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Kailua board
opposes Poailani’s
bid to increase beds
The nonprofit facility houses
By Leila Fujimori
mentally ill individuals who
have substance abuse problems
Star-BulletinA residential program for the mentally ill with substance abuse problems is proposing to increase the number of beds from eight to 16 at its Kailua facility, saying there is "an unbelievable need."
While Poailani Inc. has managed to win over some of its neighbors, the Kailua Neighborhood Board on Thursday voted 12-2 to oppose a permit that allows doubling the beds.
The City Department of Planning and Permitting was to hold a public hearing on the matter this afternoon.
Neighborhood Board Chairwoman Faith Evans said the facility violates the Land Use Ordinance standard because it lies within 1,000 feet of another group home.
But Abby Paredes, the program's executive director, said the city was aware of the other facility, and accepted her program's application because the two offer different services.
The board also objected to a high density of patients in a 3,724-square-foot, seven-bedroom, four-bath house at the rear of the property. The administration occupies a three-bedroom house in front.
The nonprofit organization runs the only licensed and accredited facility in Hawaii that treats those with both mental illness and substance abuse problems, Paredes said. The facility opened in the Coconut Grove neighborhood 1 years ago, and has had a waiting list, said Poailani's program director, Wanda Curry.
"Originally, when (Poailani) came before us, I was not in support of the home because the process to get the permit is not fair to the homeowner," said Pohai Ryan, a Kailua Neighborhood Board member.
"A year later, they did a presentation and had an open house," Ryan said. "I was surprised to see how the neighbors had turned around."
One neighbor, who declined to be identified, said, "I voted for them to stay there" because they're quieter than previous residents.
Before Poailani, she said, the two houses on the property were rented to three different tenants who were so noisy and held such loud parties, she was driven occasionally to call police.
To allay community fears, Curry and Paredes have held informational meetings, explaining that the program does not accept anyone with a history of violence, arson or child molestation.
Clients are always escorted and undergo a screening process, they explained. A psychiatrist and certified substance abuse counselors are on hand.
Inge Ledward, who has lived 51 years at a house next door, has no complaints. She said Paredes has been responsive to her minor complaints, such as the television being too loud.
But Dorothy Park, who lives across the street, asked, "Why is it in our community?"
Park, who appeared before the neighborhood board Thursday, said she and her teen-age daughter were taking the trash out at 11 one night when a Poailani resident, who was outside, said "hello" to her daughter.
"She freaked and ran into the house," Park said. He apparently had been waiting for a ride because shortly, a truck picked him up. But "the fear is there."
