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KOOLAULOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 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 six (6) members present. Note this eleven (11) member Board requires six (6) votes to adopt a motion.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathryn Heath, Barbara Kahana, Jimmy Leonardi, Dee Dee Letts, Junior Primacio, Dawn Wasson, Les Steward (arrived at 7:10 p.m.).
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Elkington, Kelika Ishol, Norman Kaluhiokalani, Creighton Mattoon.
VACANCIES: There are no vacancies.
GUESTS: Diana Hoppe, Henry Wasson, Gerry Meade, Judy Fomin (Representative Magoay’s office), Fred Mencher, Lieutenant John Cheong (Honolulu Police Department), Michael Nayls, Mikki Hanson (Kahuku Hospital), Margaret Primacio (Keep Kahuluu Country), Lea Albert (Department of Education), Ella Siroskey, Jay Personious (Senator Hee’s office) Keoki Miyamoto (Mayor’s representative), Kevin Salts, Captain Ron Johnson (Honolulu Fire Department), Kaulana Park (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands/Governor’s Representative), Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14, 2008: Leonardi moved with Primacio seconding that the Koolauloa Neighborhood Board approve the regular meeting minutes of February 14, 2008, was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 6-0-0 (Aye: Heath, Kahana, Leonardi, Letts, Primacio, Wasson).
TREASURER’S REPORT: Chair Letts read the February 2008 treasurer’s report, highlighting the $133.67 printing and postage charges, with an ending balance of $1,055.91.
Board member Les Steward arrived at 7:10 p.m., making seven (7) members present.
GOVERNMENT REPORTS:
- Statistics for February include: Station 21 Ka’a’awa; 1 structure and 1 rubbish fire, 8 medical emergencies, 1 search and rescue, and 3 miscellaneous calls. Station 13 Kahuku; 1 rubbish and 4 vehicle fires, 15 medical emergencies, and 2 miscellaneous calls. Station 15 Hau’ula; 1 structure and 1 rubbish fire, 20 medical emergencies, 1 search and rescue.
- Fire Safety Tip: According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires and fire injuries nationwide. Do not leave cooking food unattended; if you must leave the kitchen, turn off the heat and take a spoon or oven mitt to remind yourself of the food on the stove.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Kahana questioned if the 20 medical emergencies in Hau’ula were related. Capt. Johnson noted that there were many different incidents, and had no commonality.
- Wasson questioned if HFD would be interested in providing learning activities for students. Capt. Johnson noted that the department of Administrative Services Community Relations would have to answer.
- Primacio questioned how often routine inspections for schools are done. Capt. Johnson replied that inspections for schools and commercial establishments are routinely done once a year. Fire hydrants are maintained by the Board of Water supply (BWS).
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant John Cheong reported the following;
- Statistics for the month of February include for the entire district from Malapu`u Point through Kahuku; 6 rapes, 4 robberies, 5 aggravated assaults, 59 burglaries, 139 thefts, 77 unauthorized entrance to motor vehicles (UEMV), and 12 auto thefts. In total, crime is down 22%.
- HPD will be conducting a pedestrian safety workshop for elderly and school children; local schools have already been notified. Please contact 247-2166 for more information.
- In regards to the graffiti on
- In regards to the gun shot noises, it is unknown if they are registered hunters; if they are not, HPD will prosecute when caught. Call HPD as soon as gun shots are heard.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Heath thanked HPD for their efforts in eradicating graffiti, and questioned if HPD provides the paint. Lt. Cheong noted that it is usually the community.
- Primacio questioned if HPD has jurisdiction over the maintenance of handi-cap parking stalls. Lt. Cheong replied that HPD has the enforcement role and that the City determines number and placement and that it is the owner’s responsibility to paint and maintain them.
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Keoki Miyamoto, representing the Mayor, thanked Laverne Higa for her attendance last month, and noted that he had not received information requested by the Board from several departments.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Heath pressed the issue of regional beach access and City park maps, noting the schools and community need that information. Miyamoto replied that he had checked with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) per last months Board’s request forwarded to him by the Commission, with no response. Miyamoto will follow up again.
- Wasson requested information regarding the City’s initiatives and/or updates on the transit project and the sewage treatment facilities. Miyamoto will follow up.
- Leonardi questioned the sewage treatment systems in Kahuku and at
- Chair Letts with Heath and Kahana expressed their concerns of capital improvement project (CIP) funds did not include the play courts for the area that were promised to take the place of the skate park promised but never built. The monies appropriated for the skate park were removed from the district and spent elsewhere by the administration. Subsequent meetings with Parks Department garnered a commitment to look at building more play courts in the area to provide activities for the youth. The non-inclusion of this request in the current CIP is a major concern for the area Miyamoto noted the concern.
- A community member requested that when the maps are circulated, to please have enough copies.
COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ: Reed Matsuura of Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office reported;
- Councilmember Dela Cruz has introduced Council Resolution 08-63 regarding bicycle safety. This resolution was introduced because a similar resolution introduced in 2007 lapsed on February 2, 2008.
- Council Resolution 07-379 regarding Neighborhood Board member term limits has passed second reading and has been referred back to the Executive Matters Committee.
- Mayor Hannemann has proposed the City budget for fiscal year 2009 totaling more than $2.5 billion to the City Council on Friday, February 29th.
- Mayor Hannemann’s proposed Operating Budget totals $1.839 billion and the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget totals $831.5 million.
- The last three years of increases are due to wastewater treatment projects and mass transit funding. The sewer treatment upgrades and repairs are paid by the users of the Wastewater Treatment System and not general tax revenues.
- Fiscal year 2009 CIP budget is focused on updating O’ahu’s strained sewer system but also includes projects in District II including: police station improvements for Kahuku Substation, reconstruction of wastewater systems at Punalu’u Beach Park and Kualoa regional Park, replacement of the steel building at Kualoa Regional Park, bus stop improvements and drainage improvements on Pokiwai Street.
- Several projects were not included in the Mayor’s final Executive Capital Budget including: Punalu’u Beach Park irrigation system, Hau’ula Community Park play court and renovations, Kahuku District Park’s completion of the park and amenities. Councilmember Dela Cruz will attempt to have these projects included in the current CIP budget.
- Councilmember Dela Cruz has submitted a request to have two bus shelters in Lai’e; opposite of
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
- Leonardi questioned which government official is responsible for acquiring electronic traffic notice signs for use in times of accidents or disasters.
- Leonardi also questioned if septic tanks are being outlawed. Matsuura replied that this is not true, however when a house is located in an area where a sewer trunk line is available they will be mandated to hook up and it will be the homeowners cost to get from the house to the trunk line.
- A community member voiced her concern regarding the State smoking ban, stating that bus shelters do not seem to be protected by the ban.
GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE:
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Leonardi raised the concern of Kahuku and Ki’i Bridges’ overgrown brush mauka of
- Heath reiterated the concern brought up earlier regarding electronic signs in times of disasters, and added possible speed limit signs. Park will follow up with DOT.
- Wasson voiced her concern regarding Hawaiian emersion teachers and their need to be certified in many more subjects than customary teachers. Wasson noted this is discriminatory toward Hawaiian people.
- Chair Letts noted the first Turtle Bay Advisory Board meeting was yesterday, adding that it was successful.
STATE LEGISLATORS:
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MAGOAY: Judy Fomin, of Representative Magoay’s office reported that all surviving bills have crossed over from the House to the Senate and that House Bill (HB) 2913 relating to Kidney Disease has also crossed over. Magoay continues to work with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to support HB2913.
SENATOR CLAYTON HEE: Jay Personious, of Senator Hee’s office reported that Senate Bill (SB) 2423 relating to
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE): Lea Albert, representing the DOE, reported the following;
- In regards to the previous question regarding fire inspections, all schools in the district passed the test.
- There will be no supplemental budget this year; many of the budget cuts will be in the food and transportation services.
- Hau’ula Elementary School beat the State mark for writing scores.
- Kamehameha Schools have partnered with the Ko’olauloa district by providing two teacher aids to a Hawaiian emersion teacher, to provide intensive cultural training.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Leonardi noted that he hopes the person that ran into the
- Wasson asked for the names of the winning debate team so that the Board may congratulate them. Albert did not have that information, but will provide them to Leonardi.
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): No report was available at this time.
MARINE CORPS/U.S. ARMY: Chair Letts noted that U.S. Army representative Magno Transfiguracion had provided a written report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: KAHUKU TRASH COLLECTION UPDATE: Leonardi noted the door-to-door pick up has resumed with majority of the residents satisfied. Chair Letts questioned if this item could be removed from upcoming agendas, Leonardi replied that it could, but in the event that it needs to be addressed he will ask it be placed on the agenda again.
NEW BUSINESS: CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 07-379: Chair Letts announced that City Council is awaiting responses from all Neighborhood Boards, whether they oppose or support Council Resolution 07-379. Kahana voiced her opposition to the resolution, noting that several Boards cannot fill their vacancies, and that all Board members are voluntary unpaid individuals that care for their community. Kahana moved with Leonardi seconding that the Ko’olauloa Neighborhood Board oppose Council Resolution 07-379 relating to Board term limits. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0 (Aye: Heath, Kahana, Leonardi, Letts, Primacio, Steward, Wasson).
DISCUSSION OF PARTICIPATION IN AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION EXERCISE: Chair Letts explained that Ken Gilbert of Emergency Management has contacted her and would like the Board’s consideration in becoming an evacuation drill site in 2009. The evacuation exercise would propose to evacuate the entire Ko’olauloa district. The date and time has yet to be finalized. Heath voiced her opposition noting that this is very problematic and that the proposed 2009 date was too soon. Leonardi stated that this is a “crazy” idea. Steward noted that Lai’e practices this normally, but to include the entire district would be disruptive. Chair Letts noted that she will contact Gilbert and inform him that the Board is open for discussion, but does not want to disrupt the entire district, and that 2009 is too soon.
COMMIITTEE REPORTS:
PLANNING & LAND USE: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF LAI’E HOTEL: Chair Letts explained the deadline to submit comments was on Monday, March 10th; however correspondence may still be turned in but will not need to be considered. A written report was provided by
Discussion followed:
- Heath expressed her support towards
- Wasson also in support of the motion noted that flooding has been a burden on surrounding areas.
- Kahana noted that in the past, not conducting an EIS, has been detrimental.
The motion that the Ko’olauloa Neighborhood Board finds that the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) does not meet the criteria for a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and that an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is required, was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0 (Aye: Heath, Kahana, Leonardi, Letts, Primacio, Steward, Wasson).
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES: KAHUKU MEDICAL CENTER UPDATE: Lance Segawa, Kahuku Medical Center Administrator, introduced himself and several core staff members: Ella Siroskey, Mikki Hansen, Stephany Vaioletti, and Frances Daquio. At midnight
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Wasson thanked the staff of
- Leonardi extended his thanks to State Representatives and Senators as well as City Council, for their support and assistance in keeping
HOUSING: ELDERLY HOUSING IN KAHUKU UPDATE: Heath explained that the issue of difference in voucher and Section 8 assistance was made very clear; however, several residents are still voicing their opposition. Primacio noted that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and on April 14th there will be a public meeting on site for clarification. A written report will also be made following the April 14th meeting.
CIP/PUBLIC WORKS: Primacio reported that he sits on the working committee to acquire
CULTURAL AFFAIRS: Wasson reported the following;
- A written report was available noting three marked beach accesses and several unmarked traditional accesses. The report also noted the benefits of these access points, which are used by fisherman, and the proper harvesting techniques of limu (seaweed).
- Brigham Young University (BYU) Hawaiian History students regularly maintain an area known as wai puka, there work may be halted due to liability concerns voiced by the landowner HRI. Wasson noted that this is sacred location and should be taken care of and respected.
- Chair Letts noted that she will invite the DPR Director to address the beach access questions and requests.
EDUCATION: Leonardi noted the National History Day contest was held at
PUBLIC INFORMATION: Steward noted that HRI’s proposal to develop Malaekahana (Gun Stock ranch) for affordable and market housing have been withdrawn from consideration in the current Sustainable Communities Plan amendment process.
PUBLIC SAFETY/TRANSPORTATION/: PARKS & RECREATION: No report was available at this time.
WATER: Kahana noted no movement regarding the adoption of the Sustainable Water Plan for the area and asked everyone to remember to protect and conserve.
PUBLIC INPUT: Several community members voiced their concerns;
- Community member Diana Hoppe expressed her concerns regarding planes flying directly over houses in the valley. Chair Letts noted that she will pass this to the Marine Corps.
- In regards to the possibility of a district wide evacuation exercise, several community members noted that it is a generally good idea, but poses many drawbacks.
CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Letts distributed the correspondence accordingly.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Kahuku, Punalu’u, Lai’e, Hau’ula: Nothing to report at this time.
Ka’a’awa: A new Board of Directors has been selected, and the community looks forward to the blessing of the new restrooms.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: There were no announcements at this time.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Submitted By:
Leland S.M. Ribac
Neighborhood Assistant