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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0492.000 2004-2006DDJNtV•Dr yi,,;,Patricia G. Engelhard Harry Kim Director Mayor r._.'~~Pamela N. Mizuno D~ N'~Deputy Director ouutp of ~a~ai' i DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Ol Pauahi Street, Suite 6 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 808) 961-8311 • Fax (808) 961-84(1 October 21, 2005 MEMORANDUM TO:Honorable Stacy K. Higa, Chairperson and Members Hawaii County Council FROM:Pat Engelhard,~~~~~C~'`% SUBJECT:Ordinance for iRemoval of Quinine Tree at Kalakaua Park from List of Exceptional Trees, HCC 14-85) On Sunday night, July 17, 2005, a large section of the Quinine Tree at Kalakaua Park along Waianuenue Avenue fell and was cleared away by the Department of Public Works. Early the next evening, July 18, 2005, the rest of the tree fell into the park and across Waianuenue Avenue, diverting traffic for several hours. Public Works again cleared the streets and Parks cleared Kalakaua Park of the debris the following day. Parks Maintenance staff looked at the damage to the tree on the morning of July 18, 2005. They determined that 90 percent of the trunk had been reduced to a soft cellulose core by termites and that the damage was so complete as to present a safety hazard to pedestrians and vehicles on Waianuenue Avenue and Kinoole Street. Parks did inform Leonard Bisel, chair of the county's Arborist Advisory Committee, of the exigent circumstances, but could not wait to present it at the committee's next regular meeting. Parks and Public Works then proceeded with emergency removal of the tree. We must now remove the Quinine Tree from the list of Exceptional Trees for Hawaii County. We are submitting the enclosed ordinance to accomplish this task. The Arborist Advisory Committee at its regular meeting on October 20, 2005 agreed with Parks' emergency action to remove the tree due to the danger to public safety, and recommends the Hawaii County Council remove this tree from the list of exceptional trees. I or members of the P&R staff can be available for questions if necessary during your deliberations about this ordinance. C:Chris Yuen-Planning Director Diane Noda-Corp Council p~'Comm. No.72 Ref. To: County of Howai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Raf. Uate L 2 4