KOLOA — Is this the last Christmas for Old Koloa Town’s historic Monkeypod trees? That is the question posed on a flier distributed by protesters trying to save about 16 of the big monkeypod trees whose boughs shade overflow parking
KOLOA — Is this the last Christmas for Old Koloa Town’s historic Monkeypod trees?
That is the question posed on a flier distributed by protesters trying to save about 16 of the big monkeypod trees whose boughs shade overflow parking for merchants lining Koloa Road.
Louie Abrams, president of the Koloa Community Association, said the rally that had about 20 people holding signs along the main thoroughfare in Koloa is a way to make people more aware of the trees’ plight.
“This is about all we can do at this point,” he said. “We just need to educate people about what is going on.”
In a flier offering more detail on the group’s efforts to save the trees, about 16 of the two dozen historic trees are scheduled to be cut down in order to build nearly 80,000 square feet of retail franchise shops. The Shops at Koloa project will begin on Knudsen Estate property right after the New Year.
“To kill these healthy trees is invasive,” the flier states. “These trees have been a part of our community for more than 80 years.”
Jensey McGraw, a resident of Kapahi, joined the group comprised in large part of Koloa residents when she was made aware of the tree removal situation.
“They have architects that can build around trees,” McGraw said. “I love trees. If they take them out, it will be like taking the bougainvillea away from Hanapepe.”
McGraw held a sign touting, “These trees knew your grandparents.” She said the trees are part of the community’s inheritance.
The informational flier said most of the trees from the post office, along Koloa Road and around the corner on Maluhia Road will be gone forever if the removal is not stopped.
A countdown marking the remaining days for the stately trees was part of the scenario of white wooden crosses, one for each of the trees designated for removal, and that countdown overflowed to shops across Koloa Road that had the remaining number of days penned in on posters that dotted some of the shop windows.
While the group encouraged motorists to honk horns in support of keeping the trees, another individual, Nazira De Marchi, took to the boardwalk of the Old Koloa Town merchants.
Armed with postcards imprinted with names of various government officials and community leaders, De Marchi said a lot of the shoppers do not want to see the trees removed, and took the time to express their support by writing notes on the cards.
Trustee for the Knudsen Estate, Stacey Wong, said Monday, “Diseased, damaged and strangled trees” are being removed for the project.
“The Shops at Koloa will have as many or more trees than there are now and the buildings are designed around the trees,” he said.
The trees that are removed will be replaced with “field stock,” which are the largest trees you can get at a nursery and the trees will be the exact species of monkeypod trees, Wong said. That is one stipulation for the developer.
Wong said he has met with Koloa community members and it is “impossible to meet in a positive accord.”
“They want to stop the project, not save the trees.”
Carol Ann Davis-Briant, a member of the Koloa Community Association, said another rally is planned for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In the meantime, the countdown continues — 14 days until Jan. 2.
