2006-06-15 Arborist Advisory Committee Minutes

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Drive, the tree may canopy over State, County and/or the King Kamehameha Hotel property. Landownership needs to be clarified. Therefore, additional work needs to be done before these two applications can be considered. 1.Nomination of Morton Bay Fig on TMK: 7-5-6:12 (Amelia Burgess) – S. Stanbro. K. Chun stated that her family considers the Morton Bay Fig as a member of the family. S. Stanbro mentioned that people were astonished that it wasn’t already a protected tree. She reported that it was her understanding that this tree is the sister tree to the one that was at Banyans, the surf spot, that was pruned massively and poisoned. S. Stanbro said that people stand inside the top part of the tree and have their pictures taken. At triathlons, they all come by, hug the tree and take pictures. According to Sadie Seymore’s son, his mother said that it was planted by Princess Kapiolani at the same time as the other sister tree that was killed. The owner of this tree, Mrs. Amelia Burgess, is 91 years old. K. Chun stated that the family wanted this tree protected for some time. People though it was already on the list. The family’s very much in support of it. Chair Bisel mentioned that it was an almost complete application with just the height and circumference missing. However, S. Stanbro stated that she had inadvertently left that information out. J. Anderson wanted the comment that the tree was considered by the owner and family as a family member to be included on the application. Chair Bisel stated that the motion is to accept the application and forward it to Council. J. Anderson seconded it. Motion passed unanimously. K. Chun asked if the nomination could come up at a full Council meeting in Kona. The Committee and staff will check the schedule and see how that could be arranged. J. Anderson stated that we should take advantage of the opportunity to publicize a nomination from the west side of the island. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.Nomination of Brazilian Bower (Tower) Tree on TMK: 7-5-1:114 (Gwen Hobbs) - S. Stanbro (correction from Shower to Bower [Tower]) According to S. Stanbro, the Brazilian Bower Tree (Schizolobium) is along Mamalahoa Highway, almost directly across Onizuka Store (Nelson Onizuka’s family store). It’s the progenitor of any Brazilian Bower Tree that’s around. It doesn’t naturally seed. The photograph is not very good because it was raining, but the tree has bright yellow flowers that are visible from Mamalahoa Highway. It’s located near the 7 mile marker in Holualoa on Mamalahoa Highway, the upper road. It was planted by S. Seymore, who started the Outdoor Circle. According to some arborists and landscape people on both sides of the island, it is the only one of its size. Although S. Seymore sold that part of the property to Gwen Hobbs, the Seymore family still maintains an interest in the tree. S. Stanbro reported that she fowarded the information on tax exemption for exceptional trees to A. Burgess and G. Hobbs. It was moved by S. Stranbro and seconded by J. Anderson to accept the nomination and have the language drafted by Counsel Noda to submit to Council. Motion passed unanimously.