A new name and a new attitude.
A $135 million renovation project at what was known for nearly 50 years as Kuhio Park Terrace has generated a sense of pride for those who call the area home. Residents are starting to return to their newly-renovated units, at what is now called the Towers of Kuhio Park.
"Debbie? Hi, aloha. How are you? Good, good, good. Thank you for having me today. You’re welcome."
Deborah Taamu proudly opens her home to Governor Neil Abercrombie and nearly two dozen strangers.
"Is it boosting everybody’s morale?" asked Abercrombie. "It is mine because I’ve been here forever and I finally get to see action and changes."
It’s something Taamu would not have even considered a year ago.
"And we don’t have the so-called prison toilets with the piping in the back, now we got tanks," she proudly pointed out to Abercrombie.
Taamu’s unit is part of the first phase of renovations in "Tower A" where residents are moving into 144 out of the 270 units.
"It’s actually happening," said an excited Taamu. "I’ve finally moved back into my unit as you can see it’s beautiful. I love my refrigerator I love my range, I had a small little stove that you couldn’t cook a turkey in. But now I can cook, two, three turkeys!"
The two-year project is a public-private partnership between the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, The Michaels Development and the Vitus Group.
"We’re demolishing bad attitudes, we’re restoring a sense of confidence," said Abercrombie.
Confidence that had been destroyed after years of false promises.
"Back then there was a lot things, people coming through, from the state all over the place saying that they will come and help us do things and we have never seen progress," said Taamu. "Elevators breaking down that was always a problem. Now we’ve got brand new elevators on both buildings. It’s really, really, really happening and I’m so excited."
Taamu and other residents were temporarily housed at other state-run properties and was paid for by the state. Her unit was completed in two-and-a-half weeks.
"And the turn-over it’s not even a month and they’re coming right back in," said Taamu. "It’s really nice, it’s like I’m in outside apartment."
The renovation of all 555 units in both towers is expected to be completed by December 2013.
"The days of people not having any respect, either for the buildings or for each other are over with," said Abercrombie. "As this proceeds that level of confidence and security is going to build."
The original name of the complex was Prince Kuhio Towers, named for Prince Kuhio Kalanianaole.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
