Native Plants: Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu
How do native plants rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
Honolulu and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu County permits native Hawaiian species as landscape substitutions under LUO Sec. 21-4.70 but does not mandate native-only planting; voluntary guidance comes from the Board of Water Supply Xeriscape Program.
View full Honolulu rules →Urban Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Urban Honolulu allows native Hawaiian species as substitutions under LUO Sec. 21-4.70 but does not require native-only landscaping, with voluntary xeriscape guidance used in Kakaako and downtown streetscapes.
View full Urban Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Urban Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | LUO Sec. 21-4.70 | LUO Sec. 21-4.70 |
| Native mandate | None | None |
| Substitution allowed | Yes for street trees | Yes |
| Voluntary program | BWS Xeriscape | - |
| Applies to | All Oahu zoning districts | - |
| Guidance | - | BWS Xeriscape Program |
| Common in | - | Kakaako streetscapes |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Does Honolulu require native plants in new landscaping?
No. LUO Sec. 21-4.70 allows native species as substitutions but does not require them. Voluntary guidance from BWS and UH CTAHR supports native plant selection.
Can I replace a required street tree with a native species?
Yes. The Land Use Ordinance permits approved native Hawaiian species as landscape substitutions with acceptance from the Department of Planning and Permitting.
Urban Honolulu FAQ
Does urban Honolulu require native plants downtown?
No. LUO Sec. 21-4.70 permits native Hawaiian species as landscape substitutions but does not require them citywide. Kakaako master plans encourage native use voluntarily.
Can condo associations mandate native-only plantings?
Yes, HOAs and condo boards may set stricter plant lists for common areas; the city does not preempt those internal rules so long as LUO landscape minimums are met.
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