HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 01-15-26
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026, 2:00PM
HAWAI‘I COUNTY BUILDING, PUEO CONFERENCE ROOM
25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 2601, HILO, HAWAI‘I
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jill Wagner called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Present:George Applegate, Member
Joel Rathje, Member (Planning Director’s Designee) (Via Zoom)
Jill Kubojiri, Member
Jill M. Wagner, Chair (Via Zoom)
Michelle “Mitchie” Hanano, Vice Chair (Via Zoom)
Ty Medeiros, Member
Also present: Micah Alameda, Office of the Mayor
Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Joan Gossett, The Outdoor Circle
Winston Welch, The Outdoor Circle (Via Zoom)
Myles Ritchie, City & County of Honolulu Arborist Advisory Committee
(Via Zoom)
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
a. Public testimony was taken from Joan Gossett, President of the East Hawaii Outdoor
Circle, who requested clarification on Section 14-59 (C) and its relationship to
exceptional trees. Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel, noted that public
testimony was not a time for dialogue and that legal advice could not be given in that
setting.
b. Winston Welch of The Outdoor Circle testified on the need for more robust tree care in
Hawaii County and urged the Commission to take an active role in policy
recommendations. He also encouraged collaboration among Arborist Advisory
Committees statewide.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the regular meeting minutes of December 11, 2025.
Chair Wagner called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting
continued as follows.
Action: Chair Wagner called for a motion to approve. A motion was made by Member Ty
Medeiros to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 11, 2025, which was
seconded by Member Joel Rathje. The motion was carried by a vote of 6:0.
Arborist Advisory CommitteeMeeting Minutes
January 15, 2026
DISCUSSION OF EXCEPTIONAL TREE CRITERIA AND FAMILIARIZATION OF
EXCEPTIONAL TREE APPLICATION
a. Chair Wagner led a review of the Exceptional Tree nomination application and criteria.
She explained the process, including the need for detailed species information, tree
measurements (height, trunk diameter, canopy size), and consideration of whether the
tree is native, non-native, or invasive. The committee discussed the importance of
including the landowner’s signature on the application and clarified that the nominator
does not need to be the landowner, but landowner consent is required. Legal and
practical implications of exceptional tree designation were discussed, including potential
conflicts with homeowners’ associations’ covenants, conditions, and restrictions, and
ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
BUSINESS
a. Review exceptional tree applications
1) TMK 5-9-11:34 - A Kiawe tree in Kohala with concerns about its invasive status
and conflict with neighborhood CC&Rs. Committee members will defer action to
the next meeting.
2) TMK 2-4-001:167 -
the Botanical Garden, notable for its rarity and non-invasive status. Additional
information is requested
3) TMK 5-2-009:053 - A large mango tree in Kapaau, with discussion about historic,
aesthetic, and cultural value.
4) TMK 3-7-4-008-057-0000 - Chair Wagner’s nomination of four endemic wili wili
(willy-
grove rather than as individuals and discussed the importance of seed collection
for restoration efforts.
b. The Commission agreed to update and review the current list of exceptional trees and to
establish a cadence for checking the health and status of listed trees. The possibility of
site visits by two members at a time was discussed, with a reminder from counsel to
avoid any decision-making outside of public meetings in accordance with the Sunshine
Law.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next two meetings will take place on:
February 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Pueo Conference Room
25 Aupuni Street, #2601
Hilo, HI 96720
March 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Pueo Conference Room
25 Aupuni Street, #2601
Hilo, HI 96720
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Arborist Advisory CommitteeMeeting Minutes
January 15, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Jill Wagner adjourned the meeting at 3:12 p.m.
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