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PEARL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008

HIGHLANDS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Albert Fukushima called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m., with a quorum of seven (7) members present. Note – Seven (7) votes are needed to adopt a motion.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Stanley Ching (arrived at 6:52 p.m.), Alfred Coleman, Sol Ray Duncan, Albert Fukushima, Kevin Furutani, David Howton, Antoinette Lee (appointed at this meeting), Chris Lum Lee (appointed at this meeting), Larry Veray, and Cruz Vina, Jr.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Amoreena Rabago and Davin Takahashi.

VACANCIES: There are two (2) vacancies, since two (2) at-large seats were filled at this meeting.

GUESTS: Firefighter G. Kenui, Jr. (Honolulu Fire Department); Lt. G. Maekawa, Sgt. K. Miyazaki (Honolulu Police Department); David Atkin, Reshawn Fields (PB Co.); Wayne Kawahara (State Department of Transportation); Lan Yoneda (Board of Water Supply); Mark Lane (Leeward Community College – Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services); Breene Harimoto (State Board of Education); Ashley Kerr, Achie Reyes (Environmental Resources Management); Jim Propotnick (Governor Linda Lingle's representative – Deputy Director of the State Department of Public Safety); Isaac Hokama (Mayor Mufi Hannemann's representative – Special Assistant to the Mayor); Robert Sato (Councilmember Gary Okino's Office); Senator Clarence Nishihara; Barron Oda (Senator Clarence Nishihara's Office); Herbert Fujikawa (Representative Roy Takumi's Office); Representative K. Mark Takai; Gary Omori (Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project); Charles Kapua (Aha Kiole Committee); Alan Fujimori (Belt Collins); Paul Kobata (City Department of Community Services); Kevin Cassel (Olelo Videographer); Creighton Higa, Georgia Howton, Kathy Yoda; Rachel M. Glanstein (Neighborhood Commission Office).

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Duncan led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

RULES, REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Chair Fukushima indicated 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 THREE (3) VACANT BOARD SEATS: Two (2) residents came forward and introduced themselves – Antoinette Lee noted her 45-year residence in Pearl City, her retirement from service to the federal government, and her desire to make a difference; and Chris Lum Lee spoke of his hospital employment, volunteer activities and his desire to give back to the community.

UNANIMOUS CONSENT (7-0-0) was used to APPOINT Antoinette Lee and Chris Lum Lee to the Board. Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Rachel M. Glanstein administered the Oath of Office, making nine (9) members present.

Chair Fukushima announced the resignation of Davin Takahashi , effective January 31, 2008.

ELECTION OF TREASURER: Chair Fukushima related that Takahashi served as Treasurer and resigned that position, that office needed to be filled.

Furutani moved, and Vina seconded, to elect David Howton to be Treasurer, which was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0).

Stanley Ching arrived at 6:52 p.m., making 10 members present.

APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS: Chair Fukushima appointed Chris Lum Lee to serve on the Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) and the Legislative and Capital Improvement Programs (LCIP) Committees and Antoinette Lee to serve on the Publicity/Refreshments (P/R) Committee.

EMERGENCY AGENCY REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Firefighter G. Kenui, Jr. reported the following information:

1)       December 2007 Statistics – There were 19 structure, 3 brush, 3 rubbish and 4 vehicle fires; there were 125 medical emergencies, no search/rescue and 34 miscellaneous calls.

2)       Unusual Incidents – The December 5, 2007 rain storm affected "downed" trees, resulting in calls for service.

3)       Fire Safety Tip – Ensure that smoke alarms are functioning properly by testing them regularly in the presence of all household members. Practice an escape plan together. A child's life was saved due to properly working smoke detectors.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Fireworks – There were numerous brush and structure fires which were caused by fireworks.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. K. Miyazaki introduced Lt. G. Maekawa and circulated the report, which included the following statistics for December / November / October 2007: 14 / 14 / 15 auto thefts, 6 / 7 / 11 auto theft recoveries, 19 / 26 / 14 burglaries, 27 / 13 / 30 criminal property damage cases and 29 / 20 / 30 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs). There were a total of 7,857 / 6,981 / 6,889 calls for service in District 3, with some 1,716 / 1,581 / 1,518 calls (21.84% / 22.65% / 22.04%) from the Pearl City area.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1)       Fireworks – Several citations for illegal fireworks on New Year's Eve were issued and some fireworks were confiscated. There were comments that there seemed to be more fireworks this year than previously.

2)       Vehicle Storage on Public Roads – Creighton Higa presented his concern regarding the storage of vehicles (with legal stickers) on public roads. There are laws to address vehicles with expired tags parking on public streets, but none to address legal vehicles parked on the street for months at a time. Many people just move their cars back or forward "one foot", so that the previous tire chalk markings (indicating a possible abandoned car) are invalid. Mr. Higa would like a law to specifically address this "vehicle storage" problem.

Cars parked for more than 24 hours on public streets (which is illegal) may be reported to either HPD or the Abandoned Vehicles Division of the City Department of Customer Services (CSD). If there are any problems with getting a responding HPD officer to mark the tires of a car reported for parking for more than 24 hours, then call and ask for a supervisor.

Chair Fukushima referred the matter of Vehicle Storage on Public Roads to the Traffic and Transportation (TT) Committee for discussion and action.

3)       Drug Activity at the Pacific Palisades Playground – Concern was again expressed about the return of drug activity and trafficking in the Pacific Palisades playground. This has happened before, but the efforts of Officer Charlie Cervantes kept the drug activity away until now, that her beat has changed.

PRESENTATIONS:

Awarding of Certificates – This item was deferred, since there were no certificates to be presented.

Kamehameha Highway Improvements Project Task Force (KHIPTF) – Representative K. Mark Takai, the co-chair of the KHIPTF, distributed handouts and introduced the consultant for the State Department of Transportation (DOT), David Atkin of PB Co., who conveyed the following information:

1)       Project 1: Median Fencing – Providing a chain link fence in the roadway median of Kamehameha Highway (from Acacia Road to Center Drive) will encourage pedestrians to cross at marked crosswalks and not in the middle of the block. An aesthetic panel with Hawaiian motifs (shark teeth, mountains, and dolphins) will be provided along the top of the fence to soften its appearance. The design is complete and construction bidding is expected in April 2008.

2)       Project 2: Hekaha and Kaahumanu Streets Intersection Improvements – These changes will improve traffic flow at the intersections of Kamehameha Highway with Hekaha and Kaahumanu Streets. A new signal timing plan was already implemented in December 2006 at Hekaha Street. The design is 90% complete and the comments are now being addressed to produce a 100% complete design package.

3)       Project 3: Signal Operation and Monitoring Improvements – This project will provide: (a) pedestrian countdown signals at each intersection from Acacia Road (Home Depot) to Center Drive (Pearl Harbor); (b) underground fiber optics linking all intersections; (c) traffic monitoring cameras to provide full coverage of the entire corridor to the Traffic Management Center; and (d) modernization of five intersections. The design is 90% complete and final plans are being reviewed by the State and the City.

4)       Project 4: Feasibility Studies in Critical Bottleneck Areas – The goal is develop concepts to improve traffic flow for critical bottleneck areas along Kamehameha Highway. The first section to be studied will be the Waimano Home Road / Acacia Road area. Studies will begin in March 2008.

5)       Project 5: Corridor Signal Optimization – Optimized traffic signal timing will be provided on Kamehameha Highway, from Waihona Street to Center Drive, including consideration of pedestrians, mauka-makai movements and time of day. Phase 1 of the project will extend between Honomanu Street and Acacia Road. Phase 2 will extend between Center Drive and Salt Lake Boulevard. Data collection (pedestrians, vehicles, other modes of transportation) is now complete and an analysis is underway.

6)       Project 6: Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Gateway – The goal is provide an improved, attractive, multimodal approach between the Kamehameha Highway and Kalaloa Street intersection and the central parking, reception and staging areas for the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Aviation Museum-Pearl Harbor, the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, and the USS Oklahoma Memorial (recently added after the dedication on December 7, 2007). These sites collectively accommodate nearly two million visitors per year, and the intersection is the entry to the complex of sites. The project is in discussion of real estate details and overall limits; this project is complicated because there are various landowners with various encumbrances on the property.

7)       Schedule of Outreach Program – (a) January 22, 2008: Pearl City Neighborhood Board (NB) No. 21 meeting project update; (b) January 30, 2008: Task Force meeting with project update and project display board review; (c) February 11, 2008: Aiea NB No. 20 meeting project update; (d) February 14, 2008 (tentative): Salt Lake NB No. 18 meeting project update; (e) February 23 to March 11, 2008: updated project display boards on view at Pearl Ridge Shopping Center; (f) March 12, 2008: Community Town Meeting with a focus on transportation; and (g) April or May 2008: Task Force meeting project update.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Median Fencing – The installation of median fencing will be scheduled for a time which won't cause added traffic problems. The Kamehameha Highway median area averages at least one pedestrian fatality per year. Although the aesthetic panels are beautiful, fear was expressed that there will be graffiti on it in less than 24 hours after installation. Graffiti may be a problem, but the community has previously stated that bare chain link fencing is ugly and requested a better design; the temporary aesthetic panels are a "test" and supposed to be easy to clean. The mass transit route in Aiea-Pearl City is planned to run along Kamehameha Highway, so more permanent barriers will be installed in the future. The State has purchased additional panels for replacement, as needed. Everyone is encouraged to attend the March 12, 2008 Town Meeting, along with the January 30, 2008 KHIPTF meeting at Waimalu Elementary School.

Leeward Community College (LCC) Second Access Road, Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) – Representatives were reluctant to attend the Board meeting.

Hawaii Army National Guard Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, Draft EA; and  U.S. Marine Corps Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, EA and Draft FONSI – Chair Fukushima referred these items back to the Development, Planning and Zoning (DPZ) committee to request attendance by the military for an updated presentation.

Manana Navy and Marine Corps Housing Reconstruction Update – Chair Fukushima noted that the majority of the housing was demolished and reconstructed. As more information was requested, Chair Fukushima referred this matter back to the DPZ committee to request the contractor, ForestCity, for an update.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lan Yoneda presented the following information:

1)       Main Break Report – There was an eight-inch main break on November 2, 2007, at 12:30 p.m., at 1711 Kaweloka Street (Manana).

2)       Calendar – The new 2008 Water Conservation Calendar is available (at the Beretania Street location or online at www.boardofwatersupply.com) and contains water conservation suggestions, illustrated by students who won last year's annual Water Conservation Poster Contest. The calendar theme is "Conserving Water Starts with Me!"

3)       Water Savings Tip – Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level to the size of the load. When hand-washing dishes, fill one sink or basin with soapy water and quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Nanakai Street Waterline Project – The BWS project on the makai side of Moanalua Road has been completed. Mr. Yoneda will follow up on a final report for the repaving of the trenches.

Leeward Community College (LCC) – Mark Lane circulated a report and relayed the following information:

1)       Spring 2008 Enrollment – LCC and the University of Hawaii (UH) system have completed the first week of the 2008 Spring semester. At LCC, student enrollment numbers have increased 8.1% since last year.

2)       Second Access Road Project – In early December 2007, DOT completed its final EA and issued a FONSI for the project. This two-lane road is projected to be nearly one mile long and would connect Waipio Point Access Road to Ala Ike near the northwest corner of the LCC campus. The approximate cost of the project is estimated to be $17 million. The project will: (a) reduce traffic congestion and potential health and safety hazards created by a single access route from Farrington Highway; and (b) provide access to future and existing development along the proposed roadway, to include expansion plans at Waipahu High School, the future development of the Pearl Harbor Middle Loch Park, and the Navy Ewa Drum Storage site. LCC and the UH system will be working with representatives of several public agencies and the Legislature to find common ground on how best to proceed with funding for this long overdue project.

3)       Supplemental Budget – High priorities for the operating budget are $336,000 for emergency response and campus security issues and nearly $180,000 in instructional and support equipment needs. In the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) budget, LCC has the top UH building priority of $10.7 million for the Waianae / Nanakuli Education Center. LCC, like other campuses in the UH system, has a significant backlog of deferred and preventive repair, maintenance and renovation projects. These facility and infrastructure improvements are conservatively estimated to be nearly $30 million for the Pearl City campus.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Culinary Events – There is a restaurant on the LCC campus, called "The Pearl", that is open for lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, staffed by culinary art students. There will be special buffets through the year. The name of the event "Taste of the Stars", one of the special culinary events, may be changed, but will still be held in May 2008. More information will be provided, as it becomes available.

Board of Education (BOE) – Breene Harimoto distributed BOE Highlights, and gave the following information:

1)       BOE Chairperson – Donna Ikeda was elected to be BOE Chairperson.

2)       Mr. Harimoto's Assignments – Mr. Harimoto was chosen to chair the Budget Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on Facilities.

3)       Community Meeting – The BOE will hold a community meeting to discuss public education and library issues on Thursday, January 31, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Highlands Intermediate School (HIS) cafeteria. There will also be a brief report from the State Department of Education (DOE) on the state of public education, focusing on student achievement, safety in schools, and future education goals. The BOE also holds regular board meetings, but they are more formal in nature, with less time to talk.

4)       Mentoring Program – There are already 45 students signed up for the mentoring program at HIS, requiring more mentors. This program is part of a national program called "Breakthroughs". Call Cheryl at 453-6550 x263 for more information.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Pearl City Wal-Mart / Sam's Club Gas Station / Roadway Construction Update – Furutani imparted that Nordic Construction received the contract for the Sam's Club Gas Station project, but are encountering problems of obtaining subcontractors for the project. The properties along Kuala Street have all been sold. All parcels have specific uses, except for the lots next to the Manana Community Park. Furutani will request an updated schedule for the construction of the gas station.

Brownfields Program – Achie Reyes, from Environmental Resources Management, circulated handouts and described the City Brownfield Assessment Program: Brownfield sites are real properties in which reuse or redevelopment may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The City was recently awarded federal grant money to inventory, characterize, assess and conduct planning and community involvement related to Brownfield sites on Oahu. The City is seeking input to identify Brownfield properties on Oahu; see www.honolulu.gov/dcs/brownfields.htm for more information and suggestion forms. The reasons to redevelop a Brownfield site are to: (a) reduce environmental and health risk; (b) spur economic revitalization; (c) attract new businesses; (d) expand the tax base; and (e) renew the sense of community utilization.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Types of Property – The Brownfields Program handles private properties or properties owned by the State or the City; the military has its own program to handle redeveloping of industrial sites.

Chair Fukushima referred the matter of the Brownfields Program to the HEW committee (from DPZ).

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Governor Linda Lingle‘s Representative – Jim Propotnick distributed the Governor's Update and highlighted the following items:

1)       Tax Relief and Refund – Gov. Lingle announced a targeted package of tax relief measures totaling $102.1 million over two years, which include: (a) providing an additional tax exemption for families with children; (b) increasing the dependent care credit for families with children or aging parents; (c) reducing the tax burden some seniors must pay on their income during retirement; (d) providing a refundable tax credit for modifying a home to accommodate an aging or disabled family member; and (e) helping parents save for their child's college education. In addition, taxpayers once again qualify for a one-time tax refund as mandated under the State Constitution because of the large surplus over the past two years.

2)       Settlement with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) – Gov. Lingle and OHA agreed on a solution to the 25-year land revenues dispute, a settlement, subject to legislative approval, which includes a mix of cash payments and land transfers, totaling $200 million. The cash totals over $13 million and the land includes 100 acres makai of Kalaeloa, 18 acres in Kakaako, as well as 80 acres on Banyan Drive in Hilo, Hawaii, which is currently occupied by several hotels and a condominium.

3)       Pearl City Off-Ramp Lanes – The lanes were repainted on the westbound H-1 Freeway Pearl City off-ramp.

Questions, comments and concerns followed (Mr. Propotnick will follow up):

1)       Tax Relief – Gov. Lingle's tax relief was appreciated, but relief from the federal income tax is also requested, since the IRS takes approximately one-third of income.

2)       Halawa Stream Bridge Repair: Kamehameha Highway – The makai lanes on Kamehameha Highway at the Halawa Stream Bridge, near the Arizona Memorial entry, contain a construction crane, which seems to have "free storage" provided for the construction company. The project was delayed, due to questions of the ownership of a communications cable and contractor renegotiations, so the construction has not yet been completed.

3)       Leeward Community College (LCC) Second Access Road – DOT is requested to have their consultant attend a Board meeting to update the community on the LCC Second Access Road project.

4)       Tax Refund and State Money Management – It was disappointing to hear about all of the projects that were ignored by the State, when there was a surplus in the budget; now the State has to refund the surplus, instead of using it where it was most needed. Many non-profit organizations go to the Legislature to request funding and if approved, may take over a year for them to receive the money. The agencies managing the money for the State need to be monitored more closely.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – Isaac Hokama circulated the Mayor's Newsletter, and conveyed that HPD beat officers have been making checks of the Pacific Palisades playground. A complaint was raised previously that drug activity had returned to the Pacific Palisades playground, but officers closed the park nightly for the past two months and reported absolutely no activity. From 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., from December 1, 2007 to January 13, 2008, HPD officers received a few calls about drinking, but the park was empty when the officers arrived. A few cars, observed during the hours of closure, were owned by people playing basketball.

Questions, comments and concerns followed (Mr. Hokama will follow up):

City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Representation at Board Meetings – DPR Director Lester Chang refused to have staff attend Board meetings, even though DPR staff member Mr. Doran volunteered his services. Pearl City has two very large parks with a great deal of activities (not including the many smaller parks) and the Board and community have requested to be informed about upcoming events / activities.

Councilmember Gary Okino – Robert Sato distributed the Councilmember's report and touched on the following items:

1)       Manana Connector Road – The City's project to build a new road connecting Kuala Street to Kuahaka Street was put out to bid in November 2007 and a construction schedule has not yet been developed.

2)       Prescription Drug Discount Card – In December 2007, the City made available to residents free prescription drug discount cards that offer an average savings of 20% off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs, when the prescriptions are not covered by insurance. No enrollment is necessary and there are no membership fees and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. The discount card may be picked up at the City Council's Office on the second floor of Honolulu Hale or at any of the ten Satellite City Halls. For information or assistance with the program, please call Caremark (program administrator) at 1-877-321-2652 or go to www.caremark.com/naco. Additional information is also available by calling the Council at 768-5010 or the City Department of Community Services (DCS) at 768-7701.

3)       Council Resolution 07-379 – Resolution 07-379 proposes to amend the City Charter to establish an eight-year term limit (four consecutive two-year terms) for NB members. If passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor, Resolution 07-379 would place the question of an eight-year term limit for NB members on the upcoming 2008 election ballot. If voters approve the proposed amendment, the term limits would be prospective, not retroactive. Resolution 07-379 is scheduled for first reading at the next Council meeting.

Questions, comments and concerns followed (Mr. Sato will follow up):

1)       Manana Neighborhood Park Resurfacing – Resurfacing for Manana Neighborhood Park courts was requested some time ago and still nothing has been done. Children have hurt themselves on the courts.

2)       Council Resolution 07-376 / Bill 80 – Bill 80 (2007) was introduced to select the technology for the mass transit, while Resolution 07-376 established a panel to select the technology, whether the panel is advisory or decisive. Bill 80 was defeated last week, and Resolution 07-376 is on the next Council agenda.

3)       Group Care Home Bill – An applicant for a group care home expressed desire to attend the next Board meeting to present their application; pending legislation may tighten the process of allowing these group care homes in residential communities.

Senator Clarence Nishihara – Senator Clarence Nishihara pointed out the following information:

1)       Senate Bill 2023 (SB 2023) – He introduced SB 2023, which proposes to exempt NBs from the Sunshine Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 92).

2)       Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) – He submitted the CIP requests for the Leeward schools.

3)       LCC Second Access Road – The project still has $5 million in funding still awaiting action, and a bill was introduced to provide $17 million more in funding. The Legislature wants to see the funds used.

4)       Coffee Hour – He is continuing his Coffee Hour at McDonald's and Wal-Mart on the fourth Thursday in Pearl City; however, the schedule may change.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Pearl City Library – Regarding the improvement projects for the Pearl City Library, the Board and the community would also like to see the construction of a restroom compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as previously requested over the past years. Since the head librarian did not stress the importance of this ADA-compliant restroom improvement, there is no funding for the improvement. The lack of an ADA-compliant restroom which could be opened in the evening was a reason that the Board can no longer hold its meetings at the Pearl City Library Auditorium.

Sen. David Ige – No representative present or report available.

Representative Roy Takumi – Herbert Fujikawa provided the following items of interest:

1)       Community Surveys – Community surveys were mailed out and copies were made available at the meeting. These surveys may also be downloaded online and emailed to reptakumi@capitol.hawaii.gov.

2)       Legislative Priorities – The legislative priorities for 2008 are early childhood education and the UH system.

Rep. K. Mark Takai – Rep. Takai emphasized the following points:

1)       Leeward People – Check out the latest edition of the Leeward People for an article on cyber-crime.

2)       Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) – The CIP budget bill, including desired infrastructure and other improvements, was submitted today for the Leeward school district.

3)       University of Hawaii (UH) System – The backlog of repair and maintenance for all 10 campuses of the UH system will be addressed; there is a significant problem with the repair and maintenance of many State facilities, so the process will be studied. Some other states use revenue from recycling to pay for programs. An idea is to leverage UH's recent athletic success to provide academic progress. UH will celebrate its centennial (100th anniversary) in the year 2008.

4)       Deadline for Bill Introduction – January 23, 2008 is the deadline for this action at the Legislature.

COMMUNITY INPUT:

Pearl City Community Association (PCCA) – No update provided.

Manana Community Association (MCA) – Chair Fukushima announced the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 23, 2008; he will provide more information, when it becomes available.

Pacific Palisades Community Association (PPCA) – Howton reported that the PPCA had their annual dinner meeting on January 2, 2008. The PPCA board will meet on the second Wednesday in February (February 13, 2008), instead of their usual meeting on the first Wednesday.

Pearl City Foundation (PCF) – Mr. Harimoto noted that a $10,000 grant was received from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and thanked the Aiea-Pearl City Business Association for designating the PCF for this grant. The money will be used to fund six scholarships to the PCF Intersession Program.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Grant-in-Aid (GIA) – The PCF received a $2 million GIA in order to redevelop their property to provide the community a pre-school and senior day-care center. The Legislature granted the $2 million GIA last year to help build this dual-use center. PCF is looking at other methods to obtain the funds needed to complete the project.

APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 27, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: The November 27, 2007 Regular Meeting minutes were APPROVED AS CIRCULATED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (10-0-0).

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2007 TREASURER'S REPORTS: The November and December 2007 Treasurer's Reports, which were mailed with the January 2008 regular meeting agenda, were filed.

COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRAL:

Executive – Chair Fukushima presented the following:

1)       Fiscal Year 2008 (FY 2008) Board and Committee Goals and Objectives / Proposal to Create Separate Publicity and Refreshments Committees – These agenda items were deferred.

2)       Ratification of Regular Meeting Policies – Vina moved, at the direction of the Executive committee, to approve the meeting policies noted on the agenda, which was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (10-0-0).

Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) – HEW Chair Veray offered the following information:

1)       Pearl City Parks and Recreation Projects – No update yet; however HEW Chair Veray and Mayor Hannemann's representative Mr. Hokama will work together to request a monthly report from DPR.

2)       Waimano Ridge Department of Health (DOH) Medical/Bio-Safety Lab, Level 3 Certification – Feedback is anticipated from Laurence Lau.

Traffic and Transportation (TT) – TT Chair Vina circulated the January 15, 2008 Committee report (the information contained is included in these minutes), and added the following:

1)       Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) – The meeting on January 16, 2008 included a presentation from the Itochu Corporation about their Maglev train system.

2)       Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP) – Gary Omori circulated copies of Council Resolution 07-376, which will be addressed at the final hearing tomorrow, January 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. If adopted, a panel of five members, made up of Steve Barsony, systems engineering expert, Ken Knight, construction expert, Henry Kolesar, operation expert, Panos Prevedouros, public policy expert and a fifth member chosen by the other four. Once assembled, the panel will evaluate the different choices of technologies and then finally select the technology for the fixed guide way system. Mr. Omori would like to see the City Council and the City administration work together on the mass transit system.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

a)       No Community Participation – It was felt that the panel decisions will not allow input from the community, since the panel members were not chosen by the public (they were selected by the City Council and City Administration). The panel will have the final say on the choice of technology for the transit system, with no additional community input required. It was strongly expressed that the City Council abdicated their responsibility to the feelings of the people.

b)       Outdoor Circle – The Outdoor Circle did provide input; however, their concerns weren't publicized.

c)       Lack of Information – There was general agreement that not enough information is being provided to the community regarding the details of the mass transit system.

3)       Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Legislation for Land Use Planning at Commuter Stations – The City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is planning to address this item.

4)       H-1 Westbound (Waiau Off-ramp) and Moanalua Road (Ewa-bound) Merge Lane Conflicts – All street markings have been repainted; however, repainting doesn't solve the problem of getting drivers to obey the sign or street markings.

5)       Waimalu SPS Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project – The trenching work on Kamehameha Highway was completed by the end of November 2007. The underground pipe near Zippy's Restaurant is still in good condition, as are many of the Pearl City pipelines. A report with recommendations on pipe repair or replacement will be prepared later this year. The Committee requested that this agenda item be deferred.

6)       Rehabilitation of Streets, Phase 2, Pearl City, Section 1 (Manana and Momilani): Restriping of Existing Crosswalks – Board members were requested to notify TT Chair Vina, if they notice any streets in the area that weren't painted.

7)       No Left Turn Proposal for Westbound Traffic on Hoomalu Street into Puu Poni Street – A letter was sent to the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and the Committee has yet to receive a response.

8)       Extension of Left Turn Mauka-bound Lane on Waimano Home Road into Kuala Street – The Committee has yet to receive a response from DTS.

9)       Pedestrian Safety Resolution Supporting Senate Bill 1191 (SB 1191) – The Legislature overrode Gov. Lingle's veto of SB 1191; but she still hasn't released the funds to increase Statewide pedestrian safety.

Development, Plan and Zoning (DPZ) – DPZ Chair Furutani summarized the following, except for item no. 2:

1)       Status of Development for Remaining Manana Warehouse Properties – All of the properties have been sold except for the two lots next to Manana Community Center. Concept designs need to be requested from the Manana warehouse property owners.

2)       Central Oahu Sustainability Plan, Five-Year Review – Ching reported that the goal is to review what the City Council adopted in 2002 and to update the information with new data from the population growth. Log on to: www.beltcollins.com/centraloahu for more information.

3)       Central Oahu Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) – The Central Oahu RAB meeting was held tonight, so Board members were unable to attend. Rick McComb, an engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will attend next month's Board meeting to give project updates.

4)       Kamehameha Highway Improvements Project Task Force (KHIPTF) – Furutani will attend the January 30, 2008 meeting.

Legislative and Capital Improvement Programs (LCIP) – These items were deferred, due to the absence of LCIP Chair Rabago.

Publicity/Refreshments (P/R) – The following was reported on agenda item no. 1 (items no. 2 and 3 were deferred):

Continuation of Yard of the Month and Certificates of Recognition Awards – The possible continuation of certificates will be discussed at the next Committee meeting. It's important to recognize the valuable efforts of community members, especially since, for the most part, only bad news is publicized.  Duncan will assist Lee in her efforts to continue all of the functions of the P/R committee.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1)       Next Committee Meetings – The next committee meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at the Highlands Intermediate School Cafeteria.

2)       Next Board Meeting – The next regular Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 6:30 p.m., at the Highlands Intermediate School Cafeteria.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.

Submitted by:

Rachel M. Glanstein, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by:

David Howton, Treasurer, and

Albert Fukushima, Chair