(HONOLULU) – Arbor Day is one day formally designated across the United States to honor, plant and enjoy trees. Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry, a program of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), is now seeking grant proposals from community organizations that would like to share the benefits of trees with their communities for Arbor Day 2024.

In 2024, Arbor Day Hawaiʻi will be celebrated on Saturday, November 2. Community groups, municipal and state agencies from all islands are encouraged to submit a proposal to host an Arbor Day event. Kaulunani welcomes projects ranging from tree adoptions to tree celebrations and demonstrations on the value of trees and their care.

“Trees provide an abundance of benefits to celebrate. From clean air and water to cooling shade and iconic natural beauty, trees help create healthy communities and a healthy planet,” said Heather McMillen, Ph.D., urban and community forester with DOFAW.

In prior years communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands have honored Arbor Day with tree planting events, tree care workshops, planting demonstrations, landscaping and gardening demonstrations, exhibits featuring woodworking as well as tree-themed arts and crafts, online workshops, digital resources, and flagship tree adoption events.

The Kaulunani Advisory Council recognizes that its mission is best fulfilled through engaging people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and cultures with a focus on our priority populations – Native Hawaiians and low-income individuals. To that end, Kaulunani identifies and lifts up equity, diversity, and justice as foundational to the program. Partnerships that promote these values are encouraged.

2024 Arbor Day Hawaiʻi Grants

Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations, private organizations, schools, churches and faith groups, community groups, state and county agencies. All grantees must comply with state government requirements and provide Hawaiʻi Compliance Express certification.

From where: Communities from all islands of Hawaiʻi are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility: Projects must be accessible to the public (i.e. trees cannot be planted on inaccessible private land; programs and events must be open to all). Food and beverages are an ineligible expense. Equipment valued at more than $5,000 is an ineligible expense.

Deadline: Monday, January 15, 2024 | 11:59 p.m. (HST)

Grant Awards: $3,000 – $7,000. (Total available funding is $45,000)

Where to Apply: Apply online

We encourage the use of the following resources:

• Plant Pono

• Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Invasive Species Prevention

• Tree Canopy Viewer Hawaiʻi

• SelecTree Pacific Islands

• Stewardship Mapping and Assessment Project