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WAIPAHU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES-draft

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

FILCOM CENTER

CALL TO ORDER – Chair Richard Oshiro called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.; a quorum was present with 10 members. Note: This 19 member Board requires a vote of 10 to adopt a motion.   

MEMBERS PRESENT – Edmund Alfonso, Maureen Andrade, Marty Burke, Lorraine Duhaylonsod, Connie Herolaga, Thomas Maus, Richard Oshiro, Kerry Nishimoto, Rito Saniatan and Chuck Wheatley.

MEMBERS ABSENT – Romeo Garcia, Joe Hunkin Jr., William Maglinti Jr., Cory Chun, Terry Healey and George Yakowenko.

GUESTS – Baybee Hufana-Ablan (Mayor’s Representative), Captain Thomas Hearty (Honolulu Fire Department HFD), Sergeant Itomura and Major Kajihiro (Honolulu Police Department), Felice Guillermo (Representative Alex Sonson’s office), Brandon Lee (Representative Karamatsu’s office), David Festerling (Governor’s Representative), Pat Lee (Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project Consultant HHCTCP), Naomi Hanohano (Board of Water Supply), Breene Harimoto (Board of Education), Ilalo Parayno, Kathy Kinneman (Armed Services YMCA), Karen Scharfenstein, Donna Smith (EK Fernandez), Bryan Truckenmiller, Mary Chanel-Benjamin (Neighborhood Commission Office staff NCO).

FILLING OF VACANCIES IN SUBDISTRICTS 7, 8 and 9 – Chair Oshiro asked if there were any candidates interested in filling any of the vacancies; no one came forward.     

APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 28, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Saniatan moved and Burke seconded to accept the March 27, 2008 meeting minutes with the following amendments. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent, 10-0-0. Aye: Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Duhaylonsod, Herolaga, Maus, Oshiro, Saniatan, Wheatley.

• Page 1: under Treasurer’s Report replace “Yakowenko” with “Saniatan”
• Page 4: under New Business replace “State Department of Transportation” with “City Department of Transportation
  Services”

TREASURER’S REPORT – Saniatan reported expenses incurred in March 2008 were; Operating Account expended $133.05 for postage, printing and facility rental the balance was $605.51: Publicity Account expended $209.52 for video taping and balance was $1,662.20: Refreshment Account had no expense and the balance remained at $120. This leaves a closing total appropriated balance of $ 2,387.71.

OFFICIAL REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Hearty reported statistics for the month of March consisted of: 13 fire alarms and 160 emergency calls. Fire Safety Tip: Smoke alarms are definitely necessary in your home; they are proven life savers. Fires produce smoke and toxic gases which can numb your senses and prevent you from reaction to the fire. This is especially true at night when you and your family are asleep. A working smoke alarm gives you early notification of a fire and time to escape. Here are some smoke alarm safety tips: Install smoke alarms on every level of your house and outside of every sleeping area. Test smoke alarms once a month. Replace smoke alarm batteries once a year or when the smoke alarm chirps to signal that the battery is low. While a smoke alarm can give you advanced warning, you must have advanced planning to escape a fire. Work with everyone in your family to make a fire escape plan. Here are some tips to prepare a plan: Plan two ways out of every room. Plan a meeting place outside where everyone should gather. Plan to stay out, once you’re out. Plan a drill where you activate your smoke alarm and practice your fire escape plan.

A point of order was called at 7:19 p.m. by Herolaga due to loss quorum; Burke stepped out of the meeting. Chair Oshiro called a recess; meeting resumed at 7:22 p.m. upon Burke’s return.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Maj. Kajihiro reported he has recently transferred to the department based at the Pearl City which served Waipahu and looked forward to working with the community. He introduced Sgt. Itomura and Lt. Kapeliela as well. Sgt. Itomura reported statistics for the month of March: 1) 19 assaults, 18 auto thefts recovery, 30 burglaries, 62 criminal property damage, 6 drug/narcotics, 201 motor vehicle collisions, 2 robberies, 52 thefts, 62 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV) and 14 operation a vehicle under influence (OVUII). 2) There were about 2,952 calls for services in the Waipahu district and about 6,600 in the Pearl City district.  

A constituent inquired what percentage of officers serviced the Pearl City district. St. Itomura said compared to the calls most officers covered the Waipahu District; averaging out to be about 44% for Pearl City district.

Mayor Hannemann’s representative – B. Hufanna-Ablan reported: 1) TheBoat schedule continued with three trips each route during Mondays through Fridays; morning route departed from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower in the mornings starting at 5:30, 6:30 and 8:00: then evening routes departed from Aloha Tower to Kalaeloa in the evening starting at 3:55, 5:00 and 6:15. Each route took about 50 minutes. Two boats are docked at Kalaelona overnight. TheBoats’ schedule was circulated as well. 2) It is once again hurricane season and the City reminds everyone to prepare with storing food items. 3) Street light at Leomana Way was repaired March 28. 4) The dip on Farrington Highway traveling eastbound fronting Bank of Hawaii in Waipahu is under the State Department of Transportation (DOT). 5) The Waipahu District Park was drained and closed in November 2005. It has been undergoing plaster and tile repairs therefore have been left uncovered leading to some vandals of the pool. Presently the City is awaiting a contractor bid in hopes to complete the project within the next 210 days. 6) Several sites were chosen for the Waipahu Weed & Seed Sub-Station; however, no decision has been finalized. 7) The City Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) is currently assessing the Waipahu and Paiwa Streets intersection for the “no parking” project; a wheelchair ordinance and a tree removal are two barriers to overcome before sign installation. 8) If the gray trash bin proposed 2-week pick-up service with automated refuse cannot accommodated your residential trash; call 455-9644 for a monitor request so that one may qualify for the extra trash bin in your home. 9) According to Honolulu’s Urban Forest under DPR, trees are vital to community health; studies showed for every 100 trees five tons of C02 is filtered including 1,000lbs for pollutants, 30% of annual air conditioning cost savings as well as adding value to homeowner properties.

Wheatley asked the City to check the crosswalk near Waipahu McDonalds on Waipahu Depot Road; no crosswalk markings on the road only a “crosswalk sign” is posted. He’s witnessed elders and children trying to cross in danger.      

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

• Chair Oshiro said DTS has informed the Board that ”no parking” signs for Paiwa Street will be installed as permanent within the next couple of months.
• Chair Oshiro said that A&B was proposing to post a “no left turn” signage into Kunia Shopping Center by the end of May. Andrade said the Board voted in January for the Kupuna Loop entrance      into A&B market to be completely closed instead of just posting the sign. She said the NCO NA      documented the motion incorrectly; Councilmember N. Garcia has had no response from           A&B in regards to the    entrance closure therefore wants to wait until the end of May. Andrade moved and Burke seconded to submit a letter to the City Department of Transportation Services to request that the Kupuna Loop entrance to the Royal Kunia Shopping Center be closed if no traffic barriers are installed by Alexander and Baldwin by the end of May 2008. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent, 10-0-0. Aye: Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Duhaylonsod, Herolaga, Maus, Nishimoto, Oshiro, Saniatan and Wheatley.

• ­­­­­­­­­A constituent asked if HPD could monitor alleged speeding on Punalu’u Street; he stated the following; a car hit and killed someone at this crosswalk and another car hit another car and failed to stop, he requested if speed pumps could be installed to curb speeding on this downhill street. Chair Oshiro directed her to speak with HPD and Herolaga; but was curious to see where speed pumps could be placed. Herolaga said being it is not a private street and being a thoroughfare street used by HPD and HFD therefore she understood no devices could be installed. N. Garcia’s office needed to be noticed for recommendations and review.
• Saniatan said there was heavy equipment movement and storage at Village Park generating dust at the Village Park Connector Road; he was wondering if a permit is needed for this type movement.
• A member of the United Church of Christ in Waipahu reported vandals to the church by alleged teenagers that seem to be using canal walk near the church to get through to Hiapo Street; asking assistance from HPD. She also requested if TheBus could be routed from Paiwa         Street through Hiapo Street onto Waipahu Street to service the church and the school.
• B. Truckenmiller said the bicycle path between Pearl Harbor and Waipahu was filled with trash, debris and littered with old vehicles making it hard for bicycles to use the path; the path also needed lights near the Pearl Harbor area. He bikes to work as an alternative to transportation and would like to see the path be safer to use especially at nights. Andrade was to discuss with the Mayor’s representative; since HPD reported the area was under the federal government’s jurisdiction. Sgt. Itomura said HPD does patrol the area using all terrain vehicles (ATV) to monitor activities; reports of homeless people in the area as well.
• NA advised Chair Oshiro of possible Sunshine Law violation to discuss items not on the agenda; Chair Oshiro responded that no action was being taken on the resident’s concern.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor – Project Consultant Pat Lee reported: Council speculated SB80 may not be reconsidered; steel on steel. The price of gasoline continued to soar; a good reason for Leeward residents to support this alternative transportation mode.

Chair Oshiro asked if the “Stop Rail” petition succeeded in getting this question on the November ballot would have an effect on the project. P. Lee said that it could stop the project: he also mentioned that this group included many who opposed the rail project in 1992.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee (OMPO CAC) – Chair Oshiro said we still needed a representative to this committee and asked members if they have an interest in serving to let him know.    

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – N. Hanohano reported: 1) There were two water main breaks on March 17; no homes were affected. 2) BWS encouraged citizens to contact community relations at 748-5041 to tour water facilities in the wake of recent pharmaceutical related issues with alleged contamination of water systems on Oahu.

Reports from NB Permitted Interactions Groups – Chair Oshiro reported he attended the recent transit advisory committee meeting. The meeting focused on development possibilities in and around the low rail stops that will be in Waipahu: one on Farrington Highway at Leoku Street and the other at Farrington and Mokuola Street. Herolaga also commented how informative the meeting was; she is concerned about the height of the buildings shown on a number of the drawings shown by the project consultants.  

Announcements – Chair Oshiro announced the 15th Annual Hawaii Plantation Village “Relive the Plantation Days” celebration; Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event was free to the public; a parade of flowers, Filipino dancers, taiko drummers and bon dance are just some highlighted activities during this celebration.

PRESENTATIONS:

Armed Forces YMCA Carnival at Mink Regional Park – K. Kinneman said The Armed Forces Services at YMCA, E.K Fernandez Carnivals and The Drug Abuse & Resistance Education (DARE) program were happy to announce the proposed carnival during the weekend of July 4^th.; proceeds will assist in providing quality recreational programs for DARE as well as military members and families. The YWCA programs included 19 outreach programs for members of the Hawaii Wounded and Fallen Heroes; recovery as well as memorial expenses. Leroy of The DARE program said their mission was to educate all grade levels in the life skills necessary to resist violence, gangs and remain drug free; drug education, evaluation, prevention and resistant methods in order for young adults to make solid life decisions. He also said incentives were a big part of prevention and DARE Hawaii was committed to serving as a conduit to provide information beyond drug related topics while creating an open dialogue between all involved. He went on to share that the DARE program started in 1986 and by 1991, thirty three counties nationwide activated DARE. He was honored to serve the communities again through DARE and asked for support of the carnival from the community. D. Smith of E.K. Fernandez said the carnival was currently forming a group of corporate sponsors. She said E.K. Fernandez was ready and willing to support the efforts to raise funds for the much needed programs serving the community and military families.

Questions and concerns:

• Andrade was in receipt of a carnival support letter from Isaac Hokama.
• Burke said the Mayor and DPR were in support of the carnival if there was no conflict with other scheduled sporting events; some landscaping work is needed to allow for space. Burke moved and Andrade seconded for the Waipahu Neighborhood Board to support the  2008 Armed Forces YMCA Carnival at Mink Regional Park with City & County of Honolulu approval. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent, 10-0-0. Aye: Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Duhaylonsod, Herolaga, Maus, Nishimoto, Oshiro, Saniatan and Wheatley.
• Chair Oshiro asked carnival officials to share any updates with the Board and community before the July event.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Sunshine Law: Chair Oshiro said the legislative’s new provisions regarding Neighborhood Board quorum requirement has moved forward in the Legislature.

Redistricting Committee: Chair Oshiro said the hearing was held earlier prior to tonight’s meeting and it will now go before the Neighborhood Commission’s agenda. The subject will remain on the Board’s agenda until completed.

Waipahu HPD Substation:  Chair Oshiro said as reported by the Mayor’s representative, the City is considering new locations for the Waipahu HPD Substation, but no final selection has been made yet.

Bicycling Safety Resolution: Chair Oshiro said no representative was present to share any information. Burke moved and Duhaylonsod seconded for the Waipahu Neighborhood Board to support without approval of the bicycle safety resolution. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent, 10-0-0. Aye:  Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Duhaylonsod, Herolaga, Maus, Oshiro, Saniatan, Wheatley.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

Governor’s representative – D. Festerling reported: 1) The Turtle Bay (TB) acquisition advisory group has proposed to seek major fundraising efforts to assist in the protection and purchase of TB. There were no plans to transfer any of TB lands to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). 2) The dip on Farrington Highway fronting Bank of Hawaii was a BWS project that should be completed by the end of April. 3) New 2008 laws enacted were summarized in the circulated report.

Questions and concerns:

• Chair Oshiro asked why the State’s Land Use policies weren’t being used to preserve the TB North Shore lands from further development. D. Festerling said regarding the undeveloped land; a City approval is needed for rezoning for further development. He added the State did not have the funds to purchase TB at a price of $850million. He also said the State Department of Transportation recognized the traffic problem and is currently doing a study.
• Burke said although the legislature supported the North Shore and the Governor’s TB proposal; The State should look at preserving land instead of investing in the TB businesses.
• D. Festerling said he will pose these questions to the group and follow-up at the next meeting.

Board of Education – B. Harimoto reported: BOE was under criticism; reportedly a tax revenue surplus, however, there were none; the legislature approved the budget carryover from the previous year giving the impression of a surplus. Preparations for the upcoming school year begin in July of the current year.  The “No Child Left Behind” spending budget has increased due to new services to be in compliance.

Councilmember Okino’s office – A monthly report was circulated. K. Scharfenstein reported: The City’s Ocean Safety & Lifeguard Services Division announced signup times and locations for 2008 Junior Lifeguard Program. Information can be obtained by calling 589-2251 or 723-7839 or log onto www.myjuniorguards.com.

ADJOURMENT: By consensus, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Submitted by M. Chanel-Benjamin, NA     Reviewed by Chair Oshiro