City TO PRUNE BANYAN at wailupe park;

REMOVE TREES IN AIEA

(Friday, June 19, 2009) -- The City and County of Honolulu will prune a large banyan tree at Wailupe Beach Park beginning Monday, June 22. 

Two of the tree’s main trunks are heavily decayed.  They will be removed by a private contractor hired by the Department of Parks and Recreation.  The remaining trunks have structural defects and will be pruned significantly to reduce the risk of failure and keep them clear of utility lines along Kalanianaole Highway.  The tree will still have a full canopy to provide shade.

The City is also proceeding with a planting plan to replace the dead wiliwili tree near the Wailupe comfort station.  Twelve trees and coconut palms will be planted upon the completion of the Kalanianaole sewer project, which is using the park as a baseyard.

At the same time, a contractor will remove 48 Paraguay tea trees in Aiea, near Aiea High School.  The trees were planted in the 1960s and now have structural defects that pose a public hazard.

The Department of Parks and Recreation will plant replacement trees once the removals are completed.

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Contact:

Terri Koike, 971-7161