HILO — East Hawaii’s albizia-free makeover continues.
Crews from Hawaii Electric Light Co. began targeting the invasive trees growing alongside state roads last month, under a memorandum of understanding between the utility company and the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Both agencies have a “mutual interest in protecting infrastructure and highways,” HELCO spokeswoman Kristen Okinaka said in an email. “We recognize that albizia poses a real threat to public safety and essential services.”
Albizia is one of the most notorious invasive species in East Hawaii because of its size, height and instability — despite its height, it has a very shallow root system and is easily toppled. It is also one of the fastest-growing trees in the world, and crowds out native forest plants.
During Hurricane Iselle in 2014, fallen albizia trees damaged homes and vehicles, downed power lines, and made roadways inaccessible for days.
Since 2014, HELCO has spent $14 million on tree removal, clearing nearly 31,000 albizia trees.
East Hawaii legislators have pushed for years to get state funding to address the albizia problem. The budget approved during this year’s legislative session included a DOT line item of $1.5 million for albizia removal.
HELCO is matching those funds.
The funding was first allocated to the DOT last year under Act 197, but a management plan was not developed until this year, state Rep. Richard Onishi, D-Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald during a previous interview.
Developers of the plan included HELCO, HDOT and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, as well as Hawaii County’s Department of Public Works Highways Division and the Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Forestry Division.
HELCO’s tree clearing work began in July. About $120,000 has been spent so far in East Hawaii, Okinaka said.
Clearing has been completed on Puainako Street between Kinoole Street and Kawili Street. It is next scheduled to begin along Mamalahoa Highway between Hilo and Honomu.
“We had identified these corridors back in 2014,” said Franny Kinslow Brewer, BIISC communications director and member of a working group formed in response to Hurricane Iselle.
“If you look at that north corridor going up the coast…at this point, one albizia coming crashing down that road is a major hazard,” Brewer said. “It’s a public safety thing, and we’ve all been well aware of it. When you’re driving past the trees, you get that sinking feeling.”
BIISC is working in partnership with the HDOT and HELCO to create buffer zones along the highway and prevent the albizia trees from re-seeding and growing back.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
