The last resident of the old Rice Camp in Lihu’e won’t be forced to move, after all. Tadeo Suemori, 79, who lives in the last house standing in what was once plantation housing, was slated to be evicted Oct. 31
The last resident of the old Rice Camp in Lihu’e won’t be forced to move, after all.
Tadeo Suemori, 79, who lives in the last house standing in what was once plantation housing, was slated to be evicted Oct. 31
But that changed, thanks to negotiations between the new owners of the property, Nuhou Corp., and Harold Bronstein, a Lihu’e-based attorney who represented Suemori.
Suemori this month signed a month-to-month lease ($100 per month) with Nuhou and sent Nuhou a $1,200 check to cover back rent from January through November.
Originally, Nuhou offered Suemori a five-year lease at $100 per month, along with an offer to repair the house the old gentleman has lived his entire life, except when he was serving in the U.S. military during World War II.
But when Suemori refused to pay, claiming that Nuhou didn’t really own the land his house occupies, the offer was officially withdrawn on Sept. 11. Three days later, Nuhou regained possession of the property with a judgment awarded by District Court Judge Walton D. Hong.
Suemori was slated to be evicted Oct. 31. Nuhou officials claimed he threatened to shoot them, but he countered that the only gun he owned was a BB gun.
County sheriffs were notified and had Suemori’s name on a list of evictions. His last day in the house where he was born was slated to be Halloween.
But behind-the-scenes negotiations, brokered by Bronstein and Nuhou attorney Pamela Rask, led to Suemori’s new deal.
Nuhou is installing a fence and a gate around the leased premises and providing Suemori with a key. The gate is to be closed and locked except when he enters and leaves. The agreement didn’t explain reasons for the gate and fence.
Suemori is also prohibited from contacting any Nuhou employees. All communications and transactions pertaining to the lease and Nuhou must be directed through Bronstein.
Nuhou bought the land in March 2000 from former owners Wm. Hyde Rice Ltd. for an undisclosed price.
Nuhou had repeatedly offered Suemori a reduced-rent lease. He had been paying $400 per month and Nuhou offered $100. But Suemori claimed Nuhou didn’t own the land.
Suemori’s parents, plantation workers brought here from Japan nearly 100 years ago, died in the little house at 2856 Kalena St.
Suemori, who has been living in the house alone for more than 30 years, said he’s “very thankful” for Bronstein’s help.
He was the only attorney “willing to help me,” Suemori said.” I am glad I am still able to live in my parents’ house.”
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
