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Falling albizia tree branch kills man on Kauai

A man on Kauai died today after a branch from an albizia tree fell on him.

The accident happened about 2 p.m. on state land at Kalepa, where an employee of the Green Energy Team biomass project was clearing and cutting invasive trees for use as fuel in the company’s plant near Koloa, according to Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. The cooperatve buys power from Green Energy Team.

The name of the worker hasn’t been made public.

“All of the members of the Green Energy Team ‘ohana are deeply saddened by this accident and we offer our prayers and support to his family and to the community,” plant manager Michael Mann said in a press release. “This tragedy underscores just how dangerous albizia trees are in this environment.”

Green Energy Team, which employs 39 people, began construction of its power plant in 2013 and it is expected to be operational by the end of the month.

It was the second death in Hawaii involving a tree branch this week. A 29-year-old man died Monday after being crushed by a large branch while cutting a tree in North Kohala on Hawaii island. Andrew A. Ankner was about 20 feet up in the tree when a branch he cut fell and pinned him in a fork.

2 responses to “Falling albizia tree branch kills man on Kauai”

  1. mikethenovice says:

    Yep. Hawaii loves planting trees, but hates to take care of them afterwards.

  2. mikethenovice says:

    Great to be a lawyer in Hawaii’s negligent leadership. Can make a lot of money here in litigation.

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