Storm damage severs Maui route

Storm damage has closed a section of Piilani Road on the Kaupo side of Haleakala, Maui County said yesterday in a statement.

The asphalt has been upturned near mileposts 38 and 39, and mud and debris have littered Kalepa Bridge, the county said. Travel into and out of Hana and Kipahulu are still possible via Hana Highway from the Haiku side of Haleakala.

Personnel from the County's Department of Public Works responded yesterday with heavy equipment to clear debris and assess the road condition. Crews will return today and continue work in the area, the county said.

Legislator pursues drain cleanup

State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro is urging state and city officials to expedite the cleaning of drains clogged by debris and trash during the heavy rain two weeks ago on the Waianae Coast.

“;Many of my constituents have been calling my office complaining of getting the runaround from city and state departments,”; said Shimabukuro (D, Waianae-Makaha-Makua) in a statement e-mailed yesterday. “;Something needs to be done now—not later—before rising tides and ineffective drains go for a round two on these people's homes.”;

If the drains remain clogged, residents fear more damage in another deluge, Shimabukuro said.

She quoted a letter from a constituent, Robin Heath, who faces $100,000 in rebuilding costs to his home from flooding that resulted from debris blocking Eku Stream. He said he has been warning emergency officials of the problem since Dec. 12.

“;As of yet, no action has been taken to clear the dam,”; Heath wrote. “;I am greatly concerned that if the dam is not cleared, my house and property, as well as my neighbors' homes, will be flooded again.”;

Another constituent, Chris Meyer, a landlord living in Makaha, has tenants who are now homeless after the debris-ridden river near Makaha Valley Road overflowed into three homes on her property.

“;It's not Mother Nature,”; she said. “;It's negligence.”;

Shimabukuro said she is considering legislation next year to prohibit certain industrial activities on agricultural land and to stiffen penalties for those who dump in streams.

Korean center effort gets $1M gift

The South Korean government has donated $1 million toward a planned Hawaii Korean Cultural Center.

“;We are so happy,”; said Kwan-Jay Cho, co-chairman of the nonprofit organization.

Members of the Hawaii Korean Cultural Center are working on plans for the $20 million center. Members have raised $250,000 since 2006 through fundraising efforts, bringing the total to $1.25 million.

The center is different from the existing Korean Culture Center of Hawaii at 2756 Rooke Ave. That site has four exhibition halls that include displays on the history of Korean immigrants who arrived as laborers more than a century ago.

At the planned Hawaii Korean Cultural Center, organizers want to hold Korean-language classes as well as classes to educate younger generations about the culture's customs and traditions. Citizenship classes are also planned.

It will also serve as a meeting site for the public, similar to other cultural centers in the state like the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and the Filipino Community Center.

Plans are still in the preliminary stages. Cho said they are looking at properties for the site that include a four-story, 14,000-square-foot building on Queen Emma Street.

Those interested in making a donation to go toward the Hawaii Korean Cultural Center can mail a check payable to the center to 1311 Kapiolani Blvd., Room 400, Honolulu 96814.