Only weeding and watering are required for city’s trees

QUESTION: I found a "no parking" sign fronting the side lawn at my address and other properties throughout Mariners Cove in Hawaii Kai the beginning of November. I called the company "Green Thumb" named on the sign and was told this was for a city project to plant trees. I have lots of green trees on my property and don’t need another tree to care for. Why is the city wasting money like this, and why weren’t residents notified to be given an opportunity to say yes or no?

ANSWER: You not only do not have to care for the trees; you also are prohibited by law from doing so.

The 121 trees are being planted along the strip of land between the road and adjacent property line, which is part of the city’s right of way, as part of a plan to restore trees previously removed for a street improvement project.

The sidewalk area is not part of your property and is intended for pedestrian use, access to utilities and any setback area acquired by the city for road widening purposes, said Michele Nekota, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

The right-of-way area often includes grass and a street tree maintained by the department’s Division of Urban Forestry, she said.

While homeowners are responsible for weeding and watering the sidewalk area adjacent to their properties, under park rules and the

Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, they are not responsible for maintaining trees.

Urban Forestry carries out all major tree maintenance, including pruning, Nekota said.

In fact, "it is unlawful for any person to plant, prune, spray, injure or remove street trees from the sidewalk area without prior permission" from Urban Forestry or the city Department of Planning and Permitting, she said.

Nekota also explained that street trees in Mariners Cove and along Lunalilo Home Road were removed as part of a street rehabilitation project.

Once that project was completed, Urban Forestry "began the long-planned restoration of the street trees," she said.

She said the tree-planting plan was presented to the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board in December 2011 and to the Mariner’s Cove Bay Club in June 2012.

"In order to ensure as many residents saw the plans as possible," a third meeting was held at the Hawaii Kai Public Library, also in June 2012, while Mariners Cove residents received at least one reminder of the project from their homeowners association, Nekota said.

Urban Forestry selected silver buttonwood, white tecoma, tulipwood, lechoso, lignum vitae and silver trumpet trees to plant "because, when planted properly, they make excellent street trees," she said.

Green Thumb, the contractor, will provide all maintenance, including watering, for 120 days. After that, Urban Foresty will maintain the trees through its pruning program, Nekota said.

The $93,475 project cost includes the trees, planting and initial maintenance.

MAHALO

To Miguel and Dakota, who came to my aid recently when I broke my ankle descending the trail at the Lanikai Pillboxes. They called 911, stayed with me, then walked my dog to where my wife was waiting. Many thanks as well to Kailua firefighters and medics who hiked up to get to me and to the helicopter crew who airlifted me down. I was very impressed with the speed of the operation, from the 911 call to being wheeled out of Castle Medical Center’s emergency room. It’s good to know that strangers and passers-by are willing to come to the aid of those who need it. — Ken

MAHALO

To the young man putting gas into his car in Waipahu and his passengers. It was dark, and I was completely lost trying to go to Leeward Community College to attend a musical. He asked me to follow him and directed me to Leeward’s parking lot. I wanted to compensate him for his kindness and time, but he refused. May all good things come his way. — Grateful Senior

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.