KALIHIWAI — Invasive albizia trees, which grew naturally along Kuhio Highway to form a tree-tunnel-like canopy pleasing to some motorists, are still causing trouble, according to neighbors and state officials. A week after tree trimmers removed some of the branches
KALIHIWAI — Invasive albizia trees, which grew naturally along Kuhio Highway to form a tree-tunnel-like canopy pleasing to some motorists, are still causing trouble, according to neighbors and state officials.
A week after tree trimmers removed some of the branches thought to be dangerous to drivers, another branch came crashing down, landing on a North Shore family’s mini-van, denting the hood and crushing the windshield, said Adam Frye, who lives along the highway in Kalihiwai.
“I think everyone was OK, physically, but mentally, holy cow, must have been so scary,” he said in an e-mail.
The state has hired a professional to assess the situation and a report of the findings is due next month.
“The albizia trees (albizia falcataria) along this stretch of Kuhio Highway in Kalihiwai were not planted by HDOT (Hawai‘i state Department of Transportation), but rather seeded themselves within the highway right of way from adjacent properties,” said Tammy Mori, state DOT spokesperson, in an e-mail.
“Albizia trees are one of the fastest-growing and most prolific trees in the world, growing up to 20 feet per year to a maximum height of 120 feet,” she said.
“The branch unions tend be very weak, causing large branches to drop with little to no stress, which makes it a poor tree to be (in) any area where it can fall and cause damage to property, people or livestock,” she said.
“It is also one of the Hawai‘i’s most invasive trees, out-competing native trees and plants,” she added.
Asked about plans to further trim the dangerous trees, Mori said, “This month, the state Department of Transportation hired one of the state’s leading arborists, Steve Nimz, to assess the albizia trees along this stretch of Kuhio Highway in Kalihiwai for recommendations on trees to remove which are structurally unsound, prune to eliminate branches hanging over the road, and trees to remain to preserve the aesthetic character of this corridor.
“The assessment and recommendations should be completed in July,” she said.
“The state Department of Transportation is working closely with the Kaua‘i Outdoor Circle. The tree removals and pruning will be a significant amount of work and HDOT is currently working to obtain the funding to hire a tree contractor,” she said in her e-mail.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com
