City officials expect to remove three banyan trees today that top the waterfall pond in downtown's Chinatown Gateway Park as part of a plan to fix the often-broken water feature at a cost of about $40,000.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann said his administration was trying to find a way to improve the fountain — which has been shut off for seven months — and sought estimates for a plan. He said the first one they got was for $500,000 for full restoration of the waterfall.

"I said, 'Whoa, hold on there,' that's way too much money for my liking to do something like this," Hannemann said. That plan would have basically rebuilt the fountain, the false rocks, moved the pump station and reworked the pond.

But after consulting with experts, Hannemann said officials found that the banyan tree roots — along with the weight of the trees — had cracked the rocks but not penetrated the pond. By removing the trees, he said, experts believe the fix can be done much cheaper.

City crews plan to cut down the trees beginning this morning. The deterioration of the waterfall pond, which was built in 1991 alongside the Hawai'i Theatre Center, "has been a cause for major complaints for residents, for workers, for people who traverse Chinatown," said Hannemann.

In April, city officials feared that they might have to turn off the water for good and fill the pond with landscaping. Yesterday, Hannemann said it appears the water can stay, with repairs to the pond, the falls and the pumps.

Hannemann said he consulted with the Outdoor Circle in planning to remove the trees and is seeking advice on what type of noninvasive landscaping to put in.

Wayne Hashiro, director of the city Department of Design and Construction, said the project is expected to be completed by October.

Hannemann said the neighboring businesses, including Indigo Restaurant and Hawai'i Theatre, have volunteered to help maintain the fountain. And they will be consulted about what landscaping they would like to see there.

Removal of the trees will be done by Trees of Hawai'i but will not affect other trees in the park, Hannemann said. He said the city first bought the 17,000-square-foot site at Bethel and Hotel streets in 1989.

Hannemann spokesman Bill Brennan said it costs about $1,000 a month to operate and maintain the fountain. That cost includes chemicals, the cost of utilities and labor.

Correction: The site of the Chinatown Gateway Park was acquired by the city in four parcels, according to the city's Land Division. The first parcel was acquired before 1988, with three parcels acquired from 1988 to 1991. A previous version of this story contained incorrect information.