HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0339.002 2022-2024 P/ GOEAG
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East Hawai'i Outdoor Circle
easthawaiiutdoorcircle.org
Aloha Council Members,
The Outdoor Circle(TOC) and The East Hawaii Outdoor Circle (EHOC)would like to add our voice to the need for
an emergency proclamation to get the dangerous and unsightly former hotel known as Uncle Billy's razed, as
part of a comprehensive solution to the current neglected condition of Banyan Drive, including its trees.
As TOC and EHOC have been working on saving the banyans on Banyan Drive for at least the last 7 years,we are
hopeful that with this emergency proclamation,there will be included protection for the banyans in the vicinity
of Uncle Billy's.
We understand all the banyans on the Drive were made exceptional trees back in the 90's, but the county
records for that have been lost.They need to be reinstated in that record by the Arborist Advisory Committee.
This year, with assistance from TOC, a new 501(c)(3) was formed called The Friends of Historic Banyan Drive.
The circumstances of the situation were begging for a separate entity to mitigate the issues affecting the area.
The immediate issues include addressing the gall wasp infestation, trimming back of overgrown canopies and
clearing of underbrush.
When Uncle Billy's is cleared out,the walk down Banyan Drive will be more inviting for more people to enjoy.
And why not make that cleared space a park?That would eliminate issues regarding shoreline setbacks, flood
zones and return open shoreline space to the public.
Responsibility for care of these trees needs to be firmly established. DLNR is the overall landlord. They county
accepted the responsibility for care from DLNR back in the 1930's. The leaseholders have been doing what they
can (or not) over the years. The buck has been passed back and forth between Public Works and Parks Dept.
And every year the job becomes more onerous,to the point where they just want to cut them down. CUT THEM
DOWN? REALLY?
We agree with Councilmember Lee Loy and Sen. Inouye that Banyan Drive is way overdue for revitalization. It
is iconic and historic to Hilo and Hawaii, for those of us who call our islands home, as well as our visitors.
EHOC and The Friends of Historic Banyan Drive have several ideas regarding improvements. We would like a
meeting with councilmembers and other elected officials to see what can be done immediately, including
installation of additional trash cans-currently there are 2. We would also like to honor more recent persons of
distinction with adding names to unnamed trees.
TOC Programs Director Myles Richie has developed an online map with extensive botanical tree information
httos://tocetm.maps.arcgis.com/appslnstant/basiclndex.html?appid=7e0fcfa844cd444da1a2a84342f6366a, highlighting this
magnificent resource in Hilo.
Let's work together to once again, make Banyan Drive a pleasant and enjoyable place for us all.
Respectfully submitted, n
Joan Gossett, President, East Hawaii Outdoor Circle Comm. Naha/ L
Director,The Outdoor Circle Statewide Organization Ref. To: V.L CIO EN./
Ref.:;Dote, :JUL - 5 2023