Farm lots and nurseries under the Koolau

Tree Service in Waimanalo, HI

Bigger lots, more trees, and two invasive pests that showed up here early.

We price jobs standing in your yard, anywhere in Honolulu and the south shore of Oʻahu
Written estimate with each job priced separately
Chips, logs and brush plan made at the estimate

Country Lots on the Windward Side

Waimanalo is the rural end of the windward coast, a small community near the eastern tip of Oahu with large agricultural lots running back toward the Koolau and many plant nurseries. Tree Service in Waimanalo often looks more like land care than yard care: clearing overgrown edges, taking out fast-growing invasive trees, cleaning stands of palms, and opening up space for crops or a new structure.

Rain and growth. Waimanalo averages about 42.43 inches of rain a year over roughly 169 rainy days, with December, January, March and November the wettest months and June the driest at about 1.26 inches. That is enough to keep trees growing fast most of the year. A neglected acre can fill in quickly. When we clear, we start by identifying what is worth keeping, such as fruit trees, native plants and windbreaks, and then work outward.

Two pest stories that started here. Waimanalo was where Oahu's first little fire ant infestations were found. In December 2013, small infestations turned up at three plant nurseries, all in Waimanalo, and the state treated them, according to a Star-Advertiser report. Then in 2018, the coconut rhinoceros beetle was found in Waimanalo, part of a faster spread the CRB Response program links to people moving mulch and compost. For anyone with a farm or nursery here, moving green waste, soil and potted plants carefully matters. We do not haul material from properties with suspected little fire ants until they have been checked, and we take palm debris off site promptly.

Albizia along the power corridor. In May 2024, Hawaiian Electric said helicopter inspections had found its transmission corridors along the base of the Koolau, running from the windward side near Waimanalo into East Honolulu, heavily overgrown with albizia, and that a fallen albizia had knocked out power in Hawaii Kai. HECO handles its own corridors, but plenty of private lots here have albizia too. It grows extremely fast and its wood is brittle. If one is tall enough to reach your house, a road or a line, removal is usually the right call.

Larger households. Census QuickFacts shows an average of 4.12 people per household and a 73.6% owner-occupancy rate in Waimanalo. Many families have been on their land for generations. We work around animals, gardens and outbuildings, and we can schedule larger clearing jobs in phases so you are not paying for everything at once.

What we do here

Lot clearing and edge clearing on agricultural and residential parcels
Albizia and other invasive tree removal
Coconut palm cleaning and dead palm removal
Pruning fruit trees and windbreaks
Stump grinding after clearing

Call (808) 746-9674 or use the form to set up a site visit. Get a free estimate

Waimanalo Facts

Rainfall. NOAA normals (1991-2020) show about 42.43 inches of rain a year over about 169 rainy days, with June the driest month at 1.26 inches.
First little fire ant finds on Oahu. In December 2013, little fire ants were found at three of seven Oahu nurseries checked, all in Waimanalo. A 6-acre treatment area followed in May 2014.
Coconut rhinoceros beetle. The CRB Response program reports beetle detections in Waimanalo in 2018, part of a wider spread it links to moving mulch and compost.
Albizia near power corridors. Hawaiian Electric reported in May 2024 that transmission corridors along the Koolau from near Waimanalo into East Honolulu were heavily overgrown with albizia.

Our Services in Waimanalo, HI

Waimanalo Questions

Can you clear part of my farm lot without taking out the fruit trees?

Yes. We flag the trees you want to keep before any cutting starts and clear around them. Selective clearing takes a little longer than clearing everything, but it saves trees that took years to grow.

Do I need a permit to clear trees on agricultural land in Waimanalo?

Clearing that involves grading, work near streams or work on steep slopes can trigger county or state permits. Simple tree removal usually does not. If your project goes beyond cutting trees, check with the Department of Planning and Permitting before starting. We can tell you on site whether anything about your job looks like it needs a closer look.

What should I do if I think I have little fire ants?

Do not move plants, soil or green waste off the property. Report it to the state and follow their testing instructions. We will reschedule hauling until the property is checked.

Is it worth keeping a big albizia for shade?

Rarely near homes or roads. Albizia grows very fast and drops large limbs without warning. Out in the back of a big lot, away from targets, it is less of a concern.

Free Estimates in Waimanalo, HI

Waimanalo farm lots and homes, estimated on site.

Call (808) 746-9674 Free Estimate