Wai'anae termites costly to state

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Termite damage in a Wai'anae public housing project built in 1995 is costing the state nearly $777,000, and state officials are investigating how the problem could have become so massive.

Termites have wreaked major havoc on the wood in the Kau'iokalani public housing project in Wai'anae. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Other damage in the two-story, townhouse-style units has been found in cabinets, door frames and vanities, although the walls on some units are also being replaced.

"They've (housing officials) known about this for over three years," said Sandie Morimoto, president of the Kau'iokalani Community Association. "That's a long time to wait. I don't think this would (cost) three-quarters of a million dollars if they didn't wait."

Sharyn Miyashiro, executive director of the Housing and Community Development Corp. of Hawai'i, the state agency that oversees public housing, said she doesn't recall the state's spending this much to repair any relatively new project because of termites. "This is probably kind of an unusual situation where a relatively new housing project has had this kind of problem early on," Miyashiro said.

But she said the state was proactive in trying to check for damage even before the five-year warranty covering termite treatment expired in June 1999.

Miyashiro said housing officials did occasional "spot treatment" such as spraying for the termites before the warranty expired, and also installed a $17,000 Sentricon in-ground termite system in February 2000. Sentricon systems — which are installed around the perimeter of the building — are supposed to be effective against existing termite infestation.

"We've been aware of the problem and it had been treated, so there was some action being taken to try to address it but it wasn't effective," Miyashiro said. "Also, it did take some time to get to doing actual repairs. The termite damage had been there for awhile. But it wasn't as if everyone was sitting around not doing anything."

Naomi Adkins, an original resident of Kau'iokalani, said she began noticing termite problems a couple of years ago. The bottom of the cabinet under her kitchen sink is cracked and caved in, and a wood panel in front of the sink is held up with a wide strip of tape. She said termite treatment workers also told her the paneling separating the kitchen from the next room is filled with termites and needs to be replaced.

The state is paying Punaluu Builders $776,826 to treat and tent the units as well as repair termite damage. Miyashiro said 22 units do not require repairs, 14 have serious damage, and the remaining 14 units need moderate repair. The job also includes treating the project's community center.

Miyashiro also said housing officials are investigating how the termite problem escalated.

"We're looking into the possible causes for this happening and documenting the extent of the damage," she said. "And then we'll see what our remedies, if anything, are."

John Bley, general superintendent for building work at Kiewit Pacific Co., the original contractor on the project, said state housing officials have not contacted the company but that officials would be willing to look at the project and "take appropriate action" if needed.

"We're a reputable contractor," he said. "If there's something we need to get involved in, and the housing authority wants us to take a look at something, we're willing to do that."

Residents will be moved within the housing project as units are treated and repaired. Miyashiro said 30 units are vacant because of termite damage, and housing officials are leaving them open for residents of other housing projects that are scheduled to undergo renovations. She said treatment and repairs should be completed by the end of October.

She said state housing officials are looking at implementing a termite treatment program based on prevention.