emiller@westhawaiitoday.com
BY ERIN MILLER | WEST HAWAII TODAY
A county planning official has signed off on allowing a Puako property owner to rebuild a damaged sea wall fronting her home.
Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd last month issued a finding of no significant impact for the sea wall repair, requested by the Doris M. Scharpf Trust, according to this week’s Office of Environmental Control notice. The trust was seeking after-the-fact permitting for an existing 82.4-foot-long, 2- to 4-foot high wall. High surf several years ago damaged the wall.
The Planning Department issued her a notice of violation for having the wall in 2008. The environmental assessment noted the wall was in place when Scharpf and her late husband purchased the property in 1999.
Environmental consultant EKNA Services Inc. assessed the wall and property, according to a 2011 letter included with the final environmental assessment.
“Removing the wall on the subject property is not a prudent action, as the property will be subject to wave and erosion damage,” EKNA Services President Elaine E. Tamaye wrote.
The wall protects the property from erosion, as well as the right of way, Scharpf’s attorney told West Hawaii Today in November, when the draft environmental assessment was published.
Leithead Todd in November said she would allow the sea wall for public safety reasons.
emiller@westhawaiitoday.com