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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008
HIGHLANDS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CAFETERIA
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Albert Fukushima called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Stanley Ching, Sol Ray Duncan, Albert Fukushima, Kevin Furutani, David Howton, Chris Lum Lee, Amoreena Rabago, Larry Veray, Cruz Vina Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Alfred Coleman, Antoinette Lee.
GUESTS: Lt. G. Maekawa, Sgt. Roger Nitta (Honolulu Police Department); Lan Yoneda (Board of Water Supply), Robert Sato (Councilmember Gary Okino's Office), Senator Clarence Nishihara, Barron Oda (Senator Clarence Nishihara's Office), Gary Omori (Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project), Kevin Cassel (videographer), Kathy Yoda, I. Miko, Rev. Underwood, Jade L. Underwood, Howard Matsumoto, Richard and Jackie Cantere, Ericson Paredes, Mark Toyama, Jon Nakamoto, Eric Hamada, Gretel Among, Ivan Ho, Jean Bullen, Elizabeth K. Nonaka, Faye Nonaka, Roger Nitta, E. Nonaka, I. Rutkonski, Ricky and Esther Mefford, Tina Yamamoto, Isaac Hokama (Mayor’s Office staff; Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative), Mark Scheibe, Rick Paton, Roger Olegario, Elwin Spray (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
OPENING: Chair Fukushima asked Lum Lee to lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance; Lum Lee led the Pledge. Chair Fukushima welcome the community to the Board meeting and announced a quorum of nine members was present (Ching, Duncan, Fukushima, Furutani, Howton, Lum Lee, Rabago, Veray, Vina). Chair Fukushima reviewed school and board policies, stating that smoking is not allowed on school grounds, summarized the time limit policy listed on the agenda and asked government representatives to please limit their oral reports to one subject matter.
FILLING OF TWO (2) VACANT BOARD SEATS: Chair Fukushima announced that the Board had two vacant seats (at-large for Pearl City area) for the remainder of the two-year term until May 30, 2009 and invited community volunteers or Board nominations; hearing none, Chair Fukushima announced the issues would be brought up at the next meeting.
APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS: Chair
EMERGENCY AGENCY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – No representative was present.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sergeant Roger Nitta reviewed area statistics for the past months of November 2007 / December 2007 / January 2008: 14 / 14 / 8 auto thefts, 7 / 6 / 7 auto theft recoveries, 26 / 19 / 13 burglaries, 13 / 27 / 28 criminal property damage cases and 20 / 29 / 20 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs). He reported a total of 6,981 / 7,857 / 6,517 calls for service in District 3, with 1,581 / 1,716 / 1,462 calls (22.65% / 21.84% / 22.43%) from the Pearl City area. Duncan reported occasions of loud music in the area of the backside for the Pearl City Apartments (off of Waimano Home Road near the Hoolalu Street Board of Water Supply and TheBus facility); Sgt. Nitta will have it checked. Duncan also reported concerns for the smashed front of the bus shelter in front of the HPD station; Chair Fukushima referred the issue to the Mayor’s Representative. Veray commented on recent break-ins near Waiau Court, including parked vehicles, and asked for increased monitoring and for communication with the existing Neighborhood Watch members; Nitta said he would follow-up. Chair Fukushima thanked Nitta for the report.
PRESENTATIONS
ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA: Chair
#A. Awarding of Certificates of Acknowledgement (P/R);
#B. Adult Group Living Facility (942 1st Street) – CUP: Transitional Housing for Released Prisoners, Homeless, Psychiatric Drug and Mental Impaired Patients – The Choice House Services, LLC (DPZ);
#C. Leeward Community College Second Access, Final EA and FONSI: Summary by Wilson, Okamoto Associates (DPZ/TT);
#E. Hawaii Army National Guard Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, Draft EA – Waiawa Gulch Facilities, Waihona Street (DPZ);
#F. U.S. Marine Corps Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, EA and Draft FONSI – Manana Housing Area, Pearl City Annex Warehouses (DPZ); and
#G. Manana Navy and Marine Corps Housing Reconstruction Update: ForestCity (Contractor) – DPZ.
Chair Fukushima reported #C on Leeward Community College would be added to next month’s agenda with an update that the Final EA (Environmental Assessment) and FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) have been published, with the Board needing to review the Final, and the note that funding is not available, although the site might be included with the proposed transit corridor construction of a transit maintenance facility.
Air Force Fuel Line Petroleum Spill Clean Up: Update of Investigation and Reconnaissance Work at the Kamehameha Highway, Waimano Home Road and Lehua Avenue Intersection (DPZ) – Rick Paton, from the Hickam Air Force Base (HAFB) Civil Engineering Office was present to provide a report update on on-going soil sampling adjacent to the buried aviation fuel pipeline that transits part of Pearl City. The pipeline, active from World War II to 1993, had several spills which have left chemicals in the soil which the Air Force is committed to assessing in a study that will be transmitted to the Department of Health (DOH). Patson, the project manager, described the Pearl City segment as the Home Depot area to Lehua Avenue, including the University of Hawaii (UH) urban gardens. The several releases date back to 1950, with the study including ground samples and on-going sampling from recently drilled area wells. He thanked the community for its assistance and accommodation in the drilling process and stressed the project will continue to evaluate the need for mitigation measurers. Furutani asked about the chemicals involved in the soil, with Patson reporting fuel-related items like from those from leaded gasoline, including BXT compounds, benzene, methylethylene, naphthalene compounds, and leads. Furutani expressed concern about the products consumed from the UH garden, saying that Paton’s Office is responsible to make the necessary clean up. Chair Fukushima pointed out that there are two major projects planned for the investigation area over the next five years (the Manana warehouse development -- including intersection work – and the Waiawa Ridge sewer line) and asked if project consultants are being provided with study data, agreeing that the study is determining the need for appropriate soil cleanup. Paton said he is working with the DOH and that the buried 10-inch pipeline easement is marked on documents developers would use, which would alert them to the need to contact the Hickam office, saying that several future options are possible, from land use controls and air injection, but that until the study is complete they will not know what further action is warranted. Chair Fukushima said the study would be a long term project, with Paton agreeing that the project would continue as long as the pipeline track remains, but added that the study area includes the tank farms located outside the Pearl City area. Chair Fukushima asked if a study wrap meeting would be in this area, with Paton agreeing it would be. Howton remarked on the use of lead in aviation fuel, with Paton explaining that small amounts were in early mixtures prior to jet fuel use. Howton asked about the injection of lead into the air from the burning of the fuel, with Paton agreeing that additives were used to improve the burn but that he was not familiar with the amounts released into the air, but stressing that the lead gasoline use was started in 1940. Chair Fukushima asked about scheduling of future Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meetings, with Cruz adding that there are three different RABs in the area, one for Central Oahu, a second one for Hickam AFB (with the meeting scheduled for March 11) and a third one for the Air Force project. Chair Fukushima thanked Paton for the report.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lan Yoneda represented the Board of Water Supply and reported that one 8-inch main break had occurred in the Pearl City area on Ahapule Street (January 18, 2008). He also distributed general information on main breaks, explaining that main breaks are an unfortunate but unavoidable factor in water utilities but reported that there has been a decrease in Oahu breaks since the 1990’s. He also reported the 2008 Water Conservation Poster Contest is underway in schools, with a deadline of March13, 2008 (information is online at www.boardofwatersupply.com). He also reported that the BWS paving for the Nanakai Street trenching was completed, with the contractor having repaired the street but not having done a complete street resurfacing, which was not part of the BWS project. Furutani referred to the Air Force pipeline and said that the Pearl City water should be retested for the chemicals described, with Yoneda saying he would follow up but pointed out that testing is continually being performed, with an annual report on water quality being mailed to all rate payers. Chair Fukushima asked that a future BWS presentation (March or April 2008) be made on the quality and quantity of Pearl City-area water, pointing out planned new developments (and recent projects) and the testing done for new projects; Yoneda said he would call about scheduling. Chair Fukushima thanked Yoneda for his report.
Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP) – Gary Omori, from the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP), introduced Mark Scheibe, from Parsons Brinkerhoff (the project consultant) who presented an overview of the project. Scheibe gave a powerpoint presentation, which included the expectation that Oahu would experience growth between 2005 and 2030 (population up 22%, employment up 21% and daily trips increased 27%) and mobility options being proposed include highway expansion, engineering improvements, pedestrian and bicycle projects, TheBoat, TheBus expansion and this project for a fixed guideway. Guideway project decisions have been made for a fixed guideway from East Kapolei to Ala Moana, with expansion to Kapolei and University of Hawaii (UH) Manoa and also Waikiki. The Pearl Highlands shopping area has been identified as a key spot, with plans for a park-and-ride, allowances for a future spur to the Mililani/Wahiawa area, and discussions for a dedicated H-2 off-ramp direct to the transit station from the Mililani direction. The presentation defined the guideway benefit points to include congestion avoidance, reliability, convenience, reduced cost of travel, environmentally friendly and would facilitate smart growth. The technology selection panel recommended steel wheel on steel rail technology in a report to be received by the Council on February 28, 2008, with vehicle procurement process to begin in late 2008. He also reported on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) which is the community-based open planning process for the area around each neighborhood transit station, based on a developed neighborhood plan. He reported the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) would be happening in Fall 2008 and that community update meetings are planned for the next month (March 10, 13, 18 and 19 – starting at 6:30 p.m., with details at www.honolulutransit.org or by calling 566-2299). Furutani expressed concern about noise from the rails, with Scheibe saying the sound would not be a lot difference from the current bus operation, explaining that the rails would have a continuous weld (negating the clicky-clack sound as seen in movies), that the engineering would include no tight turns (eliminating any squealing from turns) and that there would be a cover over the wheel base area in urban portions of the tracks. Chair Fukushima asked about insulation of wheels, with Scheibe saying the wheels would not be insulated but that a rubberized layer would be between the rails and the concrete ties. Chair Fukushima also asked about preliminary engineering, with Scheibe agreeing would be included in the EIS, with the preliminary engineering design on-going now but that the continuing open-planning comments may lead to other design schemes. Furutani asked about the park-and-ride site, with Scheibe saying there would be a bus center in addition to parking stalls. Chair
Refreshments – Chair Fukushima announced that Veray had secured refreshments and invited the audience to pick up bottled water and cookies from the front during the meeting.
Leeward Community College (LCC) – There was no report.
Board of Education (BOE) – There was no report.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:
Pearl City Wal-Mart / Sam's Club Gas Station / Roadway Construction Update – Furutani ireported that project’s start has been delayed for three months. He will continue to monitor.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor Linda Lingle’s Representative – No representative was present.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – Isaac Hokama, from the Office of the Mayor, represented Mayor Hannemann and circulated the Mayor's Newsletter, expressing his excitement that Pearl City is central to transit project planning, with Chair Fukushima agreeing and pointing out that the headline in today’s paper is on the Pearl City portion of the transit line. Hokama reported on prior concerns, explaining that concerns for the Department of Parks and Recreation (PRK), as well as for other City agencies, can be conveyed by Hokama to the appropriate director’s office, rather than having City staff assigned to attend the meetings every month. Veray said that the Board’s desire was for a PRK staff person to come, on a regular basis, to each Board meeting, with Hokama saying he could provide updates for the two Pearl City parks every month. Furutani said that the parks should be usable, reporting rocks in the ground at the Manana Neighborhood Park; Hokama said he would follow up, asked that he be called if there was a problem, and said he would give a report on park activities at the next meeting. Veray noted that the Bus stop on Komomai Drive (at the Methodist Church) was covered with graffiti (orange paint) and damaged plexiglass. Duncan reported the damaged bus shelter fronting the HPD station, with Chair Fukushima noting the safety hazard of the broken plexiglass. Furutani asked for a full bus shelter (benches with a roof) for the Puuhaki and Kaweloa ewa mauka corner, with Chair Fukushima noting that bench is at that location now but not a covered site. Chair Fukushima noted a prior program to have Boards suggest shelter locations and needed trash receptacles, with Hokama suggesting the Board make a listing and Chair Fukushima saying he would refer the suggested listing to a Board committee. Veray noted trash accumulates at bus stops and recommended area residents participate in the Adopt-a-Bus-Stop program and assist making the whole community a better place. Chair Fukushima thanked Hokama for the report.
Councilmember Gary Okino – Robert Sato represented Councilmember Okino, distributed a community report, thanked Scheibe for his report on transit and highlighted the Council’s legislative calendar items, including Council Resolution 07-379 to place the issue of Neighborhood Board term limits as a Charter Amendment (an eight-year term limit of four consecutive two-year terms), saying that the Council is welcoming input on the idea of term limits. Cruz thanked Okina for the nomination of Aiea Neighborhood Board member Ron Mobley as a Neighborhood Commissioner, with Chair Fukushima agreeing. Veray said the Council’s shopping cart resolution is incomplete in that it does not provide a solution to the problem. Chair Fukushima thanked Sato for his report.
Senator Clarence Nishihara – Senator Nishihara distributed a community report and highlighted efforts to have working street lights on Farrington Highway (with the State Department of Transportation not having responded to his office yet) and with his seeking funds for the Pearl City Library air conditioning and for the Library parking lot. Howton asked about Senate Bill (SB) 2023, which would make changes to the State Sunshine Law, intending to allow Neighborhood Boards, which are advisory, more ability to have discussion and attend community meetings. Nishihara reported that two bills, including his SB2023, providing for changes to the Sunshine Law have passed out of the Judiciary Committee and sent to the House, expressing his hope that they will pass. Chair Fukushima thanked Nishihara for his report and asked that he contact the Board if there was need for the Board to provide testimony, with Nishihara saying the important participation anticipated will be communications to the Governor.
Representative David Ige – No representative was present.
Representative Roy Takumi – Tina Yamamoto reported a town meeting scheduled for March 12, 2008 and invited participation, also reporting that the community report gives details on legalization including that of House Bill (HB) 2973. Chair Fukushima asked that future legislative report be distributed at the beginning of the meetings.
Representative Mark Takai – No representative was present.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Manana Community Association – Chair Fukushima reported the community would have an Easter egg hunt at Manana Park on March 23, 2008, distributed a flyer, and invited attendance.
Pacific Palisades Community Association – Howton had no additional report.
Minutes of the January 22, 2008 Regular Meeting – Chair Fukushima asked if there were any corrections, and hearing none, declared the January 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes would be approved as circulated if there were no objections; hearing no objections, Chair Fukushima declared the minutes unanimously approved as circulated 9-0-0.
Treasurer’s Report – Howton referred to the distributed January 2008 financial statement (showing expenditures of $72.46 and a balance of $2339.60) and commented that the publicity balance did not show a video expenditure; videographer Kevin Cassel said the payments were up to date. Chair Fukushima announced the financial statement would be filed.
COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRAL:
Executive – Chair
Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) – HEW Chair Veray reported his hope that a regular monthly Parks and Recreation project and status report would start next month. He also reported a Pearl City Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, March 15, 2008. Veray and Chair Fukushima reported on a circulated letter of appreciation received by the Board from the State Department of Health (DOH) for the Board’s support to the Governor on certification (Waimano DOH Medical/Bio-Safety Laboratory Level 3 certification) with the certification received on February 6, 2008. Veray, Chair Fukushima and Lum Lee discussed a draft resolution to the United States Postal Service requesting consideration to honor the Nisei World War II military personnel for their bravery via a commemorative stamp. Veray reported the stamp resolution as a HEW committee recommendation for passage by the Board. With no objections, Chair Fukushima declared the motion to support the draft resolution for recommendation of a Nisei commemorative stamp was agreed to unanimously 9-0-0.
Traffic and Transportation (TT) – TT Chair Vina reported that SB1191 Supporting Pedestrian Safety had been sent to Governor Lingle were funds need to be released ($3 million appropriated for pedestrian safety education). Chair Fukushima and Vina discussed that the concern on the storage of vehicles on public roadways would be deferred from immediate future agendas pending more information. Vina proposed for the Committee that the Board recommend a study by the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) for the intersection of Moanalua Road at Hoolaulea Street (left-turn issues near Manana Community Park). With no objections, Chair Fukushima declared the motion to recommend a DTS traffic study for the intersection of Moanalua Road at Hoolaulea Street was agreed to unanimously 9-0-0. Chair Fukushima asked Vina to provide a draft letter of support to DTS for the motion. Chair Fukushima also noted that no responses had been received for letters sent to DTS on either 1) No Left Turn Proposal for Westbound Traffic on Hoomalu Street into Puu Poni Street or 2) Extension of Left Turn Mauka-bound Lane on Waimano Home Road into Kuala Street. For future agendas, Chair Fukushima suggested that the item of crosswalk re-striping would be taken off and, with the report from Furutani that
Development, Plan and Zoning (DPZ) – DPZ Chair Furutani reported no major changes in the committee issues being tracked. He detailed:
1. Status of Development for Remaining Manana Warehouse Properties – Furutani reported the Pearl City Gateway grading to begin in April, with Chair Fukushima suggesting that a representative be asked to give a status report for the next meeting.
2. Hale Mohalu II Elderly and Family Housing Affordable Rental Development Update -- Furutani reported continuing plans to move the Hale Mohalu building, with Chair Fukushima reporting that the Final EIS is being released and the issue will come back to the Board (a 201 H exemption request to the City) with a request for Board support for the waivers.
3. Central Oahu Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) – Chair Fukushima noted that the Hickam Pipeline presentation had included that future RAB meetings would be held.
4. Kamehameha Highway Improvements Project Task Force (KHIPTF) – Vina reported that show boards with the project renderings have been put up at the Pearlridge Satellite City Hall and announced a March 12, 2008 meeting.
5. Waimano Ridge Master Plan Task Force (WRMPTF) Update – Furutani reported that Governor Lingle was still with holding funds.
6. Participation in Pearl Harbor RAB – Chair Fukushima reported that the issues and Board participation were similar to the oil pipe lines and the accompanying oil tanks on the Pearl Harbor peninsula.
Legislative and Capital Improvement Programs (LCIP) – LCIP Chair Rabago distributed a detailed legislative status report, reporting that some legislation to modify the Sunshine Law is moving (SB2201 and HB2730), along with HB1968, although HB1512 is not likely to move. She also reported:
1. City Council Resolution No. 07-379: Charter Amendment Setting Term Limits for Neighborhood Board – Rabago reported a hearing, with Chair Fukushima referring to testimony provided by Lum Lee in opposition to placing limits on candidacy, and asked for members to ratify the committee testimony of the February 20, 2008 Council Public Hearing. Rabago moved for the LCIP committee for Board approval of Board opposition to Resolution No. 07-379, as presented at the February 20, 2008 hearing. Vine noted that the committee is strongly opposed to the resolution. With no objections, Chair Fukushima declared the motion to approve Board opposition to Resolution No. 07-379 was agreed to unanimously 9-0-0.
2. Adult Residential Care Homes: State and City Legislation – Rabago explained that State proposed legislation was not as important currently as the City’s efforts, as the City is moving ahead with the issues; Chair Fukushima asked that the committee continue to track the City proposal (resolution 07-116).
3. Abandoned Shopping Cart Ordinance Resolution – Rabago, Chair Fukushima and Veray commented that there are law enforcement and education issues that are not resolved in the drafts. Chair Fukushima said he understands that the committee consensus is to table the issue and that if there was no objection, the issue was tabled; there were no objections and Chair Fukushima said the issue was tabled 9-0-0.
4. Pearl City Public Library: Expansion of Parking Lot and ADA Renovations for Auditorium Restroom for Public Usage – Rabago said the issue was still included in a Senate Bill.
5. Input to State Legislature and City Council for F.Y. 2009 CIP: SB 2398, HB 2995 -- Chair Fukushima noted the need from Furutani’s report to add the Hoomaimai Street repaving item to the City CIP. Chair Fukushima stated Furutani’s motion as to request City study to fix the roadway, repaving with repair to the underneath surface, including design and construction. With no objections, Chair Fukushima declared the motion to request City Hoomaimai Street repaving (planning, design and construction in CIP FY09) agreed to unanimously 9-0-0. Chair Fukushima also asked about the need to include a request for play courts at Manana Park, with Furutani reporting that he had talked to Okino who had said that the current funding was all right. Rabago suggested adding the issue of proper disposal of mercury, which is a component of CFL light bulbs, to the City Council to study, with Vina saying that the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV) could do the study and Chair Fukushima referring the issue to committee. Sato reported that the prior issue of Manana Park resurfacing had been forwarded to the City but that he suggested the Board consider adding the issue to the Board’s FY09 CIP list. Chair Fukushima said that without objection, the items would be added to the committee’s CIP list by unanimous vote 9-0-0.
Transportation Issues – Chair Fukushima reported that prior issues referred to State Department of Transportation spokesperson Scott Ishikawa were planned to be responded to by letter at the next month’s meeting, including, the second access road (by Wilson Okamura), the H-1 Waiau on-ramp dip (with remedial work having been done over the week-end) and the de-watering issue (asked by Veray) about the State DOT Pearl City facility. Chair Fukushima noted that it would be appropriate for a presentation to be made on the de-watering issue and the community concerns.
Publicity/Refreshments (P/R) – Chair Fukushima deferred reporting.
Internet – Chair Fukushima noted that web comments were being posted but not responded to, and asked that Health, Education and Welfare Committee Chair Veray assess the site, with members sending suggestions to Veray with ways for comments to be responded to, asking for Veray and Lee Lum to report back as to the suggestions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Fukushima announced the next committee meetings for Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at Highlands Intermediate School Cafeteria and the next regular Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 6:30 p.m., at Highlands Intermediate School Cafeteria.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chair Fukushima adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.
Submitted by Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office staff