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Home My WebLink AboutAAC Board Packet - January 15, 2026 ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Arborist Advisory Committee of the County of Hawai‘i in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 91 and 92, Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS), and Hawaii County Code, Sections 14-58 (in conjunction with HRS, Section 58-2). This meeting will be held in person at the location listed in this notice and by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom. DATE:Thursday, January 15, 2025 TIME: 2:00 p.m. PLACE: Remote Meeting via Interactive Conference Technology Pueo Conference Room – County Building 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2601 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ZOOM LINK: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619791414 Meeting ID: 161 979 1414 INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): A meeting held by ICT shall be automatically recessed for up to 30 minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be maintained with all members participating in the meeting or with the in-person location identified in this notice. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual communication is restored, or audio-only communication is established after an unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to reconvene the meeting as provided in this subsection within 30 minutes after an interruption to communication, the meeting will be automatically terminated. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining Zoom or attending in-person at the physical location listed above. Although not required, to register in advance for oral testimony please contact staff at micah.alameda@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8211. Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so either at the time the committee takes public statements on the agenda, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Please note that public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. In addition, although not required, to ensure timely delivery of written testimony to committee members, it is requested that written testimony be submitted by 4:30 p.m. at least two business days prior to the meeting via email to micah.alameda@hawaiicounty.gov. When submitting written testimony, please specify for which agenda item written testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will be a part of the public record. 1. CALL TO ORDER Committee members attending the meeting from private locations shall advise if any person is with them (except for the names of minors). 2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Interested people who want to provide oral testimony on any agenda item may do so now, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Public testimony may be limited to three minutes in length per agenda item. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. December 11, 2025, Meeting Minutes 4. DISCUSSION ON EXCEPTIONAL TREE CRITERIA AND FAMILIARIZATION OF EXCEPTIONAL TREE APPLICATION Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell and Chair Jill Wagner will provide a brief overview of the criteria for reviewing exceptional trees and walk through the exceptional tree application to help familiarize new members. 5. BUSINESS a. Review exceptional tree applications The Committee will evaluate and make determinations on the following exceptional tree applications: 1) TMK 5-9-11:34, Bernard and Valerie Sadoulet (Applicant and Owner), Neltuma Pallida or Common Kiawe Tree This item is carried over from the previous meeting. 2) TMK 2-4-001:167, Robert Talbert (Applicant), Tahina Spectabilis or Tahina Landowner Botanical Garden. This item is carried over from the previous meeting. 3) TMK 5-2-009:053, Susan Naomi Cox (Applicant and Owner), Mango Tree, 4) TMK 3-7-4-008-057-0000, Jill Wagner (Applicant and Owner), Wili Wili Tree, Street, Kailua-Kona. b. Update from Chair Wagner Chair Wagner will share a brief update on the past work and historical context of the Arborist Advisory Committee. She will also share her vision as Chair and what she hopes this committee can accomplish. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Committee may set the date of the next meeting and consider items to be included on the agenda for that meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT Notice to Lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code). A lobbyist means “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a) (6), Hawai‘i County Code) Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk, 25 Aupuni St., Room 1402, Hilo. Board Packet: Pursuant to HRS § 92-7.5, the board packet provided to members of this Commission for this meeting is available for public inspection three full business days before the 2 meeting date, during regular business hours at the Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2603, Hilo, HI 96720. NOTE: The in-person location for this meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation or auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Micah Alameda at micah.alameda@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8211 as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this Agenda is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. 3 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. 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