MEDIA RELEASE

Home mortgage relief and help that’s available, things to do (and not do), what to watch for and other tips and advice on how to survive if not avoid the current home mortgage storm, coupled with an overview of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement preparation plan for the next phase of Saddle Road will top the Waimea Community Association Town Meeting agenda at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1 at Parker School Theatre. 

Locally available mortgage assistance, modification and relief programs, the Hawaii Home Ownership Center, the still new Hawaii First Community Resource Center free financial assistance service, and what local financial institutions are providing to help will be reviewed in a panel organized by WCA President Bill Sanborn and Treasurer Brian Thomas. 

“Nationally, some banks have adjusted mortgages for only 6 percent of those eligible for the federally underwritten Making Homes Affordable program. Also, some experts believe that America has, to date, seen less than 10 percent of the problem and that the mortgage crisis may be with us for 3 – 4 more years until just under 8 percent of the homes in the country have been foreclosed. The impact of this is stunning,” Thomas said.    

“The mortgage crisis is very evident here in Waimea. Recently, at www.realtytrac.com, the Waimea data map identified 38 homes between Mana Road and Mud Lane that had entered the foreclosure process – suggesting the problem is clearly here confronting many Waimea homeowners,” Sanborn said.

Also during the meeting, Steve Troute will provide an overview of the Supplemental EIS preparation process for the next phase on the West end of Saddle Road.   

As with all WCA Town Meetings, the entire community is invited. There is no charge to attend or participate though a $12 WCA membership urged to support the association’s informational activities and the annual Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade – at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Also on the agenda will be a brief update on the Hawaii Island Agriculture Plan by Dr. Guy Kaulukukui with The Kohala Center, and an invitation to attend the next South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee monthly meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 when the county Department of Public Works will review specific construction plans and approximate timing for the widening of Mamalahoa Highway from North Hawaii Community Hospital east to the old Fukushima Store (now Huli Sue’s). 

Also, to continue WCA’s 2009 commitment to help Waimea’s hard-pressed food pantries, all attendees are urged to bring a donation – preferably cash or a check – or non-perishable food items.  

Cash or checks will be given to the Waimea pantries to purchase gift certificates from Waimea grocery stores so that recipients are able to buy fresh items such as milk, vegetables or fruit as well as other essentials.  

Checks may be payable direct to a food pantry so may be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. 

For information about Waimea town meetings, call Bill Sanborn at 895-1122.