HomeMy WebLinkAboutBill 184 Comments
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Janice Glennie <palmtree7@earthlink.net>
Sent:Tuesday, September 15, 2026 10:39 AM
To:Council Testimony
Cc:Inaba, Holeka; Villegas, Rebecca; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; novelty greens jill; Jillwagner3
@icloud.com
Subject:Bill 184: native plants in public plantings
Re: Bill 184 Native plantings in County spaces
Aloha e Chair Inaba and council members,
Mahalo for your discussion and consideration of using native plants in County plantings.
As a 40 year-plus Kona plant grower, landscape designer, and environmental and cultural advocate, I’ve seen the
challenges of growing native plants in disturbed, sometimes hostile locations where they haven’t previously survived,
including roadways and urban areas. Most are seriously susceptible to introduced pests and diseases as well as weed
competition, often requiring large amounts of toxic chemicals to maintain. While helping to perpetuate indigenous and
endemic plants and Hawaiian culture is important, it’s also critical to take these realities into account while setting well-
meaning goals that don’t waste energy, taxpayer dollars, and hope.
The issue of plant maintenance looms large in this county. I’ve commented over many decades about the unprofessional,
harmful treatment of public plantings, especially street trees— with mixed results. The county sometimes has
professionals in charge and sometimes not. Sometimes “slash and burn” seems to suit better than “prune, treat, fertilize,
and be patient.” From information gleaned through the landscape grapevine, I’ve heard that the historic and magnificent
banyan tree on Ali`i drive was a casualty, not of the county not knowing what to do to save the tree, but the tragedy of
having the information but not the will to follow through on quite simple recommendations.
For all of these reasons, it’s in the best interest of the beautification, cooling, and detoxifying of our public spaces to insure
that final wording in Bill 184 emphasizes “prioritize” rather than requiring native plants or even heritage plants in hopes of
achieving this wide range of plant- and human-friendly goals. In every instance, it behooves the county to consult with
local horticultural and landscape professionals to help decide what plants will serve public needs best, as well as how to
treat them properly at planting and in the future, with an emphasized commitment to follow through with that care to keep
our plantings attractive, healthy, and safe for the humans that depend upon them far into the future.
Mahalo for your work on this worthy project.
Best regards,
Janice Palma-Glennie
Cc: council reps Inaba, Villegas, and Kierkiewicz, Novelty Greens nursery, Jill Wagner
Janice Palma-Glennie
Keauhou Gardens and Irrigation
P.O. Box 4849
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96745
Cell#808-989-3549
www.keauhougardens.net
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