05-14-2014, 06:26 AM
The albizia was started in Puna, by private enterprise and community agreement, as a possible source of wood for creating jobs such as cabinet and furniture makers. As with many tourist enterprises, it failed and was quickly forgotten, ahhhh, wait 30 years, massive problem. Now, it's the county responsibility, although it's usually falling on HELCO by default. Admitting removal of albizia in Puna is above and beyond county road maintenance financing, just pay the county the money to close off the affected road sections and contract out to professional tree removers, which is expensive. Or change the bond for a new Pahoa park to clear albizia with the money.
One thing, having witnessed some albizia removal, it is also killing the ohia. Once the albizia are gone, the ohia start filling out into huge blooms. That, and more ocean breeze comes through. The only thing albizia is good for is looking majestic from a distance, which is fine if it is in the Australian outback, not Hawaii.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
One thing, having witnessed some albizia removal, it is also killing the ohia. Once the albizia are gone, the ohia start filling out into huge blooms. That, and more ocean breeze comes through. The only thing albizia is good for is looking majestic from a distance, which is fine if it is in the Australian outback, not Hawaii.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*