MAYOR HANNEMANN AND STUDENTS PLANT TREES IN PALOLO

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and students from three schools in Palolo Valley today planted 29 trees in the Palolo District Park.  The students hailed from Palolo Elementary, Jarrett Middle and Kula Kaiapani O Anuenue schools. 

The tree planting in Honolulu was part of the 2008 Trees for Success national tree planting campaign.  Honolulu was one of only 16 cities across the country to be given trees in the program sponsored by the Home Depot Foundation and the Arbor Day Foundation.  Honolulu received 109 of the 800 trees available.

“I first learned of this program at a meeting of the US Conference of Mayors,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann.  “Upon my return, I urged our Department of Parks and Recreation to apply and compete with the more than 200 other cities for these free trees for our parks and schools.  I believed, as a designated Tree City USA, that Honolulu stood an excellent chance, and I’m pleased that our city was selected in its first bid.”

The 29 trees planted today at Palolo District Park include 15 Rainbow Shower trees, 7 pink tecoma trees, and 7 dwarf white tecoma trees.

In addition to Palolo, the Park Department will plant trees at Aina Haina Community Park, Kailua District Park and Pearlridge Community Park.

“Trees add so much to our urban landscape,” Mayor Hannemann said.  “As interest and concern for our environment continues to grow, I appreciate the role that trees play in providing health-related, social and economical benefits.  That’s why urban reforestation is a part of my administration’s 21^st Century Ahupuaa initiative.  And I’m glad that our island’s students who took part in today’s planting will have a greater appreciation for trees, nature and the environment as they grow into adulthood.”