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NORTH SHORE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES-draft

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2008

JOHN KALILI SURF CENTER

CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIR – Chair Lyons called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum of ­­12 was present of this 15 member Board. A vote of 8 is required to adopt motions.

MEMBERS PRESENT – Reed Matsuura, Jacob Ng, Gil Riviere, Ollie Luasco, Arlene Kawahakui, Michael Lyons, Carol Philips, Lief Anderson, Warren Scoville, Roberts Leinau, Geraldine Meade and Antya Miller.

MEMBERS ABSENT – Jeffrey Alameida, John Hirota and Blake McElheny.

GUESTS – Alenka Remec (Mayor Hanneman's Representative), Galen Yoshimoto (Department of Defense; Governor Lingle's Representative), Lt. Byron Martin and Officer Bart Hubber (Honolulu Police Department), Captain B. Emmons (Honolulu Fire Department), George Kuo (Board of Water Supply), Representative Magaoay, Col. Efrain Dela Cruz (U.S. Army 8^th MP/Schofield), Stew Ring (Mokuleia Community Association), Laura Figuerra (Senator Bunda's representative),Ati Jeffers-Fabro (Friends of Kaena), Jen Homcy, Laura Couch, Crystal Young, Scott Wallace, Alfredo Antonio, Faustino Soberando Jr., Andrew Luna, Michael Hasegawa, Kuehu Kealoha,  Bodo Vander , Jane & Terry Moyso, Nina Puhipan, S. Joe Estores, Ilsa Imata, Susan Stare, Patsy Gibson, Marilyn Martinson, Dale Rowley, Layme Larsen, Bart Huber, Michele Fleisher, Mary Jane Dalumpinis,  and Mary Chanel-Benjamin (NA, Neighborhood Commission Office).

APPROVAL/ADDITION OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 22, 2008 –

Leinau moved and Lunasco seconded to accept the above minutes with the following amendments:

Page 2: Under U.S. Army 25^th Infantry Division replace "Drum Road was 80% completed" with "Phase 1 of Drum Road was 80% completed"

Page 3: Under Mayor's representative questions and answers first bullet; replace "Miller said a hearing to finalize the Haleiwa Town Master Plan is coming up and if anyone needs information to please see her" with "Miller asked if there will be hearings to finalize the Haleiwa Town Master Plan"

Page 4: First bullet replace "months" with "years"

Page 4: Second to the last bullet; replace "Miller thought the "Card Check" labor bill vetoed by the Governor supported the farmers only" with "Miller thanked the Governor for vetoeing the "Card Check" labor bill which targeted farmers"

TREASURER'S REPORT – Leinau reported expenses incurred in April 2008 were; Operating Account expended $63.64 for printing/postage of agenda/minutes, Publicity Account expended $400.00 for videotaping charges for March and April , and the Refreshment Account incurred no expenses; leaving a closing balance for March of $1,831.98.

REPORTS FROM HONOLULU POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS: Honolulu Police Department – Lt. Martin reported statistics for the month of April: 15 burglaries, 27 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV), 32 thefts and 9 auto thefts.

Questions and concerns:

• Ng complaint regarding an 18-wheeler traveling through Haleiwa Town going about 40-mile per hour (MPH) in a 25MPH zone; asked HPD to maybe keep an eye out for these large vehicles. Lt. Martin said he will notify the traffic patrol division.                                                                           

Honolulu Fire Department – Capt. Bradin reported statistics for the month of March: 1) 2 brush, 9 rubbish and 2 vehicle fires; 50 medical emergencies, and 12 miscellaneous calls. 2) Safety Tip: The risk of wild land fires increases as summer approaches. Make a 30-foot wide firebreak by clearing vegetation and clutter around all structures. Have an emergency preparedness plan ready in case of emergency evacuation. Consider the need for fire department access.

U.S. ARMY 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION – Col. Dela Cruz reported; 1) no deployment scheduled for June; no major traffic to report either.

Questions and concerns:

• Lunasco said there was a convoy including six to seven cars at 9:30 a.m. on Kaukonahua Road; he thought no convoys were allowed fewer than 10 vehicles. Col. Dela Cruz said if so; a report could have been made if someone had a bumper identification number to be reported.
• Scoville asked if Drum Road was 80% completed as reported in the Board meeting minutes last month. Col Dela Cruz said; only phase 1 was 80% completed.
• Several Board members were interested to find out what the plan B was for the helicopter landing pad as talked about during the last Board meeting. Co. Dela Cruz said he will refer the question to the aviation department and will get back to the Board.
• Ng commended the commander and Waialua Color Guards for a great Memorial Day ceremony service at Haleiwa Park; 44 veterans from the North Shore district were among those that were honored during this service. 

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – Riviere reported: 1) The May 13 through 15 bicycle resolution meetings concluded, and the resolution was amended to include the whole island of Oahu. A budget of 1-million dollars has been appropriated for upgrades; June 4 will conclude the council vote. He is asking for the Board to accept the resolution. 2) The transit proposal will also include bicycle parking to accommodate those utilizing bicycles as means of transportation to get to the transit stations.

Questions and concerns:

• Ng thought since the bicycle resolution was not on the agenda that the Board should not discuss it or vote on accepting it. Miller said that the Transportation Committee was involved and is recommending accepting the resolution. Miller moved and Philips seconded for the North Shore Neighborhood Board No. 27 to accept the bicycle resolution. 12-2-0; Ayes: Andersen, Leinau, Lunasco, Lyons, Matsuura, Meade, Miller, Philips, Riviere and Scoville. No: Kawahakui and Ng.

RESIDENTS CONCERNS:

·         Leinau said the basketball court lights remain on while the court is locked for the night; a waste of energy.

·         S. Stone said the City tore trees down without permits on Dillingham Ranch Development.

·         A. Jeffers-Fabro said the community has become more proactive in restoring Kaena Point due to severe budget cuts; asked to be placed on the next agenda. He said Friends of Kaena holds a 501C3 non-profit license and welcomes new membership.

·         S. Ring would like to recognize: M. Abrigo with the Chamber of Commerce; J. Heimowitz  with Friends of Ka'ena Point; M. and R. Moody with the Boys Scouts; Sgt. Ono and Officer Scoville with HPDs' crime reduction unit; T. Shirai of the Native Hawaiian values; B. Titcomb  and S. Wojtovicz of Friends of Ka'ena Point. Their efforts for the a'ina were much appreciated. 

·         F. Soberano was upset that the Board did not offer any solutions to the homeless community living at Mokuleia Beach Park with the proposed closure coming up next month. He claimed the Board promised them help; he is handicapped on a budget and cannot afford housing or relocate. He said many families relied on Mokuleia Beach Park because it was a safe haven so far for them. He also said no notice was given to them regarding the Board meeting pertaining to the park closure.

·         A. Luna said he lived at Mokuleia Beach Park and was upset over upcoming eviction of the homeless community at the park to vacate by June 16. He claimed the Board did not offer any solution for them and basically felt sick knowing he has to leave the park. He went on to say that most of the homeless community at the park have jobs and are functioning in society but some are also handicapped and have no solutions. He went on to say that HPD has been harassing them with the parking situation as well. Chair Lyons said the park was ordered to close.

·         Several homeless people testified that the City did not give them ample park closure notice or any Board agenda notice either discussing the park closure in April. They went on to say that land was taken from them unfairly to begin with and now after settling at the park where they feel safe with enough fish to rely on to feed their families; they have to uproot again. Some said they won't leave the park until the City showed them land documents proving who owns the land they have to give up. Some said they cannot wait to see some taxpayers loose their land and homes.

·         K. Kuehu said she was only 17 years old and thought the City didn't need to close the park just to repair the bathroom facilities; she thought it was an excuse to evict the homeless there. She went on to say, clutching to an infant, that she was not able to find affordable housing for herself.

·         Chair Lyons said there were about three meetings discussing the closure of the park due to a safety issue but not because of the homeless community.

·         Meade suggested a special meeting be called to address this issue; she felt times have changed for the worse and has put so many people out into the parks.

·         Lunasco clarified the City was closing the park due to sanitary reasons and to remove the bathroom facility that no longer served its' purpose.

·         Philips said SB2646 passed by legislature regarding agriculture land to allow rezoning to urban of about 300,000 acres of land; however, the Sierra Club did not support it.

·         Miller said SB2646 was supported by farmers and the North Shore Chamber of Commerce; 15% sustainable agricultural land to the North Shore district was on the existing master plan. She said farmers needed this land to contribute to providing local foods for the district.

·         Ng said the post office parking lot on is always full on Sundays; neighboring churches are using the lot and the post master should be notified. Chair Lyons said the Board will have to decide on a letter to the post master.

·         A constituent said there was a film called "The World According to Monsanto" that recommended everyone to try and view on the internet. She said the film depicted how Monsanto was modifying seeds so that it can have control over the world supply of seeds and how Monsanto owned 70% of GMO foods of the world; GMO foods are not labeled "GMO" in North America and there is no way telling what we are eating is "GMO". She suggested that citizens look into planting some varieties of vegetables and fruits to help protect some of the biodiversity that Monsanto is trying to take away and also to try to gain safe seedlings to share amongst each other. She also said she lived near where R2 water was being used to water the grass.

·         Ng said SB2646 had some farmers complaining there was no public input and he thought it was an unfair bill.

ELECTED OFFICIALS: 

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's representative – A. Remec responding to previous concerns:

1. Sharks Cove tide pools; this comes under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR); although the park fell under the jurisdiction of the City. DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) was still empowered to enforce all state fishing regulations in the water, reef and shoreline.

2. The City Department of Design and Construction is studying the feasibility of repairing the John Kalili Surf Center; City Department of Parks and Recreation is also considering renovations to the first floor. The study should be completed later this year.

3. Board member Ng's complaints regarding the Chun property located at 66-826 Haleiwa Road has been investigated and found the area of concern was relatively flat with no unusual topographic condition which would justify a guardrail. It is also noted that guardrails normally installed by the City are for the protection of motorists and not for private properties. She went on to say that the property owner could consider constructing a protective barrier if they felt strongly that one was needed.

Questions and concerns:

• Ng was upset and stated that the City did not care that the Chun property suffered six accidents with one completely demolishing a car port due to cars bouncing off the City's guardrails.
• Leinau asked what the City's solution was in regards to the Mokuleia homeless population. A. Remec said service providers did offer solutions; however the North Shore having no shelters does not help because some that want to remain in the area and the City asked for some cooperation in complying with the law. Chair Lyons added that the other problem was pet shelters were not available at shelters; however the Board did support the closure of the park due to safety concerns and not to remove the homeless population.
• Lunasco asked A. Remec to please see to it that the City and DOCARE resolved jurisdiction over Sharks Cove. A. Remec said the solution will take time since the process will require a resolution. Leinau suggested the Board write a letter to the City.
• Philips asked if the Bonzai Rock Park bathroom were opened. Matsuura will report findings.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – G. Kuo reported:  1) June 1 through 7 is BWS "detect a leak" week; BWS distributed dye tablets for toilet tanks. 3) Dramatic increases in fuel prices are making it necessary to implement a modest adjustment to your water bill. July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, a new power cost adjustment line will appear on water bills; an average of $1.22 a month increase will be applied.

Questions and concerns:

·         Lunasco asked G. Kuo if he had a response to private water providers due to a water outage on private property. G. Kuo said he is still researching this and will report findings.

·         Philips asked if BWS increases applied starting from 2005. G. Kuo said no.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – R. Matsuura reported: 1) Projects included in the FY2009 CIP budget bill: a) Rock slide potential inspections and mitigative improvements at Pupukea; $5,200,000. b) Guardrail improvements at Kaukonahua Road ; $30,000. c) Banzai Rock Beach; $100,000 for completion of park. d) Waialua District for parking lot and surface pavement; $10,000. e) Waialua District Park for various projects; $2,000,000. f) Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park for play apparatus; $50,000. g) Bus stop site, Haleiwa post office and old court house improvements; $30,000. h) Haleiwa Raod drainage and sidewalk improvements feasibility study were $100,000 each. The sidewalk project in Haleiwa is being considered by Councilmember Apo, but he rejected a project for the replacement of the courts at Sunset Beach Park. Councilmember Dela Cruz asked the courts be temporarily fixed since the replacement is not planned for another 4 to 5 years but was rejected. 2) The Sunset Beach Recreation Center is slated for early December 2008; the building should be completed by September or October. 3) Church of Hawaii Nei's smoothie and bike shops at Pupukea: the shops currently have been cited and the violation is currently before Circuit Court (OCC) on foreclosure proceedings. The two properties that have been foreclosed has not been sold thus far; the OCC has had communications with prospective buyers and expect the violations to be corrected soon after the winning bidder takes possession. There were no requirements of the land use commissioner to notify City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) of such violations. The City Office of Corporation Counsel is in the process of notifying DPP which will inform the new owners of any outstanding violation. 4) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD); Councilmember Dela Cruz wants to ensure the transit is used as a tool for growth. 5) The North Shore district contained the greatest amount of streams and waterways that can directly affect the whole windward coastline; flooding has lead to closure of the only open roadway around the districts which is Kamehameha Highway. Councilmember Dela Cruz has initiated legislations and projects that will help to alleviate these flooding problems. 6)  Requests to the City (RISRS): a) transfer of the rock and ponds at Sharks Cove back to the State. b) Honolulu bike plan to include Haleiwa Road and Goodale Avenue. c) Upper portion of Pupukea Road will be repaved this summer.

Questions and concerns:

·         Several Board members wanted to know a timeline in completion and/or continued work of Skater Park, Sunset Beach, and the tennis and volleyball courts.  R. Matsuura said the requests have been denied for the court repairs; the other projects will be completed through contract work. He recommended citizens concerned should call the City to file a formal complaint.

Governor's Representative – G. Yoshimoto stood by the Governors' report as circulated.

Questions and concerns:

·         Philips said the Waialua Senior Home has been reported once again as being unsafe and alleged drug use occurring.

·         Leinau commended DOCARE's active presence at Pupukea.

State Senator Robert Bunda – G. Figuerra reported: 1) The Governor withheld 50-million in the general fund; 2.6-million appropriated in the new fiscal year budget. 2) SB2646 passed with a 14/11 vote of support with reservations and conditions to urbanize agricultural land; bill to be signed in July.

State Representative Michael Magaoay – Representative Magaoay reported: 1) the Senate agricultural bill has taken about 30 years to finally come together; recommended to write the Governor if it does not pass next month. 2) As reported in the newspaper today, the study to recommend school closures has named Waialua and Kahuku High School. He will stand behind the community in doing what is possible to keep the schools open for the district students.

Questions and concerns:

·         Miller asked the publics' support of the agricultural land; a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) could change things.

·         Lunasco said unused farmland existing now may be lost to developers since the Sate had no agricultural programs to support farmers.

NEW BUSINESS / PRESENTATION / ACTION:

A. Plan Pacific (PP) – (correction; not Pan Pacific Planner) L. Imata and S. Wallace reported: There were four rental dwellings built in the 1920s with no historic significance located at Tax Key# 66927.  The proposed changes will include:  four new dwellings with a new retail space and 12 parking stalls. The property involved is about 4,800 square feet and will share a common driveway with parking in the rear of the property; the retail space will be facing the highway.  PP has submitted to the City Department of Planning and Permitting a rezoning application. L. Imata said the residents will remain on the property.

Questions and concerns:

• J. Homcy said she lived three homes away from the proposed property; she did not receive a notice of proposed changes. L. Imata said to give them her address and they would be happy to provide her with one.
• Rivierre asked if the property will consist of a condominium type project or of single homes. L. Imata said there will be one owner and no condominium planned.
• Several constituents were upset at the proposed changes in Haleiwa Town; concerns of too many commercial businesses in the district with no regards to "kama'ainas".
• Philips asked PP if there were any guarantees that the development would remain as residences. L. Imata said there were no guarantees.
• M. Fleisher was concerned that the proposed development is going from an R5 zone to a B2 zone; Haleiwa consisted of mostly B1 zone. She said a B2 zone offered the development a wider range of options for the development.  She also felt the 4800 square feet was too small an area to also include 12 resident parking stalls as proposed; parking is already scarce in Haleiwa.
• Several constituents were concerned with related traffic issues and noise levels stemming from more developments and the fact that there were no preliminary plans available to give neighbors an opportunity to review plans and possible misleading of the current residents involved.
• M. Dalumpinis shared her concern of the impact from such developments; night life noise, trash, traffic and daily noise. She said she lived next door to the current driveway and she already feeling the stress from all she has to face in the future. She went on to say she is aware that Mr. Wallace was the owner of the property; she became familiar with him when he opened his theaters on the Windward district. She also touched a bit on how he misled the community in regards to the theaters lighted marquees.
• Chair Lyons thanked everyone for their voicing of concerns as he agreed with them; however, this proposed project has about a 15-year wait for the infrastructures to be in place since the area is in a flood zone. He also said the Board will be sure to notice the community of the development progress and encourage Mr. Wallace to steer away from a liquor type development and to allow community input as he progresses with his development. Meade also reiterated how important community input was; even though changes are inevitable in the North Shore.

B. Rehab improvements to business property at 66-165 Kamehameha Highway – W. Schoettle said the architect plans were not ready for review and he will be sure to present them when possible. He said as the new tenant at the above property, there were termite damages needing some repairs and the need to add a 4ftX5ft window.

Questions and concerns:

• Ng asked where this property was near. W. Schoettle said it was across from Kua Aina restaurant.

Meade moved and Miller seconded for the North Shore Neighborhood Board No. 27 to allow the installation of the 4ftX5ft window at 66-165 Kamehameha Highway rehab property. 11-0-1; Ayes: Anderson, Kawahakui, Leinau, Lunasco, Lyons, Matsuura, Meade, Miller, Philips, Riviere and Scoville. Abstain: Ng.

ANNOUNCEMENTS –  

1) Meade asked the Board for a letter of support for the Ko'olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center, Inc which will be reapplying for the CHC 330e federal funds.

2) Miller said the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner is set for June 4; Governor to attend.

3) Riviere announced his candidacy to run for a government position in the district.

4) Chair Lyons said the next regular Board meeting was scheduled for June 24: Olelo broadcast airs each Saturday at 9:00 p.m. on Channel 49.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at p.m. 9:05 p.m.

Submitted by Malia Chanel-Benjamin, Neighborhood Assistant                                Reviewed by Chair Lyons