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WAIPAHU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES-draft

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009

FILCOM CENTER

Call To Order – Chair Richard Oshiro called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. This 19 member Board requires a vote of 10 to adopt a motion. A quorum of 11 was present.    

Members Present – Edmund Alfonso, Maureen Andrade, Lorraine Duhaylonsod, Romeo Garcia, Robert Kakalia, Richard Oshiro, Marty Burke, Thomas Maus, Rito Saniatan, George Yakowenko, and Chuck Wheatley.

Members Absent – Stephen Antonio, Connie Herolaga, Joe Hunkin, Jr., Cory Chun, Terry Healey, William Maglinti, and Kerry Nishimoto.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Guests – Baybee Hufano-Ablan - Mayor Hannemann’s representative, Senator Michelle Kidani, Senator, Clarence Nishihara, Councilmember Nestor Garcia, Firefighter Chris Powell, Edwin Tangunan, Mitch Pang & Kawika Harbottle-Honolulu Fire Department (HFD); Sgt. Kaneshiro-Honolulu Police Department (HPD), Erika Moon-Senator Gabbard’s office, David Festerling-Governor’s Representative, Danielle Bass-Representative Yamane’s office, Rose Martinez-Representative Cabanilla’s office, Deseree Paliho-Representative Aquino’s office, Park Kalewahea-Senator Kidani’s office, Naomi Hanohano-Board of Water Supply (BWS), Karen Scharfenstein-Councilmember Okino’s office, Liz Delfico-Waipahu Community Association Weed&Seed (WCA) representative, Pat Lee-Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP), Ilalo Parayno, Aolani Yamasato, S. Agni, David Pagan, Blaine Tsugawa 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 asked if anyone was interested in filling the vacancy. No one stepped forward at this time.

Chair’s Announcements – 1) Chair Oshiro asked HPD to be present during citizen’s concern and understood if they needed to leave due to an emergency call. HPD agreed to be present. 2) Chair Oshiro announced since the Board’s March 28 meeting fell on Kuhio Day; March 19 would be available to meet instead.  He also added, looking throughout the 2009 calendar year; the November 26 Board meeting fell on Thanksgiving Day; therefore the meeting should be moved to November 19. There were no objections to move the Board’s March and November 2009 meetings. He also reminded the Board that the city’s fiscal year ended in June 2009.   

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes –

November 20, 2009 minutes were adopted with the following amendments:

Page 2: under residents’ concerns No. 3; delete “Wheatley suggested the new City Plan” to insert “Yakowenko suggested the new Neighborhood Board Plan”

Page 5: under Senator Nishihara’s question and answer No. 1; delete entire No. 1 concern to insert with “Yakowenko compared the State’s strict smoking laws with the fireworks law and suggested a complete ban on all fireworks, except for commercial fireworks displays”. No. 2; replace “Yakowenko” with “Alfonso”

Treasurer’s Report – Saniatan reported expenses incurred in November 2008 were; Operating Account expended $104.71 for facility rental; leaving a balance of $959.70: Publicity Account balance remained at $1,750.00: Refreshment Account remained at $120. This left a closing total appropriated balance of $ $2,829.70.

OFFICIAL REPORTS:

1)       Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Acting Captain Tangunan reported statistics for the months of November 2008 through January 2009 consisted of:  4 structure, 2 wildland, 15 rubbish, 4 vehicle and 6 cooking fires. Also, there were 352 medical emergencies with 211 miscellaneous calls. There was a major fire at Kahuailani and Mokuola Streets on January 14 requiring 8 companies and 1 Battalion Chief.  He also said HFD was in total support of fireworks ban due to the many complaints from constituents as well as a safety measure. Fire Safety Tip: In a fire, medical or other emergency, it is critical that emergency responders quickly identify the correct location. Fire, building, U.S. Postal codes and City ordinances state that property owners shall place their house numbers so it is legible and readily visible from the street. This will assist the HFD and other first responders in quickly locating your house in the event of an emergency. If your property is difficult to locate and or access, provide 911 dispatchers with additional information to assist them in locating your property during an emergency.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Capt. Kaneshiro circulated the statistic report included: November; 22 assaults, 46 auto thefts, 61 burglaries, 24 criminal property damages (CPD), 1 drug & narcotics (DN), 179 motor vehicle collision (MVC), 16 operating vehicle under influence (OVUII), 8 robberies, 73 thefts, 62 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV) and 3,055 service calls which contributed 47% service calls for Waipahu district. December; 13 assaults, 29 auto thefts, 50 burglaries, 36 CPD, 2 DN, 189 MVC, 12 OVUII, 12 robberies, 81 thefts, 61 UEMV and 3,317 services calls which contributed 46% for Waipahu district.     

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Wheatley and Yakowenko concerned regarding loud “bomb-like” explosions going off at around the “Pupu” Street areas. Capt. Kaneshiro said to make a report to the 911 dispatcher with as much information as possible; HPD will respond immediately if officers were not serving a more pressing report.

Mayor Hannemann’s report – Baybee Hufano-Ablan reported 1) HPD had no plans to open a substation in the district. The Weed & Seed Detail had been looking for the past eight months without success; however, HPD and the city were awaiting a decision on an undisclosed location pending. 2) Regarding the Mink Park improvements, more information was needed to forward to CORP advisory committee. 3) May 2009 will begin the next curbside recycling expansion phase; Waipio Gentry to Halawa will receive carts next week in preparation for the May start. 4) The Mayor attended a conference in Chicago and encouraged young local athletes to participate in Olympic sports as he was the Co-Chair for the Olympic Committee and has proposed for the Olympics to return to the United States.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Chair Oshiro said the HPD substation will remain on the agenda as it was a much needed issue to resolve and was aware of the economic downsize with government. Chair Oshiro also asked what plans the city offered regarding the stimulus package to stimulate the economy; noted the Mayor’s inauguration speech included a speed on the rail to assist in the stimulation plans for Oahu.

2)       Alfonso reported a tree growing in the midst of the Waipahu stream.

3)       Burke said a detailed cost estimated list of improvements were submitted to the Mayor with a response that there were no monies available; an invite went out city administration to attend the community meeting at the park which met during second Mondays of each month. Burke added it would serve the community greatly to have a representative discuss the many issues facing the park currently.

4)       Burke also asked the NCO to correct the website again for Board meeting location as FILCOM Center as it has been listed incorrectly for some time now.

5)       Wheatley said the bus stop at YMCA traveling ewa bound on Farrington Highway.

            Alfonso said the new Neighborhood Board election candidate forms were due February        20. He also        asked clarifications on the new sub-districts commencing with the new fiscal        year which passed public            hearing and adopted by the NC.    

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

1)       A resident of Harbor View reported a much needed second trash bin; three families with 7 members are sharing one and has called several times to city of Environmental refuge division for a solution. B. H-Ablan said if the department will noted if called each time the bins are overflowing at the time of pickup; within three months a bin should be delivered. She also said the driver will usually pick up a refilled bin if he was aware of the need. Chair Oshiro and Burke added they understood one needed to be disciplined sorting and recycling trash to save city time and money even if it meant residents needed to buy more trash bins; however, service centers are suffering long lines and understaffed. B. H-Ablan will assist with correct information to receive “trash bin” service and offering information for bin purchases would also be helpful to assist constituents with removing trash from the streets. Burke asked if multi families lived at one address; would an extra bin be available for that household. B. H-Ablan said the city allowed only one bin per address; however there were no regulations on filling bins more than once to assist with extra garbage.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

A. Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park/Waipio Soccer Complex – Burke reported 1) the Mink Central Regional Park Advisory Committee met on second Mondays of each month at the park’s aquatics complex starting at 7:00 p.m.; open to the public.  2) The park will host in February the United States Tennis Association International Championship Event; ages 18 years and under traveling from all over the world.

B. Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor – Pat Lee reported the public comment deadline for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Honolulu’s proposed rail transit system has been extended until February 6, 2009. Previously, the comment period was scheduled to conclude January 7, 2009. The comment period has been extended to allow stakeholder and residents additional time to review and comment on the draft EIS. Copies of the IES were available at all State public libraries including the city library, DTS office located at 650 South King Street-3^rd. Floor, DTS-Rapid Transit Division office at 1099 Alakea Street, Suite 1700, and on the web at: www.honolulutransit.org. The public can also comment in writing to the State Department of Transportation Services at 650 South King Street, 3^rd. Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or again online at the above website. There were three options being reviewed currently: the original route via Salt Lake Boulevard (SLB) and Dillingham Boulevard; the airport Kamehameha Highway route and the third being the SLB with the additional spur to the airport. 30 percent of the 1.2-billion federal funding has been appropriated for initial engineer plans. As reported, the economic outcome of transit contracts will benefit many job seekers as well as sustaining more jobs as the rail progresses. The rail was considered an economic stimulus; tourism, military and construction were at the forefront of the economic stimulating plans.

C. OMPO Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) – R. Kakalia reported a half a million dollar grant was to assist with children bicycle safety as well as elder safety services. 

D. Waipahu Community Association (WCA) & Weed and Seed – Liz Delfico reported free tax assistance to qualifying residents was available. Brian Agbayani was the new Sgt. at Arms for the Weed & Seed division.

E. Waipahu Community Foundation – Burke announced funds were still available for qualifying 501C3 businesses wishing to provide services to organized youth groups; contact Waipahu High School for grant application. Companies seeking funds to offer youth programs including youth sports equipment also may qualify.  

F. Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Naomi Hanohano reported BWS has cancelled the voluntary water conservation for the Windward district; BWS was grateful for all those that took part in the effort. BWS also thanked everyone for the great response of preserving water during the recent power outage and advised citizens to become active in being prepared in advance for all emergencies; stay tuned to radio sources and keep water use at a minimum because the reservoirs have only one and a half days’ storage without additional pumping impacted by power outages. BWS 2009 calendars were available to anyone; please contact BWS at the Beretania Street location or download a copy online at www.boardofwatersupply.com or call 748-5041. The application and entries for the next calendar year poster and poetry contest are due by March 11, 2009; drop off at any Satellite City Halls or at BWS Beretania office during business hours only. Contest theme: Ola I Ka Wai-Water Gives Life. Grades K-6 can enter the poster contest while grades 7-12 can enter a poetry contest.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Wheatley asked if BWS had any future plans to de-salt water due to the population increase that may one day affect rainforests on Oahu. N. Hanohano invited Wheatley to call BWS to take a water tour; water usage was decreasing therefore there was not a need nor it was feasible to produce “de-salt” water.

G. NB Permitted Interaction Groups (P.I.G) –

Ho’opili Project: Chair Oshiro reported 1) the group was currently discussing the transit’s third rail stop which was located at the project. 2) The West Oahu Campus finally broke grounds; however, a new developer was currently being sought.

PRESENTATIONS –

Chair Oshiro said due to schedule conflicts, both presentations were cancelled for the time being and will follow up on rescheduling them.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS –

HPD Waipahu Substation: The matter was discussed earlier during the meeting. Shelly Paiwa, Sgt. for Weed & Seed inherited the position about a year ago; currently the position was seeking funds to continue, March 1 ends the current funding.

NEW BUSINESS –

A. State ID Bill: Chair Oshiro reported the bill state identification was a lengthy process for individuals due to the lack of facilities for administration; it was being done only at one location with limited staffing and hours of operation. The legislature found that the satellite city halls were convenient locations for the state identification process. Currently, the authority for state identification rested solely with the department of the attorney general (AG). The purpose of this bill was to allow the AG the authority to delegate state identification administration to a county for the purpose of administering state identification cards at satellite city halls or other locations. He asked the Board for their support on this bill.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Burke went on record to support the ID Bill; stating that finally the bill will be heard after it had been re-drafted with support from Senator Esperro; citizens should have this option with hopes the funds were available from the federal government to improve this national security issue.

2)       Several Board members also gave different accounts of the “horrors” of the lengthy state identification process. Alfonso added that the State of Hawaii should implement this change on all islands. Chair Oshiro and Burke both agreed the town office and the parking was not sufficient to serve the public as the wait sometimes took hours.

3)       Wheatley added the mobile unit proposed earlier to circulate the island for this purpose would have served greatly; however, Senator Gabbard opposed the idea.

4)       Burke moved and Alfonso seconded for the Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22 to support the State Identification Bill. The motion WAS adopted by unanimous consent; 11-0-0. ( Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Duhaylonsod, Garcia, Kakalia, Maus, Oshiro, Saniatan, Wheatley and Yakowenko)

B. Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board No. 35 Central Oahu Transit Connection Resolution. (Requesting the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) add to the 2035 Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP) a Rail Transit Connection (Spur) in the Central Oahu Corridor. Chair Oshiro said currently there were no plans to supporting any spur to Mililani; projects such as Castle & Cook and Gentry will contribute to the bottleneck at the H1/H2 merge. Chair Oshiro also added the rail connectivitiy to Central Oahu and its routed will increase the efficiency of the rail transit system, add ridership and reduce the number of cars on the road which was the purpose of rail.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Yakowenko said 2035 was a long span of time to plan for ahead and he for one will not be living to see this change. He suggested the resolution be taken up with OMPO and should remain in Mililani and not Waipahu.

2)       Burke said an estimated 10,000 plus more residents were predicted by 2017 due to projects currently being developed; a rule of thumb was to have an early plan in place and urged support for the resolution.

3)       Kakalia said the resolution was accepted by ORTP as was presented under public input; Burke moved and Kakalia seconded for the Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22 to support the Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board No. 35 Central Oahu Transit Connection Resolution. (Requesting the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) add to the 2035 Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP) a Rail Transit Connection (Spur) in the Central Oahu Corridor. The motion was NOT adopted; 9-0-2. (Aye: Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Duhaylonsod, Garcia, Kakalia, Maus, Oshiro, Saniatan. Abstain: Wheatley and Yakowenko)

GOVERNMENT REPORTS –

City Councilmember Garcia reported he looked forward to working closely with new Council Chair Apo and also welcomed Kirk Caldwell, Managing Director. Although he relinquished the chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, he will remain on the committee and looked forward to his duties as the new Budget Committee Chair. He also supported the ban of all fireworks as well as supporting the State ID Bill. Bill 63 relating to transit was reported out for Third Reading to be held on January 28. Resolution 08-261 Amendment the Minimum Operable segment for the HHCTCP recommending moving minimum operable segment to Airport reported out for passage on January 28. Testimonies may be faxed to 768-3827 or on the web at www.honolulu.gov/council/emailccl.htm. He can be reached at ngarcia@honolulu.gov or by contacting his office at 768-5009.                                                                                                                                               

Governor’s representative – D. Festerling reported the State Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled five pieces of legislation last week aiming at improving traffic safety on Hawaii’s roadways: 1) Distracted Driving Bill for New Drivers; this bill would ban graduated drivers from using a wireless telephone including hands free devices, text messaging, playing video games, applying make-up, grooming or consuming food items. 2) Reckless Driving Bill; this bill further defines penalties for reckless drivers to serve an additional deterrent. 3) Driving Under the Influence for Commercial Drivers Bill; this bill adds penalties for those with commercial driver’s license who are convicted of having traces of alcohol in their blood stream while operating a commercial vehicle, bringing state law in conformance with federal regulations. 4) Moped and Motor Scooter Helmet Law Bill; this bill would mandate the use of helmets for all moped and motor scooter rider and their passengers, who are some of the most vulnerable and most exposed users on the road. 5) Red Light Photo Enforcement Program; this piece would give counties the authority to implement a red light photo enforcement program to document images of red light violators. Additional information on the bills was available at www.hawaii.gov/gov. Also two major initiatives aimed at easing traffic congestion along the most heavily traveled corridor in the state were introduced: 1) P.M. Contraflow; improving the westbound afternoon rush hour commute on the H-1 Freeway from Honolulu to Central and Leeward O’ahu by adding a 6.2-mile contraflow lane starting at the Radford Drive overpass and ending at the Waiawa Interchange H1-H2 merge. The DOT will establish permanent contralow lanes on both sides of the existing center median by installing concrete barriers to separate traffic, similar to what is used now for the Zipperlane. Both lanes will head townbound in the morning and reversed in the afternoon rush hour to accommodate Ewa bound traffic. During non-rush hour, the two lanes will revert back to their original direction. This $40-million contralfow project will be ready to go out to bid in July 2009. The sate anticipates beginning construction in early 2010. Eighty percent of the project will be funded federally and the remaining 20 percent will be state funded. 2) Widened Middle Street Merge; the second project is intended to improve traffic flow on the H1 by widening the merge which would benefit commuters at all times of the day. Currently, cars exiting the Middle Street tunnel must merge onto the H1 which created a bottleneck as cars traveling eastbound on the H1 slow down to allow the incoming traffic. This project would increase traffic capacity through Middle Street merge and Vineyard Boulevard by adding a fourth continuous lane, eliminating the need to merge. The additional lane would also add a second exit lane to the Vineyard Street off-ramp. The cost for this project is estimated at $100 million. Eighty percent of the project will be funded federally, and the remaining 20 percent will be state funded. An environmental assessment is expected to be completed by August of 2010 and construction is slated to begin early 2011. The Hawai’i 50^th Anniversary of Statehood Commission is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying Hawaii companies and organizations that began operating in the islands in 1959, the year Hawaii became a state. Contact Chris Hossellman at 586-0193 to be recognizing your company as an integral part of the community.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Burke inquired what authority the governor had to transfer rail funds to the general funds as reported in the media. D. Festerling said he will have to inquire with the department. Chair Oshiro said the budget was already in place for the rail according to the city budget director; time has come to move on the rail project assisting in stimulating the economy.

Senator Esperro reported as chair of the public safety committee, he has established a task force to address the lack of proper security measures preventing illegal fireworks smuggling into the state. He will urge officials during the new session to consider electronic devices to scan containers for possible fireworks smuggling ending possible corruption to limit illegal aerial fireworks from gaining entrance into port. A 12-million federal funding for homeland security was in place currently to assist with creative ways to stop crime from entering the United Sates. Sting operations underway have turned up two arrests this past holiday season. Another issue that he felt appropriate needed action was the rehabbing of inmates while being incarcerated due to 98 percent of inmates being let out within six years or less; a revolving door policy allowing early release has had negative impact on society. Waipahu and Ewa has been reported to have a large population of such ex-convicts.   

Senator Kidani reported she was in support of the task force to deter illegal fireworks as mentioned by Senator Esperro. She commended HPD for the increased patrol and arrests during the holidays as it seemed illegal fireworks started early in November this past holiday season. She met with local principals to discuss the progress and state of the public schools. Each school provided an overview of their enrollment numbers as well as updates on students’ accomplishments. The principals and Legislators also set up capital improvement project requests (CIP), totaling $10,182,000, in order of priority. She also understood the Waipahu-Gentry district was in dire need of ambulance emergency services. She reported a house fire near a care home involved evacuating five patients out into the rain and smoke was a traumatic experience to face for the patients; she has introduced a bill to assist in these conditions. The burned home still needed to be torn down and asked the city for a timeline as to when the home will be torn down as the ashes was a safety issue still. The Judiciary Court was seeking individuals interested in becoming a court interpreter; more information can be found on a circulated flier and by calling 539-4860.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Andrade said Corp Council was working of a solution to tear the building down; the home on Gullick Street in Kalihi which collapse during the recent rainstorm was the current priority. Wheatley added that the city has means to demolished such unsafe properties and elected officials should continue to urge the city to comply and not “drop the ball” once again.

Senator Nishihara reported he supported the CIP requests for district schools including A-Plus facilities as well as the ID Bill.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1)       Alfonso asked if the cell phone text bill was going to cover combing one’s hair. Senator Nishihara said it was only referring to cell phone text messaging.

2)       Yakowenko said officials needed to review park violator fines as $35 was too low a fine allowing too many repeated violators; 37 violators were reported. Burke added more enforcement could be helpful in curbing violators.

Representative Karamatsu reported the ID Bill was currently being modified by the attorney general’s office. He also supported measures to find ways to retain doctors in Hawaii; offering tax credits to reduce health premiums and for patients to select their own doctors. The governor has released funding to improve the Waipahu and Wahiawa district libraries and the Waipahu Aloha clubhouse despite the current poor economy.  

City Councilmember Okino; Senator Gabbard; Representative Cabanilla and Yamane’s reports were all circulated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Viewing of the Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22 via Olelo were Fridays on Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m.

 ADJOURMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. without objection.

Submitted by M. Chanel-Benjamin, NA