HomeMy WebLinkAboutArborist Advisory Committee Minutes - April 29, 2026
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, APRIL 29, 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:George Applegate, Member
Joel Rathje, Member (Planning Director’s Designee) (Via Zoom)
Jill M. Wagner, Chair (Via Zoom)
Michelle “Michi” Hanano, Vice Chair (Via Zoom)
Not Present: Ty Medeiros, Member
Jill Kubojiri, Member
Also present: Micah Alameda, Office of the Mayor
Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
1) Winston Welch, Nicole Garcia, Alison Higgins, Ruth Bennett, Katie Getchell, Rob
Talbert, Bobby Camara, Emma Waters, Laura Lahilahi Desoto McCollum testified in
support of agenda item 4(a)5. Darde Gamayo testified in opposition to agenda item
4(a)5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the meeting minutes of March 25, 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
Member George Applegate to approve the regular meeting minutes of March 25,
2026, which was seconded by Vice Chair Michi Hanano. The motion was carried
by a vote of 5:0.
BUSINESS
a. Review exceptional tree applications.
1) TMK 2-4-001:167 - Spectabilis Palm:
Site visit update deferred to next month due to the reporting member's absence.
No action taken; discussion and decision postponed.
2) TMK 5-2-009:053 –
The committee confirmed that the tree is within an easement but does not
obstruct access.
Action: The committee agreed to reach out to the neighbor using the easement
for comment before final designation.
3) TMK 3-7-4-008-057-0000 - Jill Wagner (Applicant and Owner), Wili Wili Tree,
-Kona.
Site visit not yet conducted.
Action: The committee agreed to reschedule the visit before proceeding.
4) TMK 383-010-045-0000, Cynthia B. Reynolds (Applicant and Trustee of the
Estate), Kapok Tree, Captain Cook.
Action: Staff to coordinate site visit.
5) TMK: 4-5-010:088, 4-5-010:090, Alison Higgins & Nicole Garcia (Applicants),
Cuban Mahogany Grove,
Action: The committee voted unanimously to draft and send a letter to the Mayor
and the Department of Parks and Recreation requesting an immediate pause in
tree removal activities at Honoka‘a Sports Complex. The letter will also request a
re-evaluation of each tree slated for removal, taking into account public input,
ADA/safety requirements, and possible alternatives.
The committee also agreed to schedule a site visit to the park for further
evaluation. Chair Wagner and the Vice Chair were designated to coordinate with
staff on the draft letter and the visit.
b. Update on the Review of the Designated Exceptional Tree List in Article 10, Section 14-
1) The committee was briefed on efforts to update and make accessible a
spreadsheet catalog of the county’s exceptional trees, organized by district and
land ownership (government vs. private). No formal action, but work on this is
ongoing, and a visual presentation is expected at the next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) The committee agreed to include a formal review of the committee’s powers and
duties on the next agenda, as requested in public testimony.
2) The next meeting will take place on May 20, 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 3:30 p.m.
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