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Portions of Paki Avenue around Kapiolani Park will be closed today while workers remove a monkeypod tree, which is dying, near the intersection with Kapahulu Avenue in Waikiki.
A contractor hired by the city will do the removal work near the mauka side of the Honolulu Zoo. The tree is on the city’s list of Exceptional Trees, but the removal is necessary because of the deteriorating condition of the tree. A replacement monkeypod tree will be planted.
Arborists from the Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Urban Forestry have been monitoring the tree over the last few months and observed a rapid decline over the last few weeks. Public safety concerns led to the decision for removal.
The work is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and is expected to be completed by 4 p.m. Lane closures and contraflow patterns will be in place for the duration of the work. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible.
Only in Hawaii does a dying tree make the media headlines. Rest in peace, Mr. Tree.
The first monkeypod was introduced to Hawaii by Archibald Cleghorn on his daughter Princess Kaiulani’s estate Ainahau. Ainahau was a precursor to Foster Garden, as Cleghorn had a green thumb and a love of Victorian gardens. He left the estate to the Territory of Hawaii, but the government in its anti-royal hostility, said taking care of such a white elephant would deplete funds for other purposes. So, it was left for other family members, developers and contractors to fight over and to subdivide Ainahau. The Princess Kaiulani Hotel stand near where Ainahau once stood. A statue of the princess stands there with one of her precious “pikake” (peacocks).
interesting. I am anti-royalist, as most of us are, but one can respect a gift to the public vouchsafed by the haughty family. We are glad for what crumbs we can get.
I thought the City had a policy of replacing trees with native species?