KAILUA — The city has temporarily suspended the replacement of 17 poinciana trees near Kailua District Park after a flurry of protests from residents this week.

Residents are calling for proof of the problems and say that if the trees need to be replaced, royal poinciana should be used. The city says the trees are damaged and need to be replaced, and will continue the project once residents have been fully informed.

The poinciana trees have been a part of the South Kainalu Drive community for decades, lining the residential side of the street opposite the fire station, park and Kailua Intermediate School. In June, the canopies turn a brilliant red-orange as the flowers bloom.

On Saturday, a city contractor began sawing down the trees, surprising residents who cherish them.

"The trees are what add character to the community," said Jim Kelley-Markham, a Lanikai resident who had heard about the plan and was at the park yesterday to protest the trees' removal.

The city sent out a press release on Tuesday saying the trees were inspected by qualified arborists who determined that they were diseased, decayed or otherwise damaged and thus posed a danger to the public.

The condition of the trees has been documented, The Outdoor Circle has been informed and input was sought regarding the type of replacement tree, said Lester Chang, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

The contractor was supposed to have notified the city before work began so it could inform the public in advance, Chang said in the e-mailed press release.

"The work has been temporarily suspended so that the community may be informed," he said. "This tree replacement project will resume soon, and we thank the public for their understanding that this work is necessary to protect public health and safety, and that the trees will be replaced."

Ann Cuseo, who has a poinciana tree in front of her home, said she is not convinced that all of the trees are diseased and wants the city to prove that they must be replaced. She said the trees were there when her parents purchased a home in 1955.

"What we want to have is a copy of the (arborists') report or we want to have an independent arborist go out and look at those trees and tell us their opinion in a written form," Cuseo said. "We want the city and county to do this, and then we want that arborist to walk through with the neighborhood and The Outdoor Circle so we can see for ourselves."

If trees are diseased, then they should be taken out and new royal poinciana trees should be planted, she said.

City spokesman Bill Brennan said the city will send a representative from the Division of Urban Forestry to the Kailua Neighborhood Board's June 4 meeting to explain the tree plan.

"We only take out diseased trees or trees that present some sort of safety hazard to the public," Brennan said.