State Law Gets Millionaire To Pay For Kahaluu Land Cleanup
By MidWeek Staff
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Del.icio.usFollowing the successful passage of Act 76 by the 2009 state Legislature, state Rep. Jessica Wooley (Kaneohe to Laie) and several Kahaluu residents have worked to enforce it on their property, and results are coming in.
The law authorizes State Civil Defense (SCD) to remove hazards from private property when the landowner is unwilling to, and then force the landowner to pay for clean-up costs. Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto owns various parcels in the Kahaluu area, but neighbors say the grounds have not been kept up, presenting a hazard from overhanging branches and potentially loose rocks.
The state had been trying for years to track Kawamoto down, Wooley said, and they were able to find him with residents’ help.
“I think it’s great,” said Iuiu Street resident Art Machado. “I believe in what Rep. Wooley did with making sure Act 76 is one of our laws. I think without it, it would have been impossible.” Machado said he fought Kawamoto for more than 12 years about the property issues, and public safety has improved significantly since then.
SCD identified and addressed the imminent hazard cases and billed Kawamoto for a little more than $35,000. According to SCD officials, he has signed checks for the cleanup. SCD continues to monitor and encourage Kawamoto to deal directly with concerned parties.
“The state took a very active role to make sure everything was done right,” Wooley said. “They oversaw the work, but it was done by private contractors, and Kawamoto paid for it. It’s taken a long time too long.”
Still, she said, the absentee landlord needs to address these over-extended branches in the future. “It’s not like you cut down the branches and the problem goes away forever. Hopefully he’ll take it upon himself to watch the property.
“This law was in response specifically to Kawamoto,” Wooley noted, “but it’s been implemented across the state.”
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