Hawaiʻi Neighborhoods Receive “Tree City” Honor

Two neighborhoods on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi were named the 2018 Tree City USA.

The Ohana Military Communities and Mililani Town received the recognition for their “commitment to urban forest management,” the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced on Tuesday. 

Both communities have assembled a tree board, implemented a tree-care ordinance, and organized an Arbor Day observance. 

OMC encompasses 23 neighborhoods across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, housing active and retired military personnel. 

“Trees help shade our homes, clean our air, and reduce carbon dioxide, so OMC is making an effort to live our values and those of our residents,” OMC utility manager Justin Witty said in a press release. 

Mililani Town is the home of 20,000 Oʻahu residents. 

The community welcomed its new designation as a Tree City USA by planting fruit-bearing trees for its growing community garden.

For more information on the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, contact (808) 782-2676 or srivera@smarttreespacific.org.