HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Tenants at the Laau Gardens Apartments, located near Date Street and Iolani School, have been given six months to move out after a letter cited the building’s deteriorating and aging condition.
Most units in the complex are already vacant.
The letter, sent over the weekend, states the owner has decided to take down Laau Gardens due to the “advanced age and deteriorating condition of the building.” The property, which dates back to the late 1950s, contains 66 units across five buildings.
“I’ve lived here a long time already,” said Paul Ksamsouk, a tenant of 30 years. “I don’t know where we have to go, but we have to look all around now.”
Iolani School purchased the Date-Laau property in 2009 and says it has no immediate development plans. However, the school plans to expand its campus in the area in the future.
Tenants who moved in more recently said the six-month notice was a shock, while others were not surprised.
Rod, who has been a tenant since 2009, said he understands the decision.
“So this is almost like a termite palace, a lot of termites,” he said. “It gets to the point where when it’s hot and muggy, the termites come out. We had already decided that we were going to leave.”
Iolani School says it is offering up to $4,000 per apartment and free assistance from two full-time relocation coordinators to help tenants find housing.
All tenants are required to vacate by July 31.
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