Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Why hasn't the stream around Honolulu Country Club (HCC) been cleaned? In September it was announced that HCC, with the city and surrounding residents, would clean up the stream. The city did its part, but the stream is not completely cleared. HCC was supposed to clean both sides of the stream. Knotty standoff remains
over stream cleanupThis is not a simple issue nor one that'll be resolved soon.
HCC accepts responsibility for the banks and is working to alleviate problems with odors and overgrowth, said Chief Operating Officer Max Muraoka.
But regarding the vegetation, unless someone indicates the growth poses a safety hazard, "we don't have the resources" to undertake the task of removal, he said.
"The city did substantial work (last year), so there is no urgency in the situation," Muraoka said. "If advised that it is a safety hazard, we will do (the cleanup)."
In the meantime, Muraoka said HCC last year brought in 1,000 baby grass carp to try to keep the surface vegetation under control, is exploring using bacteria to combat the source of odors, and is considering stocking crayfish to keep the bottom clean.
Your complaint highlights the fact that Salt Lake waterways aren't just HCC's responsibility, but that of federal, state and city agencies, plus the people who live, work, own property and go to school in the area.
On this there apparently is no disagreement. Public and private groups have worked together to educate residents about how polluted runoff (material on the ground that's washed into a storm drain) affects water quality and wildlife found around Salt Lake.
Recently, HCC hosted a field day to examine Salt Lake.
But while everyone agrees this is a community problem, there is a big disagreement between the state and the city Department of Public Works as to how much responsibility the city bears.
Although the banks in question are owned by HCC, the waterways belong to the U.S. and state governments. The state believes the city is primarily responsible for keeping the waters clean because much of the pollution and trash -- tossed by the community -- comes via the city's storm drains.
The Health Department ordered the city to clean up a section overtaken by 25 years' worth of road gravel, vegetation and trash, said Watson Okubo, an environmental-health specialist with the Clean Water Division.
The city complied with its big cleanup, but there are other areas where debris again has accumulated, Okubo said. These are the points of contention.
There was another recent complaint from condominium dwellers regarding trash from a storm drain, Okubo said.
He acknowledged other factors -- such as residents using too much fertilizer, which ends up in the water, "adding growth to the waterway" -- add to the problem.
But the Health Department's legal counsel maintains the city is primarily responsible for cleanup.
City Public Works Director Jonathan Shimada concedes only that "the city has a drainage easement in the waterway, and we maintain those whenever we physically can." He insists that "all privately owned waterways and drainage ways are the responsibility of private landowners."
Shimada also says that beyond gravel buildup, "there is no scientific, factual evidence that I have seen that proves" storm drains are the source of all the pollution.
"There are legal and emotional issues involved," Shimada said. But the city is willing to do its part, he said, and has increased street cleanings, held meetings and printed an educational booklet.
It looks to be a standoff, but, Okubo said, "We will be working with (the city) to work out some kind of arrangement," realizing "the city is strapped for money."
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