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Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board

DRAFT- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES                                    

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009

MILILANI RECREATION CENTER III

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Dick Poirier called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m., with a quorum of 16 members present; and led those present in the pledge of allegiance. Note: This 23 member Board requires 12 members for a quorum and to take official Board action.

MEMBERS PRESENT: William Bass, Shayne Chung, Ann Freed, Shannon Garan (arrived at 7:55 p.m.), Keith Hamada, Pua Iuli, Karen Loomis, William Maglinti, Jr., Rodney Park, Dick Poirier, Mary Segura, Carole Siegel, Tony Solis, Doug Thomas, Shareef Wang, Jessie Weinberger, Alvin Wong.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Danielle Bass, Dennis Imamura, Josie Kaanehe, Joy Marshall, Charlie Remington, Resa Tsuneyoshi.

GUESTS: Rodney Funakoshi (Castle & Cooke), Capt. Dustin Perkins (25th Combat Aviation Brigade-Schofield), Alpha Shimizu, Sue Viernes, Chase Viernes, Aaron Esteron, Kodey Gratz, Travis Shimizu, Benjamin Doig, Brian F., (Boy Scout Troop 164); Capt. Bruno Samala and Firefighter Rick Yanagida (Honolulu Fire Department, Mililani), Officer Wendy Atabay, Officer Andrew Bonifacio, and Officer Chad Aoki (Honolulu Police Department, District II – Wahiawa); Scott Fukuhara and Kolt Morikawa (BSA), Representative Marilyn Lee, Senator Michelle Kidani, Councilmember Nestor Garcia, Pat Lee (Honolulu Rail Transit), Farouke Wang (Mililani Town Association), Andrew Keliikoa (Board of Water Supply), Ivonne Cardenas (Makakilo.com), Nola J. Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2009: The regular meeting minutes of September 23, 2009 were approved as circulated by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 16-0-0 (AYE: B. Bass, Chung, Freed, Hamada, Iuli, Loomis, Maglinti, Park, Poirier, Remington, Siegel, Solis, Thomas, Wang, Weinberger, Wong).

COMMUNITY FORUM:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Firefighter R. Yanagida reported the following:

• September 2009 Statistics – Included 4 structures, 3 wildland, and 3 rubbish; 46 medical and 18 miscellaneous calls.

• Fire Safety Tip: When selecting Halloween costumes, ensure they are flame-resistant, made of lightweight fabric, brightly colored, and clearly visible to motorists. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape. Keep the length of costumes short to prevent tripping. A natural mask of cosmetics is better than a mask that may restrict breathing or obscure vision. Children should carry flashlights to light the way.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Reported later in the meeting under Public Forum.

Military – Capt. Dustin Perkins reported the following:

• Redeployment Ceremony – The public is invited to attend the Redeployment Ceremony on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at Sills Field at 10:00 a.m.
• School Partnership Program – To date 2,227 volunteers have participated in the school partnership program; 588 thus far in 2009. Funding will be let out in October. For more information contact the school liaison office at 655-9818.
• Theater Events – Call 438-4480 for information on theater events at Fortt. Shafter.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Andrew Keliikoa reported the following:

§         Wildfire Prevention and Watershed Protection – In the event of a wildfire, the BWS works closely with the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) to ensure there is efficient and reliable water service to save lives and property. The BWS fully supports HFD’s efforts to prevent wildfires on Oahu because each wildfire takes a toll on the drinking water supply. Wildfires threaten the island’s watersheds areas, which are fragile ecosystems that collect rainwater. If the watersheds ability to collect rainwater is compromised, less rainwater will filter down to replenish the ground water supplies. Nature does an excellent job in providing us with an abundant supply of drinking water, but nature needs our active participation to create a sustainable future on Oahu, in which there’s enough water for many years to come.

§         Water Conservation Tip – Support projects that remove invasive plants, and join the community watershed partnerships and educate others of the importance of watersheds. Conserving water daily reduces the need to use ground water that is essential for healthy watershed forests and stream ecosystems.

Honolulu Rail Transit Project (HRT)) – Pat Lee reported the following: The General Excise Tax (GET) revenues six percent recover is estimated in 2011, with the Council of Revenues expecting revenues to rise in 2016. The City has a 16 year period to fund their portion of the rail construction project (to 2022). GET is based on expenditures with tourists contributing 25 percent. The rail project will create new jobs, revenue, etc. Once the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is completed a record of decision and notice to proceed will be made by the Federal Transit Administration. Groundbreaking should take place December 2009.

OTHER COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Members of the Boy Scout Troop 164 were recognized.

RECOGNITION AWARDS: Chair Poirier announced the following:

• Mayor’s Representative Hal Barnes has retired and moved to the mainland; the Certificated Appreciation will be forwarded.
• Governor’s Representative was not present this evening, and the Certificate of Appreciation will be forwarded.

PUBLIC FORUM:

7:55 p.m. Garan arrived; 17 members present.

Update on Mililani Community Policing Program – Officers Wendy Atabay, Chad Aoki, and Andrew Bonifacio presented the following for District II:

• District II, Wahiawa Station – Consists of Mililani, Wahiawa, and the North Shore; per the 2007 annual report the district covers 204 miles, population of about 109,000 and a 55 mile coastline.
• Police Beats – Mililani Beats are covered by Officers Andrew Bonifacio and Michelle Phillips; Officer Wendy Atabay does Wahiawa projects, and Officers Chad Aoki takes care of the North Shore (from Kaena Point ending to just before Kawela Bay).
• Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW) – There is 250 NSW programs and over 6,000 participating households in Mililani; both the Policing Team and Mililani Town Association (MTA) are responsible for training and maintaining the program. For more information contact MTA at 440-2633.
• Ongoing Projects – Community restoration, school emergency readiness, sportsmanship programs, Junior Police officers, federal grants, residential security inspections, etc.
• September 2009 Statistics – Included 25 burglaries, 17 UCPV (unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle), 22 thefts, and 41 UEMV (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle).

• Halloween Safety Tips – Obey all traffic regulations; cross only at crosswalks, and only when the traffic signal says it is safe to cross; stand back a step from the curb until it is time to cross; look left, right, and left again and check for turning cars before and while crossing the street; watch out for cars turning at intersections and leaving or entering driveways; stay on the sidewalk whenever possible; walk on the left side of the roadway facing traffic; and wear light colors at night and attach reflective stickers to clothing, containers or toys.

• Limit trick or treating to your own neighborhood; trick-or-treat only at homes that have porch lights on; carry a flashlight if planning to stay out after dark; make certain the costume is flame resistant. Prevent injuries and falls; avoid carrying sharp or pointed objects and using poorly

fitted costume shoes or high heels; wear stage make-up instead of a mask; if wearing a mask cut holes a little larger so see better; travel in groups; there is safety in numbers; have the treats inspected by parents or a responsible adult before eating.

• Use a pre-planned well lighted treat-or-treat route; make sure children are escorted; drive safely and watch out for children when backing out of driveways; use the car headlights early and drive well below the speed limit; leave the porch lights on if participating in the festivities and keep the walkways to the front porch clear; give only commercially wrapped treats, coupons, gift certificates or coins; inspect all treats brought home; items obviously tampered with should be immediately reported to the police (911) and kept for evidence.
• Information – Visit www.hpd.org/mililanisector.

Update on Koa Ridge LUC Petition – Rodney Funakoshi gave the following update:

• Incremental Development Plan – The incremental development plan for Koa Ridge Makai and Castle & Cooke Waiawa is prepared pursuant to Sections 15-15-50(19) and 15-15-78, Hawaii Administrative Rules of the Land Use Commission (LUC).
• In its position statement on August 20, 2009, the State Office of Planning (OP) recommended that the subject petition to subject to incremental districting. The OP cited that full project development will extend beyond 10 years and that the Waiawa portion of the development is contingent on the actions of another private developer with no definite timetable for the completion of significant infrastructure. Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii continues to seek reclassification of the entire 768-acre petition area into the Urban District.
• Koa Ridge Makai – Increment l – Development is expected to begin in 2011 and be fully built by 2020. Infrastructure is expected to proceed as follows:

• Sewer system, electrical line, water system, roadway system, and on-site roadways, sewer, water and drain lines within project sites will be constructed concurrently with the phasing of residential and commercial construction.

• Residential construction of approximately 200 to 245 units per year is projected from 2012 to 2020, with the phasing of development starting from the south end of the project site near Kamehameha Highway and proceeding northward.
• Commercial development is planned to begin with a big box retail facility at Koa Ridge Makai’s Gateway, projected to be constructed by 2013.
• An elementary school is planned for construction by 2016, but as noted in the agreement executed with the Department of Education (DOE), is dependent on the pace of residential construction and the students generated. The DOE ultimately determines the timing of new school construction. In the interim, Koa Ridge elementary school-age students will be accommodated at neighboring schools in the area based on the enrollments and facility capacities.
• The community park to be dedicated to the City is expected to be fully improved by 2017; construction for the community center (for the master association) is planned for 2017.

• Castle & Cooke Waiawa, Increment II – Implementation of Castle & Cooke’s Waiawa depends on the progress of infrastructure construction by the neighboring Waiawa Ridge Development. In order to proceed, several major off-site infrastructure improvements are required to be constructed by the Waiawa Ridge Development including roadway extension of Ka Uka Boulevard to the exit across Panakauahi Gulch, sewer line extending from Waiawa Ridge to the Pearl City Wastewater Pump Station, water system resource, storage and transmission improvements, etc.
• Traffic Impact Study (part of the final Environmental Impact Statement) – Substantial improvements are needed to the Waipio Interchange to accommodate the additional Waiawa developments: new southbound loop on-ramp; new northbound loop on-ramp; widening of Ka Uka Boulevard from 4 to 7 lanes; northbound off-ramp widening and modification.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1)       Green Homes – Solar is included in the current home planning, and Castle & Cooke is looking into green materials for standards, fixtures, etc.

2)       Building Density – Commercial building heights will be approximately four to five stories, with the exception of the hospital, which may have six stories.

3)       Medical Healthcare Status – The status with the Wahiawa Hospital are in the preliminary planning stages. It was suggested to invite the hospital to a board meeting for an update.

4)       Schools – The developer provides the site, infrastructure, and contributes some funding for new schools. However, the school is constructed by the DOE; one new elementary school is planned for the area. If the DOE decides not to construct the new school as scheduled, neighboring schools will accommodate the students.

5)       Waiawa Gentry Development Delay – The delay of this project will not affect the Koa Ridge/Waiawa side for development.

6)       Employment Opportunities – It was unsure if the health and commercial building would be built at the same time to increase employment opportunities.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS:

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – Chair Poirier reported that a new Mayor’s representative would be assigned by the January 2010 meeting.

Councilmember Nestor Garcia – Councilmember Nestor Garcia stood on his written report and highlighted:

• New Property Tax Assessments – A proposed new property tax assessment would split the residential class to homeowner (occupying the residence) and non-homeowner (speculator, investor, owns more than one home) The new property tax rate would be set next spring.
• City Public Auction Website – Bargain hunters can now shop on the City’s public auction website, by utilizing Vendor Self Service (VSS), which lists property that is no longer practical for official use. Items range from garbage trucks to cameras and computers. Contact VSS Help Desk at 808-768-5535 or visit bfspurchasing@honolulu.gov.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: TheHandi-Van New In-Person Assessments – The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will be asked if they could accommodate people on dialysis or receiving chemo therapy; possibly send out a mobile unit.

Governor Linda Lingle’s Representative – A representative was not present. Chair Poirier announced that a letter received from the Governor’s Chief of Staff said that a representative will no longer attend board meetings. Area legislators were asked to follow up.

Senator Michelle Kidani – Senator Michelle Kidani distributed her written report and highlighted:

• As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Housing, Senator Kidani is concerned about the state furloughs (school closure for 17 days) and reducing the schools year to 163 days.
• Senator Kidani attended and informational briefing on the Office of Youth Services.
• A caucus is scheduled for October 29, 2009 to decide if a special session regarding furloughs will be called.
• Board member Shareef Wang was congratulated for passing his bar exam on the first test.

Representative Marilyn Lee – Rep. Lee stood on her written report and highlighted:

• School Visitations – Rep. Lee visited Mililani Schools and spoke with the principals.
• Mililani High School Projects – Installation for a new bell system (anticipated use January 2010). Ground breaking for a new dining lanai (November). Installation of surveillance cameras around the campus will be done this semester. Construction for the H building drop-off and turnaround will start this year.
• ORTP 2035 – The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization is working on the ORTP 2035 long-range transportation plan for Oahu.
• Home Life Task Force – Board member Pua Iuli has been named a member of the Home Life Task Force.

Representative Ryan Yamane – No representative was present.

COMMITTEE AND OTHER REPORTS:

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Siegel reported the Operating Account expenses of $53.18, leaving a balance of $1,365.98; expenditures for the Publicity Account will be reported next month.

Health & Safety/Public Health – Committee Chair Iuli reminded everyone the importance of taking the flu and H1N1 flu shots.

Oahu Arts Center (OAC) – Committee Chair Freed reported that OAC did not get the requested change to the public infrastructure map (PIM), but received a stay of execution from Castle & Cooke. Progress reports will be forwarded to the City Council.

Chair’s Report – Chair Poirier reported the following:

• Proposed Safeway Antenna – Safeway has denied the proposed antenna that would have been located in the back parking lot. Councilmember Garcia added that a proposed antenna was turned down for the Honokai Hale area.
• Furlough Issue – The legislature’s Education Committee will propose a resolution relating to the furlough issue next month.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion Requesting that Parking Restriction Adjacent to a Drive Way on Anania Drive be Undertaken in Accordance with Work Order Number R09.3.252 – Hamada moved and Segura seconded that the Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board No, 25 requests that parking restrictions adjacent to a driveway on Anania Drive be undertaken in accordance with work order number R09.3.252. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 17-0-0 (AYE: W. Bass, Chung, Freed, Garan, Hamada, Iuli, Loomis, Maglinti, Park, Poirier, Segura, Siegel, Solis, Thomas, Weinberger, Wang, Wong).

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Ø       Next Meeting – The next Board Meeting will on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at the Mililani Recreation Center III (95-281 Kaloapau Street), at 7:30 p.m.

Ø       Broadcast – Videotape of Board meetings are scheduled to be shown on `Olelo Channel 54, Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

Submitted by:

Nola J. Frank, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by:

Dick Poirier, Chair