DOT contractor to clear invasive Albizia trees along Kalihiwai hill; work to start April 13

Alex Pascual of the Hawaii Department of Transportation introduced Earthworks Pacific contractor Jeff Fisher, who described a multi‑phase plan to remove invasive Albizia trees along the Kalihiwai bridge hill on Kuhio Highway. Fisher told the board crews will "clear both sides of the highway of the invasive forest extending only to the edge of the state highway right of way," cut the trees and apply Garlon systemic herbicide to roots with one year of follow‑up visits, and then re‑forest the area with slower‑growing native species such as kukui, lauhala and naupaka.

Fisher said the contractor plans three phases: makai side from the bridge up the Lihue hill, mauka side of the same hill, then both sides on the Princeville hill. He told the meeting the work is scheduled to start Monday, April 13, with night work between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. to reduce traffic impacts; the largest, most dangerous trees will be felled during daytime with additional safety planning. Fisher and DOT staff said operations may be paused or shifted to daytime if the Hoary bat or shearwater breeding seasons require it. Neighbor Gloria Estrella raised privacy and noise concerns for a property adjacent to the work; Fisher said he would look into sequencing that address.