Elderly complex short on parking

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

Erika Oliveira doesn't even have a car, but she is drawing attention to what residents of the West Loch Villages Elderly Housing complex say is a serious lack of parking.

There are 45 parking stalls in the 150-unit city development, and that forces many residents to park in a nearby park and in a city-owned vacant lot and on nearby streets where there have been a number of car break-ins.

Resident manager Lito Cayaban said 45 stalls may have been considered enough parking when the complex was built in 1992, but many more seniors drive today and more parking is needed. Normal city guidelines require one parking space per unit, but the requirement is reduced for low-income senior housing.

'Ewa Neighborhood Board member Jeff Alexander said the seniors that park off site are especially vulnerable to thefts from their cars. He said it is a high-crime area and he plans to ask the city administration to develop at least some parking in a city-owned vacant lot next to the housing project that would satisfy the parking demand and improve safety.

Cayaban said his own car was broken into and he has not had it repaired because it would likely happen again.

City Councilman Mike Gabbard said crime is the bigger problem in the area, but he can help with the parking situation by having at least a portion of the empty lot paved for parking.

"I can't make any promises, of course, but I can look into the budget to see if there is anything as far as funds for repaving this year," Gabbard said. "If not, we can certainly get it into next year's budget."

Oliveira, 67, is a widow who has been living in the elderly housing complex on Renton Road for five years and pays an extra $10 a month for a parking stall. Oliveira, who recently had major surgery, says she cannot walk far and carry groceries and needs the parking space for her sons to be able help her. There are no visitor parking stalls available, she said.

"If they try to take it away I'll hire a lawyer and take them to court," Oliveira said.

Cayaban said there are many residents with cars that need the space.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the project was built in accordance with federal guidelines for parking stalls in low-income elderly housing.

"This was built according to law," Costa said. "There are exactly the number of stalls required for this type of project. Anybody moving in would know that when moving in. They would also know the requirements that parking goes to people with cars. She (Oliveira) doesn't have a vehicle, therefore the stall has to go to someone that has a vehicle. Her children can drive her up and drop her off."

Costa said a previous property management company allowed Oliveira to keep the space but that is now being corrected.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.