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NORTH SHORE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 27

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2009

JOHN KALILI SURF CENTER

CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIR – Chair Lyons called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum of ­­13 members was present out of 15. A vote of eight (8) members is required to adopt any motions.

Members Present – Jeffrey Alameida, Jacob Ng, Warren Scoville, Reed Matsuura, Ollie Lunasco, Arlene Kawahakui, Michael Lyons, Antya Miller, Geraldine Meade, Carol Phillips, Blake McElheny, Gil Riviere and Robert Leinau.

MEMBERS ABSENT – John Hirota and Leif Anderson.

Guests – Galen Yoshimoto (Department of Defense; Governor Lingle’s Representative), Lt. Byron Martin, Capt. Bart Huber (Honolulu Police Department), Capt. David Morgan (Honolulu Fire Department), George Kuo (Board of Water Supply), Reed Matsuura (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s Office staff),  Mike Egami, Kekoa Paulson, Ati Jeffers-Fubro, Diana Bonsignore, Judy Fomin (Rep Magaoay’s office), Dan Nellis (Dole), Michele Fleisher, Manu Awana, Melvin Kaku (Department of Environmental Services), Bodo Van Dor Leedon, Will Schoettle, Sid Snyder, Jean Berry, Diane Anderson, Marlu West, Mark Takemoto, Karen Gallagher, Kalani Fronda, Marvin Buenconsejo (Representative Mazie Hirono’s Office) Alenka Remac (Mayor’s Office), Nash Witten, and John Lane (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL/ADDITION/CORRECTION OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: November 25, 2008 meeting: The Board approved the November 25, 2008 meeting minutes with no corrections:

Meade moved to approve the November 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes; Lunasco seconded the motion. The motion was ADOPTED unanimously, 13-0-0. Aye: Alameida, Ng, Matsuura, McElheny, Lunasco, Kawahakui, Lyons, Meade, Phillips, Scoville, Miller, Riviere, and Leinau.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Balance of $2,541.61

REPORTS FROM HONOLULU POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Bryon Martin reported: 1) December’s statistics  included: 14 burglaries, 11 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV), 8 motor vehicle collisions (MVC) and 34 thefts. 2)

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       Lunasco stated that several officers who were hired to direct traffic by Wahiawa bridge were sitting in their cars and not working. Major Heyward responded that the officers sit in their cars until it is the appropriate time and then they get out and direct traffic.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Actg. Capt. David Morgan reported December’s statistics: 1) 13 structure, 1 wildland, 13 rubbish and 9 vehicle fires; 88 medical emergencies, 335 miscellaneous and 30 search and rescue calls. 2) Unusual incidents: The flooded conditions of December 11 and 13. 3) Safety Tip: In a fire, medical, or other emergency, it is critical that emergency responders quickly identify the correct location. Fire, building, U.S. postal codes, and City ordinances state that property owners shall place their house numbers so it is legible and readily visible from the street. This will assist the Honolulu Fire Department and other first responders in quickly locating your house in the event of an emergency. If your property is difficult to locate and /or access, provide 911 dispatchers with additional information to assist them in locating your property during an emergency.

Leinau asked why the high number of medical emergencies this month. Morgan answered that the 88 emergencies was for two stations for a two month period.

U.S. ARMY 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION: They are announcing a draft study. The meeting will be held on February 11, 2009. The meeting will run from 5:30-6:45. Comments will then be accepted from 7:00-9:30.  

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: None

RESIDENTS CONCERNS:

1.       Stu Ring, speaking as a resident of Mokuleia would like to mention senate bills 410 and 411 by Senator Bunda. They would allow overnight camping that has been outlawed since 2002. Ring does not like the bills or all the trouble that they would bring.

2.       Leinau stated that some people are off roading at Keanui Road. They cross thru it and make their own entrance.

3.       Phillips mentioned that Kayoko Beach Park is closed at night. Some residents who are told to leave, relocate to the river mouth and it seems like they are dealing drugs. Huber responded that the property by the mouth of the river is private property and the property owner must request their removal. If they are dealing drugs call the police and they will investigate.  

4.       Kathleen Pahinui has heard that the Crawford home is closing. Can that please be investigated.

ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS:

Mayor Hannemann Representative – Alenka Remac – Report Circulated

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Miller said that Sunset School will be requesting the use of the Old Pupukea Recreation Center

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – George Kuo passed out a report to help people deal with emergency procedures.

Ng stated that the BOW does a great job fixing pipes but not roads. Many of the road jobs have to be done again because they are too bumpy. A very bad one is the repair to Kamehameha Hwy on the McDonalds side of the Twin Bridges.

Leinau asked when a new house is built how long do they stand behind their work. Kuo answered that it is a case by case basis.

Councilmember Dela Cruz – Reed Matsuura reported:

Legislation due to the damages sustained by residents, Councilmember Dela Cruz introduced the following legislation regarding Flooding and Aid for Flood Victims:

Resolution 08-269 – Requests the Department of Facility Maintenance to carry out its responsibilities  for stream monitoring and maintenance, including city-owned streams and enforce stream maintenance by private stream owners in order to minimize future damages.

Resolution 08-270 – Urging the city Department of Emergency Management to establish clear guidelines for activating  the Emergency Operations Center  and Emergency Warning Systems during flood warnings.

Resolution 08-271 – Requesting the delineation of roadways for emergency evacuation from coastal areas.

Resolution 08-272 – Requesting the Department of Emergency Management to establish and maintain an emergency preparation website for the public.

Bill 69 (2008) - Requesting the City Administration to waive real property taxes for those who were damaged by flooding sustained on December 11, 2008.

In addition Councilmember Dela Cruz wrote letters:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) requesting additional rain gauges and monitoring systems for Oahu.  This information would help the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the decision making process of activating emergency warning systems.

Director of the State Civil Defense – Requesting that the State develop a early warning system that can be activated on an “all island” or specifically localized basis.

Council Changes:

The new Chair Todd Apo has cut the number of committees from 8 to 6 – Councilmember Dela Cruz retained the Public Safety and Services Committee as Chair.  He is also the vice-chair of the Transportation and Planning Committee and sits on the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee and the Public Infrastructure Committee. (Zoning, Public Infrastructure, Budget, Executive Matters & legal Affairs, Transportation and Planning, and Public Safety and Services.)

Councilmember Dela Cruz has included in the Community Newsletter a list of the Advance Budget Requests which was requested from the 5 Neighborhood Boards in District II.  There was a limit of two per neighborhood board.

Important Legislation:

Resolution 09-03 – Urges the City administration to use the design-build-operate-maintain contract method to develop and operate the rail project. This resolution also requires that a contractor for this project to enter into an agreement to use local labor and union supported subcontractors for the job.

Resolution 09-02 – Urges the State Legislature to Amend the State Fireworks Control Laws to Authorize the Counties to Adopt Laws more stringent than the State law.

Resolution 08-261 – This amends the minimum operable segment for the Honolulu High- Capacity Transit Corridor from Salt Lake Blvd. to the airport.

Bill 6 (2008) – Relating to Bed and Breakfast Homes - deferred on January 20 – expansion of B&B’s – still in Zoning Committee for additional committee meeting.

Community Issues:

Pupukea Recreation Center Building – The Sunset Beach Elementary has requested to obtain this building from Dept. of Parks and Recreation for additional school facility. Jim Frisbie is looking for donations and other in-kind services to move this building after the new Sunset Beach Recreation Center is dedicated.

SDOT – Councilmember requested the paving of Kamehameha Hwy. in the Sunset Beach area. SDOT responded that this section was not on the next two year cycle for re-surfacing nor is it on the pavement repair project list.  Should there be a economic stimulus package, depending on the amount, they will reconsider work along the North Shore.

RISR’s:

DTS responded that they will get an answer by the end of February as to when Pupukea Road is to be re-paved.  They have also indicated that they will add Haleiwa Road to its list of roads that need re-paving.

Kaiaka Bay Beach Park – requests for new picnic tables around the comfort station and near soccer field are pending the availability of manpower and supplies.  The installation of of any new or replacement picnic table are scheduled by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Maintenance Support Services after priority health and safety repairs have been completed.  The prior tables were in disrepair and removed to prevent injuries.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Miller asked if on bill 6 it requires an owner occupant to run it. Matsuura answered that currently it does not. Miller would like to recommend that it includes that requirement.

Governor Lingle's Representative – General Gary Ishikawa circulated the Governor’s report.

State Senator Bunda – No representative.

State Representative Magaoay – Judy Fomin circulated Magaoay’s report. Fomin stated that Magaoay is now the Vice Speaker of the House.

Lunasco asked if the Legislature is doing anything to upgrade the sewage treatment plant in Wahiawa. Fomin will check on it and get back to the board at the next meeting. Howard Green stated that the Federal Government granted the City & County of Honolulu 29 million dollars to upgrade the facility and it will be completed by the end of 2011. The only reason that the facility does not meet the current R-1 requirements is because of the storage capacity.

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono – Marvin Buenconsejo stated that last weeks inauguration of President Obama had the members of the House ready to vote on the 850 million dollar stimulus package. 218 million dollars for infrastructure, 214 million dollars for education, 340 million dollars for Medicaid assistance. The bill is 400 pages long. The federal funding will go directly to the counties. 40 -100 billion dollars must go to foreclosure protection.

Miller expressed her concern that social security and medicare is supposed to go under in 2020. Where is the money going to come from to save these programs. Buenconsejo responded that it is being debated right now on Capitol Hill.

Riviere noticed that hundreds of millions of dollars are going towards education and medicare how will that stimulate the economy. Buenconsejo stated that creating jobs is the focus of the program.

Lunasco said that the Federal Government throws money and then down the road the state has to pick up the tab for these newly created positions. Buenconsejo answered that the president and congress have stated that job creation is the key to all of this. Phillips asked if some of the money can be used towards highways. Buenconsejo answered that a lot of the money is for ready to go projects. The first things taken care will the cities and states priority projects.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS / PRESENTATION:

Rehabilitation of the shopping center located at 66-165 Kamehameha Highway – Will Schottle. Their basic goal is to have good cohesiveness in Haleiwa. They are lucky to be working with Ossipoff, Snyder, and Rowland. They have completed many projects locally. Most of the parking lot is not viewable from the street so it is underused. The goal is to modernize the look of the buildings, but keep the authentic feel. The center will have more windows and walkways. The atmosphere will be there for people who want to come and relax.

Leinau said there are signs at the center that are not following the ordinance’s. Schottle said that they will be following all City ordinances. Lunasco asked if there will be restrooms. Schottle said that there are already four of them there. Lunasco answered that the center may cause traffic problems because of all the pedestrians.

Ng noticed that a third of the store fronts are empty. Schottle answered that one tenant moved in today and two more are coming soon.

Phillips moves to support the shopping centers plans. Miller seconds the motion. Aye: Alameida, Ng, Scoville, Matsuura, Kawahakui, Lyons, Miller, Meade, Phillips, McElheny, Riviere, and Leinau. Abstain: Lunasco Motion is ADOPTED.

Chair Lyons to establish a special committee for watershed, floods, dams, and reservoirs. Leinau stated that Ng should be on the committee. Lyons agreed and said that the North Shore Chamber has a history with this because of Susan Matsushima. Ng stated that the Board has been working with UH on this and Professor Yost must be involved. Yost gets back to Hawaii in ten days. The committee members include Kathleen Pahinui, Antya Miller, Arlene Kawahakui, Carol Phillips, Reed Matsuura, Marilee Lyons, Barbara Boe, and Dave Wayman.

Flood control information/action on infrastructure, cleanup, drainage, and bridge issues. Lyons asked why the community does not receive any civil defense warnings when these things happen. Ed Teixera stated that they have one outdoor warning system. Because of funding issues it is very old. When the siren is on its for a county wide system. We have an example of something more localized. Campbell Industrial Park has something very localized. The local community can look into a telephonic system for the community that would cost all residents about two dollars per year.

Mel Kaku who is the director of Emergency Management mentioned that we are currently trying to isolate the Haleiwa/Wailua area. They have already converted it to voice mode. The alert tone is the other method. They are advocating to have three minimum. They have volunteers that will go house to house in case of an emergency. The community emergency response team is to identify an individual and create a program at the community levelto help carryout the communities particular needs.

Eric Adams who is the Assistant Chief of the HFD stated that from 6:00 a.m. to noon they got 155 alarms and a total of 255 for the day. They were overwhelmed. They had to tell many people that they had no more resources and would send someone when they could. They respond to 27,000 medical calls a year.

Miller stated that we were granted 100,000 dollars from the State to develop community based emergency plans to help residents. She was concerned that they did not have agreements in place for the disaster assistance center. Kaku said that he would like to get resident’s comments. Please email him at mkaku@honolulu.gov to help.

Pahinui commented that she ran into a FEMA lady at McDonalds who said that seniors had trouble getting to the YWCA shelter. Teixera said that it is not uncommon to seniors want to handle it on their own and keep things quiet. They have had a little more then 300 people come through their doors since December 11^th. There are probably a thousand people out there who are trying to handle all these problems on their own. If you need federal assistance please call 1-800-621-FEMA or go to disasterassistance.gov. Every case is reviewed by a case by case basis. Teixera said that 1.3 billion dollars in grants have been given out to a little over 300 people. Two million dollars is the maximum loan for a business.

Marilee Lyons stated that she wanted to be warned and no one warned them at all. Where did all the water come from, it was not all from the rain. By the time they heard the sirens they were already helping other people to evacuate. If it happened one hour later people could have died. Teixera said that they were watching from Diamond Head and Lake Wilson, only 2-4 inches were predicted and 14 inches came down.

Dave a resident from Puakea Circle said that there was flooding in 1996-1997 and a taskforce was established to deal with flooding but nothing was done. Teixera mentioned that there is an emergency plan and it is based on how high the water is in the spillway and how the increase percent per hour is generated. They would like to get more valves in there so that they can lower the water faster in case of an emergency.

Leinau said that the rain is inevitable but we should have a reasonable expectation of what should happen. Who is handling the engineering of these problems. Miller asked how much it will cost to fix one of these valves and the Representative from Dole answered over a million dollars. Lunasco said that we are trying to point fingers at who is responsible. We need to have an early warning system and money cannot be an excuse.

Phillips asked if there was a sewage spill. Kaku answered that yes there was. Any other questions, comments, or concerns may be directed to Ed Teixera 733-4300, Mel Kaku 723-8960, Police 621-8442, Fire 723-7106, Mike Higami 655-5607, Kalani Fronda 523-6244, Marvin Buenconsejo 541-1986, Michael Magaoay 586-6380, Ray Level 733-4301 ext 524, Kenneth Tejada 723-7207.

CHAIRS REPORT – None

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Olelo Broadcast Saturdays, Channel 49, 9:00 p.m.

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

Submitted by John Lane

Neighborhood Assistant        

Reviewed by Chair Lyons