Printable version (copy and paste into browser):

  http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb28/07/28200704Min.PDF

KOOLAULOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2007

HAU'ULA COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Les Steward called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with seven members present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Elkington, Kathryn Heath, Barbara Kahana, Creighton Mattoon, Warren Soh, Les Steward, Norman Kaluhiokalani, Margaret Primacio (sworn in at meeting).

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dee Dee Letts (excused), Patrick Macy, Subdistrict 1-vacant, Subdistrict 3-vacant.

GUESTS: Donna Lindsey (DOE), Steven Daugherty, John Olszowka, Oris Terry, Sherry Martinez, Ella Siroskey (Kahuku Hospital), Junior Primacio, Capt. Kealoha (HFD), David Shipman (HFD), Fran Corcoran (Kahuku Library), Major Dave Eber (HPD), Sgt. Greg Lopez (HPD), Lt. Robinson (HPD), Jacce Mikulanec (Council Dela Cruz), Fred Mencher (HME), Kelika Ishol, Jolene Peapealalo, Leslie Chow (Rep. Meyer), Roosevelt Freeman (Rep. Meyer), Barry Usagawa (BWS), Vanessa Matautia (NCO staff).

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes – Heath moved to approve the minutes was seconded by Mattoon.  The Board voted without objection to approve the minutes with the following amendments:

·         Page 4, #6, replace “Choon” with “James”.

·         Page 4, under Governor’s Representative, replace “Bill” with “Ben”.

·         Page 7, #10, second sentence, replace “five years” with “two years”.

·         Page 8, #22, replace “Barbara” with “Kahana”.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Vice Chair Steward gave the following report for the month of March 2007, the previous balance was $2,287.85 with current expenses totaling $38.22, leaving a remaining balance of $2,249.63.  The refreshment account remained unchanged at $120.00.

A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Kahana and seconded by Heath and passed without objection.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Firefighter David Shipman gave the following report:

1.      Statistics for March 2007:  1 structure fire, 4 rubbish fires, 6 fire related incidents with 44 medical emergencies, 1 search and rescue and 9 miscellaneous calls.

2.      Fire Safety Tip:  Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and the second major cause of death among older adults.  If you are cooking and must leave the kitchen for a few minutes, turn off the stove.  Keep a fire extinguisher (with a minimum rating of 2A10BC) in or near your kitchen and learn how to use it.  Inspect the fire extinguisher regularly to ensure that it has not expired.

Questions, comments and concerns:  

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. R. Robinson gave the following report:

1.      Crime Statistics for March 2007:  There were 14 burglaries, 19 thefts, 16 UEMV (unauthorized entry into motor vehicle),

2.      Highlight of the month:  The robbery of Masa’s involved an assailant that threatened the clerk with physical harm and left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.  The assailant did not have a weapon and the investigation was pending.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1.      Heath questioned if there was a person of interest for the crime. Lt. Robinson stated that it was still under investigation as the person who was a person of interest was deemed by HPD as no longer a person of interest.  Heath also questioned if there was a specific plan for the Ko`olauloa area regarding pedestrian crossing across Kamehameha Highway.  Lt. Robinson reported that a Pedestrian Safety Taskforce was put in place and they have set up a plan which HPD is implementing within the area.  He introduced Lt. Eber who is the District Watch Commander for the area and Sgt. Lopez, who is responsible for Third watch.  Heath finally commented that there are not enough crosswalks for people to safely cross Kamehameha Hwy. Lt. Robinson stated that it would be a good tip to not cross the road if eye contact had not been made with the driver.

2.      Elkington questioned if motorists are required to stop when a pedestrian is trying to cross the road.  Lt. Robinson reported that motorists are required to stop when a pedestrian is poised to cross the road. 

3.      Soh questioned what the difference between “missing persons” and “missing persons cxl” was in the written report.  Lt. Robinson stated that “missing persons” was the initiation of the investigation and “missing persons cxl” was the cancellation of the investigation and meant that the person in question had either come home or been found.

4.      Kaluhiokalani questioned why signage indicating the highway closure at Waimea Bay could not have been put out at a longer distance in order to give motorists trying to circle the island notice before being turned around.  Lt. Robinson stated that there are no permanent large signs located on this side of the island but HPD and State Department of Transportation officials did make an effort to inform motorists.  Sherry Martinez stated that State DOT officials had brought out portable signs near sunset beach and Haleiwa.

5.      Mattoon asked why a “sharp turn ahead” sign was posted near the Crouching Lion restaurant.  Lt. Robinson reported that he did not know for sure but considered that State DOT officials may have put the signage near the turn to warn truck drivers hauling rubble from the rock slide.

6.      Vice Chair Steward thanked HPD for their help in finding David Mohetau and a special thanks to Officer Dempsey Unga for coordinating the efforts which led to rescuers finding Mohetau.  

Mayor's Representative – Patrick Kubota could not attend the meeting but NCO Staff Matautia reviewed report.  Along with updates on projects in the area, Kubota included information on recycling efforts by the City & County of Honolulu with community meetings with the Mayor, Solid Waster Advisory Committee named and a recycling and disposal guide for Oahu.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Kaluhiokalani questioned why recyclers are allowed to weigh cans and bottles rather than count each one.  Staff Matautia reported that she would check on this questioned but believed that the State Department of Health was the managing authority regarding recycling.

City Council Representative – Jacce Mikulanec, senior advisor from City Council member Donovan Dela Cruz’ office gave the following report:

1.      Resolution regarding eminent domain proceedings for Kahuku Villages had lapsed from the last session but Council member Dela Cruz’ office has resubmitted for this year.

2.      Funding for Laie bus stops was included in the FY 08 CIP Budget as well as for Hau`ula. 

3.      There is also $50,000 in funding for a Hau`ula master plan.

4.      After pushing for the request of the Hau`ula Community Center play court, it was not included within the budget, even after support was garnered from the Mayor and Budget Chair, Todd Apo.

5.      April 25, 2007, will be the first chance that residents will be able to comment on the FY 08 Budget in front of the City Council. 

6.      Mikulanec submitted a RISR to expedite new emergency sirens for the area.  Information was provided to Mikulanec regarding the placement of a siren on private land and a request for relocation of the Hau`ula Fire Station was included.

Questions, comments and requests:

1.      Vice Chair Steward commented that letters to the Hau`ula Community Association and Park officials regarding the play court updates would be appreciated.

2.   Heath questioned what the Hau`ula Master Plan was and who is the sponsoring agency.              Mikulanec reported that the plan was like a long term master plan for development and very         similar to the sustainability plan for Ko`olauloa and has been initiated by the Council member         Donovan Dela Cruz. 

3.   Mattoon commented that he was contacted by the consultants, Helber, Hastert and Fee, working             on the Ko`olauloa Sustainable Community Plan and commented that others in the community    would be getting phone calls regarding a working group.

Governor’s Representative – No representative was available for comment.

Representative Michael Magaoay – No representative was available for comment.

Department of Education (DOE) – Donna Lindsey gave the following report:  There was nothing that had changed from last month’s meeting.  Hau`ula Elementary School has their April 19th performance of Madame Butterfly and two show times, 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.  The school is just finishing up Hawai`i State Assessment testing and Lindsey thanked parents for getting children to school early.  They have provided breakfast for free to students in order to ensure they had a good start to testing.

Questions, comments and concerns:  

1.      Martinez questioned whether a planning meeting would be scheduled and if it was a school based service versus an employee based service plan.  Lindsey did not know the specifics of the meeting, since it was a planning meeting for future plans and stated that nothing had been set in stone.

2.      Steve Daughtery questioned how many students were at Hau`ula Elementary School.  Lindsey reported there was a total of 283 students but already they have lost 23 kindergarten students to G.E. (geographical exemptions) because many parents have children who attend schools in Laie and would like to keep them all together. 

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Barry Usagawa gave the following report: 

1.      Main Break:  There was one main break for the month of March.  It occurred on March 8th at the 51-000 block of Kamehameha Highway, to a 6-inch main that is 57 years old.  As the useful lifespan of our current water main ends, BWS is spending millions of dollars to replace them to insure reliable water service and help prevent main breaks.  This is just one of the many ways we continue to the stewards of Oahu’s precious water.

2.      Consumer Confident Reports to Mail in June:  Throughout June, the BWS will be mailing out the annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) to service holders.  As mandated under Federal and State law, the State Department of Health and the BWS regularly test Oahu’s drinking water.  The CCR will do the following: Identify the source that supplies water for your address, Report detected contaminants or elements in the water and ensure that your drinking water meets all safe drinking water standards.  Describe any treatment process uses, if necessary, to make your water safe to drink, explain terms used in the regulation of drinking water and tell you where to go for additional information.  This report will be specific to your service address, and more information can be found on our website: www.boardofwatersupply.com

3.      Water Saving Tips: 

a.      Take advantage of the $100 rebate for replacing your old toilet with a new low-flow one.  Check out www.boardofwatersupply.com for more information.

b.      You can use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture.  If it goes in easily, you don’t need to water!  Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.

c.      For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.

Questions comments and concerns:

1.      Mattoon questioned if the rebate was per toilet and if it was retroactive.  Usagawa reported that the rebate was per toilet and if a resident still had a receipt then a rebate could be made retroactively.

2.      Martinez questioned about those residents who were on a private sewer system and Usagawa was not sure but would check to see if it would work. 

3.      Jr. Primacio questioned if the chlorination of the water was done by gas or by liquid.  Usagawa reported that chlorination was done using a solid material that was dissolved into the water.  Using gas was too dangerous due to storage concerns in the neighborhood and the possibility of leaks.

Representative Colleen Meyer – Roosevelt Freeman gave the following report:  Representative Meyer’s office is requesting the community’s help in keeping informed by registering for her new e-newsletter.  The office has a small budget to send out paper newsletter for about 1300 residents, forcing the trading off of newsletters to different precincts.  To sign up for the e-newsletter, people are asked to email repmeyer@capitol.Hawaii.gov

Questions, comments and concerns:

1.      Kahana questioned if the newsletter would be able to be held on a website.  Freeman reported that they have looked at this option but due to server blocks on the Hawai`i state system, the office was still trying to work out the kinks.

2.      Heath questioned that if the e-newsletter would be sent with pictures because many object to such an email because they often exceed the threshold limit of inboxes.  Freeman reported that they would take this consideration of doing a text only e-newsletter.

U.S. Marines – No representative was available for comment.

Congressman Mazie Hirono – No representative was available for comment.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ko`olauloa Watershed Management Plan (KWMP) Update – Barry Usagawa gave the following report:  Usagawa reported that the consulting firm for the Sustainability Communities Plan had contacted the working group and notes were being sent over.  There is a possibility to integrate plans and ensure that the plans work on a similar plane.

Questions, comments and concerns:  Steve Daugherty questioned about stream beds and residents needing assistance regarding land located higher up the mountain side.  When residents researched further up the stream, they viewed evidence of stream diversions and large trees blocking the stream bed itself.  Usagawa reported that stream diversion without a permit was illegal and he would check with officials regarding outstanding permits.  He also stated that the stream may lie within several owners such as the federal government, the state or city watershed.

Kahuku Hospital update – Ella Siroskey gave the following report:

1.      Legislature 2007: Emergency Appropriation of $950,000 is still in process and at the moment in the contract stage.  HB 843, the bill to have Kahuku Hospital affiliated/acquisitioned by the Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation is scheduled to be heard in the full senate either this week or next week.  Any/all letters of support for the confirmation of Director, State Department of Health, Dr. Chiyome Fukino is appreciated.  Dr. Fukino has been a staunch supporter of saving Kahuku Hospital and its services.

2.      Annual Survey: Annual state licensure / Medicare certification survey conducted last week.  Great overall survey with few deficiencies – official report expected later this week with Kahuku Hospital submitting a return plan of correction within the following week.

3.      HHSC (Hawai`i Health System Corp.): Continuing to work with HHSC on operations, i.e. ensure monitoring programs in place – infection control, quality assurance life-safety and ethics.

4.      American Cancer Society:  The Kahuku Hospital team recently held two fundraising projects i.e., car wash, pizza lunch; total monies raised (including donations) to date, $939!  The annual Relay for Life event for the Ko`olauloa area will be held for Friday, April 20 to Saturday April 21 at the Laie Elementary School; Kahuku Hospital will also provide first aid services for this event.

5.      Operations:  This week, the management and supervisory staff commence their first of several team building and professional development sessions.

Questions, comments and concerns: Elkington questioned Siroskey if the $950,000 would be used as a stop gap in order to keep Kahuku Hospital doors open until June.  Siroskey reported that the funds were indeed a stop gap measure until plans are finalized with HHSC.

NEW BUSINESS: No new business.

PUBLIC INPUT (3-minute limit per speaker)

Fran Corcoran from the Kahuku Library gave a quick update.  Special thanks are sent to Turtle Bay for their contribution of $24,000, which will go towards the purchase of a vehicle to use as a Book Mobile for the area residents.  Requested residents to keep an eye open for a suitable vehicle that could be refurbished and used as a book mobile.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Housing – Elkington gave the following report:  BYU has recently finished the construction of 24 married student apartment housing units on the main campus.  Elkington believed that this would help the community because it would be less of a strain on the community when these married students moved back onto the campus rather than taking up much needed housing.

Parks – Kaluhiokalani gave the following report: Requested a timeline for the completion of the Ka`a`awa Beach Park restroom facility.  Also requested information on why a representative from the Department of Parks and Recreation could not make monthly reports to the Board.  Kaluhiokalani also stated that he was deeply discouraged about the availability of adult education classes at the Parks.  Although there is a good amount of programing for youth in the area, there are no classes for adults and Kaluhiokalani believed that this should be addressed. 

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Hau’ula – Kahana gave the following report: everyone is invited to attend the Hau`ula Community Association meeting which is scheduled on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Hau`ula Community Center.  Kaluhiokalani reported that if community groups needed help with activities then people could contact him for further details.  He stated that many scout groups are in need of projects in order to complete their training. 

Punalu`u – Mattoon gave the following report:  3<sup>rd</sup> Annual ‘Aha Ola Pono o Ko`olauloa, April 27 and 28, at the Queen Lili’uokulani Children’s Center at 53-516 Kamehameha Highway in Punalu`u.  The theme is “Malama’aina, Malama ‘Ohana, No Na Hanauna—For the Collective in Perpetuity”.  The gathering is free to the public and will start from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday night with dinner and the keynote presentation by Dr. Kawika Liu of the Ko`olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center.  The event continues from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.  Registration forms are available at QLCC in Punalu`u and the Ko`olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center in Kahuku and in Hau’ula.  For more information call Creighton Mattoon at 293-5612.

Kahuku – Soh reported someone has been cleaning streams and streambeds in Kahuku.  The streams on the Makai side of the Kamehameha Highway have been cleaned.

VACANCIES

1 vacancy, Subdistrict 3, Hau`ula; two candidates came forward, Kelika Ishol and Donna Lindsey.

Ishol submitted a letter of interest.  Lindsey stated that she has lived within the Hau`ula area for the past 10 years and that she had worked on several different Boards and Organizations within the area as well. 

The Board voted Ishol (4), Lindsey (3).  There was no quorum reached and the vacancy was deferred until next month’s agenda.

1 vacancy, Subdistrict 1, Kahuku; one candidate was available, Margaret Primacio.

The Board voted Primacio (6) in favor.  A quorum vote was reached and Primacio was elected onto the Board with term ending in June 1, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT:   Vice Chair Steward called for adjournment at 8:27 p.m.

Reviewed by:

Vice Chair Les Steward

Submitted by:

Vanessa Matautia

Neighborhood Commission Office