Branches Over The Neighbors Yard, Just Bought House And Neighbor Is Demanding We Cut Trees Immediately.

Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii. I just purchased a house within the last year and it came with tall pine trees bordering the property. We are aware we need to work on trimming them as they have been growing for 40 years and the previous owners didn’t cut them.

The neighbor on one side of us who has also owned their property for the last twenty years is now demanding that we have to cut back the entire tree line on his side (about 100ft) asap.

Now I’m aware that it is our responsibility to ultimately take the branches down, especially one near his house and cars, which we have the ability to do as my husband is a landscaper.

But my biggest issue is that they want it done immediately. We are able to work on parts of the branches over the next couple weekends, but they want us to pay for a tree service. That we can’t afford nor want to since my husband can do it.

They sent us an official letter, and I’d like to respond in a decent way because we know that it is ultimately our responsibility but also I want to make sure I don’t say something that makes me liable for something stupid. And the other part of me is like wtf this has been an issue for the last 10+ years that neither party took care of and now that we just bought it I feel like we’re getting taken advantage of.

So I want to respond in a way that says we’re aware of the issue and happy to cut them back (especially the branches that might cause damage) on our own schedule as we see fit (ie the next couple months on weekends), and if they want it done sooner then they can do so at their own cost (as Hawaii law has it stated based on what I found).

But want to say it cordially since we’re new neighbors.

Any advice?!? And things I should or not say?

Mahalo!

Location: Discovery Harbor, Big Island, Hawaii