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'If the state will not use it yet,
why do they kill our plants?'
The Rev. Ephraim Amodo,
GARDENER

By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Complaints about a burglary at a nearby home, and health concerns,
led to the clearing of a state-owned, five-acre plot that Waipahu
residents had used as a garden. Filipe Mailei, owner of Island
Wide Landscaping, was out with his crew today clearing
the lot on Paiwa Street.

Waipahu’s garden
of eatin’ cleared of
forbidden fruit

Residents used the plot for 20 years;
now senior housing will be built

---

By Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-Bulletin

Workers from Island Wide Landscaping Inc. began today the final removal of what once was a garden on five acres of state land on Paiwa Street in Waipahu.

For 20 years, residents grew fruit and vegetables on the lot. But because of recent health and safety concerns from state officials and nearby residents, the state Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii decided to clear the lot, destroying the farmers' vegetables.

When clearing work began this morning, all that remained were shriveled eggplants, hanging from fragile branches, and broken-down wooden shacks.

By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Banana trees planted 20 years ago were some of the
last plants cleared away at the lot.

Sharyn Miyashiro, acting executive director for the state agency, said, "We're hopeful that our neighbors who border the lot are protected and will be satisfied that we're taking care of the health and safety concerns that were raised before this all happened." The farmers, mostly Filipino-American senior citizens, were notified on July 18 to leave the premises by Sept. 30.

State workers initially cleared 40 feet of plants along a fence line on Paiwa Street and 40 feet along a residential area in mid-July.

The cleanup was in response to a nearby resident whose home was burglarized in May.

From now until mid-November, the state agency is spending $28,000 for the maintenance of the lot. Contractors will then maintain the lot with herbicides for an additional six months at a cost of $3,000.

Miyashiro said the lot eventually will become senior or assisted housing. An exact date has not been set for the project.

The Rev. Ephraim Amodo said, "If the state will not use it yet, why do they kill our plants?"

Amodo's plot of string beans, onions and eggplant was destroyed in the initial cleanup. "We cannot do nothing because it's not our land," Amodo said.