Keeping Hawai`i clean,
green, and beautiful since 1912
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • History of TOC >
      • TOC Presidents
    • Board of Directors
    • Ways to Give
    • Donate Now
    • Give Beyond Your Years
    • Volunteer
    • Newsletters >
      • The Greenleaf
      • North Shore Outdoor Circle
      • Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle
      • Waimea Outdoor Circle
      • Greater Waikiki Outdoor Circle
    • TOC In The News
    • The Online Circle - Environmental Education Blog
    • Resources >
      • Plant Resources
      • Tree Information
      • Signage
      • Development Plans
      • Events
      • Current Issues >
        • Light Pollution
      • Environmental Headlines
    • Report a Problem
    • Contact
  • TOC Policy Positions
  • Membership
  • Branches
    • Branches
    • East Hawaii Island
    • East Honolulu
    • Kaneohe
    • Kauai
    • Kona
    • Lani-Kailua
    • Manoa
    • North Shore
    • Waikiki
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  • Christine Snyder

Exceptional Tree Initiative

​In 1975, the Hawai`i Legislature passed the Exceptional Tree Act (Act 105) to protect designated trees
-- both public and private -- from improper trimming and unnecessary removal.   


Today, we are helping to grow this list of protected trees and document their positive impact on our local environment.
​We are calling this our "Exceptional Tree Initiative." 
What is an Exceptional Tree?
An exceptional tree is “a tree, stand or grove of trees with historic or cultural value, or that by reason of age, rarity, location, size, aesthetic quality or endemic status, is designated by a county arborist advisory committee as worthy of preservation”.  In 1975, the Hawai`i Legislature passed the Exceptional Tree Act (Act 105) after considerable advocacy and public education by community groups including the Mokihana Club of Kaua‘i and The Outdoor Circle. This law protects designated trees -- both public and private -- from improper trimming and unnecessary removal.  The law also encourages private property owners to properly maintain designated trees by offering a tax deduction to offset the costs associated with maintaining Exceptional Trees. ​
Where are Hawai`i's Exceptional Trees? 
There are hundreds of Exceptional Trees found throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The Outdoor Circle is developing this database of currently recognized and nominated Exceptional Trees.​
Check out our map of trees here
Exceptional Tree Content Library
Exceptional Tree Image Gallery
​​Get Involved and Help Grow the Exceptional Tree list
Our volunteers are currently working to verify each tree on this list, document their growth, and identify new trees worthy of Exceptional Tree status. This is a major data collection effort. Click here to find out more about how we are collecting our data and to get involved in the effort. 
How to Get a Tree Designated as Exceptional?
In order for a tree to be deemed exceptional, an Exceptional Tree Nomination Form must be filled out. A committee of experts overseen by each county reviews Exceptional Tree nominations and makes recommendations to each County Council for designation of qualified trees. Qualified trees accepted by the respective County Council is added to the list of Exceptional Trees maintained in the County Code. 

To nominate a tree, select the county where the tree is located. Click the relevant links below for the most recent nomination forms:
Maui County
City and County of Honolulu
Kaua`i County
Hawai`i County​​
How do I claim the Exceptional Tree Tax Deduction?
-        $3,000 can be claimed once every three consecutive tax years.
-        The claim cannot exceed the amount deemed reasonably necessary by a certified arborist.
-        This amount must be on an affidavit and attached to the homeowner's tax return.
-        The affidavit must include:
            1) The type of tree
            2) Location of the tree 
            3) Description and amount of expenditures made to maintain the tree
            4) The affidavit must be notarized

For more information on this state tax deduction, please visit the City and County of Honolulu's link here.

Oahu Exceptional Tree Registry
oahu_et_registry_2019.pdf
File Size: 622 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Maui Exceptional Tree Registry
maui_et_list__2018_.pdf
File Size: 385 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Big Island Exceptional Tree Registry
big_island_et_registry_2017.pdf
File Size: 124 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Kauai Exceptional Tree Registry
kauai_exceptional_tree_registry.pdf
File Size: 462 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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The Outdoor Circle
1314 South King Street, Suite 306
Honolulu, HI 96814
Tel: 808-593-0300
mail@outdoorcircle.org