50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EXCEPTIONAL TREE PROGRAM - MAY 31, 2025

AAC committee members, Ilana Nimz and Dana Anne Yee at Foster Botanical Garden.

The 50th Anniversary of the Exceptional Tree Program took place on a beautiful sunny Saturday on May 31, 2025 at Foster Botanical Garden. More than 60 community members signed up for this celebratory occasion. The City and County of Honolulu staff warmly welcomed everyone to the event and the Mayor's Arborist Advisory Committee had a table filled with wonderful stickers and posters. Brochures and flyers about Exceptional Trees were provided showing a map of the Exceptional Trees at Foster Botanical Garden. The Mayor's Arborist Advisory Committee (AAC) was represented by Roxanne Adams, Myles Ritchie, Kevin Eckert, Ilana Nimz, and Dana Anne Yee, After a short slide show by Myles the audience were treated to tours by Docents of the Exceptional Trees in Foster Botanical Garden. Steve Nimz one of the original Arborist who helped with the AAC Act 105 was present. And it was a pleasure that Council Member from District 6, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam was present to enjoy this nice event.

Council Member, District 6, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Jeannie Yee, and Dana Anne Yee, May 31, 2025

Steve Nimz, Dana Anne Yee, Leslie, and Jeannie Yee, Foster Botanical Garden, May 31, 2025

City and County of Honolulu Staff at Foster Botanical Garden Entrance, May 31, 2025

City and County of Honolulu Staff and Dana at Foster Botanical Garden Entrance, May 31, 2025

Ilana Nimz, Josh Sand, and Dana Anne Yee at Foster Botanical Garden, May 31, 2025

Ilana Nimz and Dana Anne Yee at Foster Botanical Garden, May 31, 2025

June 6,2025

Aloha Dana:

On behalf of all of us at the Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Urban Forestry, thank you for attending the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Exceptional Tree Program held at Foster Botanical Garden!  We are grateful for your support and interest in the trees that make our communities so special.  We hope that you are feeling inspired to take a look around your community and talk with your friends and family to nominate a tree.  More information can be found on our Exceptional Tree Program website, and don’t forget to check out the current Exceptional Tree Map from the Outdoor Circle.

Thank you again for being a part of the celebration!  Trees are an important part of our memories, landmarks, and community identity.  Whether it’s the massive fruit of an ʻUlu Tree, the twisted branches of a particular Koa Tree, the shade of a Monkeypod, or the beautiful yellow flowers of a Gold Tree, many residents and visitors alike are in awe of O‘ahu trees.  It is all of our kuleana to care and protect them.

Mahalo,

Division of Urban Forestry

Department of Parks and Recreation