StarBulletin.com

House collapses into rushing Kaipapau Stream


By

POSTED: Sunday, November 15, 2009

Hauula resident Shon Kaanaana still locks the door to his house, which is now just a kitchen hanging over the rushing Kaipapau Stream.

About 3:30 a.m. yesterday, Kaanaana heard cracking while in his sister's house and rushed out to see his house fall into the stream.

“;When that thing went, I was sick, sick,”; he said. “;It could have been prevented.”;

Kaanaana complained to the city and the state about the threat to his house from the stream, but said he's only gotten the runaround.

He said the state told him the city needs to cite the private landowner of the stream, but nothing has happened.

Glenn Christensen, a retired postal worker who lives across the street from Kaanaana, said he's been waiting for five years after the state told him it was going to take over his house to widen Kaipapau Bridge. The project is scheduled to start next year.

“;Nothing gets done,”; he said, adding he can't sell the house and can't improve it because it's going to be demolished.

“;I'm kind of tired of living in limbo like this,”; he said. “;I can't do anything with this place.”;

;[Preview]  Hau'ula Residents Hit Hard By Heavy Rains
 

The foundation under a home in Hau'ula gave way overnight and the structure fell into the stream.

Watch ]

 

Lisa Colleado, who lives along Kaipapau Stream, said the damage could have been prevented if the mud and California grass that has grown along a retaining wall were removed to widen the stream.

State workers removed debris from beneath the bridge on Friday, but didn't widen the stream, she said.

“;Next it's going to be the bridge,”; she said.

Kaanaana said he's worried the stream will undermine Kamehameha Highway, causing even bigger problems.

His sister, who owns the house, has insurance, but Kaanaana believes her insurance shouldn't pay for the house that he helped renovate after last year's flooding.

The collapse of the house was the worst damage on Oahu from the weather system that's been lingering over the state for the past week.

The bad weather also caused the cancellation of last night's Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki.

High surf also created dangerous conditions on east-facing beaches. The city's Ocean Safety Web site said Bellows Field, Kailua, Makapuu, Waimanalo Bay, Kualoa Regional and Sandy Beach Park were hazardous or closed.

On the Big Island, flooding kept Bayfront Drive in Hilo closed.