December 11, 2025 AAC Meeting Minutes

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Arborist Advisory CommitteeMeeting Minutes December 11, 2025 Acting ChairMicahAlameda called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for a motion. A motion was made by Member Jill Kubojiri, nominating Member Jill M. Wagner as Chair, which was seconded by Member George Applegate. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0. b. Election for Vice Chair: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for a motion. A motion was made by Member Applegate, nominating Member Michelle “Mitchie” Hanano as Vice Chair, which was seconded by Member Jill Kubojiri. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0. c. Election for Secretary: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda postponed action on this item to the next meeting. For consistency, Acting Chair Micah Alameda will facilitate the rest of the meeting. OVERVIEW ON THE SCOPE OF THE ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES a. Deputy Corporation Counsel (DCC) Jean Campbell explained the purpose and duties of the county’s Arborist Advisory Committee, which is established by state law to recommend and help protect exceptional trees. The committee evaluates public nominations of exceptional trees, advises property owners on tree preservation, and makes recommendations to the county council on tree protection ordinances. All meetings must comply with Hawaii’s Sunshine Law, ensuring public access and transparency. Committee members are prohibited from discussing board business outside official meetings, except for limited exceptions. Supporting documents and training materials will be provided to committee members for reference. REVIEW OF EXCEPTIONAL TREE APPLICATIONS a. TMK 5-9-11:34, Bernard and Valerie Sadoulet (Applicant and Owner), Neltuma Member George Applegate opened with a question asking if this tree is on the owner’s property which the Sadoulet’s answered yes. Member Mitchie Hanano asked the applicant if there is a 35 foot height limit and your tree is 53 feet, does the Kohala Ranch subdivision have a Covenant, Conditions, and Restrictions limit also known as CC&R. Applicant answered yes, the CC&R is 30 feet, if a neighbor testifies that a tree is significantly blocking its view. Member Mitchie Hanano followed up with a question asking if the tree has the potential to block a view of a potential neighbor in the future? Applicant answered saying for both of his neighbors, one neighbor blocks 4% of the horizon and the other neighbor it blocks 2% of the horizon. 2