ReTree Hawaiʻi Hosting Statewide Tree Planting Campaign in November

ReTree Hawaiʻi (Lā Ho‘oulu Paemoku) is spearheading a tree planting campaign in November to help reduce the effects of climate change and beautify the islands.

Individuals, organizations and counties will be planting trees and other plants across the state.

This year’s campaign follows on last year’s successful planting event, when people came together on six of the seven populated Hawaiian islands to increase the number of trees and other plants binding carbon and releasing oxygen in the state.

ReTree Hawaiʻi chief organizer Rob Weltman, who led last year’s campaign, said: “Planting trees is one of the most effective actions ordinary citizens can take to mitigate climate change and it will provide many additional benefits for Maui County.”

There is an urgency to address the climate crisis that is leading to rising sea levels and extreme weather events that already are affecting Hawaiʻi, Weltman said.

Common Ground Collectiveʻs President Ananda Stone said: “As an island community we are particularly vulnerable to climate change and we’re already experiencing effects from it. Since trees offer so many ecosystem services, like protecting watersheds, filtering pollutants, enhancing biodiversity, all while sequestering carbon, we should absolutely be planting trees.”

Andy Fox, with Friends of Haleakala, said: “There has never been a more urgent time to invest in island resilience and adaptation.”

So far 56 supporting organizations and 21 planting sites have signed up for the November campaign.

To register a site for planting or to volunteer, go to retree-hawaii.org/planting. Choose “Register the site” if you would like to register a new planting site.

An interactive map of all registered sites as well as a list of sites to volunteer at is provided under “I want to plant at a planting site.” Clicking on any map pin describes each site, what they are planning, and lists their volunteer needs.

Anyone can register a new planting site, participate as an individual planter, or volunteer at one of the registered sites on the website. Due to Covid-19 we are encouraging everyone to also plant trees and gardens wherever they can, and then register their planting at retree-hawaii.org/planting under “Register my home plants” to be entered in the statewide count. 

For questions contact coordinator Rob Weltman at 808-354-0490 or by email: [email protected].