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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES-draft
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008
CALL TO ORDER – Chair Richard Oshiro called the meeting to order at 7:10 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, Romeo Garcia, Joe Hunkin Jr., William Maglinti Jr., Cory Chun, Thomas Maus, Richard Oshiro, Rito Saniatan, George Yakowenko and Chuck Wheatley.
MEMBERS ABSENT – Terry Healey and Kerry Nishimoto.
GUESTS – Baybee Hufana-Ablan (Mayor’s Representative), Firefighter Chirrs Powell (Honolulu Fire Department HFD), Sergeant Pestana (Honolulu Police Department), Representative Karamatsu, 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, Erica Moon (Senator Gabbard’s office), Tim Schenlezter (Councilmember Okino’s office), Senator Nishihara, Tom Berg (Representative Cabanilla’s office), Reginald Daguman, David Leempagan, Blaine Tsugawa, Micheal Dias, Bob Nardi (Berger Group), Jodie Maesaka-Hirata (Department of Public Safety DPS), Lita Caralis, Evangeline Casinas, Richard Carran, Steven Workman, Chris Bart, Casiuro Pasion, Edward Hanohano, Jodie Hirato, Liz Delfico (WCA Waipahu Weed&Seed), 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 APRIL 24, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES –
Alfonso suggested for the Board to table the April minutes; he said some information was not documented. (Alfonso needed to present to the board what is missing in order for the board to approve amendment or addition to minutes)
Chair Oshiro said the minutes are summaries of Board meetings; not transcripts. The April 24 2008 minutes corrections were as followed:
Page 2: under residents’ concerns third bullet; replace “speed pumps” with “speed bumps”
TREASURER’S REPORT – Saniatan reported expenses incurred in April 2008 were; Operating Account expended $133.97 for postage, printing and facility rental the balance was $471.54: Publicity Account had no expense; (no video taping charges posted yet) 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 $ 2,253.74.
OFFICIAL REPORTS:
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Pestana reported statistics for the month of April: 1) 17 assaults, 40 auto thefts , 20 auto theft recoveries, 35 burglaries, 55 criminal property damage, 3 drug/narcotics, 208 motor vehicle collisions, 3 robberies, 74 thefts, 39 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV) and 9 operating a vehicle under the influence (OVUII). 2) There were about 2,810 calls for services in the
Weed and Seed – L. Delfico reported: The Weed & Seed and Citizens’ Patrol training has commenced; call 677-6939 extension 25 for further information.
Mayor Hannemann’s Representative – B. Hufanna-Ablan reported: 1) The City is committed to strengthening the agriculture industry on Oahu; the second annual “Ag in the City; Grown on
Questions and concerns:
- Yakowenko said the Neighborhood Commission Office has not posted any of their meeting minutes since September of 2007.
- Saniatan said a home near the
- Burke and Wheatley complained the City has not done enough to provide adequate crosswalks; especially for senior citizens. Wheatley said TheBus stop No. A traveling Ewa bound has no crosswalk if one is coming from Daiei shopping area; most seniors travel this route especially after shopping at Daiei.
- Alfonso and Burke both questioned if the
- Wheatley said he read literature advertising the Mayor has 1.4-million to contribute to non-profit organizations; he thought a contribution to benefit the community by opening up a Weed and Seed HPD sub-station would be ideal. B. Hufanna-Ablan said she will report findings as this request has been already submitted.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:
- T. Berg said
- E. Casinas was concerned regarding the proposed “safe house”
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park/Waipio Soccer Complex – Burke reported: The Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park Advisory Committee (CORP AC) meets every second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are open to the public and held at the park’s aquatics complex. At the CORP AC May meeting some concerns were: a) owners are allowing their dogs to run unleashed in the park. The park staff will issue notices to park users. (City parks prohibit dogs; leashed or not). b) Graffiti artists have been tagging the wall between the park and the “
Updates: a) the recent Division 2 high school baseball championships were a success. The State Division 1 softball championships are scheduled for next week. B) The Veterans’ Memorial Aquatics Facility hosted the Division 1 State water polo championships; many neighbor islanders were in attendance. c) the tennis facility played host to the International Tennis Federation 18 and under tournament; athletes from the
Questions and concerns:
- Wheatley said he thought the transit stops were too far from TheBus stops to walk; noting the transit stops near Longs Drugs and the next to be near Jack in the Box. P. Lee said bus shuttles will be in place to support TheBus system.
- Alfonso asked if the rail will be able to transport bicycles or be handicap friendly; considering the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). P. Lee said bicycle lockup racks will be provided at the transit stations and all federal laws were to be followed including
- R. Daguman was concerned with an article he read regarding some major cities with similar rail systems were in the “red” financially with added rail maintenance hardship. P. Lee said the important component of the rail was non-drivers; not profit. The City’s goal was to improve the quality of life and to provide public service.
- Burke said some major cities had the same concerns as
- Chair Oshiro said the rail system was not debatable at this time; providing cost information about the rail project is critical at this time since that is what many people are concerned about. He suggested to P. Lee that more of this cost information be provided to the public.
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee (OMPO CAC) – Chair Oshiro said he received a call from an interested citizen willing to volunteer to attend OMPO meetings, however he was not able to make it to tonight’s meeting. Maus would try to make it to the meetings if the meeting times were at a more convenient time after work
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – N. Hanohano reported: 1) there was a water main break on April 10 which affected about 31 homes. 2) Warren Domingo was the winner of the BWS 2009 calendar artwork. 3) June 1 through 7 is BWS “detect a leak” week; BWS distributed dye tablets for toilet tanks. 4) Dramatic increases in fuel prices are making it necessary to implement a modest adjustment to your water bill. July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, a new power cost adjustment line will appear on water bills; an average of $1.22 a month.
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro asked if BWS could offer a presentation regarding sewer projects on the island since sewer fees are rising at an alarming rate. N. Hanohano said the mayor’s representative could help facilitate a presentation since the sewer department was under the jurisdiction of the city; BWS is a different entity.
- Burke asked why BWS provided recycled water for the Gentry golf courses at the same time BWS reported water shortage which does not make sense. N. Hanohano said BWS supplied with the appropriate permits as it would with any household request.
- R. Daguman said some new developments water sprinkler systems are not configured correctly; water ends up on asphalt instead of plants. He said BWS should provide some type of enforcement as water is being wasted. N. Hanohano said to call the water conservation hotline to register complaints.
Reports from NB Permitted Interactions Groups –
ANNOUNCEMENTS – 1) Yakowenko said for the upcoming year, Board members should consider a new Board meeting day; the noise level from adjacent room seemed to be getting worse. 2) Chair Oshiro said he will place this on the next agenda. He also announced June 7 from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. is the annual Bon Dance; admission is free. E. Moon from Senator Gabbard’s office said the senator will be holding a meeting at Waikele Starbucks on June 21 at 9:00 a.m.; all were invited. For further information call 586-5830.
PRESENTATIONS:
A. Mission 360; structured clean and sober independent living; establishment of a halfway home at
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro asked when the home opened and if Board approval was required. M. Ferreira-Caminos said she was required to come before the Board to share this information. She said currently there were three residents at the site including the house manager; she is expecting to have ten residents once she is permitted.
- Burke asked if the residence required a zoning variance and if granted what other uses of the residence besides as living quarters will be allowed. M. Ferreira-Caminos said she would have to check on the variance use; she understood that five or more unrelated residents would require a permit.
- Several constituents were concerned the residence does not have a conditional use permit and needed the attention of the City Department of Planning and Permitting.
- M. Ferreira-Caminos apologized for her misinformation as she was unsure of the process herself. Several constituents and Board members thought information letters were late in receiving this information and M. Ferreira-Caminos needed to get further clarification from DPP and wanted it placed on the next agenda.
- B. Harimoto shared his knowledge of the situation; he said the process should be an informational presentation to the Board and to then document concerns and input from the community for M. Ferreira-Caminos to take back to DPP to review.
- Wheatley suggested for this project to look into the Kahala or Mililani where these type homes are scare;
- Chair Oshiro agreed to place this on the next agenda as unfinished business.
Department of Public Safety (DPS), plan to erect a temporary housing program structures at Waiawa Correctional Facility: J. Maesaka-Hirata, Acting Warden at Waiawa Correctional Facility reported; she was thankful for the last support from the Board and community for their pilot re-entry project some time ago. She was here tonight with D. Festerling and B. Nardi to ask for support of this project; to erect temporary program space at the Waiawa location. DPS was required to offer 10 hours per week educational program to inmates; however, 334 was the current count which the facility was not able to accommodate. D. Festerling reported
Questions and concerns:
- Several Board members were concerned with cost of facility addition, weather wear, additional security, living quarters versus programs only and if women inmates were also considered for the program. D. Festerling said the funds for purchasing of the materials were available and must be used by October 2008; must meet this deadline or loose funding. He said the structure can withstand 150-miles per hour winds. He also said women will not utilize this facility; women have separate facilities. He reiterated this facility will only be used for programs and not housing; no extra security will be needed.
- Wheatley suggested the department should use the
- Burke commended DPS for offering this well needed program. Burke moved that the
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Sunshine Law: Chair Oshiro said he circulated his letter of support of the sunshine law amendment and hope the Governor signs the bill into law; no support may lead to a veto by the Governor.
Redistricting Committee: Chair Oshiro said the Neighborhood Commission will hear this matter during their June 23 meeting; this matter will remain on the agenda until finalized.
NEW BUSINESS: Chair Oshiro said he will add the 2008-09 Board officers’ election, and future meeting dates/location to the next meeting’s agenda
GOVERNMENT REPORTS:
City Councilmember Garcia reported: He stood by his circulated report. 1) The districts’ capital improvement (CIP) projects will have their third and final readings next Wednesday. He hopes most of the CIPs will be passed which included mostly park improvements. 2) The next CAC-OMPO meeting will be next Tuesday at the State Capital starting at 10:30 a.m. He hoped Maus was going to represent the district. 3) He also said tomorrow the Mayor will be announcing an important transit rail development; watch the 6:00 p.m. news. 4) He also shared the zoning for UHWO has cleared the zoning committee.
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro thanked Councilmember Garcia for facilitating the appropriation of funds to complete repairs to the Waipahu District Park Swimming Pool. Councilmember Garcia thanked the community and the Board for their support as well.
- Alfonso asked why there was a proposal to limit neighborhood board (NB) terms. Councilmember Garcia said he opposed this idea; most boards are doing a great job. He went on to say that one councilmember thought there were too many “cliques” existed on the NBs and this was a way to allow new members to serve and break up those so called “cliques”. Garcia noted that this proposal did not pass due to opposition from our Board and others who testified against the proposal.
- Councilmember Garcia added the Ewaland construction will be completed by the end of the year and the training center for the building industry will begin at the end of June.
Governor’s representative – D. Festerling reported: 1) Over the last six months, Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been on average 1.8 percentage points lower than the U.S. rate. In April, there were 641,000 employed and 21,800 unemployed in
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro asked again why the State’s land use policies be used to preserve the
Board of Education – B. Harimoto reported: 1) the department’s budget was cut by 10-milliom dollars resulting in bus contract rejections due to a 40-million cut involved in bus transportation for the upcoming school year. The proposal was to increase the radius from one mile to 1.5 miles for student bus service; this may increase more parents to drive their children to school. The department also wanted to promote walking and a healthier lifestyle rather than riding the bus. The projected increased on transportation costs and travel distance were also factors; department felt in decreasing the travel distance would decrease costs. The department is now searching for ways to streamline the bus contracts to serve the schools more efficiently; bus contracts has skyrocketed. 2) He attended the Nanakuli, Pearl City and
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro said several new developments such as Castle & Cooke, Ho’opili and Gentry to name a few being proposed; when will the department release some of this information to confirm sustainability with new developments. B. Harimoto said several proposed school developments have been submitted; he will make presentation as they commenced.
Senator Espero – reported: 1) several bills have passed as circulated in his report; bills he supported included: a) if a towed car is hooked onto the tow truck and you happen to be there at that timing; the tow truck must release your vehicle. b) children eight and under cannot be left unattended in a vehicle for any unreasonable time. 2) He said a mental health patient being released does not require an automatic notification to the families involved or the victim; each case is handled individually depending on the situation of involvement such as a violent or non-violent case. He suggested those concerned should write to the Governor and the attorney general.
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro suggested re-introducing the State Identification bill in the next legislative session; bill was introduced by Senator Espero. He thought with Board input and review could help pass the bill. Senator Espero said he is not up for re-election and would have the time to spend on reviewing this bill; he also hoped to get involved department consensus.
Senator Nishihara – reported: 1) The State Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) has been asked to give a report on the special investigation of its involvement in a 10-million dollar contract to venture capital to encourage alternative hydrogen sources. Maurice Kaya who retired in January was the contract supervisor and the department director Liu admitted to not following State procurement procedures and awarded the contract instead to the third highest bidder. The department is undergoing the process of re-directing the contract to the appropriate bidder which is taking some time to complete the process due to M. Kaya’s retirement. The matter is under review and awaiting a replacement for a new contract supervisor and will then seek the attorney generals’ comments. 2) A briefing will be held on June 23 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the State Capital Room 229 for The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) to discuss where 3-million should be spent; proposed using to aid lower airfares. 3) Senator Hanabusa was having a meeting at Waipahu Zippys on May 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro said HTA also contributed to the district; support of Hawaii Plantation village to fund programs. Senator Nishihara said there were several tourism connections to
Representative Yamane – reported: 1) The HTA was given the ability to develop and implement emergency measures to respond to events that may adversely affect Hawaii’s tourism industry; about $450,000 helped 2,211 stranded passengers when Aloha Airlines and ATA closed. 2) In lieu of the recent copper thefts; he initiated a bill to address the payment process to issue checks only to recipients of such payment as a deterrent of this crime.
Questions and concerns:
- Chair Oshiro suggested district Senators do a presentation for the community to describe some important issues in the upcoming legislature session. Representative Yamane said that would be possible; Mililani Neighborhood Board will be having such a presentation.
- Wheatley suggested to take photographs or fingerprints of those turning in copper; and installation of cameras along the highways may be cheaper than replacing the stolen copper. Representative Yamane said he will relay this suggestion; however, the new law stated anyone turning in copper has to provide a notarized identification document.
Representative Har – reported: 1) she thanked members of the community, Board and all those that sent her condolences as she mourned her father’s loss; her father recently passed away. 2) She was involved in a head on collision caused by a 24 year old driver which was legally drunk at the time; this was to be his third DUI. She was among those that introduced HB3377; establishing a provision relating to ignition interlocking system. The bill has passed out of legislature and awaited the Governor’s signature; she highly anticipates the Governor will sign it. Once passed, persons committing the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant will have their driver’s license revoked and only have the privilege to operate a vehicle with the installation of the device. She found
ADJOURMENT: The NA recorder ended at 10:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Submitted by M. Chanel-Benjamin, NA
Reviewed by Chair Oshiro