Printable version (copy and paste into browser):

  http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb28/08/28200808Min.PDF

KOOLAULOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 14, 2008

HAU'ULA CIVIC CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Dee Dee Letts called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of nine (9) members present. Note, this eleven (11) member Board requires six (6) votes to adopt a motion.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathryn Heath, Barbara Kahana, Norman Kaluhiokalani, Jimmy Leonardi, Dee Dee Letts, Creighton Mattoon, Junior Primacio, Les Steward and Dawn Wasson.

MEMBERS ABSENT: John Elkington and Kelika Ishol.

VACANCY(S): There were no vacancies at this time.

GUESTS: Whitney Wright (Kaneohe MCBH), Fred Mencher,  Fran Corcoran (Kahuku Library), Ella Siroskey, Lieutenant John Vines, Kent Fonoimoana, Barry Usagawa (BWS), Kaulana Park (Governor's Representative), Lea Albert (DOE), Michael Sakata (Councilmember Dela Cruz's office), Henry Wasson, Acting Captain Steve Jeness (HFD), Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2008: Mattoon moved and Leonardi seconded to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 10, 2008 with the following corrections;

• Page 1: Place Board Member John Elkington under 'Members Present'.
• Page 3: Councilmember Dela Cruz: Questions: Replace first bullet with, "Mattoon noted the park in Punalu'u requires irrigation system installation and maintenance."
• Page 4: Community Reports: Correctly spell: La'ie.
• Page 4: Community Reports: Punalu'u: Replace line with, "Mattoon noted at the last Punalu'u Community Association meeting, residents discussed the repair to existing Hawaiian Telecom, and how it creates an eyesore to residents and visitors.

The motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 10, 2008 was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, (Aye: Heath, Kahana, Kaluhiokalani, Leonardi, Letts, Mattoon, Primacio, Steward, and Wasson.)

APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 30, 2008: Mattoon moved and Leonardi seconded to approve the special meeting minutes of July 30, 2008. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, (Aye: Heath, Kahana, Kaluhiokalani, Leonardi, Letts, Mattoon, Primacio, Steward, and Wasson.)

TREASURER'S REPORT: Steward read the treasurer's report of July 2008, highlighting a current expense of $69.87 due to printing and postage, to leave a current balance of $4,633.13.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

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

• Statistics for the month of July 2008 include; Kahuku Station: 3 fires, 11 emergency service/rescues, 3 hazardous conditions, 4 service calls, 3 good intent, 1 false call; Hau'ula Station: 1 fire, 18 emergency service/rescues, 2 hazardous conditions, 4 good intent; Ka'a'awa: 2 fires, 14 emergency service/rescues, 4 hazardous conditions, 1 good intent.
• Fire Safety Tip: Some fires are allowed under State and City regulations; however, most fires investigated are unauthorized. If unauthorized, the Fire Captain will require that the fire be extinguished. If the fire is authorized, the Captain must determine if the fire is safe and properly contained, and not a nuisance to others. For more information, call HFD's Fire Communication Center at 523-4411.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Steward inquired what 'hazardous conditions' include; Jeness noted that when hazardous spills occur during vehicle collisions, HFD cleans the spill.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant John Vines reported the following information;

• Statistics for the month of July 2008 include; 1 aggravated assault, 3 simple assaults, 1 auto theft-recovery, 11 burglaries, 1 DUI, 5 family offenses, 1 graffiti, 2 motor vehicle thefts, 8 property damages, 34 motor vehicle collisions, 17 thefts, 6 threatening, and 5 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV).
• Several incident dates include; July 15 where an assault was made with an axe hammer on Hau'ula Homestead Road, July 17th where a male and female committed burglary which resulted in their arrest, July 18 where a smoke grenade was found on Bishop Estate land, and July 22nd on Kamehameha Highway a road rage incident where a handgun was involved.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Heath questioned there was only one DUI during the 4th of July festivities; Vines noted that it was the only caught DUI in the Ko'olauoa district.
• Steward requested the written report be easier to read, the shaded area is difficult to read.
• Chair Letts thanked Vines for the additional report of incidents as it keeps the public aware of incidents.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

GOVERNOR'S TURTLE BAY COMMITTEE REPORT: Chair Letts reported the Board has received a response from the Governor's Turtle Bay Committee, which tried to answer the Board's previously sent letter and list of questions, noting several questions were not answered. Chair Letts explained each Board member will be sent the original letter by the Board as well as the Committee's response.

HOSPITAL UPDATE: KAHUKU MEDICAL CENTER: Ella Siroskey reported the Medical Center was recently visited by the Texas 149 Air Force National Guard, where soldiers aided in hospital and patient cares. Siroskey also noted she was recently promoted to the Emergency Room (ER) Manager.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Kahana thanked the community and the seven focus groups for their continued support, input and overall willingness to help the Kahuku Medical Center.
• Heath related that she brought her son to the Emergency Room and was told that she should take him somewhere else so she wanted to know if the ER treated children - Siroskey replied that yes the ER treats children and that she would follow-up with Heath after the meeting but that her son should not have been turned away.

KAHUKU TRASH COLLECTION: Leonardi reported Kahuku Village Association (KVA) remains in possession of the four trash bins. The City Department of Environmental Services (ENV) has been sent a follow-up letter, with no response as of today. ENV officials have noted they would like to purchase the bins for $4,999.00.

STATUS CONTINENTAL PACIFIC ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT (EA): Chair Letts reported the Board has submitted its comments, to which Continental Pacific has 30 days to respond. Chair Letts read a letter by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) noting the sensitivity of the dune area and their continuing concern even if the luxury houses are moved back as well as their suggestion that a conservation easement be made to the state to protect this area rather then the strip being part of each of the individual luxury lots.

BWS ROAD IMPROVEMENT ON KALUANUI STATE PARK: Chair Letts noted she has been contacted by Alani Apio explaining this project is being put on hold and that he will not be presenting at tonight's meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT): TRAFFIC AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS: Chair Letts noted that DOT is requesting more detailed information and or questions, before they present. Chair Letts opened the floor to specific topics or questions for DOT.

Discussion followed:

It was noted by Board members that they would like more information regarding; possible highway signage for the entrance of the Polynesian Culture Center (PCC), design and cleaning of culverts for all bridges from Kaloli Point through Kahuku, mitigation of the 'blind' crosswalk at Hukilau Beach Park, mileage sign discrepancies from PCC through Kahuku, cleaning of non-state owned property from the bridges, possible bikeway plans, and maps of bridge locations.  Kaulana Park the Governor's representative said he would follow up with DOT about the identified issues and ask them to attend the September meeting.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS CONTINUED:

MAYOR'S REPRESENTATIVE: No report available at this time. Chair Letts asked the Board if they would like her to write a letter to the Mayor about the non-attendance of his representative at the Board meetings.  The unanimously approved the letter.

COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ: Michael Sakata reported the following information;

• Regarding the tax moratorium for the Kahuku Village Association (KVA) phase 5, upon research no moratorium from real property tax has ever been granted according to the Real Property Tax Office.
• Smoking at Bus stops is prohibited if the stop consists of a roof and two walls. No smoking signs may be posted at these bus stops.
• An update on the Environmental Package can be read on Councilmember Dela Cruz's report.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Leonardi noted a letter from KVA has been sent out, and Councilmember Dela Cruz pushed for the moratorium in the beginning.
• Chair Letts noted that there may be a City ordnance that allows the City to clean brush from private property and later bill the owners; Sakata to provide copies of that ordnance.
• Wasson expressed concern with the Property Tax office and their inability to reimburse property owners that pay too much, and the excess is not rolled over; Sakata to follow up.
• A community member requested information on resolution 08-33; Sakata to follow up.

GOVERNOR'S REPRESENTATIVE: Kaulana Park noted the reason DOT requested more information is due to the multiple 'sub-departments' work in DOT, and provided the Governor's Neighborhood Board update highlighting;

• The number of children in foster care in Hawaii is at a 15 year low, noting it has decreased by 43%, from 3,000 children in 2003 to about 1,700 today.
• The Department of Human Resource Development (DHRD) has begun the three-month four-day work week pilot project, between August 4, 2008 and October 31, 2008.
•  The 'Stop flu at School' vaccination program kicks off for 2008-2009 flu season, presented by the Department of Health (DOH), vaccinations will begin in October.
• Register for the 5th Annual International Women's Leadership Conference which will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Wasson inquired if there is any foster care or shelter homes in the district, Park noted he knew of only two; however a community member noted several more.

STATE LEGISLATORS: No report was available at this time.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE): Lea Albert provided the following information;

• Schools have received their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores and the Ko'olauloa district is as follows; Ko'olauloa: Ka`a`awa Elementary: good standing, Hau'ula Elementary: corrective action, La'ie Elementary: good standing met AYP and is out of corrective action, Kahuku High School: restructuring but making progress, Kahuku Elementary: good standing, Sunset Beach Elementary: good standing.
• The DOE in partnership with Kamehameha Schools will be holding a cultural event, 140 new and veteran teachers are planned to be involved to teach native Hawaiian traditions.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Steward inquired if an outside entity automatically goes into a school when it is identified for restructuring; Albert noted this is not necessarily the case the school can do the restructuring on its own which is her preference so the DOE will be assisting Kahuku over the next year to re-structure certain aspects of teaching.
• Kaluhiokalani inquired if there is a list of principals for Kahuku high School; Albert noted DOE continues to work on this as it is a very lengthy process.
• Wasson inquired if transportation for homeless children is provided; Albert noted it has always been provided by the schools and DOE.
• Heath inquired at what point DOE will exercise its right to protest an unjust law, referencing the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. Albert stated that the DOE will not sue on this point.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Barry Usagawa reported the following information;

• There were no water main breaks in July 2008.
• Oahu water production was 164.5 million gallons/day (mgd) for the week ending August 2, 2008. Rainfall from March to June was between 40%-67% of normal.
• BWS reminds residents to conserve water during this ongoing drought. Use what you need but don't waste.
• The BWS along with the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) and the Commission on Water Resource Management, has extended the Ultra-Low Flush Toile Rebate program to at least June 30, 2009.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Steward inquired if the summer months usually have a higher mgd; Usagawa noted that during this summer the average mgd ranged from 160-180 mgd, which is approximately the five year average.
• Primacio inquired if there were any capital improvement projects (CIP) scheduled in the area, Usagawa noted that the proposed well access in Kaluanui State Park which is on hold is a CIP, but there are no others at this point.
• Wasson inquired when BWS plans to obtain the La'ie water system; Usagawa noted that there were no plans to aquire at this time.

MARINE CORPS/U.S. ARMY: Whitney White of the Marine Corps, introduced herself and reported;

• Marine Corps base Hawaii Pride Day will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2008 where a base-wide clean up will take place.
• Changes of command ceremonies will be held on August 22, and 29, 2008, community is welcomed.
• The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment returns from combat deployment in Iraq, and the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine regiment leaves for a combat deployment in Iraq in August.
• If there are any questions, please feel free to contact the Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii Public Affairs Office at 257-8835 or 257-8840.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Kaluhiokalani questioned helicopter and military planes flying over homes instead of off shore as they transverse the  Ko'olauloa area; Wright noted Hawaiian based pilots know to fly over the ocean, however, the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises have just completed, and other nations may not have been familiar in the flight routes.
• Heath questioned if Wright can guarantee the community concerns will be followed up on; Wright noted under the command of Lieutenant Strickland, community concerns are always answered.  

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

HOUSING: Heath expressed concern regarding the lack of affordable homes and rentals.  She also noted that Habitat for Humanity had held several workshops in the area.

PLANNING & LAND USE: Mattoon noted he will be reviewing the Draft Environment Assessment of the La'ie Inn, once those documents have been sent to him.

EDUCATION: No report available at this time.

CIP/PUBLIC WORKS: No report available at this time.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES: No report available at this time.

PARKS & RECREATION: Chair Letts reported that the yurts that were temporary at Malaekahana Beach Park should be down and that DLNE has required the user to replant the coastal vegetation that was cut down.  She asked community members to let her know if this does not happen. Primacio requested Les Chang of the City & County of Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) be present, as he would like to discuss Kahuku District Park.

PUBLIC INFORMATION: Steward reported on September 20, 2008 there will be a community hukilau for the arrival of the Ho'olaulea. Students will be welcoming the ship with festivities and a lu'au.

PUBLIC SAFETY/TRANSPORTATION: No report was available at this time.

WATER: Kahana noted to protect and conserve O'ahu's precious water system.

CULTURAL AFFAIRS: Wasson reported that she was able to take Will Ho and several kupuna to identify and assess beach public rights of ways from Ka`a`awa through Turtle Bay, several un-identified beach access points were discovered.

PUBLIC INPUT: Fran Corcoran announced several events happening at the Kahuku Public Library, noting 'sprouts and Wheat" with Janet Simmons as well as Chicago's Art Institute with Wendy Beckett.

CORRESPONDENCE: Majority of the correspondences were referred to throughout the duration of the meeting.

COMMUNITY REPORTS: Kahuku:  The Kahuku Community Association meeting will be held on August 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kahuku Community Center.

La'ie: Sunset on the Beach at Kokololio will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 12th and 13th. Hawaiian healing explorations will be hosted by Wasson and kupuna on August 29th-31st, at 55-740 Kamehameha Highway.

Punalu'u: A Special Community Meeting was held on August 5, 2008, and the Kamehameha Schools will be presenting the Ahapua'a Plan for Punalu'u on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at Hau'ula Elementary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: An announcement was made that an update will be provided regarding the Ko'olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Submitted By:

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant