Whatever Happened To... An update on past news

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Ewa Beach developer modified wall

Question: What ever happened to the 18-foot rock wall along Papipi Road in Ewa Beach that upset local residents?

Answer: The developer, Haseko (Hawaii) Inc., has modified the retaining wall in response to community concerns. The wall, which separates the elevated Ocean Pointe subdivision from the older neighborhood below, now includes a landscaped slope.

"It's better than how it was before," said neighbor Peggy Crowell, who has lived on Papipi Road since 1964 and was one of the first to object when the wall went up two years ago.

"It looked like one straight wall that went up 18 feet high," she said. "In reality it was tiered, but it looked like one big wall. It was ugly. It's a lot more pleasant now."

The new design includes a 6-foot wall of interlocking rock along Papipi Road, backed by a slope with ground cover, topped by a garden wall and safety barrier for Ocean Pointe residents. Sharene Saito Tam, Haseko's director of community relations, said more landscaping and trees are planned.

"The intention is to make it a beautiful green space," she said.

The company, however, still faces opposition over drainage and runoff issues in the area. It is seeking a state conservation district use permit for the second phase of the Papipi Road Drainage Project, which includes an ocean outlet.

Those plans were challenged by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Limu Project and others concerned that the project would harm the ocean ecosystem.

Haseko now faces a contested-case hearing. The company contends the drainage project is necessary to channel water away from neighborhoods during heavy rain.

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