Palace loses hazardous palms

The state removed three palm trees from Iolani Palace running along King Street yesterday after an arborist assessed them as “;potentially hazardous.”;

The inspection of eight palm trees came after a coconut tree toppled onto a passing car on King Street on Tuesday. A man who was in the car was taken to the hospital.

Arborist Abner Undan, who inspected the trees, found more than 50 percent of the roots of the tree that fell were already dead. The three trees that were taken down yesterday also had bad root structures or showed declining health. Undan said the state is looking at inspecting the rest of the trees at the palace. He estimated there are about 100 trees there.

Bob Loy, director of the Outdoor Circle's environmental programs, said the coconut palm trees were not unusual, but played an important part of the historical landscape of Iolani Palace and should be replaced.

He suggests the state plant companion trees next to the remaining four trees when it replaces the felled trees.

“;Then the landscape statement will be a nice row of equal-sized coconut palms,”; he said. “;That's a common arboricultural practice.”;

Student pilot makes hard landing

HILO » A twin engine Comanche plane piloted by a student made a hard landing at the Kona airport at 3:51 p.m. yesterday, and sustained minor damage, the state Department of Transportation said. Police said the pilot, a 52-year-old man whose name was not released, suffered a scraped knee but refused treatment. The 43-year old female instructor was not injured.

The pilot made a hard landing on the runway, causing the plane to veer off 60 feet into a lava field. The plane's right wing was damaged and some fuel was spilled, police said. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, police said.

Advertiser eyes worker pay cuts

Across-the-board pay cuts might be in store for employees of the Honolulu Advertiser, according to the Hawaii Newspaper and Printing Trades Council.

The newspaper, owned by Gannett Co., reported that its financial situation has continued to deteriorate in the past two months, and announced it is seeking pay cuts of up to 31.5 percent, a cut that a union spokesman called going “;too far.”;

“;We're willing to make investments that will help the company through these tough times, but we can't accept proposals that would put our members in financial jeopardy,”; said Wayne Cahill, spokesman for the six unions representing the employees.

Company negotiator John Jaske said revenue fell to its lowest level in 20 years, causing the company to seek pay cuts and another $4.5 million in savings.

The unions are in talks with the company for a new contract, which expired in June 2007. The company had offered buyouts to its full-time employees last month. Last summer the company cut 81 jobs through layoffs.

Charity drive seeks toy donations

Visitors to the annual Honolulu City Lights Christmas displays and performances at Honolulu Hale might take the opportunity to drop off toys for disadvantaged children Dec. 6 through 17.

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is sponsoring the holiday drive. Only new and unwrapped toys should be dropped off in the collection box from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Honolulu Hale courtyard.

For more information call the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts at 768-6622 or visit www.honolulu.gov/moca.