{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=564", "U.S. House Again Passes Case Initiative Toward First National Forest For Hawai\u2018i", "2021-05-12", "2021", "2021-05", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=26", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced today that the U.S. House has once again passed his National Forest study measure that calls on the United States Forest Service (USFS) to engage communities in the State of Hawai\u2019i in a study to identify suitable parcels to be incorporated into a National Forest.\n\nThe measure now goes to the Senate for its consideration. Case obtained passage of a similar measure in late 2020 but the Senate did not act before expiration of the prior 116th Congress.\n\n\u201cMy measure would direct the necessary first step in the establishment of a National Forest in Hawai\u2019i,\u201d said Case, a member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and of its Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, in remarks to the full House on passage.\n\n\u201cDespite having some of the most unique and endangered forest lands in the country, Hawai\u2018i is one of the only a handful of states nationwide without a National Forest. Establishing a National Forest in Hawai\u2018i would support tropical forest conservation and research throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and provide appropriate recreational, cultural and commercial opportunities in Hawai\u2018i.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe study authorized by the bill would take steps to correct this oversight. It would consider how a Hawai\u2018i National Forest could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System, while supporting the research mission of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kaiali\u02bbi Kahele (HI-02), who co-introduced the legislation, said: \u201cThe establishment of the Hawai\u02bbi National Forest Study is the first step to creating a National Forest System in Hawai\u02bbi. This legislation would help ensure the preservation of our State\u2019s natural beauty and resources for generations to come. I thank Congressman Case for his work on the House Natural Resources Committee and look forward to our continued collaboration to protect Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s land and natural resources.\u201d\n\nIn his further floor remarks, Case added: \u201cHawai\u2018i is the most isolated island chain and one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Within these constrained borders, it has ten of the thirteen world climate zones, ecosystems ranging from the deserts to the tropics where plants and animals that found their way to Hawai\u2018i evolved like nowhere else.\u201d\n\n\u201cA 2014 survey identified 9,975 endemic species in Hawai\u2018i, many of which are reliant on Hawaii\u2019s fragile ecosystem to survive. However, since the onset of human arrival, Hawai\u2018i has lost almost half of its native forest cover and countless fauna and flora species.\n\nCase said an inventory would help inventory where Hawai\u2018i\u2019s native koa, \u2018\u014dhi\u2018a and sandalwood forests can be conserved and expanded for cultural and commercial practices.\n\nThe bill would help identify where cultural sites could be better conserved and access expanded to the public and practitioners, and it would provide the basis to bring together local stakeholders to advance the conversation of how to responsibly establish a National Forest in Hawai\u2018i in a manner that will benefit both Hawai\u2018i\u2019s island communities and the National Forest Service.\n\n\u201cAs we continue to identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step towards protecting Hawai\u2018i\u2019s unique forest resources and its native species, along with providing important recreational, cultural and commercial opportunities in Hawai\u2018i,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe National Forest System currently comprises 154 national forests, 20 national grasslands and several other federal land designations containing 193 million acres. Its core mission is to conserve land for a variety of uses to include watershed management, research, cultural site preservation, wildlife habitat management and research and outdoor recreation.\n\nLast year, Case and the Hawai\u2018i Department of Land and Natural Resources\u2019 First Deputy, Robert Masuda, testified in favor of the measure at a Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands legislative hearing.\n\n\u201cThe citizens of Hawai\u2018i share a passion for the lands and resources that have sustained our islands for generations,\u201d said Masuda then. \u201cIt\u2019s ingrained into our culture and outlook. Like other island peoples around the world, we understand that we live with finite resources on a limited land base. Living on isolated islands, we are particularly sensitive to the threats posed by pollution, climate change, and invasive species. We know that the conservation of our terrestrial and marine resources is necessary for the quality of life we now enjoy, and for future generations.\n\nMasuda continued: \u201cWe believe Hawaii\u2019s existing Forest Reserves, watershed and endangered species protection programs would align well with a National Forest in Hawaii.\u201d\n\nNOTE: The measure can be found here\n\nNOTE: Congressman Case on C-SPAN speaking on the measure is here https://youtu.be/jWnqzCtCxBs\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:49:40Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=564"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8543760050088167, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}