Hirono Announces $5 Million for Forestland Management and Conservation in Hawaii

~ Funding to support forest management techniques to encourage conservation and lower risk of wildfires ~

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding $5 million to the State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) to support forest management and restoration activities across the state. Specifically, the grant funding will assist landowners in the protection and restoration of Hawaii's watersheds, forest resources, wildlife habitats, and endangered species.

"Hawaii's forestlands are essential to its diverse ecosystem and this funding is an important investment in the protection and management of these lands throughout our state," said Senator Hirono. "As Maui continues to recover following the devastating wildfires last year, this funding will help encourage sustainability in preserving our natural resources and support Hawaii's efforts to plan for and reduce the risk of future wildfires."

This grant was made possible through investments from the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act, which Senator Hirono helped pass into law in 2022. The funding is part of nearly $335 million in grants that were awarded to incentivize private forest landowners to manage their forests sustainably and to permanently conserve private forests in partnership with states. Forest management techniques, such as thinning trees or removing invasive species, helps to reduce susceptibility to forests pests and disease and lowers the risks of catastrophic wildfires.

More details about these funded proposals are available here.

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