HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0147.006 2000-2002
FROM Shirl&Curt PHONE N0. 8089828326 Mar. 19 2001 11:19PM P2
F
Iii ~i '.r... ~ ~ ,J It
March 19, 2001
FROM: Joan Fukutnori
1394 YVlailani Street
klilo, I•II 96720
Ph#: 808-9S9-7867
RIaGARDING: NOVI?MBER 1 sir-2ND FLOOD
ATTENTION: COUNCIL MEMBERS
Committee on Public Works & Intergovernmeatal Relations
March 20, 2001, 9:00 a.m.
Dear Couacil Members,
1 am writing this letter to you with regard to the repairing of the Kawailatai, Bridge.
My home was one of the many houses in the Ahualani Subdivision that got flooded whea
the Kawailani Bridge flood channel overflowed. On the rooming of November 2"d, over
2 feet of water flowed through my house causing extensive damage aztd loss to both the
structure and it's contents. 1 am retired and live alone on a fixed ieicorr~e. Repairing the
damage and making lay home livable again has put a great burden on me both financially
anti emotionally.
As I mentioned, I am on a fixed income. What T receive mosathly was not enough to
qualify me for any low interest loans. Fortunately I was able to qualify for two graBOts,
one fronS CEMA and the other frotu the State of Hawaii. I am very thankful for these
grants. 1 would not lave been able to repair my home withou4 this assistance. With the
grant money I was able to have the essential parts of my house fixed. I was forced to use
my savings to pay for whatever the grants couldn't cover. My savings has almost been
depleted. Should a»other Flood occur, l don't think I will be able to afford to do this
again. Floodwater has overrun this bridge before. It would be foolish to think that this
won't happen again. With further development taking place up slope, this situation is
bound to get worse if action is not taken.
1?uri?~g the time my house evvas under repair it was uafit to live in. l had to stay with troy
son and his wife for 3 months. This is how long it took for my house to reach a stage so I
could move back in. 7"his is testament to tl~e amount of damage done, and the extent of J
the repairs needed. Z was lucky io have had a place to stay, but others were not as ~
fortunate.
0
3
My Loss is far more thaw the damages to my home and the inconvenience of laaviag to ~ ~ ~ o
fund somewhere to live for 3 months. I've also !®st many irreplaceable items, How do ~6., c~
you put a price on things my ynother had made for me7 The zabutons and crocheted ~
items she made can never be replaced. 1 can no longer ask her to make them again as she
is stricken with Parltinson's disease. Even if she wanted to, she can't in her present z ~
~ ~
c~ ~ ~
c-~~'~.6
- FROM Shirl&Curt PHONE N0. 8089828326 Mar. 19 2001 11:20PM P3
condition I also lost many things my late husband and I worked so hard far to make our
home comfortable.
The damages caused by the flooding are not ~e only concerns. There are safety issues
also. It was a miracle that no one was seriously injured or killed.
My mother was visiting from Honolulu and was staying with me up to 2 da~s before the
flood occurred. She has Parkinson's disease and dexrientia. On Qctober 30 , my
daughter and I took her to I-lilo Medical Center' as she was running a high fever and
experiencing mild strokes. It was a blessing in disguise that she had been in the hospital
on the mornir?g of the flooding. Ind my mother been in the house with me that morning,
l would not have been able to take her out of the house safely. IVIy sister, who was also
visiting from I~Ionolulu, and I had to be evacuated from my hone by the Fire Department.
I am thankful my mother was not with us.
I know I am not the only one who has endured through this ordeal, or lass suffered
extensive losses in the span of a few short hours. There are other families who live ins the
Ahualani Subdivision who have last as much or more than I did that early November
morning. We are still trying to pick up the pieces and put our homes and lives back
together. Another flood would be devastating. Next time, we might not be as lucky as
we were in avoiding serious injury or passibly worst.
I humbly ask you to make the repairing of the Kawailani Bridge one of your top
priorities, so those of us who live in the Ahualani Subdivision won't have to live iti feag
every tiYne it rains. Your timely response to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
r
1
loan Fukumori
cc: ~I. Kim, Mayor
U. I.ee, County Chief~ngineer
J. ArakalCi, Councilrraan
E. I-Iamakawa, State Representative
I1. Matsuura, Senator
IZ. Yoshizumi, Ahualani I~uanniai