HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit M_v1.pdfFron-) Uemoto, Brad 1-3rad.l)prnoto@hawaiicounty.gov
Subject Re: Additional information
Date Sep 1, 2026 at 12:20:49 PM
To erikacempey@yahoo.com
Cc. Segawa, Wesley Wesley.Segawa@hawaiiroiintv.00v Azevedo, Neil
NeiI.Azevedo@hawaiicounty.gov, DeMello, Melanie
Melanie.DeMello@hawaiicounty.go�, Thompson, Alan (Keone)
Keone.Thompson@hawaiicounty.gov, Harada, Bryce
Bryce. Harada@hawaiicounty.gov
Hi Erika,
wanted to reach out to clarify the County's position regarding the remediation of your
Notice of Violation and hopefully provide some clarity on what we are asking you to
address.
We are asking that the portion of the ditch on your property be returned as reasonably
as possible to its condition prior to the Kona Low flooding event. We understand that the
Kona Low was an abnormal and a significant rainfall event, and that the volume and
path of the water during that event were beyond what this drainage area would typically
be expected to handle.
Our recommendation is to restore the affected portion of the ditch so that it can
adequately accommodate typical rainfall and drainage conditions. I have attached a
photo of the embankment area and the compromised portion being discussed.
To clarify, we are not asking you to rebuild a rock wall or undertake any substantial
reconstruction of the ditch. The reference to "obstructions and debris" is simply intended
to mean that the drainage path should be maintained and kept reasonably clear so that
water is not impeded during normal rainfall events.
also want to clarify that the area in question on your property is not a recognized FEMA
flood channel. Rather, the County recognizes it as a general, localized drainage path
that ultimately feeds into the FEMA designated area near the bottom of your property.
Our goal is to work with you toward a reasonable resolution of the Notice of Violation.
hope this helps clarify what the County is requesting and provides a better
understanding of the scope of work we are recommending.
If you have any questions or would like additional clarification, please feel free to reach
out to me. I'm happy to discuss it further and work with you toward resolving the matter.
Thank you,
Brad Uemoto
Civil Engineer
County of Hawaii
808-323-4859
From: Erika Empey <erikacempey@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 5:01 PM
To: Uemoto, Brad <brad.uemoto@hawaiicountygov>
Subject: Additional information
H i,
So I've attached various pictures for you to look at, including from the Hawaii
County Code that dictates how this situation should be handled, and I'll walk you
through it. Below, this talks about if there are changes to a flood plain, how the
County initiates making a new map image3.jpeg
No where in here does it say, if the natural flow of a flood is different than the
existing map, bring in "fill" and recreate the map. It says, a NEW MAP needs to be
made.
This says, encroachments, including fill, are not allowed in the floodway.
image6.jpeg
This also talks about removing any encroachment or obstruction in the floodway.
So please tell me why you're asking me to bring in fill and divert the floodway path.
I'll need that for my records and, once again, my attorney is asking for that in
writing.
image5.jpeg
Here's a before picture where you can see the bedrock is still peaking through the
vegetation. image7.jpeg
See how there's no "berm" diverting water into the channel? Because that never
existed.
image8.jpeg
And here's a picture of that EXACT SPOT. You can see rocks poking through the
vegetation and then how it falls off, just like it does now. On the lower left side are
my two dogs heads. image9.jpeg
Sent from my iPhone