CAN WE TALK?  COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ABOUT KAWAMOTO PROPERTIES

from office of Rep Barbara Marumoto 

Honolulu - News articles report that Japanese billionaire Gensiro Kawamoto wants to establish an art museum on his Kahala Avenue properties.   Representative Barbara Marumoto (R-19th Dist. Kaimuki/Waialae/Kahala) is calling for a discussion of this issue at a Neighborhood Board No. 3 meeting.

“I question whether one can  start a museum in a residentially-zoned area without a variance.  I am not certain Kahala residents want such a facility in their neighborhood.  We need to hold a community discussion of Mr. Kawamoto’s proposal at the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3 or at a Kahala Community Association meeting,” said Representative Marumoto.

“Past history has shown that Mr. Kawamoto frequently acts without proper permits or obtains them after-the-fact,” said Marumoto.  “I wouldn’t be surprised if he intends to move ahead with his museum idea without the benefit of lawful permits,” continued Rep. Marumoto.

“If Mr. Kawamoto or his staff attends a neighborhood meeting, we will be able to discuss the pros and cons of an art museum and collect input from area residents,” concluded Rep. Marumoto.

Because Kawamoto has racked up over 50 citations for various City infractions, Rep. Marumoto has introduced bills to make several infractions incurred over a short period of time in a small neighborhood a petty misdemeanor.  She has also proposed that neighbors who suffer damages from neglected or rundown properties be able to sue the owner of such properties.

Rep. Marumoto will be out of town for the November 19th meeting; however, she has asked Neighborhood Board #3 Chair, Scotty Anderson, to put this issue on the agenda for the following meeting. 

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