Our pleasant climate and natural beauty bring visitors back year after year. The lush green forests, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal clear waters provide scenic value that cannot be measured. Hawai'i's uniquely rich native flora and fauna contribute immensely to our pleasant climate and outdoor lifestyle. It makes good economic sense to protect Hawaii's natural assets and quality of life. Hawaiian cultural traditions reflect a close and long-standing relationship with the island's landscape, native species, and ecological processes.
Nature is celebrated in chant, song, and dance.
Native plants provided materials for ancient Hawaiian clothing, textiles, ornaments, canoes, and medicines. This is source of cultural strength to people of Hawaiian ancestry and an influence that has helped bind people of many ethnic backgrounds together in a common love for Hawaii. The survival of Hawaii's native plants and animals is important for the continuing cultural traditions of Hawaii's people. The material culture of the Hawaiians cannot survive without the land and natural resources from which their cultural traditions evolved. Our agricultural industry depends on Hawaii's climate and water supply, and therefore also depends on healthy forests.