The mission of the Environmental Committee is to provide valuable information and assistance to the members of Nanawale Community Association. Our goal is to educate property owners, “on and off island” mainly about Albizia and other dangerous trees that threaten our homes and property values. Your assistance helps us in our efforts to eradicate or reduce the proliferation of this invasive species.

Many of you may not know how Albizia trees proliferate. Albezia trees grow at a prodigious rate. In 2 years a sapling can become 16’ high and if left to grow unchecked, it will grow to be 125 feet tall and about 2 to 3 feet around and larger in less then 16 years.  At this size they drop very sizable limbs on unsuspecting structures that lie below them. These trees have the consistency of Balsa wood soaked in water. All it takes is strong wind or heavy rain to cause the limbs to break. So, if it’s been awhile since you last saw your lot, it’s possible there will be very large trees encroaching on your neighbor’s borders.  A cleared lot can become a nursery of thousands of seedlings, requiring regular applications of poison every 2 to 6 months to kill them off. That is why we encourage our out of state owners to conduct annual property maintenance which will save them the headache, liability and money if an Albizia tree is left to grow and multiply on your property. Remember, you will be held legally liable if a tree falls from your property and causes damage to homes or injury to others.  Some people love these trees for their beauty, but if you live under or near one you will quickly understand just how dangerous these trees are.

Lately there has been an increase of homeowners contacting Nanawale Community Association with complaints and concern for their safety.  Many of them are seeking assistance by notifying our office, who then sends out letters to the property owners whose lots are a concern. Controlling our Albizia trees has been a difficult challenge but it is a task that must continue.

I am happy to report that more and more property owners are recognizing the dangers of Albizia trees and are having them removed.  The Association encourages everyone, local and out of state owners to be responsible and address these concerns. If you receive notification regarding dangerous Albizia trees on your property, don’t be afraid to call us. We will be more than happy to assist you in identifying whether your property has Albizia trees or not.

It is in everyone’s best interest to protect our property value and the safety of your neighbors that live near these trees. The Association asks you to “Please” have these trees removed because they are threatening homes and lives.  Most importantly, it protects you from a potentially huge liability lawsuit if a tree on your property damages nearby homes, or worse, injures your neighbor.  
Glen Bousquet, Environmental Committee Chairperson is available to answer any questions and to assist anyone who may need help in acquiring bids from local tree trimmers and to find the lowest price possible.

The State Of Hawaii is reporting that Little Fire Ant, Wasmannia Auropunctata are now showing up on all islands. The following link will help you with information regarding these ants and what you can do as a property owner to keep your lot free of them. For more information on this, please visit www.littlefireants.com.

For assistance please contact our Association office at: bizoffice@nanawalecommunity.com

Telephone:  (808) 965-8080   Fax: (808) 965-6664