Council paves way to restore Kahalu'u driveways
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
The City Council yesterday moved a step closer to condemning land in Kahalu'u owned by Japanese billionaire Gensiro Kawamoto to restore street access to the driveways of two neighbors, which was ripped out on Christmas Eve.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
The council unanimously gave preliminary approval to condemn land to extend Huna'ahi, Honekoa and 'Iu'iu streets to give access to the homes. City Councilman Steve Holmes, who represents the area, has been pushing to resolve the dispute. Final approval is scheduled for Wednesday.
Art Machado, left, Kahalu'u Neighborhood Board chairman, and William Murakami congratulate each other after the City Council voted to condemn land to restore Kahalu'u driveways.
The two Kahalu'u families directly affected by the dispute took their case to City Hall yesterday and drew support from others who live nearby. Cecilia Murakami, 83, made the trip with her son, Bill, and their attorney. Cecilia Murakami, who uses a walker to help her get around, said she was pleased with the council's action.
Murakami said she couldn't understand why Kawamoto would bulldoze the street in a way that would prevent her from reaching her home without scaling a 4-foot-high wall or walking on her neighbors' property. "I think things will work out after this," she said.
Her neighbor, Jeffery Schade, said he and wife have been "affected, inconvenienced and harassed" by Kawamoto even though they believed that their lot was accessible from a public roadway and their understanding was confirmed by real estate agents, a surveyor, an appraiser and a title company.
Schade said Kawamoto's attorney also sent him a bill demanding payment of $8,124 for the demolition of the roadway and to cover legal fees from a request for a restraining order preventing Schade from interfering with the demolition of the street. The request for the order was denied by a judge.
Holmes said he was "appalled" by Kawamoto's action and praised Mayor Jeremy Harris in having the city move quickly to take action.
Attorney Carol Asai-Sato, who represents Kawamoto, yesterday said she informed him about the council's action. She said he acknowledged the move but had no comment or reaction.
City officials said the three roads in question have been in public use since 1957. Holmes said city officials estimated the cost of the condemnation at just $10 per parcel or $30 for all three because the parcels have been used as streets for years and even were paved by the city.
"The amount offered by the city is way, way below market," Asai-Sato said.
Harris said he was pleased by the swift council action. The mayor said he plans to sign the condemnation resolution as soon as it is passed so that court action can formally make the area public property. "At that time, I'll order the Honolulu Police Department to remove the barriers that Kawamoto had erected," Harris said.
Kawamoto is preparing to build a home on his 130-acre hillside lot on Ma'eli'eli Ridge. City officials said he does not yet have a building permit for his proposed construction.
The council members who voted to grant preliminary approval for the condemnation were Duke Bainum, Romy Cachola, Holmes, Rene Mansho, Gary Okino and Chairman Jon Yoshimura.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
