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Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008

HELEMANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

OPENING CEREMONIES: Chair Acohido explained at every Board meeting he opens with a moment if reflection of the past week. Following this reflection, everyone stood and recited the pledge of allegiance, and at the pleasure of the Chair everyone introduced themselves.

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (7) members present. Note this nine (9) member Board requires five (5) votes to adopt a motion.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Sheri Bentley, Vee Chuensanguansat, Joe Francher, Jeanne Ishikawa (arrived at 7:15 p.m.), Silvia Manley Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Jyun Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Kathleen Masunaga.

VACANT SEAT(S): There were no vacant seats at this time.

GUESTS: Hugh Lowery, Keanu Young (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office), Clifton Jenkins, Tim Scott and Jeff Brown (NCTAMS PAC), Captain Janette Stewart (U.S. Navy), David Romario (Helemano School), Major Campbell and Major Cheong (U.S. Army), Pastor Jack Smith, Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), Lieutenant Benjamin Ballesteros (HPD), Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 17, 2008: Lee moved and Koch seconded to approve the regular meeting minutes of March 17, 2008. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0, (Aye: Acohido, Bentley, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Koch, Lee, Yamamoto.)

APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT: Bentley read the treasurer’s report for the month of March 2008, highlighting a current expense of $28.42 due to printing and postage for a current balance of $3,348.57. Chair Acohido requested that Board members think of ideas of how to utilize the Publicity Account. Francher moved and Yamamoto seconded to accept the treasurer’s report for March 2008. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0, (Aye: Acohido, Bentley, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Koch, Lee, Yamamoto.)

Jeanne Ishikawa arrived at 7:15 p.m. there was a quorum of eight (8) members present.

DEFENDERS & FIRST RESPONDERS, REPORTS AND CONCERNS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): No report was available at this time.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant Ballesteros reported the following;

• Statistics for the month of March 2008 compared to February 2008 include; 4/10 burglaries, 9/3 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV), 19/26 thefts, and 5/7 auto thefts.
• On March 14, 2008 officers responded to graffiti in progress type call at Iliahi Elementary School. The juveniles, four males and two females, were arrested for criminal property damage, trespass, and curfew.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Lee explained that teenagers are hiding under the bridge near the Botanical Garden on California Avenue who startle and taunt neighboring residents that pass the bridge at night. Ballesteros will follow up.

EMERGENCEY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS): Patty Dukes reported the following;

• Statistics for the Wahiawa EMS Area Coverage during the month of March 2008 include; 141 responses in Mililani, 263 responses in Wahiawa, and 16 responses in Waipio for a total of 420 response calls.
• Interior cabinets have been installed at the new EMS building structure, construction is anticipated to conclude in mid May or by early summer.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

·         Chair Acohido reminded Dukes of the dampening of sirens and lights used by EMS. Dukes explained if EMS is responding to a “hot mission” first responders will sound the sirens. Dukes did note if responding to a hot mission at night and the roads are empty the flashing lights will suffice.

U.S. ARMY-SCHOFIELD BARRACKS: Major Campbell and Major Cheong reported the following information;

·         Soldiers will begin training in May, with troops training at Pearl Harbor come mid May. Troops will deploy back to Iraq beginning in September of this year.

·         The Stryker Brigade will be stationed in Hawaii which will help stimulate the economy. The third (3rd) Stryker Brigade has not been given word if they will be deployed, but are ready to serve.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido announced that the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board supported the Stryker Brigade stationing on Oahu, and thanked the Army for their continued support in the community.

U.S. NAVY-NCTAMS PAC: Captain Janette Stewart reported the following information;

• An Oahu based sailor has been awarded the Stellar Sailor Award by the Navy. The sailor will now go onto Washington D.C. to compete. If he wins the competition he will be awarded a four star admiral level.
• On Friday, April 25, 2008 there will be a ground breaking ceremony for the new Operations Building; construction will be completed within three to four years.
• In honor of Earth Day the Navy cleaned up the base and filled a five ton truck with trash.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: Several residents concerns were heard at this time.

• Tim Scott and Jeff Brown of NCTAMS announced the 33rd Annual Pineapple Run will not be held in conjunction with the Pineapple Festival as previous years. The Pineapple Run will be held on May 10, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. HPD will be on hand to assist in traffic issues, the route will be the same as previous years. Packet pick up dates include May 7, 8, and 9th at Runners Hawaii and The Running room.
• A community member raised a concern about damaging his car on California Avenue’s  numerous pot holes. He has contacted Board of Water Supply (BWS) which stated they are not responsible. Chair Acohido noted the concern.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: Chair Acohido provided a written report and highlighted the following;

• Regarding the Neighborhood Regional Forum; the regional forum has been changed into a Citizens Group, and after three months of meeting the group is targeting traffic as their main concern. The group is presently composed of seven Permitted Interaction Groups (PIG) from Neighborhood Boards and eight public members. A meeting will be held on May 7, 2008 at Kapolei High School cafeteria for the general public. The purpose is to generate public pressure on government officials to mitigate the impact of traffic gridlock by unbridled growth.
• Wahiawa’s 5th Annual Pineapple Festival will be held on May 17, 2008, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1572 invites the Board to share its booth that will be made available.

PRESENTATIONS:

STATUS OF WAHIAWA DAM GIFT TO STATE OF HAWAII OPERATION MANAGER: Chair Acohido reported he has been in contact with State officials and will wait until after May 1, 2008 for a complete update.

GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

WCBA: Pastor Jack Smith reported the following;

• WCBA will be present at the Pineapple Festival, where WCBA will host a “Speak Out” event, where residents can voice their concerns freely.
• The second tour of Wahiawa was very successful; patrons noted they would pay for the ride and tour.
• WCBA has drafted letters to business owners on Mango Street and California Avenue, requesting them to aid efforts in cleaning up the area. Homeless community members have volunteered their assistance.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido noted the Wahiawa tour will be replaced with the Pineapple Festival’s tour. The third Saturday in June will be the next tour provided by WCBA, and Chair Acohido will be the commentator.
• Lee requested the Wilson Bridge be cleaned up. Chair Acohido replied they have tried to get the bridge cleaned; however several precautions need to be addressed. Chair Acohido noted he will invite the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and State Department of Health (DOH) to the next meeting.

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: No report was available at this time.

COUNCILMEMBER DELA CRUZ: Keanu Young reported the following information;

• The City announced its expansion on curbside recycling efforts. Waipio Gentry to Halawa and Wahiawa Whitmore Village area is slated to begin service in May 2009.
• On Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Bill 80 Council Draft 1, regarding mass transit, will be up for third reading. There are several floor amendments that have been rumored to be introduced.
• The Chair of the Council Zoning Committee has recommended Bill 8 and 9, regarding Bed and Breakfasts and Transient Vacation Units, to be deferred.
• Aloha Aina Day was held at Leilehua High School on April 12, 2008. All proceeds will aide the Boy’s Football Team and the Girl’s Soccer Team.
• Regarding last month’s request for speed humps on Palm Drive, the City replied that the speed humps on Walker Avenue is a pilot project to end in six months when an evaluation will be made.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Lee raised concern regarding limited space at residents home, which will be affected by a third trash bin. Young replied ENV is looking into solutions as this concern has been raised before.
• Yamamoto voiced opposition to trash being picked up only once a week should recycling efforts begin. Young noted this has also been raised and will follow up.
• Several Board members and public members voiced concern regarding the overall mass transit project, noting the lack of public participation and input into the process, cost of building the rail, lack of affect to the entire island, and the jeopardy of TheBus system. Young noted several members of the City Council share similar concerns.

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Larry Lau reported the following information;

• Governor Lingle and the US Department of Energy (DOE) continue with their initiatives to make Hawaii more energy efficient. Governor Lingle aims to become 70% fossil fuel free by 2030.
• Students interested in technology have been attending out of state competitions; Governor Lingle has also attended these competitions.
• A handout was provided regarding varroa mites, which kill honeybees in the states,

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Lee questioned if there are any known side effects towards humans caused by varroa mites. Lau noted that he knows of none. Lee also questioned bed bugs. Lau replied that they are still on the island.

SENATOR ROBERT BUNDA: No report was available at this time.

REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS OSHIRO: No report was available at this time.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): A written report was made available, noting no water main breaks in the month of March, as well as the water cycle and how community members can become involved.

WAHIAWA SATELLITE CITY HALL: Geri Tramontano reported Kaeaka Beach Park will be closed from May 9-16th due to a faulty sprinkler system.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Lee questioned if a resident goes into the Satellite City Hall for vehicle registration, do they receive the decal there or will it be mailed to them? Tramantano replied they would receive the decal there, but warned everyone not to wait until the end of the month as it gets very hectic.
• Yamamoto noted it is not law that the decal be visible, as long as the owner has registered the vehicle.

OTHER AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS: No other agencies or organizations were present.

Chair Acohido called for a short recess at 8:10 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:15 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) present.

CORRESPONDANCE: Chair Acohido referenced several correspondences he had received, noting a flyer provided by HPD and how to increase pedestrian safety, as well as several bicycle resolutions. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

FORMATION OF TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Transportation committee Chair Francher reported a meeting was held on April 3, 2008, where only two other residents were present. Fracher noted he also sits on the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) and representation by Wahiawa is vital. Francher encouraged everyone to attend the next committee meeting.

PROCEEDINGS FOR APPOINTMENT TO VACANT BOPARD MEMBER POSITION: Chair Acohido explained he has tried to contact Board member Masunaga to no avail. Masunaga has missed three Board meetings. Chair Acohido noted he will send a certified letter to Masunaga noting the Board’s decision to vacate her seat. Lee moved and Bentley seconded that Masunaga be removed from her seat and declare the seat vacant. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0 (Aye: Acohido, Bentley, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Ishikawa, Koch, Lee, Yamamoto.)

P.I.G REPORT ON APRIL 12, 2008 RE: NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD REGIONAL FORUM: Report given during the Chairperson’s report earlier on the agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:

COLLABORATION WITH WCBA RE: WAHIAWA BEAUTIFICATION: Chair Acohido deferred this item to the Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for May 7, 2008 at the Wahiawa Recreation Center.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Acohido noted a Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2008 and will be held at the Wahiawa Recreation Center. The next regular meeting will be on May 19, 2008 also at the Wahiawa Recreation Center.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Submitted By:

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant