The Department of Land and Natural Resources joined Bishop Museum, \u2018Iolani School, Le Jardin Academy, and other government officials at Washington Place to watch Governor Green sign House Bill 1899 into law. The bill designates nine native snail species as official state snails. Rather than designating a single species,\u00a0 multiple species, that are emblematic of the distinctive flora and fauna of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and each island in the state, received the distinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLand snails are among the most threatened creatures in the world, with more recorded extinctions than birds and mammals combined,\u201d said Governor Green. \u201cLast year, I proclaimed the \u2018Year of the K\u0101huli\u2019 to help bring attention to the plight of our native snails, which have significant roles in Hawaiian culture. They are symbols of romance and omens. And I am proud of the many youth who fought hard for this legislation. It gives me great hope for Hawai\u2018i\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cK\u0101huli are true jewels of nature and culture,\u201d said Dr. David Sischo, who leads the Snail Extinction Prevention Program at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). \u201cKnowing that their importance is now enshrined in law brings a new level of focus and pride to the collective work to prevent extinctions of the island\u2019s irreplaceable animals and plants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe students\u2019 advocacy for their snails was remarkable. Witnessing them testify to legislators and engage with the Governor fills me with hope that they will persist in raising their voices and shaping our future,\u201d commented Le Jardin Academy teacher Serena Marsden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To read more about this momentous bill-signing ceremony, visit https:\/\/dlnr.hawaii.gov\/blog\/2024\/04\/15\/nr24-36\/.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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