustain us.
- 2025 as the Year of Our Community Forests, recognizing our enduring relationship with Hawaii's forests, beyond just one day of recognition.
- Grow Aloha, promoting plant adoption across Hawaii, thanks to partnerships with the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Bishop Museum, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Molokaʻi Land Trust, and Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.
- ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Day on April 25, encouraging us to celebrate and protect our cherished ʻōhiʻa trees from the devastating Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death disease.
“When we plant trees, we plant hope — for the future, our environment, and each other,” First Lady Jaime Kanani Green said. "These seedlings will reshape our spaces just as our youth will shape our communities, carrying forward Queen Liliʻuokalani's legacy.”
Trees provide us with shade, nourishment, and habitats for native wildlife and protect our vital soil and water resources.
They also play a critical role in climate resilience — absorbing thousands of tons of carbon dioxide and significantly reducing energy costs across our state.
If you support Josh’s efforts to protect our environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and address climate change, please chip in a small donation today.
Thank you for supporting Josh and being part of Team Green.
Mahalo,
Team Green
