KHON antenna irks neighbors
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
Reacting to concerns voiced by dozens of residents, the Mililani Mauka/ Launani Valley Neighborhood Board will address at its monthly meeting tonight complaints about antennas being erected by TV station KHON at the Mililani Technology Park.
• What: Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board meeting • When: 7 p.m. today • Where: Mililani Mauka Elementary School
KHON began construction on several antennas and a driveway onto Wikao Street on New Year's Eve without getting a permit from the city, residents said.
At a glance
Castle & Cooke, which runs the tech park, had construction stopped until KHON gets a permit to build.
"We were upset, certainly," said Bob Urquhart, head of tech park development for Castle & Cooke. "That's why it was stopped."
KHON is in the process of purchasing the land at the tech park.
One resident said he had a letter from KHON in which General Manager Rick Blangiardi says the station expects to get its permit soon.
"Rest assured that as we endeavor to serve the public in news entertainment, we are also very respectful of the laws," the letter said.
Blangiardi could not be reached for comment.
About 10 companies own or use approximately 73 of the 213 acres at the tech park in Launani Valley, home to about 700 people.
The nearest residents live about 700 feet from the tech park, and many say they are concerned about health risks from radio frequency and electromagnetic fields.
"The community is up in arms because they didn't go through the proper channels," said Jeanette Nekota, Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board chairwoman. "I'm hearing from residents that they don't want it."
Mililani Mauka residents are no strangers to antennas in their back yards that lack proper permits.
In November 2000, residents complained that AT&T had erected a cellular telephone antenna in their neighborhood without the required special-use permit, only 20 feet from the nearest home.
They were concerned about health risks and said it created an eyesore that could lower their property values.
After an 18-month battle, residents succeeded in getting the antenna moved to the tech park.
Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
