Honolulu County, HI Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- City-funded landscaping projects only
- Standard
- Wherever and whenever feasible
- Priority
- Plants indigenous to Oahu
- Governing law
- ROH § 14-1.2
Summary
Honolulu directs that new or renovated city-funded landscaping, buildings, parks, and housing developed with public money, incorporate indigenous and Polynesian-introduced plants wherever feasible, prioritizing species native to Oahu under ROH § 14-1.2.
Wherever and whenever feasible, all plans, designs, and specifications for new or renovated landscaping of any building, complex of buildings, facility, complex of facilities, park, or housing developed by the city with public moneys shall incorporate indigenous and Polynesian introduced plant species, provided that: (1) Suitable cultivated plants can be made available for this purpose without jeopardizing wild plants in their natural habitat; and (2) Wherever and whenever possible, plants indigenous to Oahu shall be used.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
ROH § 14-1.2 requires that whenever feasible, plans, designs, and specifications for new or renovated landscaping of any city building, facility, park, or housing developed with public money incorporate indigenous and Polynesian-introduced plant species: provided suitable cultivated plants are available without harming wild populations. Wherever possible, plants indigenous specifically to Oahu must be used. A related provision, § 14-1.3, directs the parks department to prioritize native species like naupaka and 'ilima papa for shoreline erosion control in public parks.
Violations & Fines
The mandate applies only to landscaping the city itself designs and funds and is qualified by feasibility, so there's no fine: it's a design standard enforced through city project review, not a citable offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this require private landowners to plant native species?
Is the native-plant rule mandatory?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii landscaping rules overview
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