Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 8, 1 August 1992 — The Great Panaewa Termite Fest [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Great Panaewa Termite Fest

by Moanikeala Akaka Trustee, Hawai'i

You may have seen the Honolulu Star Bulletin front page headline at the end of May, "Hilo Dream Homes a Nightmare." The new Panaewa Hawaiian Homes subdivision near the Prince Kuhio Shopping Center has been the department's first attempt at building

homes after nearly two decades. Unfortunately the project has been plagued with pilikia from the start. This subdivision of 50 homes was completed in March 1991 yet ten months ago over two-thirds of these homes were vacant because DHHL had to go through over 700 names in order to get 50 Hawaiian families to qualify for mortgages. It cost $64,000-$74,000 for three- and fourbedroom homes. You ean see there

was difficulty finding those who qualify. These homes sat vacant, weeds growing in the yard. One family I know was forced to live at a beach park for 10 months — waiting months after they had already qualified for a HonFed mortgage on one of these Panaewa homes. Houses still sit vacant today though 67 percent of our homeless are Hawaiians.

Today the problem is the houses themselves. According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, families have banded together into a hui in order to seek relief from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Waimea contractor Glenn Lindsey, himself a Hawaiian. These Panaewa 'ohana realize working together to address problems as a community is an effective way to resolve problems.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Hawai'i island newspaper, and Leslie Wilcox of Channel 2 News have helped draw attention to the plight of these families and the laek of response from DHHL and the eontractor, Lindsey. These newly-built houses are literally falling apart, ravaged everyday by ground termites. The ground (under and around the foundations) and the home-building materials seem to have been inadequately (if at all) treated to handle the termites. Panaewa is

known to have heavy termite infestation and the ground should have been adequately treated with the proper concentration of the termite solution. Jack Fujii, an entomologist (insect specialist) and Dean of Agriculture from UH-Hilo stated at a meeting called by these residents, whieh I attended in Panaewa, "If the ground is treated during the rainy season, the concentration may be diluted to an

ineffective level for proper ground treatment." I was told that"z/the ground was treated (before the eon-

crete slabs were poured), it was at a time of recordbreaking rainfall for Hilo. Because of termite infestation cabinet doors are falling off hinges and the little destroyers are in walls, doors, etc. In fact, termites permeate three or four houses, whieh has sent a ehill of apprehen-

sion to the rest of the new homeowners. One house was recently tented for four days. When the tent was removed the termites reappeared with all their voracious appetite intact. Have we a Panaewa "Super Termite" here?

In addition to shoddy workmanship and untreated materials, inferior quality supplies apparently were used throughout all of the homes in the community. It was also learned that one key Fit all the houses in the subdivision; the contractor finally did change all locks and keys. Contractual neglect and violations seem obvious, for the contractor also did not follow the building specifications whieh are legally binding. lt was DHHL's responsibility to make sure specifications were followed and monitored!

Eaeh housing plan stated the homes would have cesspools; however Lindsey used septic tanks instead. This added $8,500 to eaeh home's cost, and the tanks were improperly installed. Because of the additional $8,500 for septic tanks (that Lindsey purchased, from the manufacturer for $650) added to the mortgages, Hawaiian families that would have qualified were not able to.

Inspectors from the Department of Heahh have checked out several of these tanks and all have stated, "The tanks were improperly put in and some of the tanks are possibly eollapsing." There is a warranty and these residents want action before these tanks start "backing up." The residents of this Panaewa eommunity want the septic tanks removed and cesspools installed as stipulated in their original specifications in a location designated by the homeowner.

The stress and anxiety that are being suffered by these families is so unneeessary — and would be minimized if they received cooperation from DHHL and the responsible contractor. Our sympathies must be extended to these families who are literally being torn apart by the frustration forced upon them by this most unfortunate situation. One must ask contractor Glenn Lindsey, Small Businessmen of

the Year in 1991 and owner of True Value Hardware Store in Waimea, for answers. What happened and what corrective measures are to be taken? Furthermore, DHHL should immediately eome to the defense of these distraught families.

These Hawaiian families should never have been subjected to these slip-shod houses — they should have moved into new houses in excellent condition. All are first-time homeowners, and were so happy to get into their new "dream" homes. Whv were these homeowners not allowed to inspect their homes until cifter they signed the final contract with DHHL? I have heard in many cases that they were coerced into signing before entering or they didn't have to take the house!

It upsets this Trustee that these families who must pay a 30-year mortgage on eaeh home, whieh for some will amount to about $200,000, were not allowed to inspect their house before they signed to take jx>ssession of it! This is sad testimony of how Hawaiians treat Hawaiians on H'awaiian land!

Having received little response these past six months from DHHL or the contractor, in early July these Panaewa residents met with a Honolulu construction attorney. Something must be done as time and inaction mean more termite destruction to their homes. It would be ideal to mediate and negotiate a solution to this problem in lieu of going to court, but something must be done to help these families posthaste. These 'ohana deserve no less. Please eall Department of Hawaiian Homes in support of these Panaewa families in resolving their termite, septic tank and other pilikia — they need your kokua!

'Iolani Palaee Gathering Now on to good news — July 4 at 'lolani Palaee was a success — as June 1 1 could have been were it not for the state's belligerence. Hundreds showed up in support of those of us that had gathered on Kamehameha Day seeking to promote sovereignty and justice for the Hawaiian people. At a meeting held at Kawaiaha'o

Church on July 31 there seemed to be a feeling that we Hawaiians could provide our own security and did not need the overbearing SWAT squad, uniformed sheriffs, public-safety officials in force as we natives exercised our constitutional rights at our own palaee. On July 4 it was a gathering of many Hawaiians of diverse backgrounds — all were there to show they cared. It was a great way to spend my birthday.

Miloli'i vs. Hawaiian Riviera Resort Other good news — Judge Shunichi Kimura in Hilo just ruled that the Land Use Commission over a year ago "improperly approved a marina for the Hawaiian Riviera Resort without first determining the impact on the customary lifestyle of the native Hawaiian, fishermen and residents of Miloli'i" so he's sending it back to the Land Use Commission for reconsideration.

Pa'a Pono Miloli'i, the community group that OHA has supported through funding services of Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation attorneys in Land Use Commission proceedings over the last two years, appealed to Kimura, who responded in support of our fishermen. "I am proud that this office has supported the last rural Hawaiian fishing village." Reliable sources have told this Trustee how over $3.5 million has been offered to union officials, high government officials and consultants in order to push through the permits for this pseudoHawaiian Riviera development.

According to a Hawai'i Tribune Herald article on July 9 about Charles Chidiac, owner of Palaee Development whieh proposes the Hawaiian Riviera, "Worldwide recession has hampered his efforts in obtaining financing for the project." The article says he continues to talk with bankers from Europe and Japan about providing capital for the development. The Land Use Commission must responsibly address Judge Kimura's eoneem about the marina impact on Miloli'i whieh has been one of the essential questions that Renton Nip and his Land Use Commission have failed to resolve throughout the two years of proceedings.

As we make strides toward the reemergence of a Hawaiian nation it is essential that eaeh individual who feels Hawaiian does their very best in their area of expertise; this includes intellectuals, leaders, businessmen, artists, workers, and volunteers. Short of this, we build our nationhood upon "termite infested grounds!" Malama Pono Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono.

Trustees on TV On O'ahu, the Board of Trustees meeting will be shown at 10 p.m. on Oeeanie Cablevision public access Channel 22 every Monday in August. Subscribers to Jones Spacelink on the Big Island ean see the meetings every week at 1:30 p.m. Thursday and at 8 p.m. Friday, except for Friday, August 28. Viewers on other islands should consult loeal listings.