Kauai County, HI Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

The County Council enacted Kaua'i County Code Article 5 (Sections 22-5.1 to 22-5.9) to protect trees with historical or cultural value or that stand out for age, rarity, location, size, aesthetic quality or endemic status, calling the effort a "necessary and constructive approach" to the General Plan's goal of keeping Kaua'i the "Garden Isle" rather than adopting a blanket tree ordinance for every tree on the island. Section 22-5.3 creates a five-member County Arborist Advisory Committee to recommend which trees deserve the "exceptional tree" label: the head of the Kaua'i Division of Forestry (State Land and Natural Resources), an official of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawai, the County Planning Director, and two public members the Mayor appoints from nominees put forward by groups such as the Mokihana Club, the Governor's Environmental Council and the State Forestry Department of Kaua'i.

The Committee compiles a list and location for Council review, tries to get the property owner's written agreement, and the Council then adopts or amends the official list by ordinance; the current roll, last amended by Ordinance No. 1165 in October 2024, names 24 specific trees such as the Baobab behind Koloa Missionary Church and the Norfolk Island Pine along the Kipu Ranch driveway, each identified by tax map key. Once designated, the County Clerk notifies owners and occupants by registered letter, and an owner who disagrees may appeal to the Council within 30 days; the Council must decide the appeal within 60 days.

The Council can also strip a tree of its "exceptional" status if the designation amounts to a total denial of the owner's reasonable economic use of the property.