• Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better
• Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Lydgate
Da Shadow: When do you expect the water conditions in the keiki pond to improve so that snorkeling is possible again? Is it safe for keiki to swim there?
County: (June 29) The state Department of Health provided clearance for the reopening of the pond a few weeks after the storm event in early March. The “Friends of Kamalani” conducted a beach cleanup on 6/16/12 in which 80% of the fine debris was removed from the pond. DOH monitors the bacteria & turbidity of the ponds on a weekly basis.
Po‘ipu Beach Resort
Da Shadow: The coconut trees need to be trimmed – they may be causing a public safety hazard. When will they be addressed?
County: (June 29) DOPR recently processed a contract for island-wide coconut tree trimming. Po‘ip? Beach Park and Salt Pond Park were listed as top priorities for this contract, resulting in these trees being trimmed and completed (in June).
Coco Palms
Da Shadow: What is the update on plans to rebuild Coco Palms?
County: (June 29) The Planning Commission approved an extension of the permits until January 2013. Many of the permit conditions do not have a separate deadline for action prior to the January 2013 expiration date. The Department is acutely aware of the blight the dilapidated structures pose, and will highly scrutinize any requests by the owner to have the expiration date extended further.
Haleko Road
Da Shadow: The white solid striping on the sides of the road and the crosswalk at the Mill need to be redone. When will this be complete?
County: (June 29) We are waiting for supplies to arrive and anticipate this work to be scheduled in September.
Haua‘ala Road
Da Shadow: The county did some shoulder work on this road and did a good job, but the neighbors are concerned that during heavy rains there might be runoff on their property. What can be done?
County: (June 29) Please provide an address and if possible a name and contact number, so we can investigate and determine if a safety hazard exists.
Historic County Building
Da Shadow: Now that the renovations on the HCB are complete, there are still electrical covers and wires, and old blowers sticking out of the building facing Eiwa Street. When will this be removed?
County: (June 29) The old air conditioning units belong to the Kaua‘i Historical Society and serve their offices, which were not part of the renovation. We will be bidding in the near future for a replacement system.
Kanahele and Laipo roads
Da Shadow: When will the county replace the old wooden guard rails at this intersection?
County: (June 29) The Roads Division will inspect and schedule repairs and/or replacement as necessary.
