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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.008 2018-20201011VV IVIL111-I VVU. IUIIId ICJUIIIUIIy IUI IVII• Idl r IUpuILy Fwd: T -oma Testimony for Mr. Tai Property - From: Charlene N_ishida (kpueo@yahoo.com) "To:- maija jackson@hawaiicounty,gov Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 03:00 PM HST - COUNTY CLERK COI*TY -OF HAWAI ' I RECEIVED Time ',5:00 QM By -Date- FEB 0 4 2020 My first inquiry aboutremoval of trees to Mr. Vincent Tai was September 5, 2016. The trees are growing on the backside of our home on Mr. Tai's property. Mr Tai responded that according to Hawaii law, -he is not responsible to cut the trees down, and that I should consult my attorney and insurance company. I went to the Department of Public Works to see if [would be able to get assistance and or recommendations as to what can be done. The DOPW came and did survey the growing trees. A letter was sent to me stating -that at this .time the trees were not a dangerto.our home, because the branches would -break and fall directly to the=ground. I emailed Mr Tal on Feb. 13, 2019. By now the trees are of enormous .heights and the branches are now over hanging onto our property,and coming to 'our,roof,. His response :this time was for me to obtain quotes from tree trimming companies in Hilo and get back to him.: I took a photo in -the want ad section and emailed to him the list. He spoke with his tenant about trimming the branches reaching our property.,'He said that,the removal of trees will be done when he clears the property for his intended project. 'He contacted his tenant in March. A. quote of $3000 was given, but Mr Tal wanted it reduced to $1500. , By April he was still waiting to hear back from his.tenant. Consequently nothing done. - Emails were sent again in April and,July. A branch of the tree -extended to the roof of the Chinen's roof. One person needed .to climb the tree to .cut it down. Very, dangerous: - _ Most of the. rep(y's,from Mr., Tai has been " He is not responsible to have the trees cut -down and we need to contact our attorney and-i'nsurance: company. He goes to great'length about the, Hawaii Law and how he is not responsible for the damage that the trees may cause: Safety is an issue. Due to the constant falling of leaves and flowers, our gutters has to be cleaned constantly, especially when it rains. We have no choice -but climb a ladder to clean it out. As seniors,, our balance is not great.. We would have to pay someone to do it in the near -future.. Our PVC -panels are on the roof where the trees are. A branch has already fallen into our property landing approximately 5 ft. from our home. I did hear the cracking sound: Fortunately it happened.at night. He says he wants to be a good neighbor, but his actions say otherwise. He wants us to pay for the cost or part of the cost to trim the trees. Trimming will get us no where, since in no time the trees will' grow taller and the same problem will return. My understanding is now that property is up for sale. At this point`] really do not believe he has any intentions to get rid of the trees. Submitted by Ann Toma 44 Hale_ Nan! St. Hilo Sent from my iPad Comm. NolggS Ref. To: 0T -K Ref. Date ll 01 P/ -Pc, 511150 comm I►s 1/1 Ann Toma Testimony in Support of Bill 150 To: Council Testimony Dear Council -Members: Going -back -in time, our first encourrter with Mr. Tai was when he applied for zoning changes for his property. Of course we. were not, happy with, his plans. We tried, but were notable to convince the County -Council or, Planning Department about what the residents would go through should the property be rezoned. Mr Tai convincingly said he wanted to be a good neighbor, and listen to our complaints should any arise. September 5, 2016 was the first contact I made regarding the tall trees on his property abutting our property and the potential of them falling and landing on our home. Mr. Tai's response was refusal and stating that he was not responsible for any damage caused to our home from his trees and that I should speak with my attorney and insurance company. Mr Tai's thoughts are always about money, and nothing about the welfare of the long time residents in the neighborhood. Our homes are our greatest asset, and�of course we want to take care of them, 'however, why should I have to initiate and pay for cutting trees that are not our property? Whenever there was an approaching hurricane or tropical storm, I would stay away from the back family room for fear that one of the trees would fall. This is the reason I continued to email Mr. Tai ever since 2016. His response -was always the same for mento contact my attorney and insurance company. Once, he stated he would be willing to work with us to come up with a solution regarding the cutting or trimming of the trees, however, of course we would have -to pay a large portion of the cost. My thinking is "Why do I have to pay a single penny towards cutting down a tree that does not belong to me?" The leaves and -branches are causing havoc to our home. I even need to put all my laundry into the dryer even if it's hung out to dry, because of all the residue that has fallen onto my laundry. The leaves are falling into our gutters. Periodically Roy has to climb a ladder to clean them out. More so when it rains since there is more potential of flooding if the gutters are clogged. As seniors, Roy is 80 yrs old, who has had bilateral knee replacements, our balance is not good and gets worse as we get older, but it has to be done or we end up facing potentially worse consequences. Just recently a branch fell onto our property landing approximately 5 feet from our home! I Mr Tai. said he would be a good neighbor. Do you really say it is neighborly putting us thru all this misery these past years? I am truly afraid of what will happen especially with the negligence of maintenance of his property. I really believe that all of Mr. Tai's thoughts are about money. The comfort and safety of the surrounding neighbors are not even thought of. For Roy and I our greatest asset is our home which provides us safety, We do not want to constantly worry about potential harm due to Mr. Tai's negligence. As recommended by the Planning Director and the Planning Committee please support Bill 150. Sincerely, Ann Toma