By James Gonser
Advertiser Central Bureau
The emotional testimony of Mililani Mauka residents and questions about health issues led the city Planning Commission yesterday to defer a vote on AT&T Wireless Services’ request for a special-use permit for an existing antenna off Ahikao Street.
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| Dwayne Cruz of MililaniMauka objects to use of antenna seen behind him.
Advertiser Library Photo • Nov. 29, 2000 |
Commission chairman Charlie Rodgers said more time is needed to research the issue of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields before he could vote on the issue. The request for a special-use permit will be placed on the commission’s March 21 agenda.
"Can we refuse the request if it meets all the legal requirements?" Rodgers asked a city attorney, who did not have an answer. "We have no authority on health and safety issues, and that is the frustration here. I would like to see more research before we approve this."
Exposure to cellular phone, or radio frequency, radiation has been linked with an increased risk of cancer in some studies, and the Federal Communications Commission says it is a factor that must be considered before a facility, operation or transmitter can be authorized or licensed.
With the increased use of cellular phones, companies have been placing antennas throughout the Islands to provide service.
AT&T consultant Keith Kurahashi, of Kusao and Kurahashi Inc., said the emissions were tested at the antenna site by a private consultant and were only about 1 percent of the allowable federal exposure limits.
James Morisato, a staff planner with the city Department of Planning and Permitting, said AT&T’s request meets all legal requirements, and therefore the department recommends approval of the permit.
Several residents testified before the commission yesterday, some in tears, expressing fears and anger about an antenna placed so close to their homes.
"We are afraid," said Puneki Way resident Susan Mundo. "This antenna is 20 feet from our home. I used to look forward to coming home after work. That has all changed."
Mundo said the antenna has become a "circus attraction" in the community, with people driving up and asking "has anyone has gotten sick yet?"
Ed Uchida said his daughter and her three children have been staying with him in Hawai‘i Kai out of fear of emissions so close to her home.
Glenn Shigeta said AT&T put up the 57-foot steel antenna illegally because the special-use permit is required before installation. He wants it removed.
"The residents of Mililani Mauka are not opposed to AT&T or technology," Shigeta said. "But we do have questions about the process of how these antennas are being put up."
Planning director Randall Fujiki said allowing AT&T to put up the antenna before securing the proper permits was an oversight by the department.
The antenna was installed in September next to an existing Voice Stream antenna, Kurahashi said, after the city granted a conditional-use permit and waived the normal 25-foot height limit.
Commission member Myles Shimabukuro said the city should have required that the antenna be erected further from neighborhing homes, some of which are as close as 22 feet. The antenna towers over area homes, he said.
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