First, a lawsuit, and now a city resolution.

Japanese billionaire Gensiro Kawamoto's neglect of homes in Kahala has now resulted in a resolution urging the consulate general of Japan in Honolulu to request Kawamoto comply with the neighborhood's property covenants and restrictions.

Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou introduced the resolution, which he said was prompted by numerous constituent complaints as well as a request from the Waialae-Kahala neighborhood board.

“;Hawaii's property market has been very profitable for Gensiro Kawamoto, but Mr. Kawamoto has not always been the best neighbor for Hawaii's residents,”; said Djou. “;Mr. Kawamoto owns over two dozen multimillion dollar mansions in the Kahala area, but has utterly failed to follow legal property covenants to properly maintain those properties.”;

Djou said he wanted to make it clear he was not referring to the three homes that Kawamoto has allowed families to live in rent-free as part of the “;Kahala Avenue Mission”; initiated last year.

“;It's the vacant ones I'm talking about,”; said Djou. “;He's completely let them go. He's done nothing to maintain them, and they're becoming eyesores in the community.”;

Kawamoto had pledged to give five more homes to families rent-free, but despite a whirlwind media tour, that promise never came to fruition.

In normal circumstances, he said, one would usually just talk to the homeowner. But Djou said that he has been unsuccessful in trying to contact Kawamoto. He said the Kahala Community Association and neighborhood board, as well, have been unable to communicate with Kawamoto.

The neighborhood board has fielded numerous complaints for more than a year, and in a Jan. 18, 2007 meeting, cited health code violations on Kawamoto's properties which included illegal dumping and stagnant water.

Some constituents also say Kawamoto is devaluing property values in the neighborhood so he can buy more homes at a lower price.

The Consulate General of Japan's office in Honolulu told the Star-Bulletin it was not in a position to comment on the matter.

Djou said if the resolution - which is advisory - does not yield any results, then he may pursue legal avenues.

“;The final resolution could be a lawsuit,”; said Djou. “;I don't like that and I don't think anybody wants to go down that path. My hope is that we can resolve this before we go to litigation.”;

The city resolution comes on the heels of a personal injury lawsuit filed last month by Honolulu attorney Richard Turbin, a Kahala resident who also happens to serve on the area's neighborhood board.

Turbin filed a suit on behalf of Deborah Kekuawela Ramirez, a Maili resident who said she tripped over palm frond debris next to one of Kawamoto's vacant homes, which caused her to fall backward and injure her back.

Kawamoto also could not be reached for comment yesterday afternoon.

As part of his Kahala Avenue mission, Kawamoto filled in swimming pools at the properties he bought, and knocked down walls, sometimes leaving the jagged remnants behind.

The 1,700-member Kahala Community Association issues each homeowner information about the neighborhood's covenants, which establishes setback restrictions, requires homes to be well-maintained and residential lots to be landscaped and “;kept in a neat and attractive condition.”;

But the KCA is run by volunteers, and does not have the same clout as a homeowners association.