HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0147.002 2000-2002 Read into minutes by Ralph Yoshizumi on behalf of Karen Moyer.
Mar. 15, 2001
Dear Council Members,
My name is Karen Moyer, formerly of the Ahualani Subdivision. I was born
in Hilo; my family has owned and operated Kawate Seed Shop for 50 years.
Before my move to Washington State on March 17, 2001, my husband and I
resided at 1022 LTlana Place from October 1979 to November 1, 2000. From
October 1979, I have experienced a total of three floods in the neighborhood, all
three impacted my property. All three floods were caused by the over-flowing of
Waiakea Canal, a shallow, narrow canal for run-off during heavy rains. This canal
is under County jurisdiction. All of the-floods which could have been avoided
caused damage to my property.
On March 1 S, 1980, we experienced our first flood. The flood canal was
blocked by obstructions. Water flowed around our house and through our
property. Although we did not suffer any loss of personal property, gravel and soil
from our property were washed away.
In 1994, I received a call at work from a neighbor. The canal was blocked
by an uprooted guava tree. Water was flowing down Ulana Place and into my
property. This time the water flowed around and through my house, exiting out
our front door. The flood waters reached a height of eighteen inches in my house
and caused $15,000 in damages.
After the flood in 1994, we were advised by our insurance agent to purchase
flood insurance for our home. As I understood it, it wasn't a regular option for
those in the area as the subdivision is not zoned a-flood area. However, purchasing
flood insurance seemed the wise thing to do as this was the second time we'd
suffered damages.
On November l~`, 2000, around 10:30 p.m. I was awakened by a loud thump
against my bedroom wall. I got up to check what was happening. To my
amazement as I looked outside my jalousies which faced Kawailani Street, a steady
stream of water was ruiuling into my backyard from the street. As soon as I
realized what was happening I awoke my husband, Lawrence, and we alerted our
neighbors. After the neighbors had been alerted, they came to help us try to save
our house and our next door neighbors' .
At about 1:30 a.m., my family and I decided to evacuate the house. The
main reason being the water level was so high and the resulting pressure were
becoming increasingly dangerous. I was in the bedroom trying to save some
personal items when the water flow went from a small stream to a gushing river
passing through my house. The water broke the jalousies in my bedroom window
and forced the bedroom door closed with me still in the room. I tried to open the
door but the water pressure was just too great for me. I was stuck in the roomL/with
C~>rnm. No. ! I
t~ile No.
~~a"!t C..0~9 ae3C.a t- b~ ~
ftef. '~o:
Ref. Date ~ ~ i
Read into minutes by Ralph Yoshi~umi on behalf of Karen Moyer.
the water level rising and no escape. Luckily, my daughter and son-in-law heard
my cries for help and rescued me.
Before the flood was over, the water indoors reached a height of forty-two to
forty-eight inches. Cabinet doors -and the personal and household goods they held
had been swept away through the holes in the interior- and exterior walls. Furniture
and appliances had been swirled and swept around by the waters. The Christmas
presents I had purchased for the family were gone. My collections of figurines
started by my children with their first allowances were destroyed. Pictures and
other special treasures were gone. The November 1 flood literally swept away
our personal possessions, home, and our dreams of living in Hilo.
We were approached by Gerald Takase, representing Mayor
Yamashiro and later Mayor Kim. In several conversations, it was agreed that our
home was condemned. They (the County) offered $50,000 and a piece of land in
the Ahualani Subdivision Park. VSIe refused for a number of reasons. Gerald
Takase called us to let us know that Mayor Yamashiro wanted to help us.
However, after the election, Mayor Kim advised us to return to our home, rebuild
it, and buy flood insurance.
We were fortunate in that we had flood insurance for the November 1
flood. However, flood insurance pays only a depreciated value of the house and
not the replacement cost of the house. After paying ofd the existing mortgage, we
could not borrow and start over again in Hilo. Our ages, 55 and 62, the terrible
memories of November 1 the emotional roller coaster of first being offered
County help then told we-had to "wait and see" and then in the end no -help was
forthcoming, plus the high cost of purchasing land and building a home prevented
us from remaining in Hilo, and contributed to-our decision to move to ilVashington.
My main reason for writing this letter is to share my terrible ordeal and to
ask for your help so that others in Ahualani Subdivision can be protected from a
recurrence of the flood damage of November 2000. In 1994, it was brought to the
attention of the Council that a problem existed. We asked for the reconstruction of
the canal as it would be in the best interest of the neighborhood and the County.
Our pleas fell on deaf ears and no response was received. Please do not let our
pleas fall on deaf ears again.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Sincerely,
~
Karen dyer
~.r
4.,~