Puna friends and neighbors, I reach out to you with a concern that affects us all. Each time a storm approaches, we are reminded of the towering trees along Highway 11 between Mountain View and Glenwood. These majestic yet menacing trees pose a real danger to our safety; they threaten to cut off our electrical power and block the highway, isolating us from essential services and emergency responders.

Living in this beautiful area of Hawaii, we cherish the natural beauty that surrounds us, but it’s imperative that this does not come at the cost of our safety and convenience. Recent storms have shown how susceptible we are to power outages, which not only disrupt our daily lives but can also have severe consequences, especially for those who rely on electricity for medical devices, food preservation, and connectivity.

The solution is simple yet crucial: we need to top or cut back these trees to ensure they do not interfere with our power lines or pose a hazard on our roads. This proactive measure will help maintain continuous power supply during storms and prevent dangerous road obstructions. Many communities in similar situations have successfully mitigated such risks through regular tree maintenance, balancing the importance of environmental stewardship with community safety.

Statistics from the National Weather Service confirm the increasing intensity and frequency of storms in our region. According to the Hawaiian Electric Company, tree interference is one of the leading causes of power outages in areas like ours. These facts underscore the urgent need for preemptive action.

Join me in urging our local government and the Department of Transportation to take immediate steps to trim and maintain these trees. Your signature can make a difference in ensuring the safety and reliability of our power supply and access to Highway 11.

Mahalo for your support. Please sign this petition to help safeguard our community and our way of life.