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COURTESY HAWAII NEWS NOW
Banyan trees along the Kapiolani Park bandstand parking lot are so damaged by insects they have no leaves.
Tree trimmers are removing five banyan trees damaged by an invasive insect along Monsarrat Avenue at Kapiolani Regional Park.
Arborists determined the trees are so damaged that the whole tree or large branches could fall on people or cars near the Kapiolani Park bandstand parking lot.
Officials blame the lobate lac scale insect, an invasive species, which also damaged banyan trees in Thomas Square. Those trees were also taken down.
City officials said pesticides and pruning could not save the trees.
Two other trees in the area are also infested and will likely have to be removed, officials said.
No parking will be allowed in the area where the tree trimming is taking place and intermittent lane closures will be necessary, officials said.
The work should be finished by Friday.
