City doesn’t know reason for tree’s ‘rapid decline’

Question: The city cut down a big monkeypod tree mauka of the Honolulu Zoo. It said the tree was dying and a safety hazard, but that prompts a lot of questions, especially since this tree was designated exceptional under state law. How old was the tree? What was it dying from? What efforts (if any) were made to save it, and by whom? What hazards was it creating? Can you follow up?

Answer: Michele Nekota, director of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said the city’s best estimate is that the tree was at least 60 years old. Located on Paki Avenue near the intersection with Kapahulu Avenue, it was part of a grove included in the statewide Exceptional Tree program, which was created in 1975 to safeguard significant Hawaii trees and in doing so preserve the aesthetic, ecological and other benefits they provide.

Arborists from the department’s Division of Urban Forestry had monitored the tree over the last few months and observed a rapid decline over the past few weeks, the cause of which could not be determined, Nekota said.

“The typical insect damage to monkeypod trees has been cyclical. We monitored those trees, but they have always recovered from the damage. We used the same approach with this tree and were monitoring its health over the past several months. There was an unexpected and extremely rapid decline over the past few weeks which prompted the decision for removal,” she said.

The city detected no evidence of vandalism, vehicle damage, construction damage (no trenching or other work nearby) or lack of water, she said. Other trees in the grove “seem not to be affected” by whatever ailed the tree, she said.

No effort was made to save it as the decay spread because damage was too widespread throughout its canopy. Urban Forestry arborists were involved in deciding the health of the large shade tree and what action to take, she said.

As for hazards, Nekota said, “If the city allowed the decline of the tree to continue, there’s the potential for fallen branches on the roadway and sidewalk, creating a public safety concern for pedestrians and vehicles.”

That safety risk made Friday’s removal, which is allowed under the law, necessary, according to the city. Another monkeypod will be planted in its place.

To learn more about Hawaii’s Exceptional Tree program, see 808ne.ws/ 241M89o or www.outdoor circle.org.

Q: Does the Marine Corps require that personnel wear life jackets and emergency-positioning beacons when conducting aircraft operations over the water? There are styles available that are quite streamlined when not inflated so as not to hinder movement; some models inflate automatically on contact with water, and others must be manually deployed. There may be reservations if the automatically inflating models hamper a downed service member from extracting him/herself from the interior of a downed aircraft. What is the Marine Corps’ thinking and/or policy on this subject?

A: Yes, aircrews wear and carry gear for water emergencies, although not exactly as you describe. Capt. Tim Irish, a spokesman for the Marines in Hawaii, provides details:

“Marine Corps policy is to train to and fully comply with the Department of the Navy produced Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization of General Flight and Operating Instructions, commonly referred to as OpNav Instruction 3710.

“Marine helicopter air crews wear the CMU-33 Airsave Survival Vest with an attached personal flotation device. Personal Flotation Equipment (life preservers) are worn by air-crew personnel on over-water flights. In the event of emergency egress or ditching, the device keeps the wearer afloat until a raft is boarded or a rescue team arrives. The basic life preserver unit used is a low-profile flotation collar that may be inflated by the operator manually or with the aid of CO2 canisters, depending on the model.

“Marine air crews also wear the Combat Survivor/Evader Locator radio, referred to as a CSEL. When activated by the isolated person, the CSEL hand-held radio automatically and securely transmits the person’s exact GPS location and identification information. The isolated person and rescue centers are able to exchange messages on the person’s physical condition, enemy location, rescue plans and more.”

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.