Please Sign the Petition to Help Save the 36 Cuban Mahogany Trees at Honokaʻa County Park

These trees provide the shade, beauty, and character that make Honokaʻa County Park one of the town’s most valued public spaces. They have served generations of families and continue to make the park usable year-round.

We respectfully ask Hawaiʻi County to preserve the 36 Cuban mahogany trees at Honokaʻa County Park and pursue practical management options before removal.

These trees are a defining feature of the park and continue to provide important public benefits.

Community and Cultural Value
For many residents, these trees have always been part of the park. Close to three generations of Honokaʻa families have grown up under their shade during sports, birthday parties, community gatherings, funerals, and everyday visits. They are part of the shared memory of the town.

Aesthetic Value
The trees are fully mature, healthy, and visually significant. Their large canopy gives the park much of its character and creates a welcoming landscape that cannot be quickly replaced. Cuban mahogany is a long-lived species, and these trees may still have many decades of life remaining if properly maintained.

Shade and Heat Reduction
Honokaʻa County Park is heavily used in part because of the year-round shade these trees provide. Their canopy lowers ground temperatures, reduces heat exposure for keiki, kūpuna, athletes, and families, and makes the park more comfortable and usable throughout the day.

Habitat and Environmental Benefits
The grove provides habitat for birds, insects, and other urban wildlife. Mature trees also improve air quality, reduce runoff, and contribute to a healthier park environment.

Adapted to Local Conditions
Cuban mahogany was introduced to Hawaiʻi as a shade and landscape tree because of its strong structure, broad canopy, and ability to handle warm, dry conditions. Those same qualities are why these trees continue to serve Honokaʻa County Park so well today, providing reliable shade, beauty, and resilience in a heavily used public space.

Parking Lot Damage Can Be Managed
Concerns about pavement damage should be addressed with thoughtful planning rather than immediate removal. Many communities manage tree-root conflicts through less destructive options such as targeted sidewalk and pavement redesign, root barriers where appropriate, flexible surfacing, curb adjustments, selective pruning, and phased infrastructure repair.

We ask Hawaiʻi County to:

1. Pause removal of the 36 Cuban mahogany trees.
2. Conduct independent arborist assessments of tree health and risk.
3. Explore alternatives to removal for parking lot and infrastructure issues.
4. Work with the community on a long-term tree management plan.
5. Recognize the grove’s cultural, environmental, and public value.

These trees are not just landscaping. They are a long-standing public asset that continues to serve the people of Honokaʻa.

Please add your name to support preserving these trees and asking Hawaiʻi County to pursue thoughtful alternatives to removal. A strong community response can help protect an important part of Honokaʻa’s park and history.