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AIEA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

Draft – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009

AIEA LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note: This 15 - member Board requires eight (8) members for a quorum and to take official action.

Chair Clark reported that the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) has sent out an agenda template that was approved by the Neighborhood Commission as an “experiment" lasting for six months. He disagrees with portions of the template but has chosen to use the template, listen to comments about the template as we try to follow it, and, when called for, adjust the template based on those comments.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Tracy Arakaki, Dave Arakawa (arrived at 8:05 p.m.), William Clark, Wilbert Ho, Ron Mobley, George Passmore, Susan Sheldon, Jane Sugimura, Kelsey Wells.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Booth, Ruby Hargrave, Danielle Lum, Silvia Sugihara.

GUESTS: Sharleen Oshiro (Office of Councilmember Romy Cachola), Kathryn Xian (Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery), Owen Tamamoto, Ron Fitch , Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Tracy Burgo (Board of Water Supply), Jon Nouchi and James Burke (City Department of Transportation Services), Eileen Clarke (State Board of Education), Sgt. Ken Miyazaki (Honolulu Police Department, District 3 – Pearl City), Gary K. Omori (Honolulu Rail Transit), Senator Norman Sakamoto, Suzette Adversalo, Claire Tamamoto (Aiea Community Association), David Tanoue (Office of the Mayor/ Director, City Department of Planning and Permitting), 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. Chair Clark announced that Board member Mary Booth has resigned from the Board.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department – No representative present.

Honolulu Police Department – Sgt. Miyazaki reported: Total calls for service in all Beats were 6,679 and total calls in District 3 were 25,216, making the Beats comprize and 26.49% of District 3 calls.

Questions, comments, concerns:

Mayor’s Representative – David Tanoue announced:

• Neighborhood Board elections May 6 – 22, 2009; voting is by phone or internet (Honolulu Hale, Kapolei Hale, Windward Satellite City Hall).
• “Bike to the Zoo Day”, Sunday, May 17, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., entrance fee $1.00.

• In continuation of Earth Hour, the City has decided that every third Saturday be “Honolulu City Lights Out” from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

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

• Water Main Breaks - No water main breaks for the month of April 2009.
• 2009 conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests – The winners of the Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry contests were honored at an awards ceremony by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, depicting the contest theme “Ola I Ka Wai – Water Gives Life.” Log on to www.boardofwatersupply for a list of winners, an online art gallery and a short video. Poster and poetry will be on exhibit at Lane Gallery (Honolulu Hale) May 4-15; Pearlrige Uptown from May 18 – 29; Kahala Mall from June 1 - 12; Kapolei hale from June 15 – 26; and Windward Mall from June 29 - July 10. Enter online to win free home leak detection from June1 – 15.
• 2009 Detect - A - Leak Week: June 7 - 13, 2009. Detect – a - leak tablets were distributed.
• Meter Valve Mechanism Follow Up – BWS meters do not have auto-lock mechanisms that make it impossible to open after someone turn it off. However, a special wrench is needed to unlock the meter.

8:05 p.m. Arakawa arrived (nine members now present).

Council Member Romy Cachola – Sharleen Oshiro reported:

• City Council Budget Committee meeting - Monday, June 18, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., in the Committee Room (Room 205).
• Bill 4, Relating to the Use of Electronic Devices While Operating Motor Vehicles -  The bill was signed into law by Mayor Hannemann, and goes into effect July 1, 2009.
• Halawa Valley Estates.  Residents from five residential communities met to discuss their concerns regarding recent vandalism incidents where at least nine vehicles and one home were damaged had broken windows. HPD needs witnesses in order to pursue the investigation. Experiences were shared along with suggestions on how to protect people and property. Plans are to have a weekly citizens’ patrol walk.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES, APRIL 13, 2009 – The April 13, 2009 regular meeting minutes were approved as corrected by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0), with the following comments:

• Page 1, Members Present should read, “… Mary Booth (arrived at 7:35 p.m.)…”1) 2nd sentence should read, “…The response was that BWS has maps that sometimes need to be updated and at the time the valve may have been difficult to locate because it’s covered by overgrowth or built over…”
• Page 2, Board of Water Supply, Questions, comments, concerns should read, “…1) 2nd sentence should read, “…The response was that BWS has maps that sometimes need to be updated and at the time the valve may have been difficult to locate because it’s covered by overgrowth or built over…” 3) 3rd sentence should read, “…Response time would depend on other ongoing jobs, a weekend, 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 used to shut-off the water…”
• Page 2, Approval of the February 2009 should read, “… The February 9, 2009 regular meeting minutes were ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0-0…”
• The March 9, 2009 memorandum for the record was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0…”

BOARD BUSINESS

Honolulu Rail Transit Public Involvement Team – Gary K. Omori reported:

• The Administrative draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) the end of this month and released to the public in August. The record of decision is anticipated after October 1 of this year and groundbreaking should start in December.
• The procurement phase requested qualifications. The first RFP (maintenance facility) will be in July or September; there will also be acquisition and relocation of some business and residents; archaeological surveys. Omori is working with businesses and residents of the Banana Patch area.
• The next rail station meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Kapolei High School from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. The Waipahu meeting was well attended.

Questions, comments, concerns:

1)       No community meetings are planned for the Pearlridge area. Currently, the station design is being discussed.

2)       Referring to the website, it was questioned that the EIS shows that the Pearlridge station will be located at the old Selmons lot, but parking is across the street at the new strip center site. Follow up will be done.

3)       The EIS comments are being reviewed.

Kamehameha Drive-In Swap Meet Traffic Issue – Chair Clark reported:

1)       The last meeting was held on May 5, 2009 at the Pearl City Police Station. There has not been much improvement with the traffic situation going makai on Kaonohi Street. One entrance prior to the swap meet entrance goes to the recycling site. The swap meet entrance is next and it was suggested to station a person at the entrance to split the traffic entering into two lanes. Photographs were taken at different times. The area cannot handle that many cars with one lane on Kaonohi Street off of Moanalua Road. The swap meet owners attend the meetings to assist with alleviating the problems.

2)       A comment was made that at 10:30 a.m. the traffic from Moanalua Road was backed up on Kaonohi Street to the freeway bridge.

3)       Regarding considering having the entrance at the bottom, that would make the area a four-way intersection with cars turning left, and would not solve the problems.

4)       The next meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2009.

5)       Chair Clark noted that plans are to extend the Westridge Shopping area within the next four years.

City Department of Transportation Services’ TheBus (Modifications) – James Burke and Jon Nouchi presented the following:

• Route 16, Moanalua Valley: Establish service in both directions to Kaiser Moanalua Medical center and Red Hill using Moanalua Road Ewa-bound, left at Ala Kapuna, left Moanalua road town-bound. Pros: establishes direct new link between Kalihi Transit Center and Kaiser Moanalua/Red Hill; adds destinations to encourage ridership on an under - patronized route that has excess capacity; provides better transfer opportunities serving Red Hill such as Routes 43, 54, 53. Cons: One afternoon trip lost; Mitigation: Three morning, and three afternoon trips remain.
• Route 202, Waipahu via Paiwa Express: – Morning will reverse its current route through Waipahu starting at Waipahu High School and enter the H-1 Freeway from Paiwa Street. This is intended to bolster the Waipahu to Waikiki corridor with RTE and to allow route 202 access into the Zipper Lane; the afternoon route remains unchanged. Pros: faster travel to Waikiki by allowing access to the Zipper Lane; cons: morning passengers must board on the opposite side of the street
• Route 43, Waipahu – Honolulu Ala Moana: – Modifies routing to provide service on Manager’s Drive, use Moanalua Freeway, and terminate at Alapai Transit Center: Eastbound trip will terminate at Alapai Transit Center Routing will service Kalihi Transit Center, and Red Hill using Moanalua Freeway instead of the H-1 Freeway viaduct. Service to Dillingham Boulevard will be retained; the overall schedule will be preserved.
• Route 53, Honolulu – Pacific Palisades: Redirect westbound service by proceeding directly to Kamehameha Highway from Moanalua Freeway after servicing Red Hil. Eastbound service is unchanged.  Pros – simplified routing eastbound and westbound trips service same areas; reduced travel time during all periods; better on-time performance; eliminates difficult right turn from Laulima Street to Kamehameha Highway; Cons – eliminates services to Ulune Street, Kaimakani Street, Moanalua Road and Laulima Street ; Laulima Streetwould have no service and one bus stop removed. Mitigation: Rroute 54 serves this corridor every 30 minutes; Route 11 serves this corridor every 60 minutes. Effective This change is effective June 7, 2009

Questions, comments, concerns: The addition of directional arrows showing the route be to the website map was requested.

Human Trafficking Presentation, Not for Sale Organization – Katherine Xian and Owen Tamamoto presented the following:

• Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (P.A.S.S.) is seeking support to pass local legislation to illegalize sex-trafficking in Hawaii. Sex-trafficking is the denial of the liberty of another; transportation of a person is a secondary inquiry; criminal provisions focus on the coercive nature of the service, rather than the movement of the victim; the demand for children obtained through kidnapping, sold into slavery by family members, forced into prostitution by boyfriends or husbands, born in brothels and/or born to pimps and prostitutes, recruited from schools, malls, parties, etc. when the promise f making money/having a better life. An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. Worldwide, between 50 and 60 percent of children trafficked into sex slavery are under 16. Over 17,500 children and women are annually trafficked into the United States for sexual services and the trend is accelerating. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) officials recently counted 250 U.S. cities staffed with trafficking victims. Currently an estimated 200,000 American Children are trapped in the U.S. sex industry.
• Support P.A.S.S. local legislation allowing the hard-working police force to focus on pimps and johns. Learn how to identify a victim, what to do and what not to do. Know you local and national resources; and have a firm stance regarding the abolition of prostituting persons.
• Resources – P.A.S.S. infor@traffickjamming.org; Not for Sale Campaign, Hawaii Chapter, notforsalecampaign.org./mb@traffickjamming.org.
• A Human Trafficking Resolution was provided to the Board.

Mobley moved and Wells seconded that the Aiea Neighborhood Board No. 20 support the Human Trafficking Resolution (attached), by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 9-0-0 (Aye – Arakaki, Arakawa, Clark. Ho, Mobley, Passmore, Sheldon, Wells).

Discussion followed: The resolution was amended – third whereas add Intermediate Court of Appeals be added; Be it further resolved add the attached draft bill. Both Mobley and Wells agreed to the amendments.

The resolution in support of the Human Trafficking Resolution, as amended (attached) was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 9-0-0 (Aye – Arakaki, Arakawa, Clark. Ho, Mobley, Passmore, Sheldon, Wells).

REPORTS:

Treasurer’s Report – Chair Clark reported:

• March 2009 – Operating Account expenditures were $51.74, leaving a balance of $1,125.82; with no expenditures the Publicity Account remains at $3,063.; and with no expenditures in the Refreshment Account remains at $120.
• April 2009 – Operational Account expenditures were $33.45 leaving a balance of $1,092.37; with no expenditures in the Publicity Account, the balance remains at $3,063; and with no expenditures the Refreshment Account remains at $120.

COMMITTEES: There were no committee reports.

Chair Clark relinquished the gavel to 1st Vice Chair Sugimura.

PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUPS (PI Groups): Discussion followed – Chair Clark explained that in October 2006 this Board created PI Groups upon direction from the Neighborhood Commission Office to allow more than two Board members to attend public meetings. The Board voted that no more than seven members (one less than quorum) would attend other meetings.

Clark moved, seconded by Mobley recommending name changes to the Board’s PI Groups – Kamehameha Highway Beautification Project change name to Kamehameha Highway Improvements; remove Waimalu Sewer Project and Waimalu Ridge Task Force; change Community Forums affection Education to Community Forums; change Transportation Forums affecting the Community to Transportation; add Honolulu Rail Transit; and move the Aiea Community Association to Board Business on future agendas.  The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 9-0-0 (Aye – Arakaki, Arakawa, Clark, Ho, Mobley Passmore, Sheldon, Sugimura, Wells).

Chair Clark reclaimed the gavel.

Kamehameha Drive-In Issues – Reported earlier in the meeting.

There were no other PI Group reports.

Elected Officials:

Senator Norman Sakamoto – Senator Sakamoto circulated his written report and highlighted:

• The legislature voted for a two-day session extension until May 8, 2009 and passed five revenue measures. The Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) will increase one percent over the next two years;. Classroom renovations total $30 million.

·         He requested in the future if elected officials could be placed under residents’ concerns of the agenda.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:

1. There is no extra money to subsidize teacher housing.
2. The stimulus money is primarily for the Governor.

Senator Donna Mercado Kim – Senator Kim was present earlier in the meeting and provided a written report.

Aiea Community Association (ACA) – Claire Tamamoto reported:

• April 18, 2009 - participated with the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail clean-up (graffiti, trash, etc) with other community groups. Rainbow Bay Park was on the list but was found to have been cleaned up by the Lion’s Club.
• The Aiea Public Library book sale held on April 25, 2009 earned a little under $900. The library has an ongoing book sale to supplement the purchase of new books.
• The next ACA meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2009 at the Aiea Public Library Conference Room, at 7:00 p.m.
• Aiea High School Community Council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on May 19, 2009...

• Aiea High School Golf Tournament – June 5, 2009.
• The Care Hawaii Group Home on Kaamilo Street has lowered the client need classification, can have up to eight clients, and is being monitored.
• The Aiea Christmas Parade on December 12, 2009 will be using the same route and end at the Mill with community activities.
• ACA offered to fund wireless internet at Aiea Public Library, but was informed by the library that federal funds would be used instead to get more computers for the library.

Board of Education – Eileen Clark was present earlier in the meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Two Board vacancies, one seat in Sub - district 1 (Halawa Heights, Halawa Valley), and one seat in Sub - district 4 (East Loch, Ford Island, East Waimalu, Pearlridge) will be placed on the June agenda.
• The new term for Neighborhood Board members starts in July 2009 to June 2010. This Board has six vacancies – 2 Sub - districts 1, 2 Sub - district 2, 1 Sub - district 3, and 1 Sub - district 4.
• The next Board meeting will be held on Monday, June 8, 2009, Aiea Library Conference Room, at 7:30 p.m.

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

Submitted by: Nola Frank, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: William Clark, Chair

HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Rise in Human Trafficking among international and domestic trafficked persons is increasing in Hawaii, adversely affecting the image of the state and therefore tourism and the economy, and

WHEREAS, existing legislation and law enforcement activities in Hawaii are ineffective to deter Human Trafficking. Effective deterrents require bringing traffickers, and patrons or “johns” who solicit services from trafficked persons, to justice, and

WHEREAS, the Intermediate Court of Appeals recently ruled that Hawaii’s street prostitution statute is ineffective when applied to penalties for patrons or “johns,” and that the Legislature intended to exclude a patron of a prostituted person from criminal liability, and

WHEREAS, no comprehensive victim - centered, law exists in Hawaii that effectively penalizes the range of offenses involved in the trafficking scheme, to create a significant and effective penal deterrent to traffickers and patrons, while recognizing and protecting the needs and rights of trafficked persons, and

WHEREAS, existing state laws fail to protect victims of trafficking, who are often in Hawaii without proper documentation for falsified identification and are frequently punished instead of the traffickers themselves, and

WHEREAS, trafficked persons also often find it difficult or impossible to report the crimes committed against them or to assist in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes because they are subjected to coercion and intimidation, including physical or psychological control and debt bondage, and often fear retribution, and

WHEREAS, adequate services and facilities do not exist in Hawaii to meet the needs of trafficking victims for health care, housing, education, medical services, and legal assistance, which safely support the recovery and ability of trafficked persons to regain control of their lives and also to assist with the prosecution of traffickers, and

WHEREAS, in order to deter human trafficking, Hawaii must recognize that trafficking is a serious offense, which is by prescribing appropriate punishment, giving priority to the prosecution of trafficking offenses, and protecting, rather than punishing, the victims of these offenses, and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Legislature must enact a Human Trafficking statute compatible with existing state statutes as well as with the Wilberforce Act (Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act) to allow local law enforcement and city prosecutors to effectively combat the growing problem of Human Trafficking, which is a contemporary manifestation of slavery, to ensure the just and effective punishment of traffickers and to protect the human rights of trafficked persons, and

WHEREAS, the Pacific Alliance to  Stop Slavery has drafted the attached bill for the 2010 legislative session to enact a state Human Trafficking statue to effectively address and combat the crime of Human Trafficking in Hawaii, compatible with federal statues, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Aiea Neighborhood Board urges the State Legislature, the Governor of Hawaii, and the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and its relevant Departments to support, to enact, and to enforce the Human Trafficking legislation proposed by the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery by:

1.         Passing the bill enacting a state Human Trafficking statute, as drafted and provided by the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery.

2.         Make the introduction and expeditious hearing and passage of this bill a priority in the next 2010 legislative session.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Human Trafficking Resolution and the attached draft bill be transmitted to: The Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Lt. Governor of the State of Hawaii, State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, the City’s Prosecutor’s Office, mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, all City Council members the Hawaii State House of Representatives and State Senate, the Honolulu Police Department, FBI, Immigration Custom Enforcement, the Hawaii Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the Hawaii Anti-Trafficking Task Force of Act 260, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, all Neighborhood Boards, the Soroptimists International of Hawaii, the League of Women Voters, the Hawaii Women’s Coalition, the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation (formerly Hawaii Women Lawyers), blue Water Mission, Imago Dei Christian Community, North Shore Calvary Church, Kumulani Chapel of Maui, New Hope, First Presbyterian Church, the Lion’s Club and the Rotary Club.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY by a vote of 9-0-0,, by the Aiea Neighborhood Board No. 20 at its May 11, 2009 regular meeting.