HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0147.000 2000-2002 JAMES Y ARAKAKI Phoae (soa) 961-szn
Choirn~an&Preaidl~OJ/icsr FAX (808)961$912
-
•~'I 1~
COUNTY COUNCII,
r
County ojHawae i
Ha»ni 5 County Bmldmg
25 Aupuru Sdrer
Hilo, Ho»m ~ 96710
February 26, 2001
MEMORANDUM
TO Leningrad Elanonoff, Publlc Works air
From: James Y. Arakakl, Council Chair
Re Walakea Stream
Please place this communication on your committee agenda and invite the people from
the Ahualam Subdivision to attend the meeting m Hilo. Please coordinate the meeting
with Public Works Division, Civil Defense and the Mayors office.
JYA•Jkr
Cc. Gail Hatakenaka
Comm. No, /
I31e No. LC
Ref. To: P W ~ R C
Ref. MAR s zoos
February 22, 200
'ul FLJ 2~ ;~I"~I l~ 3;
Gail S Hatakenaka
1381 Mulani St.
Hilo, Hi. 96720
(Ahualani Subdiv~s~on)
Re: Waiakea Stream
Members of the County Council
County Council Office
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, Iii. 96720
Dear Council Members.
It has been over three months since the November 1st, 2°d flood. We have
been fortunate to "re-build" oar house into a home once again. Fortunately
with the help of neighbors, friends, family, ~oo-worked, eaven shangers, we
were able to clean up after the disaster, tear down wills, and slowly rebuild
The support we've received firgm this network of gapd p~k has been
phenomenal and it has warme~ our hearts. It took a disaster to show us the
value of such friendship, such generous g<ving
On the topside of our subdivision, where our neighbors were hazdest tut,
they remain in limbo. I am hopeful you are aware of their situation. They
were once offered to be "bought out" and now that has changed For them
the trustrahon is greater, the difficulty of moving forwazd, of healmg, is
much more difficult; they aze fearful of living there, and they are unable to
rebuild given the circumstances pf them situation. I hope you will
Address their issues with the pspper departments and come to some
resolution
As flood victims we shaze a common thread that sits m the way of
completely healing. We remain very fearful of the channel You have
received many calls from copntless numbers of people all screaming similaz
questions, demanding quick action. I realize the complexities; die
bureacracres. but in issues of health and safety I cannot understand the
county government not addressing any of our concerns. Yes, you have said
once bidding is done, once bonding is done, once you have analyzed this and
that, things will eventually get done Why is it no one has even held a flood
Meeting so you can tell us enmasse your intentions, your projections. We
atteaded the Alaenaio channel meeting and Ms Leithead was kind enough to
address the Waiakea stream concerns at that time, and for that we are
thankful
All we've basically heard is that the county lacks the resowces, lacks the
funds. There must be a way besides the curt response of "buy flood
insurance " Two questions I do have concerning funding. Governor
Cayetano has made mention of the hurricane fund being used for education
Can that fund be directed to the flood disaster here? 2ndly, we have all seen
the new Komohana bndge and channel project which you have said could be
done because of FEMA's 100% contribution. Can you explain to me the
finances and history involved with that project. For the project to be able to
"fly" so quickly, rt must have been in the design planning stage ah'eady at
which point it was still not fully funded (prior to November). Did that mean
if, pnor to November, FEMA was planning that project with the county, the
county had to come up with 20% to match FEMA? Once the flood
occurred and FEMA was now funding 100%, what happened to the original
20% that the county would've needed prior to Novembers I don't even
know if this was the scenano, so please explain it to me, so I won't question
~f the 20% could be used on the Waiakea Stream. I dust want to make sure
every avenue is investigated
Please look into the Waiakea Stream and help us feel safe again. Please
inform our community periodically so we can feel that we are not forgotten
It's happened to flood victims in the past and we sincerely have this fear that
government is hoping we'll quietly go away. This is our home, this is
where we live Please understand our anguish
Sincerely,
8~ 41cdc~t2natCo.
Gail Hatakenaka