This post is “borrowed” from one circulated on Facebook by friends in Niu Valley.
Vigil Sunday night, October 1, at 6 pm for the beautiful felled tree ( a 100 year old tree cut down to make room for a new treeless home). Halemaumau and Kawaikui in Niu valley.
The meaning of “taking a knee” is to honor fallen comrades. This tree graced this place providing air, shelter, a home for birds, cooling the surrounding area. Let’s gather in respect as we say Aloha Oe.
If you are a neighbor, or just respect the dignity of a century old tree, please join us in mourning the felling of this magnificent tree. Bring flowers or other compostable love offerings, ti leaf, candles or other light source to hold, musical instruments as we sing aloha ‘oe to this kupuna laau. Songs, poems, prayers are welcome.
Please be considerate of the neighbors when parking and gathering.
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Really unfortunate when people are selfish and interested primarily in ‘maxing out’ what they can build on their property irrespective of the damage it does to the neighborhood. Big trees like this monkeypod slowly and gradually made Niu Valley a nicer neighborhood over a century. It takes only a few minutes for a shortsighted person to permanently destroy it.
I weeped when I saw what happened to this splendid tree. It feels very much like losing a good friend in our Niu neighborhood.
Mahalo Ian, the gathering is taking shape in a beautiful organic way. Poems, and ukulele accompanying Aloha Oe, Ex officio Outdoor Circle president to talk about exceptional tree program so far.
I think this kind of thing is happening all over Honolulu – specifically, property owners “clearing the lot,” and then rebuilding a huge corner-to-corner house across the property, no trees, no greenery, and precious little air space between their neighboring houses. I have personally witnessed 3 such transformations in the past 6 months in Kaimuki, with a loss of at least 4 mature mango trees. It’s as if people are trying to make Honolulu into Hong Kong as fast as they possibly can. Since trees temper the air and help bring rain, I wonder if we’ll be experiencing hotter, drier years ahead.
For further reference:
http://www.kitv.com/story/36434744/monster-homes-triggering-push-back-from-neighbors
and
http://www.kitv.com/story/36489617/city-council-members-eyeing-apartments-masquerading-as-homes
This happened to property my grandparents owned for years in Ka’a’awa. It was sold after their passing. It was scraped bare of the Kamani trees our childhood swings hung from, amd the milo trees we climbed. 4 new homes are on that property now with zero trees. ?
Is that the big lot on the corner of Ohelokai?
Yes, my family sold it years ago.