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POSTED: Thursday, October 30, 2008

Authorities barricaded doors to a Kalihi house yesterday following an inspection by the city.

               

     

 

 

Gulick avenue property's rap sheet         Some of the notices of violations sent by the city to property owners of 1732 Gulick Ave.:         » Oct. 27, 2008: Inspectors sent a notice to owners for violation of more than five unrelated persons living in a one-family detached dwelling. Under a city ordinance, the dwelling may be occupied by a family and three roomers or five unrelated persons. » June 8, 2005: Inspectors again reported too many people residing in the dwelling. » May 12, 2005: A notice was sent for violation of metal tarp additions constructed on the left and rear of the dwelling. An open wooden floor area was also added at the rear without a permit. Inspectors described the structure as a homeless shelter. Owners were advised to remove the tarp structure within 30 days. A double-fee penalty was assessed for the illegal structure. » March 15, 2005: A notice was sent to the owners for violation of metal frame structures with plastic tarp coverings erected in the rear and left side of the property without a building permit.                 Source: Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting

Officials escorted a few tenants into the house at 1732 Gulick Ave. to allow them to collect some of their belongings one hour before doors were blocked off and signs restricting access were posted at 11:35 a.m. yesterday. The tenants were not allowed access to the illegal makeshift structure behind the house. Part of that structure collapsed Sunday during heavy rainfall. Two inspectors from the Residential Code Enforcement Branch inspected the site with the assistance of police and firefighters.

The property, with a heap of trash out front and another atop the roof, has been on the city's radar for five years.

Fifty-three people were displaced after Sunday's collapse. Some displaced tenants have been staying at the Kalihi Valley District Park recreation center, where a temporary shelter was set up by the American Red Cross-Hawaii Chapter. Other tenants with infants and toddlers have since moved in with friends and neighbors.

The city recently sent a notice to the property owners — George Jenkins and Loida and Grace Santos — to correct the violation involving the illegal structure. If the owners do not take steps to correct the violation in 48 hours upon receipt of the notice, city attorneys will seek a court order to take steps to make the site safe, which will likely include demolition, said Deputy Corporation Counsel Brad Saito.

“;We are making this a priority,”; he said.

               

     

 

 

Related story         Cunningham ran for Honolulu Mayor in the 2008 Primary Election. Here are his responses to the Star-Bulletin's candidate Q&A.

Jenkins informed city officials that he transferred his interest in the property to Daniel Cunningham, the property manager, on Tuesday. Officials are in the process of confirming the transfer.

“;These are things we need to look at before proceeding,”; Saito said.

Some former tenants staying at the temporary shelter said they were charged $200 to $850 a month in rent. Attorney Chris Dias, who has been retained by 23 tenants so far, said it was inevitable that the structure would collapse.

“;It was so structurally unsound,”; he said. “;It was an accident waiting to happen, and the three owners and the manager are responsible, and potentially others.”;

Dias said he plans to pursue claims against the owners and property manager for the unsafe condition of the site. He also plans to address allegations of threats and bizarre acts made against tenants by the landlord.

“;A lot of people were threatened with rent increases or eviction if they didn't provide free labor or submit to be a guinea pig to his injections,”; Dias said. Tenant McKinley Johnson, 47, alleged Cunningham gave stem cell therapy injections to those who could not make the rent.

Jenkins and Loida and Grace Santos could not be reached for comment. Cunningham also could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is working with the city to determine how long the temporary shelter will be available to the former tenants. About 29 tenants stayed at the shelter Monday and Tuesday nights.

Also, police are continuing their search for 41-year-old Reno Dawson, who was reported missing. Authorities said Dawson has not been seen since the collapse.

However, there are conflicting reports about when he was last seen. Dawson's mother, Gina Ramirez, who was at the site yesterday, said she is praying that he will be found.

“;He's a good guy,”; she said.

Dawson is described as a 5 feet 8 inches tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Family members say he has a scar on the left side of his face. Anyone with information on Dawson's whereabouts may call the Missing Persons Detail at 529-3115.