Governor Josh Green recently proclaimed 2025 “Year of Our Community Forests.”

Developed by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and its Kaulunani Urban and Community Forest Program, and a number of partners, the designation recognizes trees and forests in the wao kanaka: where we live, learn, and play. The year-long campaign has the goals of increasing awareness of community (including urban) forests and strengthening connections between people and these forests.

 DOFAW has established a website where people can learn about all the benefits of community forests, about volunteer opportunities associated with the Year of Our Community Forests, and statistics and data on how forests help grow communities.

Hawai‘i municipal trees store more than 25,000 tons of CO2, remove a net 3,340 tons of CO2 each year, and manage 35 million gallons of stormwater runoff each year.

Photo credit: Office of Governor Josh Green