Oahu landowners would be held responsible for removing loose boulders on their property or risk having the city charge them for having them taken away, under a bill introduced last week by City Councilman Jon Yoshimura. Boulder bill holds
landowners liable
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThe bill would allow the city to enter private property to inspect for the presence of loose boulders, and then give written notice to an owner to remove such rocks or take other steps to lessen the hazard.
"Loose boulders" are defined in the bill as "any naturally occurring rock or rock formation on private property which, due to its size, location and likelihood of falling or rolling, presents an unreasonable danger to persons or property."
An owner receiving a mailed notice to remove a boulder or take mitigation measures would have to do so within 30 days, according to the bill.
Failure to do so, the bill said, would allow the director of planning and permitting to enter the property, remove a boulder and then charge the owner for the cost of the removal. Failure to pay the bill would result in a lien on the property.
A property owner unhappy with the city's action could petition the Board of Appeals.
Yoshimura said he introduced the bill in response to concerns raised by voters in his 6th Council District following the August death of Dara Onishi, a Nuuanu woman who was killed when a 6-ton boulder from a neighboring property crashed into her as she lay sleeping in her bedroom.
City & County of Honolulu
