Posted on: Friday, August 23, 2002

Chapel capers continue

By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser columist

It's been going on for three years. Three years. Say that out loud so it sinks in.

In August 1999, The Advertiser ran a story about the construction work City Councilman John Henry Felix was having done on his property at 5253 Kalaniana'ole Highway in 'Aina Haina. The story was about a stop-work order issued by the city Department of Planning and Permitting because Felix didn't have the proper building permits for the extensive renovations, but that's beside the point. Sort of.

Three years ago, neighbors in the area voiced concerns that Felix was building a wedding chapel on the grounds. Felix said he planned to use the place as a home for himself and said there was no truth to the wedding chapel "rumor."

According to neighbors, the commercial weddings started up the week after Felix made that public denial.

Wedding chapel? What wedding chapel? Oh, THAT wedding chapel.

The city levied fines against Felix for violating city land-use regulations, and at this point, the total is estimated at $100,000. Big money for most people, but consider that Felix charges about $300 per wedding, and it's not like he's booking just one or two weddings a month. Besides, he plans to "enter into negotiations" with the city to see how much of that $100,000 he'll end up paying.

Maybe this situation hasn't generated much outrage because people have a hard time feeling sorry for folks who can afford to live in that lovely 'Aina Haina beachfront neighborhood.

But we should all be pretty hot about this, because it is, again, another politician serving himself instead of his constituents. It wouldn't be fair to compare the Felix Chapel of Luv with the crimes of council colleagues Andy Mirikitani or Rene Mansho. But the hubris of his actions are sadly similar. Felix is the guy who is supposed to listen to the voices of residents in that area. If those neighbors have concerns about their community, they're supposed to be able to contact their representative on the City Council. That would be ... John Henry Felix. Is he listening? Maybe he can't hear them over the deafening cha-ching of the money coming in from Japanese weddings.

Felix has argued that his wedding business is the same as home-based hula lessons or tailoring or craft-making. Does he really think Auntie Agnes with her glue gun and puka shells or Uncle Kaipo with his ipu would have the means to hire the attorneys and the consultants, including the former director of the city's Department of Land Utilization, to fight city hall for them? Does he believe city officials would "negotiate" fines with them?

Besides, if Auntie Agnes or Uncle Kaipo were getting complaints from their neighbors, they'd have the good grace to knock it off.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.