Lawmaker Takes Swift Action in Response to Near Tragedy in Kalihi

Fortunately, the two large boulders didn't cause any serious damage or injuries.

Early yesterday morning, two boulders tumbled down the side of a mountain, damaging a home on Nobrega St. in Kalihi Valley. Gerald Abella was sleeping in his bed at 4:45 a.m., when a 3 foot by 5 foot boulder crashed through his bedroom wall, coming within inches of hitting his head.
 

The mountainside where the boulders originates remains unstable.

Before the day was over, Vice Speaker John Mizuno (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, portion of Lower Kalihi) had visited the scene, talked to the family, and drafted a letter to William Aila Jr, Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, urgently requesting a survey of any potential risks associated with the hillside in the future.
 

Raytan Vares, Rep. Mizuno's Office Manager showing the size of the boulders. 

Yesterday’s event was similar to last year when 5 boulders rolled down the mountainside over Kalihi Valley and damaged several homes at Kula Kolea Place. In the immediate aftermath of that natural disaster, Vice Speaker Mizuno personally delivered a letter to the Governor requesting State assistance in mitigating, stabilizing and/or removing unstable rocks above Kula Kolea Place. The Governor listened and the situation was addressed properly, promptly, and effectively.
 

Vice Speaker Mizuno touring the Kalihi Valley home.

“We’ve been in this position before and used that experience to take appropriate and timely action in the wake of yesterday’s near catastrophe. I’m requesting the DLNR to conduct a survey of any potential future risks associated with the hillside as well as to exercise all means of ensuring the safety and well-being of area residents,” said House Vice Speaker John Mizuno. “Our number one priority is to keep more boulders from crashing into homes on Nobrega St., but we have also begun to work with the DLNR to take a proactive approach in preventing similar occurrences throughout Kalihi Valley in the future.”

Filipino Mayors Make Historic Visit to Hawai'i

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) is a nationally recognized organization representing 40 million people living in 122 cities in the Philippines. A delegation from the LCP came to Hawai'i to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with the State of Hawai'i. This was the first agreement between an American state and group of cities from another nation and, with 12 mayors and one vice-mayor making the journey, the largest trip of its kind in the history of the Philippines.

Rep. John Mizuno (Kamehemeha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter) took the lead in welcoming the delegation. While they were here, the LCP representatives were welcomed with "Aloha Night" at the Philippine consulate, participated in a Disaster Preparedness/Risk Management Forum, toured the Civil Defense Center, toured the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, participated in a Tourism Forum, participated in a forum on Human Services and Juvenile Justice, toured Pearl Harbor and laid a wreath at the Arizona Memorial, were honored with a floor presentation by the House, and attended a reception at Washington Place for the signing of the Memorandum.

 “Forming a union with the League of Cities of the Philippines not only strengthens the bond between our Filipino-Hawaiian community and their country of origin, it connects the state with a valuable partner in the Pacific,” added Rep. Mizuno. “This trip marks the dawn of an era of increased economic, cultural, and social exchange between the state of Hawai’i and the Philippines.”

Governor Abercrombie Goes to Wahiawa

Rep. Marcus Oshiro and Governor Neil Abercrombie

Governor Neil Abercrombie was the special guest last night at the Mid-session Forum held by Rep. Marcus Oshiro (District 39 - Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, Launani Valley.) About 100 people from the district attended the annual event during which Rep. Oshiro provides an update on what's happening midway through the legislative session.

Read the Star-Advertiser's account of the meeting here.

And Civil Beat's story on the meeting is here.