In reaction to Councilman Don Couch’s public announcement at the KCA monthly meeting on 2/21/12, that the now notorious quartet of Monkey Pod trees on So. Kihei Rd (SKR) makai, fronting and shading the Maui Schooner resort, will be uprooted and moved, a coalition of members of the Maui Outdoor Circle, Maui County Arborist Committee and KCA’s Street Tree Committee announced a rally to save the trees at their present site at 980 SKR on Saturday 3/3/12 , 9 00- 11:00 AM.
A similar action last June, shown in above pictures, when County government planned to chop down the same trees, is generally acknowledged to have stopped that action, while several entities engaged in discussion for a more pono solution. The latest announcement has roused the same ire once again in a sizable segment of the Maui Community. The group encourages participation in the rally and sign waving, designed to bring attention to this proposed action. For more information, see http://www.outdoorcircle.org/branches/maui
Save the Monkey Pod Quartet in Kihei, Once Again!
Marilyn Colvin, Kihei
The Monkey Pod Quartet (MPQ) on South Kihei Road are duly nominated to be designated by state law as Exceptional Trees (*See Hawaii Revised Statues, Chapter ?58-4]. The trees are in the last phase of the County and State approval process.
The Exceptional Tree designation provides significant and lasting protection for State of Hawaii exceptional trees. Maui County?s untimely and, some think shocking, recent announcement that the trees will be dug up and moved soon to an unknown location comes just as the final approvals for exceptional trees statue are within reach. As to why the County is suddenly rushing up the tree removal when it is not necessary is bewildering. All measure of excuses have been given by the county as to why the hurry to get the MPQ out of the way–flood control, but no written plans that the public can review, American Disabilities Act, i.e. one visually impaired person, sidewalk root intrusion which was thoroughly investigated by a noted arborist who prepared a full report on the trees almost a year ago and recommends root pruning, and to top it all off, county confusion about the age of the trees. It seems the County thinks the trees are 10 years old; however, they are 30-40 years old. Also, a huge misunderstanding is that the MP’s are cause flooding along S. Kihei Road and that the remedy is to get rid of the trees and the flooding will go away. I urge you to go see the small drain under S. Kihei Road just north of the MPQ by Village by the Sea condos and the 18 inch pipe that runs along S. Kihei Road that is the only infrastructure to drain water to the ocean, and then drive up stream from the small S. Kihei Road drain and check out the 150 yard gulch under Pi?ilani Highway which carries upcounty flood water. Please tell me if you think the 4 MP trees are the reason S. Kihei Road infrequently floods.
Our heads are swimming with misinformation from the county about the trees. This along with the recent relocation of Gold Trees in Kahului with a taxpayer $7000 price tag and uncertainty that the Gold trees will survive the move, and the recent devastation of the giant MP trees on county property in Ulua Park in Wailea has a lot of folks on edge, and rightfully so. Right before our eyes, there is rampant destruction of S. Maui’s urban forest, loss of animal habitat, wind protection, micro-climates, and Maui?s overall beauty. Yes, we are activated to stop the destruction of trees and the county must do better down the road because right now the citizens of South Maui say enough is enough.
Save the MPQ.
* [?58-4] County protective regulations. Each county shall enact appropriate protective regulations which designate exceptional trees; provide for special county review prior to destruction of exceptional trees, whether by removal or the existence of conditions which lead to the destruction of such trees; provide for site plan review and amendment to protect exceptional trees; and provide for injunctive relief against the removal or destruction of exceptional trees. [L 1975, c 105, pt of ?2]
I agree that the Monkey Pod trees should be saved. We live in Kihei and do not want it turned into concrete and buildings. Trees are part of the beauty of Kihei(in fact, more trees should be planted) They not only provide beauty but shade from the heat.