HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 07-22-26
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2026, 2:00 PM
HAWAI‘I COUNTY BUILDING, PUNA CONFERENCE ROOM
25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 2601, HILO, HAWAI‘I
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wagner called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Present:Joel Rathje, Member(Planning Director’s Designee)(Via Zoom)
Jill M. Wagner, Chair (Via Zoom)
Michelle “Michi” Hanano, Vice Chair (Via Zoom)
George Applegate, Member
Ty Medeiros, Member
Not Present: Jill Kubojiri, Member
Also present: Micah Alameda, Office of the Mayor
Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
1) Five individuals testified in support of preserving the HonokCuban Mahogany Trees.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the meeting minutes of June 17, 2026.
1) 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 Vice
Chair Hanano to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 17, 2026, which
was seconded by Member Joel Rathje. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0.
BUSINESS
a. Review exceptional tree applications.
1) TMK 2-4-001:167 - Spectabilis Palm:
Reported by committee member and Joe Kubojiri, who recommended
exceptional status. University Chancellor Bonnie Irwin is willing to sign official
forms.
Discussion clarified the process: once the property owner agrees, the application
goes to County Council. The committee agreed to process applications as
completed, rather than waiting to group them.
2) TMK 3-7-4-008-057-0000 - Jill Wagner (Applicant and Owner), Wili Wili Tree,
-Kona.
Chair Wagner recused herself; Vice Chair Hanano presided. George Applegate
and Joel Rathje reported on the site visit, praising the rarity and value of the trees
and property.
Motion to approve application by Joel Rathje, seconded by George Applegate.
Approved unanimously.
3) TMK 383-010-045-0000, Cynthia B. Reynolds (Applicant and Trustee of the
Estate), Kapok Tree, Captain Cook.
Site visit delayed due to caretaker’s absence. Will be rescheduled with
committee members and caretaker.
4) TMK: 4-5-010:088, 4-5-010:090, Alison Higgins & Nicole Garcia (Applicants),
Cuban Mahogany Grove,
George Applegate reported on his site visit, highlighting the grove’s significance
and community use.
Chair Wagner updated the committee on discussions with Parks & Recreation
Director Clayton Homa, who agreed to pause any removal until further review
with the committee.
Chair Wagner plans to schedule a site visit with Parks & Recreation; preference
is for one or two members to visit, rather than a full PIG/agendized public site
visit.
b. Review of the Advisory Committee’s Powers & Duties
Chair Wagner made remarks about the committee’s role as public servants,
guided by the Aloha Spirit Law (Akahai—Kindness, Lokahi—Unity, Olulu—
Pleasantness, Ha’aha’a—Humility, Ahonui—Patience). She emphasized
community orientation and public representation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Jill Wagner requested an agenda item for the next meeting: Leah from DLNR to
present on Hawaii County’s re-approval as a "Tree City" and the Tree City USA
program.
2) The next meeting will take place on August 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., via
Interactive Virtual Technology (ICT) and in-person at:
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2601
Pueo Conference Room
Hilo, HI 96720
ADJOURNMENT
a. Adjournment
2
1)Meeting adjourned at 2:56p.m.
3