HR 156 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY STATE LANDS IN EAST OAHU SUITABLE FOR THE PLANTING OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN TREES.

This bill is a House Resolution that requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify state-owned lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, including the culturally significant milo tree. The resolution specifically asks the department to consider locations that could involve schools, community groups, and youth participants to encourage civic engagement and environmental stewardship. The Department is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session begins. This measure does not authorize funding or mandate action but serves as a formal request to explore opportunities for native tree planting on state lands.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action Apr 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HR156 → HR156_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a House Resolution (HR) to a House Directive (HD), changing its procedural status. Several metadata fields were updated, including the author's name (Steven Lum) and effective dates. The text of the resolution was slightly rephrased for clarity, and the list of officials to receive copies was shortened by removing the Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope regarding identifying state lands for native tree planting remains unchanged; only the procedural vehicle and recipient list were modified.

TECHNICAL

The bill type changed from House Resolution (HR) to House Directive (HD), altering its legislative classification.

The author's name was changed from Maya Sweeny to Steven Lum.

Minor text edits were made to improve sentence flow and formatting in the WHEREAS clauses.

TIMELINE

The effective dates were updated to April 8, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

The list of recipients for the certified copies was modified to exclude the Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1859-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson.

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to WAL, referral sheet 24

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors