EDITORIAL
Tree tragedy in Manoa

Our prayers go out to 12-year-old Julia Engle, critically injured as a Norfolk Island pine toppled onto her home.

In addition to the tragedy, what's most shocking is the random nature of this event. The tree had stood solidly in this lower Manoa neighborhood for a century. And now, issues of legal liability have surfaced because the tree was on city land.

The incident certainly serves as a wake-up call to all owners of property with large trees and even large boulders, which, too, have become dislodged in similar incidents. All this underscores the need to be vigilant and ensure insofar as possible that they are safe.

But in the end, that's not always easy to recognize. Witnesses say the Manoa pine was termite-damaged, but trees can be hollowed out by these voracious critters and still appear outwardly sound.

Of course trees are a vital part of our environment, providing shade, water table replenishment, beauty and a sense of wonder. These incidents remind us that safety is important, and living with nature requires finding that delicate balance between the two.