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Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board

REGUALR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER

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.

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of seven (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 8:15 p.m.), Silvia Manley Koch, Bob Lormand, and Jyun Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Jane Lee

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

GUESTS: Benny and Linda Quiseng, Brennon Morioka, Jiro Sumada and Tammy Mori (DOT), Barbara Liadao, Doris Warr, Kurt Nakamura (HPD), Gavin Orbistondo, Thomas Arizumi (Governor’s Representative), Derrick Cheng (U.S. Army), Roxanne Waite (QEXA), Todd Chipman and G.J. Jones (NCTAMS), Patty Dukes (EMS), Keanu Young (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s Office), Bill Stewart, Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), Marian Tsuji (Lanakila Pcaific), Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Senator Robert Bunda, Captain Scott Fukumae (HFD), Robert Williamson, Faye Chambers, Hugh Lowery, Kate Botts, Representative Marcus Oshiro, Richard Torres (DTS), Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2008: Lormand moved and Yamamoto seconded to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 21, 2008. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0, (Aye: Acohido, Bentley, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Koch, Lormand, Yamamoto.)

APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT: Bentley read the treasurer’s report for August 2008, highlighting a current expense of $24.04 due to printing and postage, leaving a current balance of $1,443.80.

DEFENDERS & FIRST RESPONDERS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTEMT (HFD): Captain Fukumae reported the following information;

• There were minor brush and structure fires in August; however none of them were serious.
• Fire Safety Tip: Fire Prevention Week (FPW) begins in October. FPW has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire on October 8 to 11, 1861. Most fire injuries and fatalities are caused by fires that occur in homes, so this year's campaign will focus on preparedness and underscore the importance of regularly checking homes for fire hazards. In October, elementary school children will receive a Fire Fighter's Safety Guide.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Commander Kurt Nakamura reported the following;

• Statistics for the month of August include; 23 burglaries, 12 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV), and 20 thefts.
• Last week an officer was hit head on in a motor vehicle collision on Kilani Avenue, he remains in serious condition, and appreciates the community’s support.

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

• Statistics for the Wahiawa EMS area coverage between August 1, 2008 and the present include; 285 calls compared to 163 calls in Mililani.
• The Wahiawa EMS facility is nearing completion, and requires only one more slab of concrete. Upon completion the Board and public can expect a long awaited blessing.

U.S. ARMY SCHOFIELD BARRACKS: Major Derrick Cheng reported the 3rd Brigade had returned to the islands. There will be a deployment ceremony on October 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. for out going soldiers, which is open to the public

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido requested to speak with Major Cheng’s Sergeant Major; Cheng will pass on the request.
• Yamamoto inquired the status of Project Dam Breach at the Koa Reservoir; Cheng to follow up.

U.S. NAVY NCTAMS PAC: Captain Janet Stewart reported Lieutenant Commander Todd Chipman will be transferring next week, and introduced IT1 G.J. Jones, who will become the new Community Liaison.

• Operation Aloha is continually underway and will provide Thanksgiving Dinner to those less fortunate. There will be a fundraiser run that will cost a non-perishable food item to participate in.
• September 11, 2008 there was a commemorative Freedom Walk to memorialize those who perished on September 11, 2001.
• The Navy continues to provide service to the community, and is able to provide services around the home, such as minor renovations.
• The Navy will be accepting canned goods from the public on Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: Bentley moved and Yamamoto seconded to include Lanakila Pacific to the agenda. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0, (Aye: Acohido, Bentley, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Koch, Lormand, Yamamoto.)

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: Chair Acohido reported the following information,

• At the Community Strengthening Forum teams for lower Wahiawa was formed, and leadership roles have bee developed. The next meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Kaala Elementary.
• Chair Acohido had the privilege to sign the community covenant with the Army.
• Board member Lee had the pleasure of attending the Pearl Harbor Tour.
• The next Wahiawa Historic Tour is scheduled for September 20, 2008 and will include the Freshwater Park; an estimated 40 people can take the tour at a time for free.
• The Board is invited to join in the JPAC Tour at Fort Shafter in November, more information on its way.

PRESENTATIONS:

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, HIGHWAY REPAIRS & IMPROVEMENTS: Brennon Morioka, Jiro Sumada and Tammy Mori of the Department of Transportation (DOT) reported the following;

• Wilson Bridge has been reviewed by DOT and is not considered a landslide hazard but does have erosion problems that DOT is monitoring.
• DOT did go in and clean the DOT owned lands under and adjacent to the Highway overpass, there was one homeless resident that was removed and his belongings taken with him.
• The structural integrity of Wilson Bridge remains in good standing, no one should be worried.
• There was opposition form the business community regarding no parking signs near Highway 99.
• DOT continues to look at a possible second entrance into Wahiawa; DOT knows this issue has been of high priority with the residents of the community.
• The paint on Wilson Bridge has been inspected and remains intact, DOT will not be re-painting the bridge any time soon, however possible potted plants may be possible.
• DOT has agreed to hang banners form posts at the residents costs, and would like to know more information regarding the banners like size, weight, and structure locations.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Silvia noted homeless residents under the DOT owned bridges and overpasses remove themselves during the day and return at night; Morioka noted he will continue to work on this issue.
• Francher noted the second access point of Wahiawa is in the Regional Master Plan, and an EIS was done in 1977; Morioka will follow up with more information.
• Lormand noted the sidewalks on California Avenue are in pretty bad shape; Chair Acohido noted Mayor’s Representative Eugene Lee has taken down the concern.
• Senator Bunda recommended that DOT and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) work together in appropriately handling the homeless issue.
• A community member raised concern regarding the country sidewalk from Wahiawa to Whitmore Village is in dire need of attention.

MEDQUEST ENROLLMENT: Roxanne Waite reported the Expanded Access program is similar to the Quest program, but targeted for the elderly and disabled. There are two health plans in which the participant chooses. For more information or if there are any groups that require additional presentations, call 1-866-928-1959.

LANAKILA PACIFIC: Mariam Tsuji thanked the Board for adding Lanakila Pacific onto the agenda, and noted the Wahiawa facilities are currently undergoing some renovations which will expand the facilities to accommodate seniors with disabilities.  A kiln was also donated and Lanakila Pacific plans to include this as an activity.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido which Tsuji agreed for Board members to take a tour of the Wahiawa facilities.

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

WCBA: No report was available at this time.

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

• The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will issue a work order to the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to remove the existing crosswalk markings on California Avenue and Mango Street, and install international-type crosswalks.
• Resurfacing California Avenue has gone out to bid, and may encompass the business district as well; the completion date is slated for spring of 2009.
• The Wahiawa Transit Station is nearing the completion of its environmental impact study (EIS) and is currently revising the traffic study. Several items such as the restroom remain considereable assets, which are dependant on the biding success. More information will be available in January of 2009 prior to the start of construction.
• The draft report regarding the Royal Palm Drive pilot project has been completed and DTS has come up with three alternatives following the project. The first being to remain as is with speed humps on Royal Palm Drive, secondly to remove the humps at a cost of $4,000, or thirdly to install speed humps on adjacent streets; DTS is recommending the third option, but will require 90% of adjacent property owner’s approval before installing speed humps on those streets.

Questions, comments and concerns:

• Chair Acohido reported if vehicles are parked on country sidewalks they may still be ticketed, and inquired if the resurfacing will be black top; Lee noted it will be black top and concrete for the busses.
• A community member inquired the time of construction; Lee noted late summer of this year.
• Francher questioned if the design of the transit center is the same as last year; Torres noted the design is similar with very minimal changes, the park and ride is currently under negotiations
• Chair Acohido noted the news of the transit center being completed is phenomenal.
• A community member noted the proposed restrooms are very important as it provides a stop for drivers.
• Chair Acohido noted they may hold a special meeting regarding the speed humps of Royal Palm Drive.
• Ishikawa clarified that 90% of residents of Glenn Avenue and Eames Street favor humps.
• A resident noted concern regarding home ownership or rental agreements; Torres noted it would have to be home owners, and not renters.
• Yamamoto inquired what the deadline would be to get these speed humps on the capital improvement project (CIP) budget, Torres noted by late spring of 2009 to get into the fiscal year 2010 CIP budget.

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

• The Board of Water Supply (BWS) recently asked residents to restrict their water use by 10%. Residents can all do our part to conserve our greatest resource.
• The Planning and Sustainability Committee recently passed out resolution 08-168 CD1, which will guide the City in dealing with areas of historical or archeological significance.
• The City Clerk determined the Stop Rail initiative lacked the number of valid signatures to be put on the ballot so Council’s Charter proposal on the City’s Mass Transit Project will be on the ballot instead.
• Dela Cruz sent a request to the City Administration asking they consider closing the City Municipal lot on Kamehameha Highway and Avocado Street from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. due to undesirable activity.
• A request was also sent in to seek solutions to add more public parking in Wahiawa Town to help accommodate small business patrons and employees of small business operations.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• A community member noted business is being done out of a resident’s garage located at 278 Pakauwili Drive, Young to follow up.

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Tom Arizumi provided the Governor’s written report as well as several responses to July’s Neighborhood Board meeting.

SENATOR ROBERT BUNDA: Senator Bunda noted a Senate caucus was held last week regarding the State’s budget. The Council on Revenue shows a low projection of revenue. Bunda noted this is somewhat of a crisis not only in Hawaii but all around the United States.

REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS OSHIRO: Representative Marcus Oshiro reported the following;

• A letter has been sent to the owners of the on Kalala Street, apparently a home is being built on the property to house ex-felons and ex-sex offenders. There are currently no registered offenders on Kalala Street. There has been no response as of today, will keep the Board updates.
• The State is currently facing a financial crisis; there will be $900 million shortfall over the next three years, next year alone is projected to have a $140 million shortfall.
• Collected revenues for the State was 8% lower than last year’s in August and over the next two years residents can see a 24-32% budget cuts throughout the State.

 Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Francher inquired if this issue will be felt through the entire State, Oshiro noted a good thing that will come out of this is that the State will have to re-evaluate their services and expenditures.
• A community member noted the State should look at why there is so little revenue going back to the State, Oshiro noted they continue to look at this issue, noting several reasons of why there is a shortfall including the drop in tourism, and a leveling of growth throughout the State.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Written material was made available.

WAHIAWA SATELLITE CITY HALL: Geri Tramontano reported the following information;

• The Windward Mall Satellite City Hall closed their doors on August 29, 2008.
• Several tax credits that are available include real property tax exemptions, 75 years and older exemptions, and all applications are available before September 30, 2008.
• Today was the last day to purchase stickers for the second trash pick up program. After this year the City plans to discontinue second trash pick up service.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Acohido questioned if residents have to file annually for tax exemptions, Tramontano noted yes.

OTHER AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS: No other agencies or organizations reported at this time.

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido noted all correspondences were available through him.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

COLLABORATION WITH WCBA RE: WAHIAWA BEAUTIFICATION: Chair Acohido noted he continues to work with WCBA and more information will be forthcoming.

KAPOLEI DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASED TRAFFIC H-1 AND H-2: Chair Acohido explained to the Board that this issue may be cause of concern noting development in Kapolei will increase traffic on H-1 and H-2.

NEW BUSINESS:

DETERMINE TWO MEETING DATES AT HELEMANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Chair Acohido noted the Board has determined to meet at Helemano Elementary School in October and March.

OMPO/CAC UPDATE REPORT: Francher noted the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) is currently underway to put out a bid to form questionnaires to be given to the OMPO CAC committee members.

NCO CONFERENCE OF CHAIRS: Yamamoto reported the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) and Commission held the first Conference of Chairs on October 28, 2008. Discussions included the Revised Neighborhood Plan (RNP) which is currently awaiting signature by the Mayor, Sunshine Law, and parliamentary procedure. Chair Acohido should be receiving his packet in the mail soon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Several announcements were made at this time;

• A community member announced the Board should write an article in the Ka Nupepa, as this is a good way to keep the public up to date on issues and upcoming events.
• Chair Acohido announced that Ka’ala Elementary School met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Submitted By:

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant