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WAIPAHU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009

FILCOM CENTER

CALL TO ORDER – Chair Richard Oshiro called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. with a quorum of 11 members present. Note - this 19 member Board requires ten (10) votes to adopt a motion.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT – Edmund Alfonso, Maureen Andrade, Marty Burke, Robert Kakalia, Richard Oshiro, Chuck Wheatley, George Yakowenko, Romeo Garcia, Steven Antonio, Rito Saniatan, and Thomas Maus.                                              

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT – Cory Chun, Lorraine Duhaylonsod, Connie Herolaga, Joe Hunkin Jr., Kerry Nishimoto, and Terry Healey.

GUESTS – Senators: Michelle Kidani and Clarence Nishihara; Representatives: Henry Aquino and Jon Riki Karamatsu; Sgt. Pestana (Honolulu Police Department), Captain Kevin Brown (Honolulu Fire Department), David Festerling (Governor’s Lingle’s Representative), Breene Harimoto (State Board of Education), Erika Moon (Senator Mike Gabbard’s office), Naomi Hanohano (Board of Water Supply), Karen Scharfenstein (Councilmember Okino’s office), Pat Lee (Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project-HHCTCP), Lynette Marushige (Representative Har’s office), BC Cowling (Box Car Racing), Bill Balfour (Monsanto), Bobby Newman (Narconon), Helen Tivera, Mona Gittens, Tae Kim, Joyce Tsugawa, Blaine Tsugawa, Loius Edwards, Brandon Lee, Darryle Macha, Alan Bartolone, Thomas Ventura, Ilalo Parayno, David Pagan, BC Cowling, and Mary Chanel-Benjamin (Neighborhood Commission Office).

Introduction – Board members and guests introduced themselves.

VACANCIES – Sub-district (SD) nine (9) has one (1) vacancy and SD11 was declaring one (1) seat vacant tonight due to Maglinti vacating the seat.

A.      There were no interested resident to fill the vacancy in SD9.

B.      Burke moved and Saniatan seconded to declare SD11 seat vacant. The Board UNANIMOUSLY voted to declare the SD11 seat vacant. (11-0-0; Alfonso, Andrade, Antonio, Burke, Garcia, Kakalia, Maus, Oshiro, Saniatan, Wheatley, and Yakowenko)

CITY GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department – Capt. K. Browne reported the following information:

1)       January Statistics – There were 4 structure, 5 wildland, 12 rubbish and 2 vehicle fires; 225 medical emergency and 152 miscellaneous calls.

2)       Major Incident – Investigation was still ongoing regarding an overturned trailer vehicle at the Ewa exit involving a 12 year old child in serious condition and one fatality; five companies responded.

3)       Fire Safety Tip – The risk of wildland fires increases as summer approaches. Make a 30-foot wide firebreak by clearing vegetation and clutter around all structures. Have an emergency preparedness plan ready in case of emergency evacuation. Consider the need for fire department access.

Honolulu Police Department – Sgt. Pestana reported following statistics April 2009:

1)       District 3 received 18,771 calls; Waipahu Sub-Districts received 2,859 calls

2)       There were 27 thefts, 23 auto thefts, 29 burglaries, 47 property damages, 68 thefts, 34 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles and 228 criminal offenses.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1)       Village Park Association (VPA) Request – Andrade requested HPD to attend the next association meeting as the VPA prepared to increase security officers’ hours needed at the residence. Currently, HPD special duty officers are hired to patrol four to six hours; VPA may also be looking to hire a private security company. Sgt Pestana will inform the Sgt. in charge of the request.

2)       Shoes on Wires in the Pupu District – A request to Chief Correia for HPD to please follow up on this complaint.

3)       Speed Trap at Kamehameha Highway and Kokuali’i Street – Kakalia thanked HPD for the much needed service as summer approaches with the many kids on mopeds and increase in vehicles on this roadway.

4)       Cumulative Crime Statistics – Alfonso again requested that the statistical report containing each additional month next to each other, so that the Board can tract crime trends over more than just two months.

RESIDENTS’ AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS: There was no objection to hearing concerns at this time; however, there were none at this time.

1)       Two Crosswalk Requests at Intersections of Hiapo and Waiphu Streets and Intersection of Waipahu and Old Waipahu Streets – Member Garcia has received numerous complaints regarding near misses with pedestrians crossing these streets. The streets were at T-intersections rather than block intersections. These intersections had high volume pedestrian traffic as it served TheBus route.

2)       Jaywalking, Speeding and Shoes on Wires at the Pupu Streets – Maus reported near misses and speed bumps could really help slow vehicles down on Pupumoni Street. Maus has reported to the State Department of Transportation regarding pedestrians at Farrington Highway and Pupukahi Street that continued to jaywalk as there still was no crosswalk on the Diamond Head side. The shoes continue to remain on the electrical lines without resolution. Chair Oshiro said at last he knew the City was working on the shoes issue.

WEED & SEED OFFICER (W&S): There was no report available at this time.

Mayor Hannemann’s Report – There was no report available at this time.

City Councilmember Nestor Garcia’s Report –

1)       City Budget Bills –The Councilmember reported the following bills will be heard for final reading on June 10, 2009: City Legislative Budget, Operating day to day Budget, Capital Budget for major facilities and equipment costs, General Obligation Bond Sales, Creation of Transit Improvement Bond fund and sales, Proposed one-time real Property Tax Credit for Fiscal Year 2010, Proposed Motor Vehicle Weight Tax, Abandoned Vehicle Fee, Proposed Bus, Golf Course, Honolulu Zoo, City Parks, HPD Special Duty Officer Fee, Alarm Permit Increases and a Real Property Tax Resolution Increase. The City Charter allows the Budget to be signed by June 15 deadline.

2)       Newly Elected Neighborhood Board Members – Congratulations to all members elected for the new term.  

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1)       Hawaii Plantation Building (HPB) – Capital Improvement for the building needed further discussion as HPB was truly in need of total renovation, not just the roof. The project was covered under the current and previous capital improvement project (CIP).

2)       Curb Recycling – The City recycling project currently on hold was looking for further community input and needed some feedback from Board members. Burke supported the recycling as it was good economic sense with only one landfill and H-Power, Hawaii could end up paying to ship “trash” out of state. Alfonso thought residents may not want the program since he has not received any inquiries.

3)       Transit Rail – The question on a third rail stop in Waipahu will be left to qualified engineers. The current City revenues have decreased; however, the excise tax surcharge was in place and will continue to be collected for its rail plan.  The June 10 City Council meeting will confirm what budget configuration the City plans to take as the next couple of years continues to be tough times for Hawaii.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report – N. Hanohano reported:

1)       There was one main break on April 7 at A’a’a Street.

2)       Winner of the 2009 conservation calendars have been announced; nearly 3,500 student artists and 200 poets participated; BWS expresses a big “mahalo” to all participants. 2) BWS 2009 Detect-A-Leak week was offering free toilet leak detection dye tablets; available at City Mill stores, Satellite City Hall or the lobby of BWS’s Beretania Street office. Customers may also enter to win a free home leak detection by filling out an entry form at www.boardofwatersupply.com between June 1 and 15.

Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP) – P. Lee reported:

1)       Waipahu Rail Station Community Workshop No. 2 – The workshop was slated for Wednesday, June 3, beginning from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria; 94-455 Farrington Highway. Also, save the date for the third and final workshop on July 8. Workshops are free. Please reserved seating by calling the project hotline at 566-2299 or email info@honolulutransit.org. Many thanks to those who participated in the first round of workshops.

2)       Station Planning – 21 Stations averaging one per mile along the 20-mile route will follow many of the criteria for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Open-air design with natural ventilation and some materials like high strength fabrics may be used that does not absorb and radiate heat. Also, bicycle racks, walking paths, and bus stops were also involved in the planning.

3)       Natural Environmental Considerations – Rail transit would reduce carbon dioxide emissions on the island by three to four percent and is more energy efficient than single-occupant vehicles, using 37 percent less energy per passenger mile, according to the department of energy. Rail is also powered by electricity, which can take advantage of renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, or H-power and also use only one to two percent of the O’ahu’s electricity in 2030. None of the 18 species of bird, mammals and plants identified in the corridor would be adversely affected by rail transit, according to the draft impact study.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1)       Farrington Highway Concerns – Rail will travel 30 feet in elevation on the makai side of the highway in order to be efficient and cost effective as the infrastructure was already there and with little property condemnation. There were also many park and ride lots planned throughout the route, one near University of Hawaii West, The Ho’opili Community and at Pearl Highlands Center. The area most affected with a larger scale of parking stalls was at the Mililani and Waipahu merge near Sam’s Club. Also, along the route, especially near schools and businesses, to help absorb vibration from the rail will be three feet walls and will assess the need to build higher walls if needed.

2)       Rail Fare – The rail fare was going to be based on an honor system with money inserts for tickets which was dispensed automatically and once used was no longer valid. The department has not fine tuned the fare system as of yet. The upcoming June 3 meeting was perfect to bring up many concerns as well as community input. 

3)       Honolulu’s third Transit Symposium will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The event is free, but seating was limited for the speaking engagements in the Pikake Room. Some speakers included: Dan Doyle discussing Vancouver’s popular SkyTrain. Joni Earl, CEO of Sound Transit rail system in Seattle.  Chatham Olive, past president of the Sierra Club Charlotte chapter. Ian Mulcahey of Gensler, a London based firm, one of the world’s largest architecture and design companies. For additional information on the event, check the Honolulu Rail Transit Project website at honolulultransit.org or contact them at 566-2299.

APPROVAL OF APRIL 23, 2009 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES –

The April 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes were adopted as circulated with the following amendments:

1)       Page 3 – OMPO Report – first sentence – strike out “Raoch” and insert “Roach”.

2)       Page 4 – Unfinished Business – Resolution from Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board No. 35 request OMPO add to the 2035 Oahu Regional Transportation Plan a rail transit connection in the Central Oahu Corridor – insert into fourth line – “The Board UNANIMOUSLY voted to adopt the motion; 15-0-0: Alfonso, Andrade, Burke, Chun, Duhaylonsod, Herolaga, Kakalia, Nishimoto, Oshiro, Wheatley, Yakowenko, Garcia, Antonio, Hunkin, and Maus”

BOARD BUSINESS AND REPORTS:

Waipahu Street Rezoning at 94-505 Update – T.Kim reported:

1)       The property known as Highway Market – Property was looking to rezone about 14 thousand square footage of the back to match the front of the property, adding 18 parking stalls with one load stall at Kahoelani Street. There was not change in the height of the building only the increase of parking stalls which was consistent with the future Waipahu and DOT Plans.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1)       Completion Timeline and Requirements – Public hearings were scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009, and T. Kim offered to return for another update before construction began. The zone change did not require a Neighborhood Board motion.

Neighborhood Board (NB) Agenda Template – Chair Oshiro said the template was quite different from the Board’s original template and opened it up for discussion. He has received several resolutions from other NBs opposing the pilot agenda template. He felt each Board had its own order of business and followed Robert Rules of Order.

1)       Request for Neighborhood Commission – Burke said the Board should request for Mrs. Manke to attend the Board and offer reasonable information supporting the proposed agenda template. Burke moved and Maus seconded for the Neighborhood Board No. 22 to protest and oppose the new agenda template and allow the Board to manage its own agenda. The motion WAS UNANISMOULY adopted; 11-0-0: Alfonso, Andrade, Antonio. Burke, Garcia, Robert, Maus, Oshiro, Saniatan, Wheatley, and Yakowenko.  

2)       Bill 42 – Councilmember Garcia noted that Bill 42 introduced by Councilmember Djou states the Board can voluntarily charge any private company $250 per agenda if appearing on the agenda more then four times per year.

Treasurer’s Report (April 2009) – Andrade reported that the Operating Account reflected $59.36 for printing and postage expense, leaving the balance at $491.87, the Publicity Account reflected $500 expense for video taping for the months of February and March 2009, leaving the balance at $750, and the Refreshment Account remained at $120, leaving the Appropriated balance at $1,361.87.

Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park/Waipio Soccer Complex – Burke reported:

1)       Public Meetings – 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.

2)       Handicap Access – There was now handicap access available to the archery range.

3)       Dead Tree – Yakowenko reported there was a dead tree missing its bark near the first parking lot coming from the Waipahu district; has been in that condition for a few months now.

American Box Car Racing International – B.C. Cowling reported:

1)       Update – In an effort to create a more exciting name and logo, the new facility name has been changed to Race World Hawaii. Kids, parents and grandparents can get involved with a new DOE program currently being offered. The location was at 1518 Evelyn Lane in Honolulu, 947-3393 was the phone and fax number. Visit their website at: www.boxcarracing.org.

OMPO Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) – R. Kakalia reported:

1)       Monthly Meetings – The committee met every third Wednesday at Honolulu City Hall.

2)       Representative Status – Kakalia announced since he was not re-elected to the Board for the new term year, he asked the Board if anyone could take over for him to represent the Board at CAC meetings. Chair Oshiro thought anyone from the district could represent the Board at the meetings and asked Kakalia to consider continue serving if possible. Yakowenko added maybe Kakalia could possibly fill a Board vacancy come the new term. Kakalia said he will consider it.

Governor’s Representative – D. Festerling reported:

1)       Public Comment – The governor encouraged the public to provide input and comment on the 250 bills. Comments may be sent as follows: Email: gov.policy@hawaii.gov; Fax: 586-0006; Mail: Office of the Governor, Hawaii State Capitol, Executive Chambers, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. For more information on bills signed into law or vetoed, log onto: www.hawaii.gov/gov/initiatives/laws. A list of the 250 bills may be found at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009.

2)        H-1 Freeway Middle Street Merge Widening – A two mile portion of H-1 from Ola Lane to Vineyard Boulevard off ramp will be widened by about 14 to 18 feet to provide sufficient additional shoulder width and new lane. Estimated Design-Build Cost: $100 million with 80 percent coming from the federal government and 20 percent from the State.

3)       Unemployment Division – Internet filing has been extended from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Log onto to www.hawaii.gov/labor.

4)       Farrington Highway Temporary Bus Stop – Contract work was pending to complete the original bus stop, should be completed by the end of 2009. The temporary bus stop seats should be requested with the City Department of Transportation.

Board of Education Report – B. Harimoto reported:

1)       Federal Stimulus Moneys – On April 16, 2009, the BOE voted to give preliminary approval to the use of federal State Fiscal Stabilization Fund moneys to temporarily restore reductions to specific programs that are likely to be reduced in the 2009-2011 Fiscal Biennium Budget.

2)       Meeting Notice Bill – A bill that would give the BOE up to two days to file a public meeting notice for agendas that specify legislation related items, has made its way through Legislature and now sits on the governor’s desk for her consideration.

Senator Nishihara’s Report –

1)       Capitol Improvement Project (CIP) Appropriations – Despite the very tight budget, the following CIP projects in District 18 received the following: $1,345,000 for August Ahrens Elementary School (ES), $260,000 for Honowai ES, $450,000 for Manana ES, $360,000 for Lehua ES, $100,000 for Waipahu ES, $851,000 for Filipino Community Center, and $3,850,000 for the Central Oahu Ambulance Facility.

Senator Kidani’s Report –

1)       2009 Legislature Session – It was an exciting first session for her being her first, and asked community to continue to bring comments and suggestion to her office by contacting her at 586-7100 or via email: senkidani@capitol.hawaii.gov. She thanked the community for the service opportunity.

2)       Hawaii Foodbank (HF) – On behalf of the Senate, a check for $13,538 was presented to the HF during Session as well as 615 pounds of food.

3)       Senate Bill 1338 – Relating to clotheslines to allow single family dwelling and townhouse residents to use clotheslines and authorize homeowners associations to set reasonable rules regarding the use of clotheslines. The bill currently was awaiting the governor’s signature.

4)       Mililani High School Datahouse Softball State Champions – Congratulations to the MHS softball team for their stunning victory.

Representative Karamatsu’s Report –

1)       School CIPs – The following were appropriated: $100,000 for Waikele ES, $550,000 for Kalei’opu’u ES, and $260,000 for Honowai ES.

Representative Yamane’s Report –

1)       Updated on Current Legislation – HB 989 related to Children’s Health Care passed the Legislature, SB 423 relating to Matching Hospital Medicaid Reimbursements also passes, and both have been submitted to the governor for signature.

2)       Swine Flu H1N1 Virus Update – Leading health officials recommend to do the following to protect yourself from the flu: wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use a tissue when sensing, remain at home from work if ill, clean your workplace or home environment with rubbing alcohol or other sanitizers and avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.

Representative Aquino’s Report –

1)       Support House Bills – He supported HB 358 relating to alternative treatment facility, HB 1776 relating to public assistant and smoking facility at the Oahu Correctional Facility, and HB 1536 relating to the State salary reduction.

Waipahu Community Foundation – Burke reported:

1)       Grant Applications – Applications were available at the Waipahu High School for request for 501-c companies supporting youth programs in the district.

2)       Waipahu High School (WHS) Awards – Parents and students of WHS should be proud for their accomplishments in scholar awards totaling $8 million in 2009. Principal Patterson and staff were to be commended for the motivation and excellence in serving district students.

 Other Community Reports – All other reports were circulated.

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

Announcements –

1)       B. Newman from Narconon Hawaii announced free programs for those needing “drug free” educations were available. For more information, contact: 550-0005. Location: 91-1011 Lexington Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707.

2)       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 9:37 p.m.  

Submitted by M. Chanel-Benjamin, NA