Public housing neglect threatens tenant safety

Complaints about squalid public housing conditions are often met with indifference from taxpayers, particularly during tough economic times.

Nonetheless, the problems at two state projects aren't cosmetic—they are real threats to tenants’ health and safety and should not be disregarded.

The state, as a landlord, has an obligation to provide living quarters that are in good repair, just as private property owners do.

Lawsuits filed against the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority and its property managers seek to improve conditions at Kuhio Park Terrace and Kuhio Homes, two of the state’s largest and oldest properties. The suits say the apartments are infested with rats and roaches, that elevators don’t work reliably and that fire alarms are missing. Garbage chutes are clogged and corroded. In addition, some apartments assigned to disabled residents aren’t properly equipped.