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WAIPAHU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009

FILCOM CENTER

Call To Order – Chair Richard Oshiro called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with a quorum of 15 members present. Note - this 19 member Board requires ten (10) votes to adopt a motion.

Members Present – Edmund Alfonso, Maureen Andrade, Marty Burke, Cory Chun, Lorraine Duhaylonsod, Connie Herolaga, Robert Kakalia, Kerry Nishimoto, Richard Oshiro, Chuck Wheatley, George Yakowenko, Romeo Garcia, Steven Antonio, Joe Hunkin Jr., and Thomas Maus.                                              

Members Absent – William Maglinti, Terry Healey, and Rito Saniatan.                                                                                                                                                       

Guests – Baybee Hufana-Ablan (Mayor Hannemann’s Representative), Senator Clarence Nishihara, Representative Henry Aquino, Sgt. Kaneshiro and Officer David Foumai (Honolulu Police Department-HPD); Captain Kalani Wilmington (Honolulu Fire Department-HFD), David Festerling (Governor’s Lingle’s Representative), Breene Harimoto and Randy Moore (State Board of Education); Park Kaleiuakea (Senator Michelle Kidani’s office), Erika Moon (Senator Mike Gabbard’s office), Danielle Bass (Representative Yamane’s office), Keoni Mattos (Board of Water Supply-BWS), Karen Scharfenstein (Councilmember Okino’s office), Pat Lee (Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project-HHCTCP), Randy Moore & Keith Hayashi  (State Department of Education); James Burke (City Department of Transportation Services DTS), Ilalo Parayno, David Leem Pagan, Ty Cullen, and Mary Chanel-Benjamin (Neighborhood Commission Office-NCO).

Introduction – Board members and guests introduced themselves.

Organization of Board – Sub-district 9 has one vacancy; Chair Oshiro offered the vacancy to any qualified resident. There were no nominations or volunteers at this time.

Chair’s Announcements – Chair Oshiro referenced the New Neighborhood Plan Section 2-14-106; stating those members having missed three Board meetings within the one year period beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009 may be removed from the Neighborhood Board after a notice from the Board via the Neighborhood Commission Office.

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes – The February 26, and the March 19, 2009 regular meeting minutes were APPROVED AS CIRCULATED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT. (15-0-0)

REPORTS:

Treasurer’s Report – Andrade reported that the Operating Account reflected $340.93 for printing, postage and facility rental for January, February and March 2009 expenses, leaving the balance at $551.23, the Publicity Account remained at $1,250.00, and the Refreshment Account remained at $120, leaving the Appropriated balance at $1,921.23.

Honolulu Fire Department – Capt. Wilmington reported the following information: 1) March Statistics – There were 10 fires, 9 hazard and 199 medical emergencies. 3) The Waipahu High School was a food bank site and can receive non-perishable food items until the April 30, 2009 deadline. 2) Fire Safety Tip - Fire, building and United States postal codes and City ordinances stated that property owners shall place their house numbers in such a manner so it is legible and readily visible from the street. This will assist the HFD and other first responders in locating your house quickly in the even of an emergency.

Honolulu Police Department – Sgt. Kaneshiro distributed a report, and provided the following statistics for February/March 2009: 1) 0/2 auto thefts, 5/4 auto recovery, 4/0 burglaries, 5/8 criminal property damages, 2/1 thefts, 3/2 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV). There were 6,542 calls in District 3 for the month of March. 2) The alleged rude special enforcement officer issuing parking tickets in Kunia area was advised of the complaint and should any further problems should be reported to HPD.

WEED & SEED OFFICER (W&S): Officer D. Foumai reported: 1) there were 8 established groups with two more starting up. 2) Friday will be a meeting regarding the bicycle path cleanup affecting the district as the rail project progresses. 3) The new W&S office was near completion with telephone and computer lines installations at the Oasis Complex by July.  4) Much appreciation to all those that contributed to the W&S fundraiser making enforcement possible serving the district. Please report concerns by calling W&S at 723-8800.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Wheatley was appreciative of HPD service to the district and asked for assistance with safety hazard parking problems on Pupumoni and Pupukahi Streets; vehicles parking on sidewalks blocking walkways making wheelchair excess rather dangerous and elders having to cross vehicle paths to use the sidewalks. Upon reporting such incidents to HPD, he was told the lack of manpower was an issue; however he suggested the City move the current HPD manpower issuing low priority citations to downtown students to rather high crime areas where HPD was most needed.

2)       Andrade asked for assistance in patrolling Palai Street near Village Park apartments due to nightly problems with residents urinating publicly while children are present at times. Letters of concern were sent to officials to address this particular family; however, the problem continues with alleged gambling taking place as well.

Mayor Hannemann’s report – Baybee Hufana-Ablan reported: 1) The City Department of Transportation Services reported the sunken curb and gutter near the bus stop on Farrington Highway fronting Don Quijote was under the State Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction. They were made aware of the problem and have been told a contract bid was issued to repair the curb to be completed this year. The bus stop has been temporarily relocated away from this area until repairs can be completed. 2) The removal of objects on utility lines was the responsibility of each utility company. She spoke to Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Tel and Oceanic Cable and was told there has been no reported service disruption, therefore; no repair service was warranted at this time.

Questions, answers and concerns:

Wheatley reported the shoes seem to appear and reappear as an alleged signal for drug ring availability in the Pupu Streets area.  The City did not want to take the responsibility in the event damage was done while removing items, since the utility lines are privately owned and not owned by the City.  Several Board members agreed the serious issue should be addressed by the Mayor since it was a continued safety hazard without any of the utility companies including the City taking responsibility. Chair Oshiro said serious problems could evolve costing the City regardless who was responsible; he recommended waiting for a City response rather than sending a letter from the Board. It has been an eyesore to the community, however; the safety issue was the greater concern if high winds took the power lines out resulting possible injuries.   

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

1)       Yakowenko asked why Maglinti’s seat has not been deemed vacated since he was reported to have moved and was on the ballot for another district in the current Neighborhood Board election. Chair Oshiro said the item should be placed on the agenda next month if this was the case. The Neighborhood Commission Office had not received any notice from Maglinti regarding his change of residence.

2)       Garcia was concerned regarding school children and elders crossing illegally and dangerously at the intersection of Waipahu and Hiapo Streets. He requested the need for a crosswalk at this intersection. Duhaylonsod clarified the intersection was a mid-block and did not warrant a crosswalk.

3)       I. Parayno reported a fatal motor cycle accident on Waipahu Street at the bend at Paiwa Street. Waipahu Street was in dire need of improvement to prevent major incidents. A warning flashing light was also obstructed by another signage.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

A. Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park/Waipio Soccer Complex – Burke reported the committee met at 7:00 p.m., the second Monday of each month at the park’s aquatics complex and the meeting was open to the public.

B. Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor – P. Lee reported the project was a 20-mile elevated rail connecting West Oahu with downtown Honolulu capable of carrying more than 300 passengers each. The train was capable of carrying more than 6,000 passengers per hour in each direction while new bus routes will provide direct connections to the stations, 21 stations averaging one per mile along the route. Construction was required and encouraged to develop sustainability criteria for construction and maintenance of the guideway by recycling and reusing asphalt, concrete, steel and rebar from demolished sites. Rail transit would reduce carbon dioxide emissions on the island by 3-4 percent. According to the United State Department of Energy, the rail also will be more energy efficient than single occupant vehicles, using 37 percent less energy per passenger mile. The rail will be powered by taking advantage of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or H-power, and will use only 1-2 percent of Oahu’s electricity in 2030. And, none of the 18 species of bird, mammals and plants identified in the corridor would be adversely affected by the rail according to the draft environmental impact study. The next scheduled meeting was June 3 beginning at 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Waipahu High School cafeteria. Responding to some concerns regarding elevation and noise: the system will be elevated 30 feet to be more efficient running on the ocean side of Farrington Highway to keep costs down rather than down the middle of the highway. There will be three feet walls placed where noise was a factor, with further studies as the rail progresses, the walls can be reconfigured. Park and Ride facilities were planned throughout the route giving the community another option to access the rail. 

C. OMPO Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) – R. Kakalia reported Nick Raoch, Manager with Parsens Brinckerhoff presented a work in progress of the goals of the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan for 2035. CAC Chair and members voiced their concern in areas concerning securing funding for potential projects to include their maintenance and upkeep. Members also voiced inclusion of strong language in regards to the plan and projects’ fully implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines in their planning and designs. Raising the level of compliance to the letter rather than a merge guideline; going so far as to include actual participation of the disabled community in the planning, design and trial processes.

E. Waipahu Community Foundation – Burke reported as much as $26,500 has been awarded. The foundation has streamlined the application process to increase success for 501C businesses in the district. The next quarter will begin June 5, 2009. He reiterated those members needing assistance to contact Burke as he can assist with the application.

F. Board of Water Supply (BWS) – K. Mattos reported: 1) there were no water main breaks in the district last month. 2) BWS conducted thousand of water quality tests and up kept over 2,000 miles of pipeline to ensure that the water delivered directly to resident property’s water meters was safe to drink. BWS was responsible for maintaining and repairing water mains, meter boxes and water meter itself. Customers were responsible for the water delivered after the meter into homes or businesses; therefore, it was critical that property owners make sure the pipes and water fixtures were well cared for. If leaks were present on properties, the customer will ultimately be responsible for paying the water bill and water wasted through a leak. If a leak is noticed in water meters or to shut off water service for any reason, call 748-5000. Do not attempt any repairs or modifications to the meter boxes and keeping meter box area clear of grass and debris can assist BWS crew to easily access meter boxes for any reason. More information can be obtained at: www.boardofwatersupply.com.

G. Other Community Reports –

TheBus District Services’ New Routes: Jim Berg reported the following route modified effective March 1, 2009:  1) Route 16 has been modified to service Red Hill via the Kalihi Sub-Station; Route 43 will service Managers Drive with a top via the Kalihi Sub-Station and will terminate service at the Alapai Transit Center; Route 53 has taken up the old route eliminating portions of Halawa Heights and traveling mostly on Kamehameha Highway; Route 202  will travel on Paiwa Street to Farrington Highway to Waikele and onto the zipper lane pass Waipahu High School in the morning commute mimicking the afternoon commute route into Waipahu. Further information may be obtained on their website: TheBus.org. or by calling

H. NB Permitted Interaction Groups (P.I.G) – There were no reports available.

I. Announcements – There were no announcements.

PRESENTATIONS –

To facilitate a late arrival, there were no objections in moving the City & County of Honolulu Curbside Recycling Program to report first.

B. City & County of Honolulu Recycling Program: S. Jones reported there have been positive results with 90% participation according to reports from areas already on the integrated recycling system. The collection will be twice a week, with one day designated for refuse pickup and the other for recycling pickup. REYCYCLABLES (Blue Cart): The blue cart was for aluminum cans, glass, plastics, newspapers and corrugated cardboards. HI-5 Redemption Centers and Community Recycling Bins were also available for redemption of items. GREEN WASTE (Green Cart): The green cart was for green waste. City Convenience Centers and Composting Facilities were also available receiving items. REFUSE (Gray Cart): The gray cart was used for household trash other than recyclables and green waste. Bulky items can be taken to City Convenience Centers, City Transfer Stations or Landfill. Other suggested recycling and disposable information to encourage recycling: Condominium – reimbursement for program startup costs available up to $2,000; Businesses – reduce waste and save on disposal costs, online resources, design guidelines and model programs; Bulky Items – regular monthly pickup schedules for all areas of the island; Household Hazardous Items – Bi-monthly drop-off events; Education & School Fairs – learn more about Tour de Trash projects and activities to educate children and raise funds for their schools. More information was available online at: www.opala.org.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Chair Oshiro asked if residents can opt for having two green carts rather than the blue bin if there was a high volume of green waste. S. Jones said if there was a high volume of green waste or refuse waste, residents should notify the department and can then be monitored to find an appropriate level to provide such extra carts. To report carts blocking road and bicycle ways, residents may call the Pearl City collection yard at 768-3200. She also added free mulch was available at Leeward Community College’s Urban Garden as well as the Wahiawa Community Center.

2)       Herolaga was aware residents already pay a fee for a second refuse pick if required and it may affect “ohanas” (extended families) in Waipahu financially. The fee program was ongoing in Mililani district with only a few participants. Currently residents can call to request a second cart, if qualified after a monitoring period; a second cart should be used.

A.   State Department of Education (DOE) Leeward Development Facilities:

B. Harimoto reported the department was working with the governor to apply funding due to DOE; however, the governor has planned $90 million to decrease the budget and DOE will have to wait for the stimulus federal funding to replenish its funds which were a big concern for DOE. B. Harimoto introduced the new Complex Superintendent for the Waipahu and Pearl City district, Keith Hayashi. K. Hayashi said he was offering a line of communication with residents and invited concerns to be brought to his attention at 692-8000. Assistant Superintendent R. Moore reported while enrollment is trending down, growth areas needing more schools were in the Central Oahu:  Schofield, Waiawa Ridge, Koa Ridge; Leeward Oahu: Ewa-Kapolei; Maui: West and Central Maui, Kihei; Hawaii: Public School infrastructures issues were: new schools, new facilities at existing schools, need for periodic rehabilitation of older facilities, need for ongoing repair and maintenance, air conditioning expectations and funding sources. The State Department of Education’s current budget for improvements was only $110 million. For about 235 schools not yet air conditioned, the cost is about $1.5 billion. New Leeward Oahu schools currently planned were: Ewa Middle at $89 million; Royal Kunia Elementary at $47 million; and Kapolei II Elementary, East Kapolei Middle, Kapolei II Middle, East Kapolei High, East Kapolei I Elementary all at a cost of $436 million. New schools planned in Central Oahu were: Waiawa/Koa Ridge I Elementary at $43 million; Waiawa High at $175 million and Waiawa Middle at $110 million. Maui had four new schools were estimate Cost at $368 million and one Island of Hawaii School at $65 million. Sum it all up: New Schools - $1.384 billion; New Facilities at existing schools - $139 million over three years.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Chair Oshiro was curious how DOE was going to manage the 20 to 30 year in education demands in the district. R. Moore said the last 15 year plan has ended up needing 40 years to complete the process; new schools need to be built for possible multi tracks as there was a definite problem with the future of education in fast growing areas. The Waipahu plan has little growth while Village Park will take a toll as Kunia district peaked. Several east and windward schools were also closing due to decrease in growth.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS –

Resolution from Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board (NB) No. 35 request OMPO add to the 2035 Oahu Regional Transportation Plan a rail transit connection in the Central Oahu Corridor.

Burke moved and Maus seconded for the Waipahu Neighborhood No. 22 support the Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board No. 35 request consideration for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization to add to the 2035 Oahu Regional Transportation Plan asking to add a rail transit connection in the Central Oahu Corridor.

Chair Oshiro reminded the Board members that the resolution may be for planning purposes only and will be sure to send a copy to NB No. 35. Yakowenko was also concerned that there may be no support for this resolution as there were already too many concerns.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS –

Governor’s Representative – D. Festerling reported: 1) the governor vetoed three bills last week that will raise taxes on residents, visitors and businesses and delay the economic recovery. Despite the concerns voiced by the public about these tax increases, the Legislature overrode all of the Governor’s vetoes the next day. The following bills were vetoed by the governor: SB111: increases the transient accommodation tax by 28 percent over the next two years; HB1741: increases by up to 257 percent the conveyance tax home buyers, businesses, real estate developers, charities, non-profit organizations and other purchasers of all residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural real estate must pay for transactions over $2 million; HB1747: increases the personal income tax rate on almost 37,000 Hawaii income tax filers, sole proprietors and small businesses. 2) Unemployment claims launched Phase I improving filing options for increasing claims. 3) The Department of Health has issued precautions to protect from the Swine Flu; an information line is available by calling 866-767-5044. Please take precautions to avoid close contact with persons coughing; avoid hands touching the face and use sanitizer gels if water was not available.

Senator Nishihara reported that crucial tourism to the islands continued to decline; it was critical to find ways to support the economy as both the tax and general funds have both decreased.

Representative Aquino reported: 1) the hurricane rainy day funds will be in discussion and invited the public to attend on Friday at 8: 30 a.m. in room 309. 2) Final weeks of the legislature; May 1 was the last day to file fiscal bills to deck for final reading. Bills reaching the governor after April 21 were most likely to be vetoed while July 14 was the last day for signed or vetoed bills by the governor.   

Senators Kidani, Gabbard and Espero; Council Members Garcia and Okino’s monthly reports were circulated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Viewing of the Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22 on Olelo Channel 49 network is on Fridays at 9:00 p.m. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2009.

ADJOURMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10: 03p.m.  

Submitted by M. Chanel-Benjamin, NA