Question: Since December, the Palolo Stream hillside behind City Mill in Kaimuki has been stripped of all trees and vegetation. I counted 120 tree stubs left on a small part of the hill. Now there are only three trees, 50 feet tall and old, left beside St. Louis Drive. Yes, there are some issues, but is it really critical and essential that these three trees be cut down now? Why is it important to leave a bare and bleak hillside with rocks now tumbling into the stream and dirt eroding with no trees whatsoever?
Answer: The area is under the city’s jurisdiction and was cleared by the Department of Facility Maintenance as part of its routine maintenance.
But, because of community concerns, the slopes of the "drainage canal" will be replanted.
However, it will be up to "community partners" to acquire approved plants, replant and maintain them, because DFM does not have the staff or resources to do so, said Director Ross Sasamura.
He explained the clearing was done to control vegetation that may be a nuisance to neighboring properties; that constitutes a flood hazard by creating blockages that successively collect more debris; or that threatens to compromise drainage infrastructure, such as the canal walls.
"As much as we would like to maintain all areas, like the area of concern, more frequently, present resources and competing priorities prevent us from doing so," Sasamura said.
The department therefore clears streams to minimize the impact of overgrown vegetation "over time," including minimizing any erosion issues, he said.
Asked whether the intent was to remove basically all the vegetation, he said crews worked to remove everything that would pose further maintenance issues, including weeds and other fast-growing/propagating, invasive plants.
Meanwhile, the fate of the three remaining trees is uncertain.
The trees are being assessed for hazards they may pose to the canal walls and other nearby infrastructure, including the St. Louis Drive bridge, a Board of Water Supply water main, as well as overhead utility lines.
Community Partnership
After the clearing was completed, Sasamura said he personally attended a meeting of the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board to hear complaints from the community and board members.
That prompted DFM to pledge to work with the community in replanting the area. However, DFM has not yet received formal applications from any interested parties.
"The process (would be) collaborative," Sasamura said. However, DFM must approve specific plants that will be used to ensure they will not pose hazards to the canal walls, bridge, water line or other infrastructure and/or pose hazards by blocking the drainage canal.
Sasamura noted that vegetation also is being re-established by natural propagation.
Because of similar concerns in other areas around Oahu, volunteer groups are invited to join DFM’s Malama O Ka Aina program to help keep city land and facilities up to community standards, he said. For more information, call 768-3343.
Mahalo
To a couple who paid for our breakfast at Zippy’s recently. — Two Very Appreciative Senior Citizens
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
