COTE SPEAKER SERIES
Building a Greener Hawaiʻi: Climate Action at the State and County Level
APRIL 22, 2025 – EARTH DAY PAU HANA
Planting the Seed: The Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program’s Mission, Challenges, and Invitations to Get Involved (1 HSW)
The AIA Honolulu Committee on the Environment (COTE) works for architects, allied professionals, and the public to achieve climate action and climate justice through design. We strive to advance, involve, and educate the building community and the public on best design practices and their effects on the environment. We seek to foster community and connections among all in the building sector interested in sustainable design for a healthier more resilient Hawaii.
With our Building a Greener Hawaiʻi: Climate Action at the State and County Level speaker series, AIA Honolulu COTE seeks to spotlight ambitious State- and County-led initiatives that seek to make our island community more sustainable, resilient, energy-efficient, and healthier, and learn about their targets, progress, and challenges. How can the private sector help contribute to achieving the goals set by the State and County agencies? With the reduction in support from the Federal government for environmental protection and climate change mitigation, how are the programs affected and how are they managing to keep pushing forward? We are excited to partner with ASLA Hawaii for our kick-off and Earth Day event!
In partnership with ASLA Hawai`i, join us for the kickoff event,
Planting the Seed: The Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program’s Mission, Challenges, and Invitations to Get Involved
- 5:00pm Pau Hana: Join us in person to connect with friends new and old as we build our community of sustainability leaders.
Mahalo to AHL for sponsoring refreshments for the meeting. - 5:30pm Hybrid Presentation: Session and discussion begin. This is when our friends on Zoom will join us too.
The Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program has been at the forefront of enhancing Hawai‘i’s urban tree canopy, promoting sustainable landscapes, and fostering community engagement in tree planting and care. This presentation will explore the program’s key goals, from increasing tree equity in underserved areas to improving climate resilience through strategic urban forestry initiatives. We will discuss the program’s progress, highlight successful projects, and address the pressing challenges posed by reduced federal support, including funding limitations and resource constraints. Additionally, we will examine the critical role of the private sector – architects, developers, and community organizations – in sustaining and expanding these efforts through partnerships, sponsorships, and direct involvement. Finally, we will learn how we can get involved to advance our shared goals. Join us to learn how we can work together to ensure a greener, healthier future for Hawai‘i’s communities.
Join us Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (Earth Day) as Heather McMillen, PhD, Hawaiʻi State Urban Forester, Kaulunani Urban & Community Forest Program Coordinator, and ISA Certified Arborist discusses programs that Kaulunani is managing and how architects and designers can work with them to improve the urban canopy. After her presentation, Heather will be joined by Hana Fulghum, Landscape Designer at PBR Hawaii and Matt Higa, ASLA, SEGD, Landscape & Graphic Designer at Ki Concepts, for Q&A and conversation.
FREE but please register below so we have enough food and drink.
AIA/CES: Qualifies for 1 AIA/CES LU (HSW). AIA Honolulu is the registered provider.
