Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 11, 2025 AAC Meeting Minutes ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 11, 2025, 3:00PM HAWAI‘I COUNTY BUILDING, PUEO CONFERENCE ROOM 25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 2601, HILO, HAWAI‘I CALL TO ORDER Staff Secretary Micah Alameda assumed the role as Acting Chair and called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. ATTENDANCE Present: George Applegate, Member Joel Rathje, Member (Planning Director’s Designee) (Via Zoom) Jill Kubojiri, Member Jill M. Wagner, Member (Via Zoom) Michelle “Mitchie” Hanano, Member (Via Zoom) Not Present: Ty Medeiros, Member Also present: Micah Alameda, Office of the Mayor Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Bernard & Valerie Sadoulet, Testifier, Exceptional Tree Applicant Charla Thompson, Public Janice Hata, Public Kawelo Kalili, Public STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC a. Testimony provided by Bernard and Valerie Sadoulet in support of their exceptional tree application. INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS a.ii, grew up asa farming family, and started working in the tourism industry in 1966 at the Naniloa Hotel. b. Joel Rathje: Planning Director’s Designee and has a background in environmental planning. c. Jill Kubojiri: Retired school teacher, married with two kids, and two dogs. d. Jill M. Wagner: Served on the Arborist Advisory Committee before. She is a forester, forest industry and wood workers growing trees. A real tree fanatic. e. Michelle “Mitchie” Hanano: Born in East Hraised in Waimea, she operates a family nursery that grows poinsettias. They work with foresters in Koa trees in reforestation projects. And do landscaping for clients in the Waimea area. ELECTION a. Election for Chair: Arborist Advisory CommitteeMeeting Minutes December 11, 2025 Acting ChairMicahAlameda called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for a motion. A motion was made by Member Jill Kubojiri, nominating Member Jill M. Wagner as Chair, which was seconded by Member George Applegate. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0. b. Election for Vice Chair: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for a motion. A motion was made by Member Applegate, nominating Member Michelle “Mitchie” Hanano as Vice Chair, which was seconded by Member Jill Kubojiri. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0. c. Election for Secretary: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for public testimony. There being no public testimony, the meeting continued as follows. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda postponed action on this item to the next meeting. For consistency, Acting Chair Micah Alameda will facilitate the rest of the meeting. OVERVIEW ON THE SCOPE OF THE ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES a. Deputy Corporation Counsel (DCC) Jean Campbell explained the purpose and duties of the county’s Arborist Advisory Committee, which is established by state law to recommend and help protect exceptional trees. The committee evaluates public nominations of exceptional trees, advises property owners on tree preservation, and makes recommendations to the county council on tree protection ordinances. All meetings must comply with Hawaii’s Sunshine Law, ensuring public access and transparency. Committee members are prohibited from discussing board business outside official meetings, except for limited exceptions. Supporting documents and training materials will be provided to committee members for reference. REVIEW OF EXCEPTIONAL TREE APPLICATIONS a. TMK 5-9-11:34, Bernard and Valerie Sadoulet (Applicant and Owner), Neltuma Member George Applegate opened with a question asking if this tree is on the owner’s property which the Sadoulet’s answered yes. Member Mitchie Hanano asked the applicant if there is a 35 foot height limit and your tree is 53 feet, does the Kohala Ranch subdivision have a Covenant, Conditions, and Restrictions limit also known as CC&R. Applicant answered yes, the CC&R is 30 feet, if a neighbor testifies that a tree is significantly blocking its view. Member Mitchie Hanano followed up with a question asking if the tree has the potential to block a view of a potential neighbor in the future? Applicant answered saying for both of his neighbors, one neighbor blocks 4% of the horizon and the other neighbor it blocks 2% of the horizon. 2 Arborist Advisory CommitteeMeeting Minutes December 11, 2025 ChairJill Wagnerreflectedon her past experience as anarborist committee member, and at this stage, after an application has been submitted and agendized, two committee members would normally go and conduct a site visit to do an inspection on the tree, and then report back to the committee. The Sadoulet’s touched on the complaint they received about their trees. The complaint initially concerned the height of all the trees on the property, but it was later revealed that only the Ficus and monkey pod trees were at issue, both of which are under 30 feet tall and not in violation of any rules. The Homeowners Association (HOA) confirmed there was no basis for the complaint. Despite this, the homeowners remain concerned about their tallest tree (53 feet) and want it protected from future complaints, especially if the property changes ownership. The tree has endured storms and a major fire without significant damage, and photos have been submitted to support the case for its preservation. DCC Jean Campbell advised that commissioners should conduct a site visit and carefully review the applications before making a decision at the next meeting. She emphasized that designating a tree as “exceptional” under county code does not override private pr designated exceptional, property owners could face a fine of up to $1,000 for substantial damage or removal. However, this designation does not protect owners from potential lawsuits by neighbors or homeowner associations enforcing CC&Rs, which may require altering or removing the tree. The county cannot intervene in private CC&Rs, so owners might be caught between legal obligations to their neighbors and county penalties if the tree is both protected and subject to removal requirements. Chair Jill Wagner asked DCC Jean Campbell to clarify whether the Exceptional Tree Act exceptional trees, as she wants to ensure her understanding is correct. DCC Jean Campbell couldn’t provide an answer but pledged to follow-up on that. The Sadoulet’s will send follow-up information on the CC&R to Acting Chair Micah Alameda. Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for a motion. A motion was made by Member George Applegate to postpone this item to the next meeting, which was seconded by Chair Jill Wagner. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0. b. TMK 2-4-001:167, Robert Talbert (Applicant), Tahina Spectabilis or Tahina Palm, Garden. Acting Chair Micah Alameda noted Applicant Robert Talbert was unavailable to join this meeting. Chair Jill Wagner read the application, mentioned the palm is not native, and that she wants to take more time to learn about it. At 3:54 p.m. Mayor Kimo Alameda and Managing Director William Brilhante Jr. walked into the meeting room. 3 Arborist Advisory CommitteeMeeting Minutes December 11, 2025 Action: Acting Chair Micah Alameda called for a motion. A motion was made by Chair Jill Wagner to postpone this item to the next meeting, which was seconded by Member Jill Kubojiri. The motion was carried by a vote of 5:0. Member Wagner inquired about facilitating a quick presentation of where the Arborist Advisory Committee left off in 2024. Staff Secretary Micah Alameda suggested she present at the next meeting, as the new Chair. Mayor Kimo Alameda welcomed everyone, thanked them for their service. He expressed his excitement in the reactivation of this committee, and that he will be looking to this body for input on trees before the County trims trees. ANNOUNCEMENTS No announcements from Committee Members. ADJOURNMENT Acing Chair Alameda adjourned the meeting at 3:57 p.m. 4