THE SENATE S.R. NO. 184 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE 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.
THE SENATE S.R. NO. 184
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
184
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE 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, 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation; Adjutant General, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Deputy Director for Highways. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: Disaster Preparedness; Evacuation Routes; Obstructions; Large Trees; HIEMA; DOT
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, 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation; Adjutant General, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Deputy Director for Highways.
OFFERED BY: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Disaster Preparedness; Evacuation Routes; Obstructions; Large Trees; HIEMA; DOT