Waimanalo looks for way out of slump
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — Two weeks after a rockslide-prevention project closed one of the two ways into Waimanalo, business continues to nosedive but the city has promised to help bring some form of economic relief.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Manuel Menendez III, director of the city Office of Economic Development, will hold a meeting to discuss options to stimulate business in Waimanalo, at noon tomorrow in Room 310 at Honolulu Hale.
Rock debris — from an explosion set off to knock down a potentially dangerous outcropping from the face of the Makapu'u cliffs — yesterday littered the roadway, which was protected by steel plates.
"We want to roll up our sleeves on Friday and say, 'What can we do to help?' " Menendez said.
Since the road closed at Makapu'u Point, one company has laid off five of its 10 employees while another hasn't made a single sale in beach rental equipment, the bread and butter of the business, shop owners have reported.
One business owner is buying groceries with credit cards, another has refinanced his home to stay afloat and friends are working for free, said Joe Ryan of Envirowatch Inc.
"Businesses are reporting to me that impact on business is greater than anything that stemmed from the Sept. 11 tragedy," Ryan said.
The city offered similar help to Hale'iwa merchants after a rockslide at Waimea Bay in March 2000. The three-month project to realign the road included a bypass road but buses were not allowed on the temporary road and Hale'iwa businesses said they suffered losses because fewer tourists could make the trip around the island.
Ryan and Menendez mentioned the possibility of a festival on Thanksgiving weekend featuring Hawaiian products, crafts, food and music.
Envirowatch, a nonprofit group, hopes to use its status to gain advertising money from the city and the state, Ryan said.
Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo), said he's requested funds to create television commercials and leaflets urging tourists to visit Waimanalo. A 60-second spot that would air in the 18,000 hotel rooms in Waikiki could boost visitor interest, Hemmings said. Fliers would be distributed to travel agents and hotel concierge personnel encouraging them to suggest Waimanalo to guests.
"We think we can get great exposure for less than $10,000," Hemmings said.
The first phase of the Makapu'u rockslide mitigation project will end on schedule Nov. 27, according to the subcontractor, Cliff Tillotson. The crew will return Dec. 3 for three weeks for the second phase of the project, to hang the steel mesh fencing that will help prevent future debris from falling into the road.
One lane of the highway will be open at all times for the second phase, Tillotson said, adding that people can expect delays as traffic alternates through the project.
The project, originally scheduled for February, was advanced after an Oct. 15 rockslide dropped a truckload of debris on Kalaniana'ole Highway and after community urging.
Representatives of Envirowatch, the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board, the Waimanalo Chamber of Commerce and the Waimanalo Construction Coalition are expected at the meeting. But Menendez said all businesses and people interested should attend to provide their input and energy.
Keith Ward, owner of Keneke's plate lunch diner, said he cannot attend. Having laid off five of 10 employees since the project began, Ward said he can't afford to pay someone while he takes three hours to attend a meeting.
Sea Life Park hasn't laid people off but employees have taken a cut in hours, said Wayne Nielsen, park general manager. Subway Sandwiches and Salads in Waimanalo owner I.N. Sup Choi said business is down 40 percent but he's managed to keep the store open. Other stores in the Waimanalo Shopping Center where his Subway is located have cut hours of operations, Choi said.
Walter Liu, owner of Dragon Garden and Nurseries, said business is down 90 percent as fewer tourists come to see his bonsai collection. Only seven of 20 bonsai students are showing up for his classes, Liu said.
"Makapu'u is our lifeline," he said. "When they cut off our lifeline, we're all dying."
Not all businesses are suffering losses because of the construction project and some residents have said they like the fact that there is less traffic in the area.
"The kupuna are happy because they finally can get out to ... (Kalaniana'ole) Highway," said Andrew Jamila, of the Waimanalo Construction Coalition.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
