In answer to some bogus info that is floating around regarding the Watumull's: (from a past board member)
"The Watumulls NEVER officially agreed to mailboxes on the restricted lots. And they have not done so multiple times as stated in some other communications. I spoke to Sheila once and her attorney twice. To my knowledge, no one else has conferred with them directly concerning this issue since 2013. Even though they were amenable to considering the boxes, if the board had proceeded with getting a written document, there may have been restrictions - maybe only one lot, maybe a limit on the number per lot, or?
If you have attorney's' opinions stating that it is OK to put the boxes on these lots, they should have contacted the Watumulls and have something in writing authorizing such action.
My letter in NO WAY endorses proceeding with the boxes on the restricted lots without written approval from the Watumulls. HPP has had enough lawsuits in its history. Why open the door to possibly another one?"
Posted on FB July 17, 2023
Letter from a past HPP president regarding placing mailboxes on the deed restricted 20 acre parcels.
July 16, 2023
HPPOA BOARD
HC3 Box 11000
Keaau, HI 96749
Even though I no longer live in HPP, I do keep up with what is happening there. I understand that the issue of mailboxes is the current hot topic and I was very involved with the boxes back in 2012-2013 when I served on the HPP Board. I would like to clarify what occurred at that time and also to make a suggestion for the future.
I started with a letter to Senator Dan Inouye to see how we could get more boxes. He referred me to the Operations Specialist in Honolulu, Aaron Oya. I also went to the Keaau Post Office and worked with Alton. For Oya, there was an issue about how to assign street addresses to all the HPP properties since many of the lots were vacant and you cannot get a street address until a permit is pulled.
The boxes on Shower were a total mess and we got the PO to agree to replace those boxes plus add a few more. We moved them as far back on the easement as possible. The road crew cleared the area and gravel was added. The main expense was the concrete slab, but the whole cost was very low and we said if we did any more, this would be the example.
Mr. Oya informed us that he had 2000 boxes they were replacing on Oahu and we could have them if we had a place to put them. There was a timeline to meet or he would give them to someone else.
That’s when we entertained the idea to see if we could put them on one acre of one of the 20 acre parcels – preferably the one on 16th and Maku’u so it would be near the office and easy to keep an eye on. I was able to obtain Sheila Watumull’s phone number and I called her. She discussed her husband’s desire to have only schools or parks on the deed restricted lots. I explained the situation, the great need for additional boxes, the limited supply at the Post Offices in Keaau and Pahoa, the fact that we had an opportunity to get some at no cost for the boxes, and said that it would definitely make life easier for many HPP folks. She said she understood that it would be a benefit for the whole community and asked me to talk to her attorney. I do not remember his name but I spoke to him at least twice and he said he had talked to Sheila. He asked if we were going to charge for the use of the boxes and I told him only enough to maintain the area. I assured him that we had no intent to make it a money maker.
He said they understood the need and the benefit. I asked if we could have something in writing regarding placing boxes on the corner of the 16th Avenue parcel. He said he felt that we would have to draft a document and record it to make it entirely legal. He said that would cost time (which we didn’t have) and money. He made it quite clear that they did not have any interest in going through the motions to amend a document at that time.
The board discussed purchasing a lot, but there had been no funds put aside and there were objections to where it would be located plus concerns for safety, maintenance, and traffic. Overall, there was not enough support to proceed and the timeline ran out. Mr. Oya withdrew the offer of the boxes.
This all occurred 10 years ago. The fact that the current board is relying on a telephone conversation that long ago is not a good basis for assuming that it is permissible to proceed with using the land. I have no idea if Sheila is still alive and if she would be amenable to something like this today. We were asking for only one parcel at that time because the boxes on the road would stay. In total, that would give us about 4300. The current plan to involve 4 parcels creates a greater issue of conflict. I feel it would be extremely unwise to proceed with the plan of boxes on 4 of the restricted lots without discussion with the Watumull survivors/company and some written agreement. Has any of this been discussed with HPP’s current attorney?
After remembering all the plus and minus conversations, having so many boxes bunched in a large location such as one acre just adds enormous problems. As they are now, the people who use the locations usually keep the areas tidy and watch out for each other. With 2000 in one spot, it is such an invitation for mischief and trash dumping, including the traffic issues.
I understand that the Post Office was not totally opposed to placing more cluster units on the road in 2018 and that would be the optimum solution. They could dictate how many in a unit would make the most sense for delivery. Also, by locating all the boxes at 16th and below will create so much traffic plus wear and tear on the roads from upper HPP. Since HPP’s main purpose is to maintain the roads, this adds to the cost and manpower.
I don’t know any of you personally but I understand the position you are in and your desire to solve this problem. Be wise and make sure you are on solid ground.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Aloha to all,
June Conant
Past HPPOA President
"The Watumulls NEVER officially agreed to mailboxes on the restricted lots. And they have not done so multiple times as stated in some other communications. I spoke to Sheila once and her attorney twice. To my knowledge, no one else has conferred with them directly concerning this issue since 2013. Even though they were amenable to considering the boxes, if the board had proceeded with getting a written document, there may have been restrictions - maybe only one lot, maybe a limit on the number per lot, or?
If you have attorney's' opinions stating that it is OK to put the boxes on these lots, they should have contacted the Watumulls and have something in writing authorizing such action.
My letter in NO WAY endorses proceeding with the boxes on the restricted lots without written approval from the Watumulls. HPP has had enough lawsuits in its history. Why open the door to possibly another one?"
Posted on FB July 17, 2023
Letter from a past HPP president regarding placing mailboxes on the deed restricted 20 acre parcels.
July 16, 2023
HPPOA BOARD
HC3 Box 11000
Keaau, HI 96749
Even though I no longer live in HPP, I do keep up with what is happening there. I understand that the issue of mailboxes is the current hot topic and I was very involved with the boxes back in 2012-2013 when I served on the HPP Board. I would like to clarify what occurred at that time and also to make a suggestion for the future.
I started with a letter to Senator Dan Inouye to see how we could get more boxes. He referred me to the Operations Specialist in Honolulu, Aaron Oya. I also went to the Keaau Post Office and worked with Alton. For Oya, there was an issue about how to assign street addresses to all the HPP properties since many of the lots were vacant and you cannot get a street address until a permit is pulled.
The boxes on Shower were a total mess and we got the PO to agree to replace those boxes plus add a few more. We moved them as far back on the easement as possible. The road crew cleared the area and gravel was added. The main expense was the concrete slab, but the whole cost was very low and we said if we did any more, this would be the example.
Mr. Oya informed us that he had 2000 boxes they were replacing on Oahu and we could have them if we had a place to put them. There was a timeline to meet or he would give them to someone else.
That’s when we entertained the idea to see if we could put them on one acre of one of the 20 acre parcels – preferably the one on 16th and Maku’u so it would be near the office and easy to keep an eye on. I was able to obtain Sheila Watumull’s phone number and I called her. She discussed her husband’s desire to have only schools or parks on the deed restricted lots. I explained the situation, the great need for additional boxes, the limited supply at the Post Offices in Keaau and Pahoa, the fact that we had an opportunity to get some at no cost for the boxes, and said that it would definitely make life easier for many HPP folks. She said she understood that it would be a benefit for the whole community and asked me to talk to her attorney. I do not remember his name but I spoke to him at least twice and he said he had talked to Sheila. He asked if we were going to charge for the use of the boxes and I told him only enough to maintain the area. I assured him that we had no intent to make it a money maker.
He said they understood the need and the benefit. I asked if we could have something in writing regarding placing boxes on the corner of the 16th Avenue parcel. He said he felt that we would have to draft a document and record it to make it entirely legal. He said that would cost time (which we didn’t have) and money. He made it quite clear that they did not have any interest in going through the motions to amend a document at that time.
The board discussed purchasing a lot, but there had been no funds put aside and there were objections to where it would be located plus concerns for safety, maintenance, and traffic. Overall, there was not enough support to proceed and the timeline ran out. Mr. Oya withdrew the offer of the boxes.
This all occurred 10 years ago. The fact that the current board is relying on a telephone conversation that long ago is not a good basis for assuming that it is permissible to proceed with using the land. I have no idea if Sheila is still alive and if she would be amenable to something like this today. We were asking for only one parcel at that time because the boxes on the road would stay. In total, that would give us about 4300. The current plan to involve 4 parcels creates a greater issue of conflict. I feel it would be extremely unwise to proceed with the plan of boxes on 4 of the restricted lots without discussion with the Watumull survivors/company and some written agreement. Has any of this been discussed with HPP’s current attorney?
After remembering all the plus and minus conversations, having so many boxes bunched in a large location such as one acre just adds enormous problems. As they are now, the people who use the locations usually keep the areas tidy and watch out for each other. With 2000 in one spot, it is such an invitation for mischief and trash dumping, including the traffic issues.
I understand that the Post Office was not totally opposed to placing more cluster units on the road in 2018 and that would be the optimum solution. They could dictate how many in a unit would make the most sense for delivery. Also, by locating all the boxes at 16th and below will create so much traffic plus wear and tear on the roads from upper HPP. Since HPP’s main purpose is to maintain the roads, this adds to the cost and manpower.
I don’t know any of you personally but I understand the position you are in and your desire to solve this problem. Be wise and make sure you are on solid ground.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Aloha to all,
June Conant
Past HPPOA President