Honolulu Mayor Signs Sidewalk Bills

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has signed into law several bills that would affect the sidewalks of Waikiki and other parts of the island of Oahu.  Bill 42 made it illegal for people to sit or lie on Waikiki sidewalks 24 hours per day.  Bill 43 prohibited people from urinating and defecating in public places in Waikiki.  Bill 46 made it illegal for people to urinate or defecate in public areas in the rest of Oahu.  Offenders who violate these new laws could be fined up to $1,000 and/or up to one month in jail for the petty misdemeanor.

Caldwell noted that he also intends to sign Bill 48 which would ban sitting and lying from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM in Chinatown, downtown, McCully-Moiliili, Waipahu, Kalihi, and Kailua. Bill 48 still needs to be heard by the City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee and will need a final vote by the full City Council before coming to the Mayor's desk for his signature.

Opponents of the bills argue that they are unconstitutional and immoral.  They believe that the government is criminalizing being homeless and feel that the money spent enforcing these laws would be better served by building more housing and providing more services for those who need it.  Several organizations have stated that they would challenge the constitutionality of these bills in court.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-17-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
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Boulders Damage Home in Kalihi Valley

Two boulders crashed into a home located at 1551 Nobrega Street in Kalihi Valley after being dislodged by heavy rains. One boulder was measured at 3 feet by 5 feet while the second was slightly smaller at 3 feet by 3 feet. There were four people sleeping in the house at the time, but fortunately no one was hurt. The deputy director for the Department of Emergency Management, Peter Hirai, stated that officials had surveyed the cliff face behind the house in the past. At the time of the survey, the department had stated that there was no immediate concern of falling rocks. However, Hirai added that the department did advise the homeowners that if there was more rain, there is always a possibility of rocks coming down. A city surveyor will be brought out to determine if the boulders came from the hillside that is part of the property, or they came from a parcel of land above. Once ownership of the boulder generating land can be determined, correction to the problem can be addressed.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-29-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
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Kalihi Neighborhood – Boulders Removed from Hillside

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has announced that the boulders located on the hillside above Kula Kolea Place in Kalihi have been safely removed.  Residents from all 11 homes located below the below the boulders were allowed to return.

On April 12, 2012, several large boulder came crashing down from the hillsides and damaged three homes on Kula Kolea Place.  Two of the homes suffered from “significant damage” but fortunately no one was hurt.  It was determined that the boulders were located on private land, but the landowners told the state that they did not have money or insurance to pay for the removal of any additional boulders.  The state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources agreed to step in and hire a contractor to remove the boulders.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-29-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®

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Kalihi Neighborhood – State to Remove Boulders

The State of Hawaii’s Board of Land and Natural Resources will remove several boulders located on a hillside above Kalihi Valley.  It is estimated that the two larger boulders weigh approximately two tons each, and resident had expressed concern for their safety and welfare.  The boulders are located on private land, so the landowners have to sign an agreement with the state to permit them to do work.  The project is expected to cost $150,000.

On April 12, 2012, several boulders crashed into three homes located in Kalihi Valley.  Two of those homes suffered significant damage, but fortunately, no one was injured.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-21-2012 www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Kalihi Neighborhood – Boulders Still a Concern, State May Help

Residents of the Kalihi Neighborhood are still concerned about several boulders that are on the hillside overlooking the valley.  John Mizuno, the state representative who serves the Kalihi district, has asked the Department of Land and Natural Resources to provide $250,000 to remove the boulders above Kula Kolea Place.  While this may temporarily solve the problem, State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, who also represents Kalihi Valley, noted that the “government doesn’t have all of the resources to address all of the long-term problems of boulders. We’re going to have to look at how we get the private property owners to be proactive in dealing with some of the issues.”

According to the consultants hired by the Department of Land and Natural Resources the boulders are located on private land.  This land is owned by William and Shirley Jacinto of Maui and the Church of Christ of the Redeemed of the Lord.  Both private land owners claim that they do not have the money to clear the area.

State Representative Mizuno added that state lawmakers need to address the problem of private owners liability when boulders fall onto homes below.  Mizuno stated,  ”We may need some kind of mandatory liability insurance for private property owners.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-15-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Kalihi Neighborhood – Boulder Concerns Still Exist

According to Deborah Ward, a spokeswoman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, there are two more boulders on the Kalihi hillside which may be of concern to residents.  Two days prior, several boulders smashed into three homes along Kula Kolea Place and severely damaged two of them.  Fortunately no one was hurt but seven homes were evacuated as the state investigated.

A geologist employed by the state of Hawaii noted that the boulders came from land which is owned by a church on Kula Kolea Drive.  Residents stated that the church is the Church of Christ of Redeemed of the Lord Beulah.  It is still unclear if the church or its representatives will be responsible for the damage.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-14-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Kalihi Neihborhood – Boulders Crash into Kalihi Homes

Three homes on Kula Kolea Place in Kalihi Valley suffered damage as boulders tumbled down the mountainside.  Fortunately no one was injured, but one boulder was six feet in diameter and weighed an estimated 3 to 4 tons.  State officials evacuated additional residents until it can be determined that it is safe to return to their homes.  The American Red Cross has come forward to provide shelter for the residents.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-13-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®

Global Executive Realty, LLC

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