Question: Regarding the tree trimmer who fell and was killed in Kailua recently: I have four trees in our Kailua yard, and I worry about a trimmer falling and sustaining injuries. What is a homeowner’s liability? How can we have an arborist check the condition of trees? Where can people find a company that removes trees, etc.?

Answer: A good first point of reference is the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, which licenses tree trimmers as specialty contractors under two classifications: landscaping contractors and tree trimming/removal contractors.

“All licensed contractors are required to have liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation (if they have employees), which protects consumers should an employee get hurt on the job,” said DCCA spokeswoman Cathy Yasuda. “If an unlicensed contractor is used, the homeowner may be sued by the person hurt on the job and is a prime example as to why only licensed contractors should be used.”

To find out whether a contractor is licensed and has liability and workers’ compensation insurance, check the DCCA website, pvl.ehawaii.gov/pvlsearch/app.

You can search by the business or individual’s name in a specific field. You also can check a company’s complaints history.

Another resource is the Aloha Arborist Association, which is affiliated with the International Society of Arboriculture. Call 381-1342 to find certified arborists who are tree risk assessors and/or tree trimmers.

Most of its 60 to 80 members are certified arborists, said Carol Kwan, secretary and officer of the association and a certified arborist/consultant.

All tree workers might not be certified arborists, but they “are supposed to receive some sort of training along the way,” Kwan said. Unfortunately, “this industry has low barriers to entry, so anybody can get a pickup truck, general excise tax license, chain saw and say, ‘I do tree and yard work.’ They may have no education or qualification at all and may not have a clue what they’re doing.”

Property owners often don’t consider the costly consequences “if someone gets injured on your property and they don’t have workers’ comp or … the kind of things that are required by law,” she said.

The Outdoor Circle “works closely with the arborist industry and, when asked, will refer the public to arborists whose work we know and trust,” said Bob Loy, director of environmental programs. Call 593-0300 or check www.outdoorcircle.org.

“Because trees are so valuable it is extremely important that property owners … know the reputation and skills of those they hire to work on their trees,” he said. “There are plenty of marginally trained and uncertified tree workers in Hawaii. But if they make the wrong decisions or just do poor work, it can ultimately kill a tree.”

Palm care handout

The Aloha Arborist Association has prepared a brochure — “Guidelines for Management of Coconut Palms” — available on the association’s website at www.alohaarborist.com/images/GuidelinesManagementCoconutPalms.pdf.

If you don’t have access to a computer, Kwan said she can print and mail a hard copy at no charge. “Part of our mission is education of the public on proper tree care,” she said.

Justice Served

About a year ago you printed my mahalo to a good Samaritan who witnessed my son being dragged down the street in Waikiki, followed the assailants and provided their license plate number (is.gd/kline10092010). They were arrested, tried and last month found guilty of assault and robbery. I want to thank the anonymous driver and let him know the conclusion of this sad episode. How many of us would choose to look the other way and not get involved?

— Grateful Dad

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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.