Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Issues noted at Leilehua housing site

Question: I live at Ihoiho Place in a state housing project called Leilehua Village in Wahiawa. I have several concerns. One, our street is narrow and people park their vehicles on both sides. Is there a way to prevent people from parking on the street?

Two, at the beginning of the street, adjacent to California Avenue and next to the senior citizen project, is a vacant lot. We heard before we moved in that the lot was going to be turned into a playground, but nothing is happening. The lot is just filled with weeds. If we had a playground there, children could play there instead of in the street. When will that lot be developed and for what?

Part of our property includes a canal. We were told by the state to clean the canal for good drainage. But a lot of people don't care about keeping it clean and instead are dumping their rubbish there or planting along the sides. Is there a way the state can do something to keep the canal clear?

Answer: Ihoiho Place is a city street where parking is allowed, except for the specific area at the "hammerhead" end, where "no parking" signs are posted.

The street is 28 feet wide and parking is allowed on both sides, said Adrienne Gardner, housing information specialist for the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii. The state agency developed Leilehua Village.

Gardner said to call the city's complaint line at 523-4381 if the "no parking" signs are routinely ignored.

As for the vacant lot, she said HCDCH is not aware of any plans to turn it into a playground.

Records show there was some talk about a possible community building for the adjacent La'iola Elderly Housing project, but because of a lack of funding the area was never developed.

HCDCH has sent out a "Request for Proposals" to develop two single-family detached or duplex affordable units on the vacant lot. The deadline for proposals was June 30.

Gardner said to call the HCDCH's Management and Maintenance Services Branch at 832-6034 for any maintenance issues.

Your complaint about the weeds has been passed on.

Meanwhile, we take it the "canal" you refer to is the concrete-lined drainage ditch running along the back of properties along the mauka side of Ihoiho Place.

The ditch was built to protect runoff from adjacent mauka lots running through Leilehua Village, Gardner said.

Concrete drainage channels are on Leilehua Village lots and homeowners are responsible for maintaining their portions, she said.

"If neighboring homeowners are dumping into and blocking the drainage channel, they are liable for any damages to lower lots caused by their neglect," she said.

If you see anyone doing this, you are advised to contact the city Building Department to make a complaint.

The city would then investigate and take any action, Gardner said.