Geologists have determined that other buildings at a Hawaii Kai townhouse subdivision are not threatened by boulders in the cliffs above, according to a Castle & Cooke Hawaii spokesman. No other buildings at
subdivision threatenedBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com"The threat doesn't exceed their original estimates," said Doug Carlson.
Last Saturday, geologists hired by developer Castle & Cooke Hawaii and landowner Kamehameha Schools completed a hillside survey above the Lalea subdivision for unsupported boulders, overhanging rocks or visible cracks.
A 2 p.m. meeting will be held today between the attorney representing the Association of Apartment Owners of Lalea at Hawaii Kai, Castle & Cooke Hawaii and Kamehameha Schools to determine how to make the area safe for residents.
On Dec. 6, Kamehameha Schools and Castle & Cooke advised residents of 26 units in two Lalea buildings to move out because of the risk from falling boulders. The recommendation came after huge boulders fell on a couple's two cars parked outside of their townhouse on Thanksgiving.
The key component of buildings 7130 and 7168 is that "they are pushed up really close to the hillside," said Neil Hannahs, director of the land assets division for Kamehameha Schools.
All 26-unit occupants have moved out of the subdivision. Most remain at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, at the expense of Castle and Kamehameha, while some have decided to move in with relatives.
Castle & Cooke and Kamehameha Schools have offered alternative housing, primarily in East Honolulu, to the displaced residents. Lalea families were provided with housing and moving allowance. Carlson declined to disclose the allowance amount.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for a one-year lease because "if you only sign up for a six-month lease and the issues are not dealt with before then, the residents and we will be thrown in the housing search in another four months from now," Carlson said.
"Since a final solution has not been selected, we don't know how long it's going to take before we can get them back into their homes."
If the families are able to return to their homes before the one-year lease expires, Castle & Cooke and Kamehameha Schools will cover the remaining expenses, Carlson said.
Carlson said a family of three is expected to move from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to a Hawaii Kai condominium Friday.
Lalea resident Jeff Carroll and his family, who have been at the Hilton Hawaiian Village since Dec. 7, declined Castle & Cooke and Kamehameha Schools' alternative housing offer. Instead, Carroll, wife Ruth and 2-year-old son Evan plan to move into his mother-in-law's Niu Valley home on New Year's Day.
According to Carroll, an estimated $2,250 monthly housing allowance has been offered for Lalea residents who lived in a one-bedroom townhouse, $2,500 for a two-bedroom townhouse and an estimated $2,750 for a three-bedroom townhouse.
The family has been driving to their Lalea home about twice a week to pick up their mail and do laundry.
Carroll said he and his family plan to spend their Christmas morning at their mother-in-law's home and return to their hotel room later in the day.
"It's not going to be where we thought it was going to be. Everybody is healthy and happy and that's what counts," Carroll said.