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Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board

REGULAR METING MINUTES

MONDAY, MAY 19, 2008

WAIMANALO RECREATION CENTER

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

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) 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, Mary Jane Lee, Kathleen Masunaga (resigned during this meeting), Jyun Yamamaoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Silvia Manley Koch

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

GUESTS: Keanu Young (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office), Clifton Jenkins (NCTAMS PAC), Hugh Lowery, Bob Goodwin, Nicolas Drake, Daniel Neyer, Will Boudra (Forest City), Captain Richard Ochoa (HFD), Sandra Ragley, Bill Putre (WCBA), Andy Anderson (Forest City), Joshua Pergllon, Jack Smith, Geri Tramantano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Lieutenant Benjamin Ballesteros (HPD), Larry Lau (Governor’s Representative), Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2008: with no objection, the regular meeting minutes of April 21, 2008 was approved with the following corrections;

• Page 2: U.S. Navy NCTAMS PAC: Replace “Janette” with “Janet.”
• Page 3: Councilmember Dela Cruz: Last Bullet: Replace “Walker Avenue” with “Royal Palm Drive.”
• Include multiple grammatical corrections and quotations throughout the document, including commas, apostrophes, and misspelling of words.

APPROVAL OF THE TREASURER’S REPORT: Bently read the treasurer’s report for the month of May 2008, highlighting a current expense of $76.15 due to printing and postage, for a current postage of $3,272.42. With no objection the treasurer’s report was accepted and filed.

DEFENDERS & FIRST RESPONDERS, REPORTS AND CONCERNS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Captain Richard Ochoa reported the following information;

• Statistics for the month of May 2008 include; 98 medical emergencies, 3 search and rescues, 13 fires, 3 building fires, and no major incidents.
• Fire Safety Tip: Woodland fires increase during the summer months due to dry temperatures around the State. Please keeps a 30 foot clearing between building structures and brush.

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

• Statistics for the month of May 2008 include; 13 burglaries, 11 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (U.E.M.V.), 24 thefts, and 12 auto thefts.
• Officers have patrolled the area surrounding the Botanical garden bridge; no men have been caught lingering in the area at this time. HPD will continue monitoring the area.
• Several calls have been received regarding illegally parked vehicles. Should any residents have questions regarding illegally parked vehicles please visit www.honolulu.gov to review information regarding parking violations.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido inquired if an officer from Wahiawa had recently been recognized for his duties. Lt. Ballesteros replied Officer Jerald Schofield has been awarded the Outstanding Officer Award.
• M.J. Lee questioned if HPD patrols the freshwater park, because from 6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. a group of young men congregate near the public restrooms. Lt. Ballesteros replied HPD does patrol that area and will have officers follow up with patrols during the specified time period.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS): No report was available at this time.

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

• The Third Stryker Brigade has been notified they will be going to Iraq by December 2008.
• Convoys will begin training at Schofield starting in June; expect to see an increase in military vehicles on roads due to training.
• The Army invites Board members to a training exercise on May 28, 2008 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
• Billy Ray Cyrus will perform at the Schofield Independence Day celebration, which is free to the public.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Masunaga relayed a question from by a community member concerning the leis the Rainbow Club will be making. M.J. Lee noted she is working with the Army.
• Chair Acohido thanked Major Campbell and the U.S. Army for the work and dedication they have shown to the community. Major Campbell expressed his gratitude and noted this is his last Board meeting.
• A community member inquired the status of the Division Change of Command. Chair Acohido replied the ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

U.S. NAVY NCTAMS PAC: Captain Robert Goodwin reported the following information;

• The Pineapple Run was a success; the group was able to raise $7,000 which will be used towards the 18th annual Operation Aloha on Thanksgiving Day.
• Ten sailors participated in a fun run at Helemano Elementary on May 9, 2008.
• A groundbreaking ceremony for the new operations center was held on April 25, 2008; anticipated completion date is scheduled for spring 2010.
• Sailor G.J. Jones is in Washington D.C. to compete for the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year. Jones was recently selected as Commander Naval Network Command and Fleet Forces Command Sailor of the Year.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: Several concerns were heard at this time;

• Masunaga raised concern regarding the Neighborhood Board’s duty to hold 10 regular meeting per year; noting Chair Acohido did not file 10 regular agendas. Chair Acohido thanked Masunaga for her service to the community and Board as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer in the past, and welcomed Masunaga to remain at the meeting to discuss further issues.

Masunaga resigned from her Board member position at this time. Quorum of seven (7) members were present and the meeting continued.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

• A community member raised concern regarding a group of homeless that have congregated near Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Chair Acohido replied WCBA and the Board continues their efforts to clean Wahiawa and to deal with its homeless population.
• Reverend Jack Smith noted letters have been mailed out seeking community organizations and local businesses to join in the efforts of cleaning up Wahiawa. Smith will keep the Board abreast.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: Chair Acohido reported the Board is invited to attend the Change of Command Ceremony. WCBA and the U.S. Veterans will be coordinating the Sunset at the Park at Wheeler. Noting the Second Brigade will be deployed and the Third Brigade to train in California and later deployed to Iraq, the Board should recognize the family of our serving forces.

PRESENTATIONS:

HAWAII’S BIKE PLAN: MS. CRYSTAL YOUNG: Crystal Young provided copies of a proposed bike plan resolution; noting 23 Neighborhood Boards have adopted this resolution or provided a letter of support. The Hawaii Bike Plan will be under revision this year; its last revision was in 1999.The resolution will be before full City Council on June 4, 2008.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• M.J. Lee noted roads should be addressed first, and this will benefit the bike riders as well.
• Ishikawa questioned if there are statistics on bike riders. Young did not have that information.
• Francher noted his support of the Hawaii Bike Plan revision.
• Chair Acohido noted the resolution is trying to educate drivers and riders, and asking for financial support to do so. Chair Acohdio questioned if there were any objections to writing a letter in support of this resolution; noting no objections, Chair Acohido will write a letter of support.

STATUS OF NCTAMS PAC HOUSING: CAPTAIN STEWART: Will Boudra and Andy Anderson of Forest City Military Communities Hawaii reported the following information;

• Forest City is in a 50 year partnership with the Department of the Navy.
• 3000 homes will be reconstructed and renovated within the next 8 years.
• Activities at NCTAMS include demolition and reconstruction of 83 units followed by renovations to 55 historic homes.
• The demolition of 83 homes has started this month. Following demolition, utilities and site work will begin, with the first homes slated for completion in ten months.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Bentley questioned the number of homes that will be replacing the existing 83. Boudra noted 83 homes will be constructed.
• Francher questioned who the contractor was for this project. Anderson replied several contracts have been acquired, noting several contractors’ specialties in this project.
• Chair Acohido questioned if a barrier will be erected, and where the families are being placed. Anderson replied a fence and dust screen will be erected, and families have been temporarily relocated to separate communities.
• Several community members voiced concern regarding truck traffic. Boudra replied this is being looked at, and there should not be a dramatic increase in truck traffic.
• A community member questioned the possibility of hazardous materials. Boudra replied the homes have been tested and have no signs of hazardous materials.

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

WAHIAWA COMMUNITY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (WCBA): Bill Putre reported the following information;

• The Pineapple festival was a big success; approximately 40 community members were able to express their concerns.
• The next available bus tour will be held on June 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. meeting at Center Street.
• The Neighborhood Security Watch will meet on June 26, 2008 at California Avenue and Uluwehi Street.

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Eugene Lee reported the following information;

• Councilmember Dela Cruz appropriated $16,000 for the heating of the Wahiawa Pool for fiscal year 2008, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will continue to heat the pool for three hours per day until the funds are increased. The pool can be heated from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Regarding the trees along California Avenue on private property, the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) replied the trees are on private property so the City has no jurisdiction.
• Outdoor signs are regulated by the Revised Ordinance Chapter 21, Article 7, as well as Part IV of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS).
• The Mayor and his Cabinet members will participate in the annual Memorial Day Service Ceremonies.
• The Mayor is awarding a Leilehua High School junior the Harvard Book Award.
• Wahiawa Elementary will be celebrating their 100th birthday on Friday, May 23, 2008.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• M.J. Lee requested the City look into erosion occurring along the Botanical Garden side of California Avenue, E. Lee will follow up.
• A community member inquired of the “No Parking” signs that were on California Avenue near the Botanical Garden. The signs have been removed and the community would like them back, E. Lee will follow up.

COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ: Keanu Young provided a handout and highlighted the following;

• The City’s transit-oriented development will most likely be steel wheel on steel rail; the Council continues to look at several aspects of this development.
• Several bills of interest are highlighted in the written report, and can be accessed through Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office and website.

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

• Hawaii’s unemployment rate has decreased since March of this year from 5.1% to 3.3%.
• The Governor has returned from an International Conference in Israel.
• The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) have partnered in changing public schools state wide to provide a healthier lunch and meal program.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Ishikawa inquired about the safety of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) as she heard it contains a small amount of mercury. Lau noted they are one of the top energy saving light bulbs and should be disposed regularly until further noted.

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

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

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY: A written report was made available.

WAIHAWA SATELLITE CITY HALL: Geri Tramantano reported the spayed and neuter program will be sold at the Wahiawa Satellite City Halls between May and June 2008. 

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

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido noted several correspondences that may be of interest to residents. Please see Chair Acohido for further information regarding correspondences.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

PROCEEDINGS FOR APPOINTEMENT TO VACANT BOARD MEMBER POSITION: Chair Acohido explained the Board previously took the proper actions to vacate Board member Masunaga’s seat, however, with Masunaga submitting her letter of resignation, the Board can simply declare the position available. As elected volunteers to the community, all Board members must read their duties very carefully. Regarding the monthly agenda, it must be time stamped seven days prior to the meeting.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• M.J. Lee questioned if it is mandatory that Board members attend committee meetings. Chair Acohido noted is it not mandatory, but as Board members, attendance should be a priority when important agenda items are being discussed.

P.I.G. REPORT ON MAY 7, 2008 MEETING RE: NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD REGIONAL FORUM: Chair Acohido reported at May 7, 2008 meeting, future traffic congestion by upcoming home developments was discussed. The increase in homes will add to the already congested streets. The next meeting will be held in June. M.J. Lee noted she will be out of state and cannot attend.

NEW BUSINESS:

COLLABORATION WITH WCBA RE: WAHAIWA BEAUTIFICATION: Chair Acohido requested the Board collaborate with WCBA and continue the community strengthening efforts by beautifying Wahiawa. Several suggestions include the installation of a welcome sign at Whitmore Village and the planting of shower trees. The Board supported any efforts in means to beautify Wahiawa.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• M.J. Lee inquired if Pastor Jack Smith of WCBA could collaborate with other Wahiawa church congregations to clean the streets. Smith noted he will continue to try.
• Chair Acohido thanked Smith for his continued efforts to better the community and noted the Board is here to help the cause,

OMPO/CAC PLANNING UPDATE: Francher noted he will try to attend a Transportation Committee meeting late next week. Transportation initiatives will also be discussed during the June 2, 2008 Committee of the Whole meeting.

ANNOUCNEMENTS: The next regular Neighborhood Board meeting will be held on June 16, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wahiawa Recreation Center. The next Committee of the Whole will be held on June 2, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the ceramics room at the Wahiawa Recreation Center

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Submitted By:

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant