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AIEA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

Draft – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009

AIEA LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM

CALL TO ORDER: At 7:30 p.m., Third Vice Chair Mobley announced that there was no quorum at this time, public service reports would given; and that the Board is not allowed to take any action until a quorum is present. Note: This 15 member Board requires eight (8) members present to have a quorum and take official Board action.

MEMBERS PRESENT: David Arakawa (7:50 p.m.), Mary Booth (7:40 p.m.), Danielle Lum, Ron Mobley, George Passmore, Susan Sheldon (7:33 p.m.), Jane Sugimura (7:37 p.m.), Monica Texeira.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Tracy Arakaki, William Clark, Ruby Hargrave, Wilbert Ho, Silvia Sugihara, Kelsey Wells.

GUESTS: Jiro Sumada (Deputy Director, State Department of Transportation), Breene Harimoto (Office of Councilmember Gary Okino), Ken Best (Office of Representative Blake Oshiro), John Manavian (Roberts Properties Group), Sharleen Oshiro (Office of Councilmember Romy Cachola), Wayne Kawahara (State Department of Transportation), Kristine Duong (Office of Representative K. Mark Takai), David Tanoue (Office of the Mayor/Director, City Department of Planning and Permitting), Eileen Clarke (Board of Education), Blake Kawakami, Paul Southworth, Beverly Haversland, Carol Fardal, Julia Yoshimoto (Path Clinic), Tracy Burgo (Board of Water Supply), Debbie Hiramoto (Office of Senator Donna Kim), Sgt. Roger Nitta and Lt. Glenn Maekawa (Honolulu Police Department, District 3 – Pearl City), Firefighter Kenn Ishida and Captain Tay Enos (Honolulu Fire Department – Aiea), Jon Kawano, Gary Omori (Honolulu Rail Transit), Suzette Aversalo, David Knox, Claire Tamamoto (Aiea Community Association), Nola Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

VACANCY – Sub-district 4, Newtown, Royal Summit, Aiea side of Kaahumanu Street (one-seat) – There were no persons present interested in filling the vacancy.

ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS: The roll call of Board members was administered with four (4) members present at this time (Lum, Mobley, Passmore, Texeira).

Sheldon arrived at 7:33 p.m. (5 members now present)

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS – The guests introduced themselves at this time.

Booth arrived at 7:35 p.m. (6 members now present).

PUBLIC SERVICE REPORTS:

Sugimura arrived at 7:37 p.m. (seven members now present); and continued with the order of the agenda.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Firefighter Ishida reported the following:

1)       March 2009 Statistics – 2 structures, 0 wildland, 3 rubbish, 74 medical, 1 search/rescue, 23 miscellaneous response calls.

2)       Fire Safety Tip – Fire, building and U.S. postal codes and City ordinances state that property owners shall place their house numbers in such a manner so it legible and readily visible from the street. This will assist the Honolulu Fire Department and other first responders in locating your house quickly in the event of an emergency.

3)       Big Boy Restaurant Fire – The fire is still under investigation; it seem to have started in the kitchen.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Nitta reported following:

1)       March 2009 Statistics: 14 auto thefts, 5 auto theft recovery, 10 burglaries, 17 criminal property damage, 1 sex assault, 76 thefts, and 48 U.E.M.V. (unauthorized entry into motor vehicles).

2)       Follow up regarding speeding – Patrols and enforcements have increased on Kaonohi Street and on Kamehameha Highway near the Dixie Grill.

3)       Swap Meet Committee Meeting – A meeting with HPD, Kam Drive-in Committee and a full discussion, it was decided that two special duty HPD officers will be hired, one to direct vehicles on Kaonohi Street to continue makai on Kaonohi Street, thereby clearing the area. The other second officer will be stationed at the makai - ewa corner of Kaonohi Street and Moanalua Road to assist traffic attempting to make a right turn from the makai-kokohead-bound lane of Moanalua Road and the traffic heading Ewa on Moanalua Road attempting to make a left turn into Kaonohi Street. The assistance will concentrate on clearing the intersection to expedite traffic flow in the area.

4)       Pedestrian Safety Campaign – The campaign has started to curb jaywalking and failure to yield for pedestrians.

Questions, comments, concerns followed: Thefts are up in Beat 380 (Pearlridge area) due to an increase of shoplifting at the mall.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Tracy Burgo reported the following:

1)       Water Main Breaks: Three water main breaks for the month of March 2009 – a) March 9, 2009 at Aiea Heights Drive and Analio Place; due to contractor damage; b) March 9, 2009 at 99-1723 Hoapono Place; and c) March 20 at 99-313 Kulawea Place.

2)       Water Meter Maintenance: BWS is responsible for maintaining and repairing our water mains, the meter boxes, and the water meter itself. It is critically important that property owners make sure the pipes and water fixtures on their property are well cared for. It is important that you keep the meter box area clear of grass and easily be accessed by BWS crews. If a leak is noticed in your water meter or the need to shut off water service for any reason, do not attempt any repairs or modifications to the meter box yourself, call BWS instead at 748-5000.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1)       Paleo Way Water Problem – BWS crew could not locate the main water valve on Paleo Way and water to the entire area was shut off. The response was that BWS has maps that must be updated and at the time the valve was difficult to locate because it covered by overgrowth or built over.

2)       Locked Water Meter: There will be follow-up if, when a customer turns off his water meter, if the meter locks.

3)       Burgo said that a special tool is required to turn on a water meter. If this should occur, notify BWS and a trouble shooter will be dispatched. Response time would depend if it is a weekend or not and where the trouble shooter would be coming from. A comment made was all homes have a main valve, and if a problem occurs that should be shut-off.

Arakawa arrived at 7:50 p.m. (a quorum of 8 members is now present).

Board of Education (BOE) – Eileen Clarke circulated the BOE Highlights and noted:

1)       Finances - Budget issues were discussed and explained by Linda Smith, of the Governor’s office at the last BOE meeting.

2)       BOE Public Hearings - As required by law public hearing will be held on chapters under Title 8, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR). Amendments have been proposed to Chapters 19, 27, 37, 38, 61, and 60. For the Aiea area the public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2009, Moanalua High School Cafeteria at 3:30 p.m. Log on to information log on to www.boe.k12.hi.us for more information.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:

February 2009 – The February 9, 2009 regular meeting minutes was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0-0).

March 2009 (Memorandum for the Record) – The March 9, 2009 memorandum for the record was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Deferred.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS – None.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Aiea Community Association (ACA) – No representative present at this time.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Revisit the Application for CUP (Conditional Use Permit) for a Type 2 Adult Care Home (above 6 persons) located at 98-570 Kaamilo Street – David Knox and Carol Fardal presented the following: At the last Board presentation plans for the facility was displayed. The property is a corner lot located at the end of a loop. The property is large enough to allow seven cars to park, plus the two car garage. Also, there is on street parking for about 12 vehicles. Parking is not an issue and they expect only a minimum amount of cars from visitors to the facility. C. Fardal explained that there is a crisis for elderly care. She is a registered nurse and owner of a care home in Pearl City, which has five people and would like to have accommodations for 10 people, including couples. She stated that parking is not an issue because most of the residents have outlived their friends, do not drive, do not have family, and visitors usually visit about 15 minutes. The facility would have a staff worker on the night shift, and would be instructed to call HPD of any occurrence.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:

1)       There is on-street parking on both sides of Kaamilo Street.

2)       The average cost for elderly private care is $4,500 to $10,000 per person per month. Each applicant is assessed, which determines the cost and level of care. The care home will provide private care and assist a resident if the need arises to apply for expanded care.

3)       An inquiry regarded as to the impact to the residential area, and concerns were expressed that Kaamilo Street is a major thoroughfare.

4)       The whole project focuses on providing a home environment. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) would allow 10 or 12 people, and the house is designed to accommodate 15.

5)       Knox said that City Department of Planning and Permitting would consider no traffic impact, and the house is only two block from Pali Momi Hospital.

6)       A CUP is required by the State Department of Health (DOH) for 15 people.

7)       It was reiterated the facility would like to also accommodate couples.

8)       Maximum for this care home would be 15; and rooms may be co-shared if the people get along.

9)       According to some neighbors, they were not notified or asked about this care home. The City Department of Planning and Permitting requires that the area Neighborhood Board be notified; and Fardal stated having attended two Board meetings. Also, neighbors within 300 feet were notified, and notification letters were mailed out twice.

Honolulu Rail Transit (HRT), Public Involvement Team – Gary Omori reported: A Waipahu Rail Stations Community Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2009, Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria (94-455 Farrington Highway from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. The City Department Transportation Services (DTS) will discuss the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and the DPP the rail station project design. The project is figuratively on track and hopefully groundbreaking will start in December 2009.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:

1)       A suggestion was that some point in time both departments should work together and have one combined workshop.

2)       Issues regarding the land acquisition are being addressed. Owners have been notified, and work is being done closely with owners who would have to relocate. Land appraisals are in the first phase. A comment per the media was that the acquisition went up $10 million. Omori said this is work in progress and changes do happen. According to the FDA EIS review, by 2030 traffic reduction should be approximately 20-

22%.

3)       Regarding the publishing of 44 positions by the media, did the project no favor. He explained that those would be administrative position (master degree/10-15 years of experience), and Omori personally has not seen a job description. It was mentioned that the job descriptions are yet to be written.

Kamehameha Highway Improvements Projects Update – Jiro Sumada, Deputy Director, State Department of Transportation, introduced Wayne Kawahara and David Atkin, and gave the following update:

1)       Funding: SDOT was successful in encumbering $8.8 million of appropriated funds.

2)       June 2008: Bid period for one construction contract including median Fencing; Kaahumanu intersection improvements; and signal operation and monitoring improvements. Construction awarded to Royal Construction; October 28, 2008: NPDES Permit approved (Clean Water Act); construction groundbreaking.

·         Project #1: Median Fencing - A) Will restrict mid-block pedestrian crossings by providing a chain link fence in the roadway. B) An aesthetic panel with Hawaiian motifs will be provided on the fence to soften its appearance. C) Traffic control plan – no night work, lane closures will be limited to off-peak hours only; and only one lane closure per direction permitted.

·         Project #2: Intersection Improvements – Hekaha and Kaahumanu Streets – A) Will improve traffic flow at the intersections of Kamehameha Highway with Hekaha Street, and Kaahumanu Street (new signal timing at Hekaha Street has been in effect since December 2006). B) Traffic control plan - no night work, lane closures will be limited to off-peak hours only; and only one lane closure per direction permitted.

·         Project #3: Signal Operation and Monitoring Improvements (hardware) – A) Provide pedestrian countdown signals at each intersection from Acacia Road (Hone Depot) to Center Drive (Pearl Harbor; underground fiber optics linking all intersections; traffic monitoring cameras to provide full coverage of the entire corridor from the Traffic Management Center on Ward Avenue; and five intersections will be modernized. B) Traffic control plan – involves no night work, lane closures will be limited to off-peak hours only; and only one lane closure per direction permitted.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:

1)       Regarding if improvements would be made to the pedestrian walkways at night. With rail transit coming through the improvements may have to be dug up. It was mentioned that federal properties use solar which lights up the crosswalks at night. This suggestion will be taken back to the proper department.

2)       It was asked if the fencing installed on Kamehameha Highway could be coordinated with the fencing on Kaonohi Street. The answer was that aesthetic panels will be put on the fencing.

Kam Drive-in Swap Meet Traffic Issues – John Manavian introduced himself as working with Robertson Properties Group, owners of the Kam Swap-Meet property. Although in another department, he offered to take any concerns or suggestions back to the property department in Los Angeles for follow up.

Discussion followed:

1)       Plans are to work with the City and Transit Oriented Development as a mixed use project (two/three year process).

2)       The swap meet manager was thanked for attending the committee meeting and particularly with finding solutions to the traffic impact issues.

3)       The key is two fold; move cars along the road by putting a police officer at the intersection of Moanalua Road and Kaonohi Street, and prevent cars (Diamond Head bound) from turning right (makai bound) on the red light from Moanalua Road; trial period is one month.

4)       Special duty officers are privately contracted and do what they are told by their employer. It was added that the officers’ superiors agreed to work with those involved and monitor the situation.

5)       Regarding if the parking lot is closed when full, the problem is traffic backs up on the street, and having an officer on the street flagging the cars to keep moving.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Path Clinic – Julia Yoshimoto reported the PATH Clinic is an independent clinic located on the grounds of the Salvation Army Family Treatment Services (FTS) campus, 845 22nd Avenue. Founder and Medical Director is Dr. Tricia Wright. Services include comprehensive prenatal, delivery and postnatal care for women with past or present methamphetamine or other substance abuse issues; obstetric/gynecological care, pediatric care, psychiatric care, case management, social service referrals, classes, activities and childcare. Payment and health insurance issues are never a barrier to receiving clinic services.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:

1)       Path Clinic is connected with Ke Aloha Ola Mau.

2)       Services are not rendered to girls at the Koolau Facility.

Announcement of Vacancy for Aiea Neighborhood Board, Sub-district 4 (Newtown, Royal Summit, Aiea-side of Kaahumanu Street) – Vice Chair Sugimura announced that Carl Jacobs has resigned from the Board and asked if there was anyone present interested in filling the vacancy. There were no volunteers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

·         The Next Board meeting will be at the Aiea Library Conference Room on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Submitted by:  Nola J. Frank, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: William Clark, Chair