PREAMBLE
Hawaii’s forests provide valuable resources and perform critical ecological functions. They are vital to the well-being of our local society as well as the rest of the world. HFIA’s Code of Ethics will help to protect and serve society by inspiring, guiding, and governing members in the conduct of their professional lives.
HFIA members have a deep and enduring love for Hawaii’s land and serve society by providing goods and services as well as fostering stewardship of the world’s forests. HFIA members, as foresters, teachers, craftspeople, researchers, manufacturers, advisers, loggers, administrators, and others attempt to sustain and protect a diverse variety of forest uses and attributes, such as timber production, air and water quality, aesthetic values, biodiversity, recreation, and wildlife habitat.
HFIA members demonstrate respect for Hawaii’s land and their commitment to the long-term management of forests and ecosystems as well as guarantee just and honorable professional and human relationships, mutual confidence and respect, and competent service to society by compliance with the code.
HFIA members accept this unique responsibility to other members and society by promising to uphold and abide by the following:
PRICIPALS & PLEDGES
HFIA members pledge to:
• Utilize and manage land for both current and future generations.
• Practice and advocate forest products utilization and forest management that will maintain the long-term ability of Hawaii’s lands to produce the variety of materials, uses, and values desired by landowners and society.
• Respect forest landowners’ rights and correspondingly recognize that landowners have a land stewardship responsibility to society.
• Practice and advocate forest utilization and management in accordance with landowner objectives and professional standards, and to advise landowners of the consequences of deviating from such standards.
• Advocate sound science as a foundation of our Association and the forestry profession.
• Perform only those services for which we are qualified; strive for continuous improvement of our personal knowledge, skills, and methods; use the most appropriate methods, technology and data available for the design, mechanical, biological, physical, and social sciences.
• Acknowledge that public policy related to forests should be based on both scientific principles and societal values.
• Use our knowledge and skills to help formulate sound forest policies and laws; to challenge and correct untrue statements about forest products utilization, manufacturing and forestry; and to foster dialogue among foresters, the larger forest community including manufacturers, craftspeople, loggers, other professionals, landowners, and the public regarding forest policies.
• Practice honest and open communication, coupled with respect for information given in confidence that is important to quality service.
• Always present, to the best of our ability, accurate and complete information; to indicate on whose behalf any public statements are made; to fully disclose and resolve any existing or potential conflicts of interest; and to keep proprietary information confidential unless the appropriate person authorizes its disclosure.
• Advocate and practice personal, professional and civic behavior based on honesty, fairness, good will, and respect for the law.
• Conduct ourselves in a civil and dignified manner; to respect the needs, contributions, and viewpoints of others; and to give due credit to others for their methods, ideas, or assistance.
The HFIA Bylaws specify processes through which a member’s violation of the code may lead to reprimand, censure, expulsion from the Association, or other disciplinary action. Any two persons, whether or not HFIA members, may charge a member with violation of the code. Such a charge must be made in writing to the HFIA President and must refer to the specific Pledges alleged to have been violated.
Adopted by the Hawaii Forest Industry Association by Member Referendum, (January 2003)