Workers take apart An attorney says a boulder threatening Nuuanu Valley residents will be removed by today.
Nuuanu boulder
It is on property above
Henry Street, where a woman
was killed by a boulder Aug. 9By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comSteven Hisaka, who represents a retired Pacific Heights couple whose land overlooks Henry Street, said the 3-foot cubical boulder weighing several tons will have been broken apart and pieces moved to another location by today.
"I feel pretty comfortable that by tomorrow it (the problem) will be completely resolved," Hisaka said yesterday.
Dara Onishi was killed Aug. 9 by a 5-ton boulder that rolled down the hillside and crashed into her Henry Street home.
Her father, Patrick Onishi, said he was "very appreciative" of what is being done by Hisaka.
"I'm glad that steps are being taken to do away with anything that was threatening," Onishi said last night. "They have been very active to do the necessary reconnaissance and other work."
That boulder came from the property owned by his clients, who requested that their property be surveyed to see if there were other boulders that could cause similar problems, Hisaka said.
On Aug. 19, Hisaka was told by geotechnical engineering firm Ernest Hirata & Associates and University of Hawaii geologist Steve Martel of another boulder located near the one that came down the hillside.
"Both were located in the same gully," Hisaka said. "The second one was sitting upright against a vertical cliff face and held in place by a smaller boulder."
He said the second boulder was located several hundred feet above the Onishis' home.
Last week, workers with Royal Contractors poured grout to cement the boulder in place until it could be removed.
On Monday, Hisaka said the contractor drilled holes into the boulder, then poured into the holes a special chemical that expands, causing the rock to break into smaller pieces.
The pieces were taken to safer areas on the property. Hisaka said he did not think there were other large boulders that needed to be broken down and moved.
No work could be done Tuesday or Wednesday because rain made conditions on the steep mountainside too hazardous.
Hisaka said the couple, who have lived on the property for more than 20 years, paid for the removal job that he estimated will cost as much as $20,000.
He declined to name the couple. He said the couple hopes to recover costs from their insurance company.
Hisaka said he spoke to Onishi and to residents who live on both sides of Henry Street, explaining the situation and what was being done. Onishi said he gave Hisaka permission to go through his property to work on the second boulder.
Onishi, a retired planning director for Mayor Jeremy Harris, had earlier said his family was not interested in pursuing damages from the landowners through legal means.