Razing of illegal structure sought

The city is asking for state court approval to tear down an illegal scaffolding and tarpaulin structure in Kalihi that collapsed in October.

In a Circuit Court lawsuit filed Friday, the city asks for authority to enter the property to take whatever action necessary to bring the property to a safe condition. It wants to demolish the illegal structure, dispose of debris from the collapse and demolition, and charge the property owners for the cost of the work and legal fees.

The lawsuit names as defendants Loida Bumanglag Santos, Grace Bumanglag Santos and Daniel H. Cunningham, owners of the property at 1732 Gulick Ave. None of them could be reached for comment on the lawsuit.

Portions of the structure surrounding three sides of a single-family home collapsed Oct. 26 after heavy rain. No one was hurt.

At the time, 53 people were living on the property, said the American Red Cross, which opened an emergency shelter for the residents.

The city condemned the property on Oct. 31.

The city says the property owners have been racking up fines for the illegal structure since 2005.

Abercrombie joins Lingle critics

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie called Gov. Linda Lingle's decision to forgo a meeting today with President-elect Barack Obama on the nation's economic crisis “;incomprehensible”; and accused her of ignoring her responsibilities as governor.

His remarks added Abercrombie yesterday to the list of local Democrats who have recently criticized the Republican governor for skipping Obama's first meeting with all 50 governors invited.

“;It is incomprehensible to me,”; Abercrombie said. “;It's astounding that the governor would not want to participate. She's telling them that the state is disinterested. I can't account for why she is absent without leave for her duties. If she doesn't want to be governor, she ought to resign.”;

Speaking on Mike Buck's afternoon radio show on KHVH, Lingle called Abercrombie's statement “;silly”; and dismissed other accusations - including from Obama's local campaign coordinator, Andy Winer - that her move was political.

“;Clearly, some people in Hawaii don't realize the election is over,”; Lingle said. “;What they're saying is contradictory to (Obama's) public commentary. They talk about change nationally, but here at home it's business as usual when it comes to Abercrombie and Winer.”;

Meeting to discuss Kauai cleanup

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold an informational meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday regarding the status of Kauai's Kilauea River and Wailapa Stream debris and sediment removal project.

Department engineering staff and consultants from EarthTech will discuss the project at the meeting, which will be held at the Kilauea Neighborhood Gymnasium at 2460 Keneke St. The federal government is providing $4 million for the project, which is expected to begin early next year.