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Committee Advances Bill to Correct Monkeypod Classification, Adds Six Exceptional Trees
Summary
The committee advanced Bill 66, CD1, to amend Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 2021 section 40-8.7: it would reclassify Samanea Saman (monkeypod) trees under the correct genus and add six trees to the city's exceptional tree list; the measure was reported out for passage on third reading.
The Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks reported Bill 66, CD1 out for passage on third reading on Jan. 13, 2026. The bill would amend the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 2021, section 40‑8.7, to correct a botanical classification in the city register of exceptional trees and to add six trees to the list.
Director Laura Thielen of the Department of Parks and Recreation told the committee she initially found the bill "a little perplexing," then explained that some Samanea Saman (monkeypod) trees had been classified under Albizia Saman in city records. According to Thielen, the ordinance corrects the genus placement to Samanea and adds six additional trees to the exceptional-tree designation.
The director framed the change as a matter of accuracy and conservation: properly classifying species helps maintain the register and ensures notable specimens receive protections the ordinance affords. The chair praised Department of Parks and Recreation staff expertise and noted there were no public testifiers on the item.
The chair recommended Bill 66, CD1 be reported out for passage on third reading; no objections were recorded in the transcript. The committee did not record a roll-call vote on the measure in the transcript. Next steps are transmittal from committee for scheduling and final consideration at third reading by the full council.
