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Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2008

HELEMANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

OPENING CEREMONIES: Chair Acohido welcomed everyone to the meeting, opening with a moment of reflection of the past week. Following this reflection everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Acohido recognized Ron Artis and his family, and thanked Artis for his support to HPD, and the Wahiawa community. Chair Acohido presented Artis with a certificate of recognition, applause followed.

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:10 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 (arrived at 7:40 p.m.), Silvia Manley Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Bob Lormand, Jyun Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: All Board members were present.

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

GUESTS: Ron Artis (Art…Is), Keanu young (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Dennis drake (U.S. Army), Abilino Bagayas, Derek Chow (USACE), Moana Heu (HPD), Marcia Ziemba (NCTAMS PAC), Marvin Buenconsejo (Congresswoman Mazie Hirono’s office), Lieutenant Benjamin Ballesteros (HPD), Captain Richard Ochoa (HFD), Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), AnnJoy Lesrak, Patty Dukes (EMS), Larry Lau (Governor’s Representative), Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF REGUALR MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 21, 2008: Francher moved and Koch seconded to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 21, 2008 with the following corrections;

• Page 2: Traffic Management Highway Repairs & Improvements: Last dot: Remove “has agreed to hang” with, “will consider hanging.”
• Page 3: Mayor’s Representative: Questions: 7th Bullet: Include “do not” between “Eames Street” and “favor.”

The motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 21, 2008 was approved UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0, (Aye: Acohido, Bentley, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Koch, Lee, Lormand, Yamamoto.)

APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT: Bentley read the treasurer’s report for September 2008, highlighting a current expense of $52.32 due to printing and postage, leaving a current balance of $1,391.48.

DEFENDERS & FIRST RESPONDERS:

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

• Statistics for the month of September include; 22 total fire runs, with 1 structure fire, 3 brush fires, 4 rubbish fires, 76 medical emergencies.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido inquired further information regarding the classroom fire and recycling bin fire; Ochoa noted the incidents seem related, however that cannot be proven at this time.
• M. Lee questioned if HPD could take a look at an empty lot on Hauola Street, as it seems to be a fire hazard; Ochoa noted the location and will follow up.

Ishikawa arrived at 7:40 p.m. Nine members present.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant Ballesteros and Assistant Commander Heu provided the following information;

• Statistics for the month include; 17 burglaries, 12 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle, 24 thefts, and 15 auto thefts.
• HPD has noticed there happens to be a trend in thefts; the burglars are targeting wide screen television sets and plasma screens, please stay vigilant if you own these television sets and take precautions when leaving your home.
• HPD continues to address budget constraints within the department; rest assured public safety will not be jeopardized, as that is HPD’s main concern.
• On September 10, 2008 HPD completed a successful drug bust on Loko Drive, proper notice was given to the tenants, and HPD was able to confiscate certain items.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Koch inquired if the increases in burglaries are happening on nights of football games; Ballesteros noted it doesn’t seem so; however that could be a possibility as homes are left unattended.
• M. Lee questioned how the burglars are getting such large television sets out of the house without being notice; Ballesteros noted it seems there is a group of men working together.
• Francher questioned if the budget constraint will be increasing the number of available officers, Heu noted there remains available positions in HPD but existing officers will not be cut.
• A community member inquired if soliciting money in the streets as a “fundraiser” is allowed; Heu noted it is unsafe, and should not be occurring within the roadways; Ishikawa noted this information should be passed on to the local schools as the students did not know this was illegal.

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

• Statistics for the month of September include; 260 calls for the Wahiawa area, and 127 calls for the Mililani area, for a total of 387 ambulance calls.
• The final inspection of the new EMS station will be conducted on Friday, October 27, 2008, as soon as the facility is cleared for inspection; everyone is welcomed to join in on the official blessing.

U.S. ARMY - SCHOFIELD BARRACKS: Kayla Overton ad Victor Lee provided a brief update on the Ku Tree Dam. The dam is approximately three miles east of Wahiawa on Schofield Barracks’ East Range. The dam was constructed in 1923, and over the years the dam was not needed and was eliminated as a water source. In 1983 the Ku Tree Dam was drained and the sluice gates were locked in an open position. Currently the Army is monitoring the dam on a monthly basis, completing an Emergency Action Plan, and evaluating future options.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido questioned if there was any imminent danger of flooding for the surrounding neighbors; V. Lee noted after the 40 days of rain the dam was not flooded, so there is no imminent danger.
• Yamamoto noted the Board would like to see the completed emergency Action Plan once it is completed.

U.S. NAVY – NCTAMS PAC: Marcia Ziemba introduced herself to the Board and public, noting she will be sitting in for the Navy as of for now, and will be happy to take back any questions. The Board welcomed Ziemba.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: Several residents voiced their concerns at this time;

• A resident of Lemewai Street noted concern of speeding vehicles on Lemewai Street. The resident noted a petition has been completed by the homeowners requesting the Department of Transportation Services to implement the speed humps on their street. Chair Acohido noted he will hold a special meeting on this issue, and will make it available to all adjacent streets to Royal Palm Drive.
• A community member noted several large trees have been cut down with the trash remaining there, this is on the Botanical gardens property, and he is still waiting for someone to claim the tree between his property and the Botanical Garden; M. Lee to follow up.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT:

COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING FORUM: Chair Acohido reported there will be a community strengthening meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at Kaala Elementary School. Discussions will include the economic plan for inner Wahiawa.

ALOHA CEREMONY FOR 3RD BRIGADE 25TH INFANTRY: There was a news article noting that the Rainbows Club as well as the Wahiawa Whitmore-Village Neighborhood Board sent the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry off with aloha. 

TENTATIVE TOUR AT JPAC, HICKAM AFB AND PEARL HARBOR: Chair Acohido noted a tentative tour at Hickam Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor, and appointed M. Lee to coordinate such tour.

ALOHA CEREMONY FOR COMMANDING GENERAL 25TH ID ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008: Everyone is welcomes to the aloha ceremony for Commanding General Kelson of the 25th ID on November 5, 2008, which will be located at Hale O Kipa at 7:00 a.m.

UPDATING CITY BIKE PLAN: Chair Acohido suggested the Board look at the existing Bike Plan as a new Bike Plan could possibly end up before the Board for review. This item will remain on the agenda for future reference.

PRESENTATION:

ACT 234 GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS: Larry Lau provided a brief PowerPoint presentation explaining several global warming solutions the State has come up with. Act 234 will be heard at a public hearing on Tuesday, November 23, 2008 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Capital Auditorium.

CON-CON ISSUES: Ed Case provided the Board with information regarding the Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) Charter Amendment question. Case noted he was for the Con-Con, and encourages everyone to vote for it. Case noted the Legislature has failed to amend certain aspects of the constitution, and the last time the State of Hawaii held a Con-Con was back in 1978. Case refuted several comments of the Con-Con including proposed costs, special interest, and why the Legislature does not want to hold a Con-Con. Case finally noted that a blank vote does count as a no vote.

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

WCBA: No report available at this time.

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

• The repainting of crosswalks on California Avenue and Mango Street into the international style was competed on September 26, 2008.
• Chair Acohido will follow up on the investigation on alleged violations for businesses being conducted at homes; the Department of Planning and Permitting requires specific addresses of these alleged homes.
• Everyone is welcomed to the Family Festival on Saturday, November 1, 2008 in Kapolei, and please be sure to watch the final Mayoral Debate on Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ: Keanu Young reported the following information;

• On the November 4th General Election ballot, there are four City Charter Amendment questions that all residents should be aware of, for a brief description please see the Councilman’s monthly report.
• Resolution 08-215 was passed out of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on October 2, 2008. This resolution will be heard at the Transportation and Public Works Committee on Thursday, October 23rd.
• A request was sent to place cattle gates at the Wahiawa District Park parking lots for security purposes.
• Councilmember Dela Cruz has sent a letter to State Transportation Director Morioka if the State could incorporate the Whitmore Village sign in their current construction projects.
• Please start to look at the top three Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) within the district that the Board wishes the Councilmember to move forward on.

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

• The Governor’s Administration moved forward on a five point economic action plan which involves; increased tourism outreach, investing in improvements to state infrastructures, lowering business fees and providing tax relief, attracting outside investments especially in energy, and maximizing federal dollars and partnerships.
• Governor Lingle announced Hawaii was chosen by the U.S. Department of energy to be one of the 10 founding states to launch the Real World Design Challenge educational initiative.
• The Department of Human Services (DHS) is moving more children into free Medicaid coverage.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido explained that he is in opposition with the State handing over the medical packages to a mainland company with a questionable record.
• M. Lee noted her confusion regarding children and Medicaid; Lau to follow up.

SENATOR ROBERT BUNDA: No report available at this time.

REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS OSHIRO: No report available at this time.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY: Chair Acohido noted the BWS representative remains in bad health; however the BWS will be present in November for an update on California Avenue and its current repairs.

WAHIAWA SATELLITE CITY HALL: No report available at this time.

OTHER AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Marvin Bueconcejos of Congresswoman Mazie Hirono’s office reported;

• The economic stimulus package also known as the “bail out bill” was signed into law, the Congresswoman noted that something needed to be done and voted for this piece of legislation.
• Hirono continues to work on Senate Bill 1315 regarding Filipino Veterans benefits package.
• Congresswoman Hirono will also be visiting Leilehua High School.

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido noted several pieces of correspondence, highlighting a response on a request for a lease agreement with the City and State Departments for parking restrictions on Kilani Avenue.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

COLLABORATION WITH WCBA RE: WAHIAWA BEAUTIFICATION: Chair Acohido deferred this agenda item.

COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY STRENGTHEING PROGRAM: Chair Acohido deferred this agenda item.

NEW BUSINESS:

PLACEMENT OF TOWN SIGN AT WHITMORE VILLAGE: Chair Acohido deferred this agenda item.

BUSINESS CONDUCTED IN HOME RESIDENCES: Chair Acohido deferred this agenda item.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Acohido allowed Francher to provide a brief update on the Transportation Committee. Francher noted that the Committee will attempt to draft a letter regarding the speed humps and will include all surrounding streets, as was the concern earlier in the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Submitted By:

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant