KAPA‘A — Donna Jerves, her husband and daughter fret about their home and their safety every time the wind kicks up. Their home is located under 10 or so Northfolk pine trees across the street from Kapa‘a High School on
KAPA‘A — Donna Jerves, her husband and daughter fret about their home and their safety every time the wind kicks up.
Their home is located under 10 or so Northfolk pine trees across the street from Kapa‘a High School on Kawaihau Road, and they and eight other property owners worry more about branches on their properties or on somebody on the next high-wind day.
“The problem has existed since I moved here four years ago,” Jerves said. “(State Department of Education officials) told me they would have them taken down in the last fiscal year because of safety reasons. But they’re still here.”
The DOE has jurisdiction over the lands on which the trees sit.
Jerves said she has had to deal with the threat of fallen branches since she moved into her home four years ago.
She and nine other neighbors built their homes as part of a Self-Help Housing Corporation of Hawai‘i project. The non-profit group helps develop affordable housing units throughout the state.
DOE officials were not immediately available for comment.
“It keeps damaging our roofs and rain gutters,” Jerves said. “The rubbish. The pine needles that come down are sharp, and they fly in front of the house and driveway. It is just a mess all the time.”
Jerves said she has filed two or three claims with DOE for damages to her home from fallen branches, but hasn’t had the damage repaired because of the hassle.
“Why do I have to use my money?” she said. “Cut (the remaining bank of trees) down and no problem.”
Jerves said the DOE originally told her all of the trees would be cut down in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
“Now they tell me the arborist has to come back (to inspect the trees),” she said. “What for we need him? He came back last time, two years ago.”
At the time, Jerves said the DOE determined five other tall Northfolk pine trees posed a danger to property owners and had them cut down.
Jerves said the towering trees also pose a threat to her two dogs, who live in the backyard.
Jerves said a neighbor had the scare of a lifetime a year ago when a branch punched a hole in a roof, and rainwater continues to leak into the bedroom to this day.
The other five trees that DOE cut down about two years ago were rotten and had to be removed, Jerves said. The DOE took that action after a review with an arborist.
Jerves’ sister, Diana Puahala, lives next door and faced the same problem up until the first batch of trees was cut down.
However, the trees can still hit the homes if their trunks give away under high winds.
“We should get this problem fixed now,” Jerves said. “Hurricane season coming.”
• Lester Chang, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@kauaipubco.com.
