Question: What is the situation with the old Alder Street Juvenile Detention Home? Talk about Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto not maintaining his properties, this is just as bad. It looks deserted and run-down.
Residential properties owners are responsible for maintaining their “sidewalk areas,” keeping the grass cut, picking up litter, etc. If not, they get fined.
To me, this is a residential area and I see a big patch of 2-foot-high weeds. Who is responsible for keeping this cut?
Answer: The state Judiciary still retains jurisdiction over the property bounded by Alder, Elm and Piikoi streets.
But instead of a detention facility, the site now is used to provide programs for young people at risk.
When we checked the property recently, we saw large but neat piles of mulch along the Pensacola side, with grass and plants trimmed, except for an overgrown patch at the corner of Alder and Elm streets.
On Feb. 7, 2012, Hale Hilina‘i (House of Trust, Resilience and Reliance) formally opened in the usable portion of the old building, “and (was) blessed as a place where young people at risk can learn how to make good choices,” said Judiciary spokesman Mark Santoki.
“This is the first step towards our vision to create a reception center where there will be a wide variety of services offered that address the needs of our youth and will empower them to make positive changes in their lives,” he said.
Programs offered at Hale Hilina‘i are Care Hawaii (substance abuse), Hawaii Counseling and Education (victim impact), Alu Like (group counseling), Hawaii Families as Allies (for youths and parents), John Howard (anger management), Sex Abuse Treatment Center (group counseling), Hale Kipa (evening counseling) and Surfrider Spirit (surfing lessons for youths).
Next door to Hale Hilina‘i, the Judiciary operates Home Maluhia, a facility that provides therapeutic counseling and rehabilitative services for status offenders (runaways, truants) and minor law violators who do not require secure detention, Santoki said.
That facility can house six males and six females.
The Judiciary received funds from the Legislature this year for an environmental assessment at Alder Street, which will allow it to begin planning for redevelopment of the property, a larger shelter and a reception center, Santoki said.
Santoki said the property is maintained. A cleaning company has been contracted to trim the grassy areas around the perimeter of the building.
“We are also getting estimates to uproot some trees in the front of the building and trim back the trees around the property,” he said.
The mulch will be used for a project in which the youth at both Home Maluhia and Hale Hilina‘i will prepare a garden and grow vegetables, he said.
RESERVED PARKING
We noted that two apparently outdated signs in front of the Alder Street entrance to the facility says parking is reserved for police officers.
Asked if that space should now be allowed for public parking, HPD said it would look into it.
Meanwhile, staff at Hale Hilina‘i park in reserved stalls adjacent to the building, but not in stalls reserved for police, Santoki said.
MAHALO
To a kind gentleman. On my way to meet my friends, I was driving on Kapiolani Boulevard when a helmet from a motorcyclist flew off, landed and lodged under my car. During a break in traffic, I cautiously entered Wiliwili Street and parked to check my situation. A gentleman who must have witnessed everything followed me, helping to dislodge the helmet in minutes. Many blessings and my deepest appreciation to my good Samaritan. I was able to meet my friends and I felt very blessed. — Violet
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