HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0862.001 2020-2022 Pf C� C
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QUEEN EMMA SUMMER PALACE HULIHE`E PALACE
2913 PALI HIGHWAYDaughters of Hawaii 75-5718 ALIS DRIVE
HONOLULU,HAWAII 96817 KAILUA-KONA,HAWAII 96740
TELEPHONE (808)595-3167
IAE'•._iSH D 1903 _—___-_ TELEPHON 8}32$-1877
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July 18, 2022
Honorable Maile Medeiros David, Chair
Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung, Vice Chair
Honorable Rebecca Villegas
And Council Members t
County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Support for Resolution No.453-22–Villegas CRF Funds to Daughters of Hawaii, Banyan Tree
Preservation at Hulihe'e Palace
Aloha kakou,
Mahalo piha for the opportunity to submit testimony concerning Resolution No. 453-22, regarding the appropriation of
Contingency Relief funds to provide a grant to the Daughters of Hawai'i to assist with expenses related to the
preservation of the Royal Banyan Tree, planted by Queen Kapi'olani at Hulihe'e Palace in the 1880s. We write in
strong support of Resolution No. 453-22 to assist with the preservation of the Banyan tree at Hulihe'e Palace.
For over a hundred years the Daughters of Hawai'i, a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization, has upheld our mission of
historic preservation, preserving and protecting places of historical and cultural significance in Hawai'i and
increasing awareness of the importance of historical preservation. Since 1903, we have drawn attention to and
saved from oblivion historical sites and wahi pans such as the Nu'uanu Pali on Oahu to commemorate the Battle
of Nu'uanu, Ktakaniloko on Oahu one of the two birthing places throughout the islands reserved for the highest-
ranking ali'i, and Ka'iulani's Banyan marking the home of Princess Ka'iulani—Hawai'i's last heir to the throne.
Today,we are the caretakers of three historic sites, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Two of these sites are here on the island of Hawai'i, Hulihe'e Palace in Historic Kailua Village and Kauikeaouli
Stone, the birth site of Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III at Keauhou Bay.
The ficus benghaiensis, commonly known as a banyan, banyan fig, or Indian banyan, at Hulihe'e Palace is in dire
need of a complete examination and an extensive trim. This Royal Banyan is a major feature and landmark of Historic
Kailua Village and these funds will assist with maintenance to preserve our community's nearly 150-year old tree.
The safety and well-being of our community and the banyan is important. Untrimmed trees, especially large ones like
this banyan are a safety risk.Although trees add lush greenery to our island home, overgrown limbs can extend into
nearby power lines, can damage buildings and hurt people, and may jeopardize the trunk's ability to support the
weight of the tree. Trimming reduces these risks. Routine pruning,when done properly, increases light availability to
understory plants, allows for airflow through the canopy, and removes excessive weight from the trunk, limbs, and root
system. Removal of overgrowth, inappropriate branches, and aggressive roots help to maintain the tree's natural
shape and size, allowing the tree to be less susceptible to disease and insect attack. The Daughters of Hawai'i are
committed to the health and maintenance of this banyan for future generations and for our community.
The Daughters of Hawai'i has a long history and we continue to dedicate ourselves to historic preservation in our
community. Thank you for providing this opportunity to share with you today,we look forward to the Council's support
of the preservation and commemoration of this historic Royal Banyan tree and the legacies of our ali'i.
Mahalo a me ka ha'aha'a,
The Board of Directors
Daughters of Hawai'i
Board of Directors: Manu Powers,Regent&President Martha Morgan, Vice Regent&Vice President Kawehi Apo,Secretary
Alexa Zen, Treasurer Lindsey Chun-Hori Puamohala Kaholokula Joelle Segawa Kane,Esq Rachel Kawakami
Kehaulani Keanaaina Ulalia Woodside Lee Jennifer Larsen Morrow Kanoelehua K.L.Renaud,EC6Mffii fetor
Ref.To: OILOUIN61
Ref. Date—jUL 1 9 2022