Memo to Members

October, 2007

Here’s the summary of the issues The Kauai Outdoor Circle (TKOC) board discussed at our monthly meeting, last week. We would appreciate your input on any and all of these issues. Your participation is encouraged. If you would like to join us at the next board meeting it will be at noon on Thursday, October 18th in the conference room at Kauai Nursery and Landscape. If you would rather not receive these monthly summaries, just send us an email response that you would like to be removed from the distribution list.

• Maureen and Gabrielle will be attending the Full Circle Meeting on Oct 27, 2007 at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kaneohe on Oahu. The theme will be “Branching Out: Building, Strengthening and Empowering Branches”. This is a great annual event, very enjoyable and informative.

• We’re working with Mike Jermaine, state TOC, to send out a re-invitation letter to lapsed members is complete.

• Harry has updated the website and included Arbor Day Information.

• Gabrielle is continuing to sent out our PSA to all the radio stations, newspapers etc. Jensey suggested that TKOC send a congratulatory letter to Elsie Huddy, who is the first recipient of the Neighborhood Pride Award sponsored by the Wailua- Kapaa Neighborhood Association. Kathleen will write the letter.

• Fred and Maureen will write the letter to the Mayor that was discussed at our previous meeting asking him to honor his promise to do something about the sign problem. Fred reports that some of the banners have been removed, but there are still lots of sandwich signs. New members were given sign brochures, and a synopsis of the sign ordinance. The group agreed it is our policy to report possible sign violations to the County and let them do the enforcement.

• The Poipu Beach Park Cleanup is on Saturday Oct 20. Lunch will be provided by Poipu Beach Broiler and it sounds delicious! Maureen suggests we all let everyone know of the Broiler’s generosity and give them our business.

• The Koloa Trees are in eminent danger! The decision to deny Koloa Marketplace LLC a use permit has been reversed by a Federal Court Settlement between the developer and our County Attorney. The developer is now free to go ahead. The Koloa Community Association will be meeting to discuss the situation. Our position is to gather information, find out what the developer intends to do and then take action. If we can’t get a timely response from the developers, we will have no choice but to alert the media. (This eminent threat to the beautiful and historic trees, some over 50 years old, produced discussion regarding the Exceptional Tree List as a means to get protection for more of our beautiful trees.) We will write a letter to the State Forester to re-ignite the Mayor’s Arborist Committee

• KLIC has organized another Arbor Day Tree Giveaway and educational displays and also will be holding workshops on Tree Diagnostics and Chain Saw Safety.

• We will have an educational booth to distribute the brochures from the International Society of Aboriculture and the Sign Ordinance Brochure. Volunteers may arrive as early as 7am to help set up the tent. The official start time is 10am and ends at 1pm. 2500 trees will be given away in 1 gallon and 4” pots. Nina and Gabrielle will prepare a postcard to go out to all members as a reminder of the event. Members may bring their postcard to receive and additional tree.

• Plans are in place for the Full Circle Meeting in 2008 with a change in meeting location to St Michael and All Angels Church Parish Hall.

• Jackie Ralya, Maureen and Gabrielle will have a meeting with the Mayor regarding the Tree City Application on Nov. 8, 2007.

• A Crepe Myrtle was removed on the roadside in front of Grove Farm by the DOT for the new Bike Path. The tree was 2 feet into the County property. Moises from Grove Farm called TOC, who in turn called TKOC. It was too late to try to save the trees as it was on Friday the 5th and the County removed the tree the following Monday, the 8th. Moises said they saved enough of the tree to replant.

• National Make A Difference Day at Lydgate Park is Oct. 27 from 7:30 am till Lunch which will be provided.

Next Meeting: Thursday, November 15, 2007, 12 Noon, at Conference Room Kauai Nursery and Landscape. The Agenda will include: 1. Possibility of Annual TKOC General Membership Meeting at which we give Landscape Awards, 2. TKOC T-shirts and bumper stickers.