Honolulu Civil Beat just published a story about the Manoa Marketplace monkeypod trees by well-respected columnist Denby Fawcett. It’s called "Saving Manoa’s Monkeypods" and begins “I may be a dreamer but the day might be coming when Hawaii’s land developers start to value mature shade trees as assets to draw people into shopping areas rather than detriments to be obliterated.” http://www.civilbeat.org/2018/01/denby-fawcett-saving-manoas-monkeypods/ The petition is about to exceed 15,500 signatures. Thank you for your support! Please vote in the KITV poll if you haven’t already and keep spreading the word. Every vote, every signature, every comment counts. http://www.kitv.com/story/37202152/poll-should-the-monkeypod-trees-at-manoa-marketplace-stay-or-go We plan to hand-deliver your comments to Christopher Benjamin, the A&B Board of Directors and our elected representatives with a letter urging them to view the trees as a valuable, cherished, living asset worthy of a place in Manoa Marketplace. Please mark Feb 7 at 7pm Manoa Neighborhood Board Meeting at Noelani School on your calendar. A&B will present their plan for Manoa Marketplace. We need to fill the cafeteria with supporters. Here are some reasons people have signed the petition. “If A&B is the “kama’aina, legacy” local-friendly corporation touted by its p.r. rhetoric, they are missing a great opportunity to EARN the goodwill of its Manoa “neighbors.” -Nancie Caraway “Beautiful mature trees are an essential part of what makes Manoa Marketplace a desirable place to shop.” -Elizabeth Gilliland “Paving paradise to put up a parking lot is simply not pono.” -Tim Dick Don't cut down those trees -- You won't need the extra parking spaces because a lot of us won't shop there anymore. -Julia Pace “There are ways to trim the roots and repair the parking lot without cutting down these beautiful stately trees. They make the marketplace a unique place to shop.” -Jo Schlesinger “I come to Manoa for shopping in large part due to the shady parking lot!! It is SO much more pleasant than other shopping malls.” -Ann-Marie Brege “These trees are beautiful, healthy, and I've never seen this parking lot full.” -Janine Myers “So many times I've said a silent "mahalo nui' to the owners/managers of Manoa Marketplace for cultivating the monkeypod trees. That's why I shop there. I changed grocery stores specifically because of the trees. They are the reason I choose Manoa Long's, and many of the smaller stores to shop at, and why I go to First Hawaiian in Manoa. Not only do the trees provide a cool place to park, they are good for the soul. Numerous studies support the REAL effect that trees and greenery have on our health and well-being. In this time of climate change it's essential we plant more trees (they store CO2), and larger trees are more effective. Please preserve this treasured space we have in Manoa Valley.” -Jennie Peterson