Ask the Mayor: Can the County Arborist Help Save Our Trees?

Waiehu Golf course sign. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Aloha Mayor Arakawa,

Q: I am an avid golfer who enjoys the vistas and landscape of the Waiehu Golf Course. It’s always an exhilarating experience to be on the course, even though my play sometimes may not be up to “par.”

Last November, 80-foot Ironwood trees were eliminated from near the eighth green and between the fourth and seventh fairways. I can only guess that these trees were either disease- or insect-infested.

We need a “save-our-trees” attitude. Is there a tree or forest specialist in the county that can periodically inspect the trees on the course (and elsewhere in the county) and develop a treatment plan so that trees can be saved and not be cut down? The trees give this course its beauty and character.

On another note, I would like to commend Todd Allen, golf course superintendent, and his staff for the excellent job they are doing to improve the golf course. The improvements are evident throughout the course. Keep up the good work, guys!

A: Our county arborist is trained to inspect trees and advise the county on any action needed. In this case, the large Ironwood trees were removed from Waiehu Golf Course after the County Arborist conducted tree assessments. He found the removals necessary for public safety due to the instability of the trees as a result of trunk and root rot. One of the large Ironwoods that was removed had a large cavity that was home to a bee hive. The bees were not the driving force for the tree removal, but the cavity did compromise the stability of this large tree.

Thank you for the compliment, our parks’ staff appreciate it when patrons take notice of the work they’ve been doing to improve and maintain facilities. Mahalo.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.