Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has signed into law a bill that would increase the city’s ability to fine a property owner for leaving trash or excessive overgrowth on their land. Dubbed the “Genshiro Kawamoto Bill” after the Japanese billionare who has allowed trash, debris and weeds to take over his many properties in the Kahala neighborhood and throughout Oahu, the city is now able to fine a property owner up to $5,000 a day. City Councilman Stanley Ching, who introduced the bill, stated, “Property blight is one of the top issues facing Oahu neighborhoods. It’s an issue that affects every part of this island from Kahala to Waikiki to Hawaii Kai to Kaimuki to Hauula.”
Mayor Caldwell added, “So many of us around this island work so hard to maintain our properties in pristine condition, to make them a beautiful place but also a safe place where you don’t have rodents, rats, mongoose, mosquitos and those kinds of things. It takes only a few uncaring owners that really spoil it for everybody else and not only cause visual blight, but health and safety issues, too.” Caldwell and Ching both state that the measure is really designed to go after the worst offenders and not the average citizen with a messy front yard.
According to the city, Genshiro Kawamoto has had 67 notices of violation issued against him and his properties. Most of the violations have been due to overgrowth or debris on his property. As of this time, all of the violations have been corrected, except for one $50 outstanding fine.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-27-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
