There is a lot on Namoku Street in Kaneohe where a house has been under construction for years. There's still only the frame up. People appear to be living in a trailer or shack and there are construction materials all over. What are the rules about having a house under construction and living on the property in that state? Home ‘under construction’
needs new building permitThe building permit actually was revoked a year ago, said Melvin Lee, chief of the city Building Safety Division. That was because the owner had abandoned work for at least 120 days. Work cannot resume until he gets another permit, Lee said.
As to the aesthetics of the property, there's nothing the city can do as long as there is no hazard involved, he said.
However, the owner was cited for living "illegally" on the property. He was given 30 days to clear out or get approval to live there. If he does not comply, a fine will be assessed, from $50 on up, and he will be given another 30 days. "Then it's a daily fine," Lee said.
There's a power pole at Alencastre Street and St. Louis Drive that's leaning precariously. Someone obviously knows about it because red flags were placed there. I'm concerned that it will topple over in the high wind and cause a big disruption. Can you check? That pole will be replaced by the end of the month, said Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Fred Kobashikawa.
Following your report, a field crew supervisor "did confirm the pole needs repairs," he said. The delay comes in having to redo some of the circuitry before the pole can be replaced.
"If you see, hear or smell anything that looks suspicious having to do with electricity, call us," Kobashikawa said. Heco's trouble line is 548-7961.
On a narrow road off Hunnewell Street, swimming lessons are conducted at a home. The problem is that people dropping off or picking up kids park everywhere, blocking the street. When I ask them to move their cars, it turns into an argument. Recently, someone hit my car that was parked in my garage, then sped off. I've talked to the neighbors, who say they have talked to the parents. I've called police, but by the time they come, the cars aren't around. What can I do? The home itself has adequate parking, a total of nine spaces on the property, so is operating within the law, according to William Deering, chief of the Building Department's housing code section.
The city requires two spaces for a one-family dwelling, plus one space for every five "customers," he said. The family reported it had only four to five students at a time from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays. The family can hold swimming lessons as a "home occupation" because it involves only the people who live there, he said.
He also said the road is private and, therefore, not under city jurisdiction. At this point, your only recourse is to call police whenever you see a problem or to ask your neighbors again to try to get parents to cooperate.
I'd like to personally thank a woman who helped me after the moped I was driving was hit by a white van on June 13, at Pahoa and 16th avenues. I thought I was dying. I had a ruptured spleen, collapsed lung and lacerations. She was a nurse who stopped the bleeding on my arm and reassured me. -- Chris Doty (Call Kokua Line.) Good Samaritan sought
To the young boys in a white pickup truck who, on June 26, stole a traffic cone and drove off laughing. They didn't care that they did it in public. Auwe
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