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KOOLAULOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2008

HAU’ULA COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Dee Dee Letts called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note, this eleven (11) member Board required nine (6) votes to adopt a motion.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathryn Heath, Kelika Ishol, Barbara Kahana, Jimmy Leonardi, Dee Dee Letts, Creighton Mattoon, Junior Primacio, Les Steward.

MEMBERS ABSENT: John Elkington, Norman Kaluhiokalani, and Dawn Wasson.

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

GUESTS: Reed Matsuura (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office), Gerry Meade, Fred Mencher (HME), Ricky Cassidey, Lieutenant John Cheung and Grey Lopez (HPD), Stephany Vaioleti (Kahuku Medical Center), john Olszowka (HCA), Marge Stanton, Diana Hoppe, Alani Apio, Moani Wright and Barry Usagawa (BWS), Fran Corcoran (Kahuku Library), Kent Fonoimomoa, Cindy Tutor (LCA), Glenn Soto, Ella and Dave Siroskey, Jessica Wooley, Captain Ed Kealoha (HFD), Wenona Chesa, Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 12, 2008: Mattoon moved and Leonardi seconded to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 12, 2008 with the following corrections;

• Page 2: Governors Turtle Bay Committee Report: Remove “and the sacrifice of the remaining land.”
• Page 3: Continuing from Page 2 Bicycle Safety Resolution: Replace “agenda” with “resolution.”

The motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 12, 2008 was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0, (Aye: Heath, Ishol, Kahana, Leonardi, Letts, Matoon, Primacio, and Steward.) 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Chair Letts read the treasurer’s report of June 2008, highlighting a current expense of $49.94 due to printing and postage, to leave a current balance of $2,091.80.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Captain Kealoha provided the following information;

• Statistics for the month of June 2008 include; Kahuku Station: 1 rubbish fire, 14 medical emergencies, and 2 miscellaneous calls, Hau’ula Station: 4 rubbish fires, 2 brush fires, 24 medical emergencies, and 5 miscellaneous calls, Ka’a’awa Station: 1 rubbish fire, and 4 miscellaneous calls.
• Fire Safety Tip: As summer is upon us, please be clear a 30 foot brush clearing near building and home structures. This 30 foot clearing will ensure proper safety precautions and decrease wildland fires.

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

• Statistics for the month of June 2008,  7 burglaries, 5 driving under the influence (DUI), 21 motor vehicle accidents, 20 thefts, and 11 unauthorized entrances to a motor vehicle (UEMV), with a total of 554 calls.
• Compared to the same data of 2007 the entire district from Makapu`u Point to Kahuku, robbery has decreased 24%, UEMV’s have decreased 30% and auto thefts have decreased 55%, for a total decrease in crime rate by 30%.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Primacio questioned why there is no longer a district courthouse in Ko’olauloa; Chair Letts noted that is a question for the Judicial Branch of Government.

• Chair Letts raised concerns regarding Kalae `Oio Beach Park which does not allow camping.  She noted that during the 4th of July weekend a large number of tents were erected and even a port-a-potty was moved onto the city Park and no enforcement action was taken to stop the illegal camping over the entire 4 days they were there; Cheung replied HPD continues to work on enforcement measures regarding these specific instances.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

GOVERNOR’S TURTLE BAY COMMITTEE REPORT: Primacio reported the Governor’s Turtle Bay Committee has received the letter from The Ko’olauloa Neighborhood Board, and that the Board can expect a response at siome time in the future. Stanford Carr of Stanford Carr Development presented at the last meeting on June 25, 2008, with the next meeting being tentative.

HOSPITAL UPDATE: KAHUKU MEDICAL CENTER (KMC): Stefany Vaioleti provided the following report;

• Six focus group meetings have been held including employees, department managers, native Hawaiian Healers, Brigham Young University and Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Ko’olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center.
• KMC continues to meet regularly with the administration of the Ko’olauloa Health and Wellness Center to find ways to collaborate on a number of services to be able to better serve patients.
• An emergency Room facelift is being planned; KMS is seeking donations of labor and materials. The project is set to be completed by October of this year.
• KMC has a volunteer program and if interested please contact Andrea at 293-9221.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• A community member suggested if a new logo is needed, to contact the local schools and turn the need into a class or school project.

KAHUKU TRASH COLLECTION: Leonardi noted he is in contact with the City & County of Honolulu, the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) has indicated they would like to purchase the bins at a discounted price. Leonardi noted they are in negotiations, and will keep the Board updated.

STATUS CONTINENTAL PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA): Chair Letts explained that in front of each Board member was a copy of the 530 page Environmental Assessment (EA) in disk format, and should anyone need the hard copy, it is also available. The deadline for comment is August 7, 2008. Chair Letts explained with no objections she will request an extension period from the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC). None objected. Chair Letts also suggested a special meeting be held with the EA as the only agenda item. Upon further discussion, it was decided a special meeting be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 to meet the comment deadline if no extension were granted to the Board.

NEW BUSINESS:

BWS ROAD IMPROVEMENT ON KALUANUI STATE PARK: Alani Apio and Moani Wright provided visual maps and illustrations regarding the proposed improvement of the BWS access way to their Kaluanui Wells, which are located in Kaluanui State Park. The wells become difficult to access during heavy rains as the dirt access way becomes flooded with water and debris. The BWS is proposing to add two culverts to access road which will re-direct the flow of runoff water from above the street to below and under the ROW. The BWS is also proposing to pave part of the ROW within the Park.

Questions, comments and concerns followed;

• Primcaio questioned the size of the culverts; Apio did not know but will follow up. Primacio also noted if BWS will commit to cleaning of the culverts and grates when debris becomes a problem; Apio noted yes.
• Heath reiterated the concern of cleaning the culverts as, near her home the BWS culverts are never cleaned; Apio and Wright reassured Heath that BWS will commit to cleaning of the culverts.
• Kahana questioned who the land belongs to; Apio noted the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) as it is a State Park.
• Several Board members expressed concern regarding the paving of the ROW, as the land sits on a park; several Board members noted they would not like black top asphalt on the ROW as this is a sacred wilderness park.  Several board members also pointed out that they raised some of these types of objectives when BWS proposed placing wells in a wilderness park and that they feel strongly that an alternative to paving the roads should be found.
• Several community members raised concern regarding maintenance and safety for the wells.
• Ishol requested visual maps of the area; Apio will forward the visual aids to Board members.
• Chair Letts requested BWS return next month with response to questions and concerns; Apio agreed.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS CONTINUED:

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Not in attendance and no communication provided.

COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ: Reed Matsuura reported the following information;

• The Councilmember is awaiting a response from ENV regarding the Kahuku Village Association trash bins.
• Construction of a parking lot on Kamehameha Highway at Kahuku District Park has been requested and the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation is still trying to determine how this can be accomplished.
• No response from the Department of Design and Construction regarding the Anemoku Street widening.
• The hurricane season is from July 1-November 30, 2008, please make sure your family is prepared for a natural disaster, and remember a hurricane and tsunami require different preparedness.
• Important legislation includes Bill 19 Council Draft 2 (Capital Improvement Budget Bill) which has been adopted and includes; Kahuku helipad and police station landing lights, Punalu’u wastewater system reconstruction (cesspool to ceptic system at the beach park), Kualoa recreation improvements, and bus stop site improvements.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Mattoon noted the parks in Punalu’u and Kualoa require irrigation system installation and maintenance.
• Leonardi inquired of the moratorium for Kahuku Village Association Phase 5; Matsuura noted the concern was forwarded to the Mayor’s office, but there has been no response.
• A resident raised concern regarding the helipad for Kahuku Police Station, when Kahuku Medical Center (KMC) has a helipad as well; Chair Letts noted that HPD should work with KMC, and share the helipad.
• A resident raised concern regarding electronic payment of property taxes; Matsuura to follow up.
• A community member questioned Councilmember Dela Cruz’s position of the rail system; Matsuura replied the Councilmember is for the project, however, concerned with the type of technology that the Mayor is proposing.

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Chair Letts congratulated Kaulana Park on recently becoming a father, and noted he would not be present at tonight’s meeting.

STATE LEGISLATORS: Senator Clayton Hee: Jay Personious reported the Senate has overridden a total of 33 bills, while the House overrode a total of 13; Personious will e-mail a complete list of all overridden bills to all Board members. Senator Hee also continues to work closely with the Governor’s Turtle Bay Committee.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE): Leonardi reported the following information for Lea Albert;

• Lea Albert of the DOE thanks the Board for opposing House Bill (HB) 2972, and writing the Governor, as the Bill would have been detrimental to schools all over the State.
• Kahuku High and Intermediate School‘s Acting Principal is Patricia Macadangdang.
• The DOE continues to address the issue of bullying in schools.
• Important dates include; July 29th: 7th Grade Orientation, July 30th: First day back for everyone.

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

• There was one water main break in June, at 56-1200 Kamehameha Highway on a 12 inch pipe.
• Oahu’s potable pumpage as of June 28, 2008 was 159 million gallons per day (mgd) which is still lower than 166 mgd measured at the same time last year.
• All residents are welcomed to join in on the Halawa xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale, on Saturday, August 2, 2008; prizes include an ‘Extreme Xeriscape Garden Makeover.’

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Leonardi asked for information regarding the wells in Lai’e; Usagawa noted there are two exploratory wells.
• Primacio inquired if there were any Capital Improvement Projects; Usagawa noted none in 2008.

MARINE CORPS/U.S. ARMY: No report available at this time.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

HOUSING: Heath noted their continues to be a shortage in affordable housing and rental units, however, Habitat for Humanity is in contact and would like to form partnerships with residents who own their homes to assist with rehabilitation.

PLANNING AND LAND USE: Mattoon reported he has not heard anything regarding the Sustainable Community Plan since April of this year. Usagawa noted the Watershed Plan is being finalized, and will go before the Water Commission on August 20, 2008.

EDUCATION: Leonardi stood by his earlier report.

CIP AND PUBLIC WORKS: Primacio stood by Matsuura’s earlier report.

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

PARKS AND RECREATION: No report available at this time.

PUBLIC INFORMATION: Steward noted its time for hurricane and tsunami preparedness once again. The State Department of Transportation may elaborate on preparedness at the next Board meeting.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION: No report available at this time.

WATER: Kahana noted to protect and conserve Hawaii’s water.

CULTURAL AFFAIRS: No report available at this time.

PUBLIC INPUT: Several residents provided public input at this time;

• Fran Corcoran provided a recreational calendar highlighting several forthcoming activities at Kahuku Library, such as Kamoe Lei teaching, “Healthy Ideas from Home,” and “Sprouts & Wheat”.
• A community member noted BYU will be hosting a blood drive on Thursday, July 24, 2008.

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Letts highlighted several correspondences, a letter from Governor Lingle regarding House Bill 2972, noting it did get vetoed and was not overridden. A handout was also provided regarding real property taxes. All handouts and correspondences were made available.

COMMUNITY REPORTS: Kahuku: Leonardi noted several bones have been exposed at the cemetery located on the Kahuku golf Course. The bones have been re-buried at the cemetery.

Lai’e: Steward noted the Lai’e Day parade will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008. There has also been no movement regarding the proposed Polynesian Cultural Center signage.

Hau’ula: Ishol noted the Hau’ula Community has met with residents and discussed issues regarding education.

Punalu’u: Mattoon noted at the last Punalu’u Community Association, residents discussed the proposed Hawaiian Telecom, and how it will create an eyesore to residents and visitors.

Ka`a`awa/Kahana: No report at this time

ANNOUCNEMENTS: No announcements were made at this time.

ADJOURNEMNT: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Submitted By:

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant