International Marketplace Trees -- some saved, some lost

The beloved International Marketplace is undergoing a major renovation.  Thankfully, the owners, Queen Emma Land Company, recognize the value of the amazing trees on their property and are making heroic efforts to preserve and enhance the trees there.  The Exceptional Banyan Tree closer to Kalakaua Avenue is being preserved -- and the human experience of this tree will actually be enhanced by a design that puts the pedestrian and dining area on the 3rd floor, around the canopy of this epic tree. In addition, several other trees are being protected-in-place or relocated on the property.


Unfortunately, however, two large trees will be lost. One of the other banyan trees on the property has fallen victim to the ferocious stem gall wasp. Despite every effort to protect certain banyan trees from this infection, nothing has been able to save infected trees from dying.  In consultation with expert arborists, the developers have decided to remove this tree and repurpose it to the extent possible. This tree will be replaced with a mature monkeypod from on-site that was previously slated for removal.  


In addition, the large monkeypod on the Kuhio Avenue side of the International Marketplace will be removed and repurposed.  Though the developers had originally planned to relocate this tree, realities of the tree’s root system and underground utilities have rendered that option impossible.  The loss of this large canopy tree on Kuhio Avenue will be very noticeable. After consulting with The Outdoor Circle and others, the developers are investigating possibilities for compensating for the loss of shade and overall character that will come with the loss of this tree.  Stay tuned for more updates to the developer’s plans for the new International Marketplace as they become available.  

You can learn more about this project by visiting their website: http://shopinternationalmarketplace.com

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