Thank you everyone for your support. We just exceeded 18,000 signatures with more than half from Hawaii. Outdoor Circle President Steve Mechler presented his plan to save all the monkeypod trees at a meeting between A&B and community groups. He proposed a win-win solution for the company and for Manoa Marketplace shoppers. Steve’s plan includes a green strip with space for outdoor markets, tables and chairs. He used the term “promenade” to describe the open space. Please see his diagram above. Steve emphasized the sustainable design for the community and for the company that maintains Manoa’s rainforest ambience and shade canopy. The trees stand in proud contrast with the asphalt deserts that surround most shopping centers. His proposal includes 152 parking stalls, just 8 less than A&B’s original plan without the trees. All the stalls would be standard size and not compact. The Outdoor Circle, Malama Manoa, Manoa Alliance, Manoa Neighborhood Board and City Council members said the plan was thoughtful, elegant, environmentally friendly, less costly and would be welcomed by shoppers and tenants. An A&B representative said that while the company will need a few more days to review The Outdoor Circle’s plan, “we are encouraged about retaining most if not all the trees.” The KITV poll is still open. Please cast your vote 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 Manoa Neighborhood Board Chairman Dale Kobayashi will place the Manoa Marketplace trees on the agenda of the Feb 7 meeting at 7pm at Noelani School. If you care about the trees, please come to this important meeting. We greatly appreciate the community, statewide, national and international support for the preservation of these magnificent trees. “WE ARE ALL WORKING FOR THE BETTER WORLD WE KNOW IS POSSIBLE ONE TREE AT A TIME” -Nancie Caraway