Hawaii Senate Bill SCR209

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/12/25
• Report Pass: 4/1/25
• Engrossed: 4/2/25
• Refer: 4/4/25
• Refer: 4/10/25

Caption

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.

Impact

If implemented, the resolution can lead to significant changes in how the state manages its natural landscape, particularly in urban areas adjacent to coastal communities. HIEMA is tasked with conducting comprehensive risk assessments for trees deemed high-risk along evacuation routes, informing the public about identified threats, and implementing urban forestry best practices. This could result in clearer evacuation paths, potentially saving lives during natural disasters such as hurricanes or flooding, where timely evacuations are essential.

Summary

SCR209 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that requests the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) to take several proactive measures to enhance disaster preparedness in relation to evacuation routes. The primary focus is on identifying and managing large trees that could obstruct these crucial paths during emergencies. The resolution emphasizes that every second counts during evacuation, and therefore it is critical to ensure that routes are clear of potential hazards, including large trees, which could impede both civilian evacuations and emergency response efforts.

Contention

While the bill has a clear intention to enhance public safety, it may face contention regarding environmental concerns. Proponents of the resolution argue that maintaining clear evacuation routes is paramount in disaster scenarios, while opponents may raise issues about the ecological impact of tree trimming or removal. Conversations around urban forestry practices will likely also highlight the need for responsible planning that balances safety with environmental sustainability, sparking discussions about the appropriate treatment of large trees that have historical or ecological significance.