HILO, Hawaii (AP) - Crews are removing several large trees that could pose a danger to air traffic at Hilo International Airport.
The State Department of Transportation said the Federal Aviation Authority inspected and found that a 70-foot banyan and several mango trees were too tall and becoming a safety issue, reports the Hawaii Tribune-Herald (https://bit.ly/1Lh6TCU).
DOT spokesman Tim Sakahara said the tree removals were scheduled to happen earlier but were delayed because of bad weather. Removal of the banyan began Tuesday.
That tree had grown not only too tall but too wide.
Sakahara said it also became a magnet for unwanted behavior. A stabbing occurred under its branches and it was a popular spot for people drinking alcohol.
“This could help to curb some of the people congregating and doing illegal activity under the trees,” he said.
Some local people, however, posted on Facebook recalling pleasant memories of the banyan tree.
___
Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
Please read our comment policy before commenting.