A big mahalo to A&B for choosing to preserve the monkeypod trees in Manoa Marketplace. That was a welcome development and a big relief. We deeply appreciate their decision to keep all the trees. Thank you everyone in Honolulu, Hawaii, the US mainland and around the world for your support. We could not have done it without you. The strength of your response was truly a sight to behold. The Star Advertiser summarized it well with their headline "Community Campaign Saves Trees from the Chopping Block in Manoa.” It was touch and go for a while, but with your powerful wind in our sails, we are moving in a positive direction. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20180127/281500751682691 Now people are concerned about the plan “to trim and prune the tree canopies to ensure the trees remain stable. With their roots contained within the planters, the trees may become unstable if their weight is not reduced and evenly distributed." How far will they cut them back? How big are the planters? Will the trees survive? To quote one community member, “I understand that A&B will be giving a presentation on not removing the trees, as was planned, but instead pruning and trimming the canopies of the trees. This should be unacceptable to Manoa patrons and tree lovers. A&B now has given themselves license to cut the canopies back as far as they want, to the trunk for example. NO WAY.” And what about the tree in front of Longs? Our expert says it's relatively easy and maybe even less expensive to move the surface drain while keeping the existing infrastructure underneath. A&B will present their new plan at the Manoa Neighborhood Board meeting on February 7 at 7 PM at Noelani School. Please come voice your support for the trees. It's not over until we know the trees are safe. And please keep sharing this petition with your friends and family. Let’s make sure they don’t injure or even destroy the trees in their attempt to preserve them.