Bills aim to combat invasive albizia trees
BRUCE OMOROI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Road crews work on clearing the main thoroughfares in Pahoa of fallen trees left in the wake of Hurricane Iselle in 2014.
HILO >> Two lawmakers are pushing legislation that would deal with invasive albizia trees, thousands of which fell and caused damage during Tropical Storm Iselle in August 2014.
Puna Democrat Sen. Russell Ruderman and Kailua Kona Democrat Rep. Nicole Lowen have proposed companion bills that call for trees to be removed from areas from highway rights of way while treating those that are nonhazardous with a pesticide, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.
The $5 million in funding for the plan would apply only to controlling the invasive tree on Hawaii Island.
“What we are learning from our current research is that these control actions with albizia will work, either by cutting and herbiciding all of it or some of it, and killing nonhazard trees when you can,” said U.S. Forest Service ecologist Flint Hughes. “If and when you’re able to do that, the techniques employed now are effective — not only in killing them, but in maintaining those areas as albizia free.”
Both bills had their first readings Jan. 27 and are not yet scheduled for committee hearings.
“I think, unfortunately, that the DLNR is being especially squeezed right now as a matter of change in policy, and I think that is absolutely wrong,” Ruderman said. “There is this anti-environmental attitude among the people running things right now. It’s not only wrong, but foolhardy.”
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The weak and brittle trees that fell during the 2014 storm caused damage to homes, closed off roadways and cut power to many Puna residents. Ruderman said Puna has been the most impacted by albizia, but that the trees can grow in any neigh borhood.
“If we don’t control it,” he said, “we are doomed to repeat this tragedy innumerable times.”
13 responses to “Bills aim to combat invasive albizia trees”
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Can you use these trunks to build beautiful columns for houses or mansions? Lumber? Are they termite resistant? Can we make charcoal? Must be some money-making uses for these out of control trees.
Yeah, just get logging companies to cut them down and they can keep the lumber that they cut.
I just looked it up, and these trees make great surfboards. They are soft wood, so probably not good for structural use.
you can use the wood chips of these trees in the biomass power plant on Kauai. burn it for fuel!
Would rather native hardwoods such as Koa growing instead.
Getting rid of these trees is a no brainer and the wood may be useful as a biomass fuel.
Senator Rudeman is right, act now to remove these dangerous trees.
$5 million? Really? What are Puna Democrat Sen. Russell Ruderman and Kailua Kona Democrat Rep. Nicole Lowen thinking? Taxpayers need to see a complete itemized listing showing exactly where each dollar is going and why.
Have these two bureaucrats ever considered using volunteers to help with reducing these trees? Or are they looking to hire their special interest cronies so they get their share of this oney.
No money for this program until it is fully vetted. Have the state auditor review first.
Yeah that would work, use volunteers! Get Uncle Mano out there with his 14″ Sears Chainsaw. Can’t see anything bad coming out of that!
Ever see those tree trunk cutting contests by lumberjacks in Canada? Prizes for fastest ax cutters and powerful turbo-powered chain saws. Have one on each of the islands and a championship at a location where you can put up carnival tents and grinds trucks. Sell veggies, soda, BBQ chicken, clothes, handicrafts, etc. Fun, fun, fun.
ship the trees to Kauai. burn it in the biomass power plant. it’s a no-brainer.
They going complain that might have invasive species on the trees. Coqui frogs, fire ants, dengue carrying mosquitoes, etc.
Drilling a small hole in the trunk and injecting an herbicide is a quick and cost-effective way to kill these trees lower the risk of them toppling over and reduce their spread.
It is my understanding that these trees grow tall and fast with soft wood and high canopy. The branches and leaves are full of water and the tree becomes top heavy. Under strong winds, the heavy main branches break or the trees are up-rooted. Using an herbicide, the trees will die and slowly dry out. The upper story canopy leaves fall. Eventually the upper story branches (also dry and light weight) will fall. You’re left with a much lighter dead trunk less prone to being toppled by the wind and easier to remove and transport if desired (to burn or othewise). If left in place, the remnant will eventually fall as well, but will do less damage than it would if left to grow. Obviously, dead trees don’t make seeds that can propogate.