HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 08-25-26
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026, 2:00 PM
BUILDING, PUNA CONFERENCE ROOM
25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 2601
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wagner called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Joel Rathje, Member (Via Zoom)
Jill M. Wagner, Chair (Via Zoom)
, Vice Chair (Via Zoom)
George Applegate, Member
Not Present: Jill Kubojiri, Member
Ty Medeiros, Member
Also present: Micah Alameda, Office of the Mayor
Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
1) Noreen Toledo (Suisan Company): Submitted testimony regarding the health and status
of an exceptional monkey pod tree on Lihiwai Street. Written testimony previously
provided.
2) Harvey Tyra (Suisan Company): Testified regarding the Exceptional Tree List,
requesting correction of the ownership listing for the monkey pod tree on Lihiwai Street,
as Suisan is not the owner.
3) Nicole Garcia (on behalf of Sandy): Advocated for continued conversations regarding the
Honokaa trees and requested assistance in obtaining the necessary owner's signature
for a nomination.
4) Charla Thompson: Testified on the value of preserving old trees at Honokaa
Recreational Park, emphasized the urgency of the mayor signing the exceptional tree
grove application, and raised questions about parking redesign plans and tree removal
analyses.
5) Nancy Pisicchio: Supported the advancement and adoption of a county tree plan and
Tree City USA status, highlighting its benefits for standards, safety, and sustainability.
6) Alison Higgins: Expressed intent to testify on the Honokaa trees during the agenda item.
7) Additional testimony from Cynthia and Bobby Camara emphasized the importance of
community trees and called for more creative solutions to preserve trees rather than
removing them for concrete repairs.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the meeting minutes of July 22, 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 July 22, 2026, which
was seconded by Member George Applegate. The motion was carried by a vote
of 4:0.
BUSINESS
a.
Department of Land and Natural Resources, Forestry and Wildlife Division (DLNR).
Provided a comprehensive overview of the Tree City USA program, including:
Program requirements and annual application process
Role of the Arborist Advisory Committee (AAC) as the tree board
Importance of the Exceptional Tree Ordinance
Partnerships with various county departments and organizations
Opportunities for future improvements, such as updating ordinances,
developing a county arborist position, and seeking Tree City Growth
Awards
Discussion: Committee members and public participants discussed collaboration with
local organizations (e.g., Big Island Invasive Species Committee), the value of native
and non-invasive species, and the need for improved urban forestry planning. Molly
Mur
b. Review exceptional tree applications.
1) TMK 2-4-001:167 - Spectabilis Palm:
s office; committee updated on
progress.
2) TMK 3-7-4-008-057-0000 - Jill Wagner (Applicant and Owner), Wili Wili Tree,
-Kona.
Application confirmed as approved; final steps in process.
3) TMK 383-010-045-0000, Cynthia B. Reynolds (Applicant and Trustee of the
Estate), Kapok Tree, Captain Cook.
Chair Jill Wagner presented, with site visit and measurements completed.
Application moved to vote.
Action: Motion to approve the Kapok tree as an exceptional tree was made by
George Applegate, seconded by Joel Rathje, and carried by unanimous vote.
4) TMK: 4-5-010:088, 4-5-010:090, Alison Higgins & Nicole Garcia (Applicants),
Cuban Mahogany Grove,
Testimony: Alison Higgins and others reiterated the need for county action to
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importance to the community.
Action: Chair Wagner and Joel Rathje are scheduled to visit the site with the
Department of Parks and Recreation to evaluate trees and discuss possible
impacts and solutions regarding the parking area. The committee will provide an
update at the next meeting.
c. Discussion regarding the health and status of an exceptional Monkeypod Tree on Lihiwai
Street in Hilo, TMK 2-1-03:27.
Discussion: Clarified that the tree is not on Suisan property. Committee agreed to
research the original nomination and property records to correct the Exceptional
Tree List and determine responsibility for tree care.
Action: Committee to identify the correct landowner and recommend appropriate
maintenance and updates to the official list.
d. Director,
Discussion was held earlier in the agenda during exceptional tree application
review.
e. Review of the Designated Exceptional Tree List in Article 10, Section 14-65, of the
s Exceptional Tree List,
discussing the need to verify the current status (alive, dead, location, health) of
listed trees.
Action: Committee members volunteered to conduct site visits for assigned trees.
The committee established a collaborative process for updating information,
improve accuracy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) The next meeting will take place on Monday, September 21, 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
1) Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
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