The following email is from Ann M. Cuseo, a resident along Kainalu Drive.

Date: May 11, 2009 10:34:52 PM HST
Subject: Historic Kailua Royal Poinciana Trees to be slaughtered starting Wed 5-13-09
Dear concerned friends,

It has come to my attention today, that the C&C of Honolulu plans to remove ALL (17) of the historic Royal Poinciana trees (plus three shower trees) that line South Kainalu Dr. between Kuulei Road and Kailua Rd. This is the road that runs from the fire station, past the community center, the playing fields and Kailua Intermediate School. (And this is just the start. I am told the Historic Ironwood trees on Kailua Rd are next.)

These trees have been there since the early 1950s. They are the umbrella trees that burst into exuberant bright tomato-red flowers every year between June and August. They are absolutely glorious. They are an integral and distinctive part of the historical character of our neighborhood and our town of Kailua. This tree has been declared one of the five best flowering trees for an urban area (check the internet to verify!!).

The C&C of Honolulu in their exalted wisdom has decided that these trees are to be removed, starting Wed morning early. Drive down S. Kainalu Dr to see the four tree marked in red at 68 & 86 S. Kainalu Dr.

NO NOTICE was given to any of our neighbors. The modus operendi of C&C is to sneak in and cut down old fabulous trees before anyone can stop them. (Remember the trees slaughtered along H-2 on the way to Mililani last year?) Then they say they were diseased or causing other safety issues and it is too late to do anything about it. This is defacing our community, changing the character of our neighborhood and lowering our property values.

AND before giving us ANY INPUT into this decision.

Plus, there is NO PLAN for replacing these trees.

Today, I called the Mayor’s office (768-4141, mayor@honolulu.gov). They told me to call the Lester Chang (768-3001, parks@honolulu.gov) of Parks & Recreation.

At Parks & Recreation I was told there was no way trees would be taken down unless they were severely diseased. I mentioned that I was told that the neighbor fronting the tree said the roots were invading the sidewalk/bicycle lane and were a safety issue. I was assured that the roots would be addressed before the trees would be taken down. At that office I was told to call the Division of Urban Forestry (971-7151).

When I spoke to the Urban Forestry Division I was told the tree roots were invading the sidewalk, it was a safety issue and there would be no change in their plans to remove the trees.

I then walked the length of S. Kainalu Dr and saw that NONE of the trees invaded the sidewalk/bicycle lane. The roots were above ground in the grassy area, but NONE were in the sidewalk area.

Some of the trees do need attention. It seems to me that it would be prudent at this time to evaluate whether it makes more sense to treat the trees than just hack them all down (and I am just discussing financial consideration without discussing the historical significance and aesthetic importance of the trees).

If it is decided that some of the trees need to be removed, there should be both a plan to do so (with the same type of trees so as to have a historical continuum for our small town) and funds set aside to do so, prior to removal!!!

I again called the mayor’s office and left him a mesage that I was not happy with the run around I received from the various county offices and that the situation was NOT ACCEPTABLE!! I requested a phone call from him to discuss the situation (none yet received).

I also spoke to Ikaika Anderson (547-7003) our new city council representative, who was most sympathetic. After investigation, he found the issue was first raised by neighbors fronting the trees. It seems to me that one or two homeowners can not dictate the destruction of our town’s character, especially regarding trees that are not on their property, for which they have no legal liability (their argument).

I also discussed the issue with both Mary Steiner (593-0300) and Paula Ress (261-9438, ress@hawaii.rr.com) of Outdoor Circle (mail@outdoorcircle.org).

The Outdoor Circle is of course, are very supportive of having a reasonable plan of action before the removal of any of our trees. Their main hope is to delay the cutting of the trees slated to start this Wednesday, to give us time to really assess the condition of the trees and to make a reasonable plan to correct whatever “unsafe conditions” there are, in an aesthetically and fiscally responsible manner.

My request of you is to call or email the mayor’s office (768-4141, mayor@honolulu.gov), Lester Chang’s office (768-3001, parks@honolulu.gov), the Urban Forestry Division (971-7151) and tell them in no uncertain terms that we demand that the tree cutting be delayed until such time that a reasonable plan of action is agreed upon by our community.

I also spoke to Charles Prentis the chairman of the Kailua Neighborhood Board (263-6121). He is also trying to request a delay of the tree cutting until at least the next Neighborhood Board Meeting on June 4. Please feel free to call him, also.

I have also contacted the City Desk of the Advertiser (525-8090) and the Star Bulletin (529-4747) and the various TV stations, telling them there will be a protest of Kailua neighbors at both 68 and 86 S. Kainalu Dr at 7:30 am (time to be verified) on this Wednesday, May 13, if the tree cutting is not delayed.

Please call or email any of the above people to voice your opinion.

Please forward this email to any & all other folks who might be concerned about keeping the integrity, beauty & historic character of our town.

We will be in touch to let you know if we need your support and your presence to save our Historic Royal Poinciana trees. If so, see you on Wed morning.

Aloha, Ann M. Cuseo
(yes, I have a grand old tree in my front yard which I am loath to see butchered).