Volunteer Mold Specialist & Red Cross Disaster Contact Person

Flood Victim Resources: Volunteer Mold Specialist & Red Cross Disaster Contact Person
From: Ping Collis picolli@LASHAW.ORG; Legal Aid Society of HI

Hi Maile,

1. Ellen Watson is a nationally certified, locally licensed mold specialist. She/her company will do a free and detailed inspection, they will provide both reconstruction and litigation, pro bono, depending on specifics of each case.

Office phone: 734-6442
Cell Phone: 778-0309
Email: pehi@hawaii.rr.com

2. Maria Lutz is the American Red Cross person covering disasters for now. Red Cross is doing home inspections and providing rental assistance vouchers to flood victims. [Tony Kato, who was at the Kualoa disaster assistance relief center, will be in charge by early Jan. ‘09]

Office Phone: 739-8114
Email: lutzm@hawaiiredcross.org

Aloha!

Storm Drains at Upena and Moua Streets in Makaha

On Wed, 12/31/08, Brennon.Morioka@hawaii.gov wrote:

Aloha Maile

Our maintenance engineers as well as our hydraulic engineers will be doing some site inspections along the Farringon corridor during the first two weeks of January since we have received numerous calls about similar problems along the entire stretch. They will be looking at intermediate steps we can take to address ponding and such. However, there is not much that could have been done for an event of such magnitude and intensity as the recent rain event a couple of weeks ago. That storm far exceeded any of our design standards. I will keep you informed about what we find.

Aloha
Brennon

KHNL8 - West Oahu Residents Still Fear Flooding

Click the image for the full story and video.

West Oahu residents still fear flooding, asking for debris cleanup
Posted: Dec 29, 2008 09:54 PM
Updated: Dec 29, 2008 09:55 PM
By Paul Drewes

MAKAHA (KHNL) - The waters have receded, but fears of more flooding are still high for residents in West Oahu. They were swamped with stormwater after streams and rivers backedup and overflowed their banks. . . . State representative Maile Shimabukuro (D-Waianae, Makaha) asserted, "This jam has been here ever since December 11's heavy rains, that caused this massive flooding." Representative Shimabukuro is not only among the residents calling for the city or state to clean the drains of trash and debris, she is also considering legislation next year to prohibit some industrial activities on agricultural land, and stiffer penalties for those who dump rubbish and materials in island streams.

Flood victims still needing assistance should call the city's assistance hotline at (808) 723-8944 or 723-8957.

[Click here for the full story and video.]

[WebCite source]

KITV4 - Jurisdiction Over Stream Delays Fix

Makaha Residents Concerned About Clogged Stream
Lawmaker Says Jurisdiction Over Stream Delays Fix
KITV-TV
updated 5:15 p.m. HT, Mon., Dec. 29, 2008

MAKAHA, Hawaii - Residents in Makaha are still waiting for debris to be cleared from severe flooding two weeks ago.

Several residents along Makaha Valley Road complained that debris from Dec. 11's floods blocked streams and drainage ditches in the valley and worsened the effects of heavy rains that fell two days later.

Rep. Maile Shimabukuro said that jurisdiction over who owns and should clean the drainage ditches and streams seems to be the largest problem.

"If nothing else at least the government should enforce the rules to make sure that all the owners from upstream down clear the portions that they're responsible for near the streams," she said.

Damage from the floods resulted in over $2.7 million in damage islandwide with hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage from Makaha alone.

Shimabukuro fears that if nothing is done to clear the proper drainage systems that similar damage could occur with more heavy rains.
[WebCite source]

KHON2 News - Flooding in Makaha

Click the image for the full story and video.

A Ticking Time Bomb in Makaha Valley
By Ron Mizutani
Story Updated: Dec 30, 2008 at 8:59 AM HST

Leeward Oahu residents are calling it a time bomb that is ticking . . . and their biggest fear -- is this bomb will explode during the next big storm.

It's often said -- out of sight out of mind.

Well take a good look because this is on the minds of hundreds of leeward Oahu residents.

"There's a big log jam in this stream bed and so what the neighbors are really afraid of once it rains again a repeat of December 11 is going to happen," said State Representative Maile Shimabukuro who represents Waianae, Makaha and Makua.

Shimabukuro is referring to the night heavy rains combined with un-managed streams caused massive flooding across Oahu including Waianae and Makaha.

"People on both sides of this stream lost everything, all their belongings everything in their house damaged," said Shimabukuro. She says residents are frustrated these log-jams still sit -- nearly three weeks later. "They're very frustrated and feel this issue with the flooding is just ignored."

[Click here for the full story and the video.]

KGMB9 News - Waianae Needs City/State Help

Click the image to see the video.

"Waianae Residents Still Recovering from Storm"
Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com
December 28, 2008 03:58 PM
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/12746/40/

Two weeks ago, severe weather slammed the Waianae coast causing roads and homes to be flooded and debris clogging nearby drains and streams.

Fast forward to today and Waianae residents are picking up the pieces, still recovering from the storm.

They along with Representative Maile Shimabukuro are calling on city and state to act quickly to unclog debris-ridden drains and streams.

One Makaha resident says several agencies have come by to access damage but she has yet to see anyone fix the problem.

"Everybody says they are tabulating information, and somebody will get back to them. We still have the mattresses and stuff in our yards. No one has been by to pick that up even though we've been told twice that they will be by," Chris Meyer said.

Rep. Shimabukuro Calls on City & State to Quickly Unclog Wai`anae Coast Streams

For the complete press release, click the image above or click here.

Reading Aloud Program Needs Volunteers

Happy Holidays!

We're getting close to RAP Spring 2009, and we still have several volunteer spots open. We are in great need of volunteers for our two Waianae schools - Kamaile Academy and Makaha Elementary. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for these schools, please contact us.

RAP is a great opportunity to serve Hawaii's community, and to experience the joy and pleasure of reading. If you haven't already signed up, please consider volunteering! To view a schedule, go to http://www.readaloudamerica.org/Spring2009Schedule.htm

Thank you for your continued support of RAP and its mission!

Happy holidays!

Natalie R. Hayek
Program Director
Read Aloud America
1314 S. King St. #G4
Honolulu, HI 96814
(w) 808-531-1985
(c) 808-753-1539

Source:
From: "Maralyn"
Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 10:08 AM

Aloha and Happy Holidays. This is a message from RAP. I have volunteered at Wai`anae Elem and Nanaikapono for both 6th and kindergarteners! It is a lot of fun and I highly recommend it. Wishing you and your families a wonderful, joyful and loving Holiday Season. Be Happy and Well. Maralyn

Wai`anae's Naturalee Needs Your Kokua

From: Naturalee Puou
Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 8:44 PM
Subject: Your kokua would be GREATLY appreciated!

Aloha Kakou!

My name is Naturalee Puou, I am a college intern for the Waianae Olelo Enrichment Program, am currently attending Leeward Community College in pursuit of a teaching degree, and dance for Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala. I am hoping to represent my community along with my Halau in the 2009 Merrie Monarch Competition.

The 2007-2008 year was my first year dancing hula in an actual Halau, and I was fortunate enough to make the dancer's line to represent Waianae with my Halau in the 2008 Merrie Monarch competition. Mahalo nui to all of you who helped to put me on that stage; I am the first dancer to ever represent the Puou-Helepololei ohana on that stage. My grandfather was overwhelmed with pride.

2009 is approaching quickly, and I am asking for your kokua to once again represent my community, Halau, and ohana in the '09 Merrie Monarch competition. Attached is a letter from my Kumu Hula, Noelani Chang; it gives a brief background on our Halau, and the difference your donation will make- NO MATTER THE AMOUNT. Mahalo nui to all of you who have already contributed to my Halau endeavors by purchasing calendars or Krispy Kreme doughnuts during our sales, and also to those of you who brought your vehicles to one of our car washes. Most of our fund raisers are completed, but many of us, including myself, still have a long way to go in raising the remainder of the trip's cost.

I understand that times are difficult for many of us, but whatever contribution that you are able to make will be greatly appreciated, even if its simply wishes for good luck! Mahalo nui loa to all of you for your support. Mele Kalikimaka
me Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Naturalee I. Puou
Olapa, Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala

http://www.noelani-chang.com/branches.htm

QExA Open Enrollment

Aloha,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support through the QExA enrollment process. As of today, QExA is still in OPEN ENROLLMENT until further notice. If you still have clients that need to sign up please have them call the helpline at 1-866-928-1959.

If you or your staff have any question please call Roxanne Waite at 808-489-1725 or email her at roxanne.waite@acs-inc.com

I would also like to extend a warm Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou to you and your family.

Best wishes.
Mary "Lahapa" Borabora
Community Enrollment Counselors
QExA Hawai'i
QUEST Expanded Access for Healthy Long-Term Living
1 (808) 489-1357
mary.borabora@acs-inc.com