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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WESLEY UNITED
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kelley Roberson called the meeting to order at
MEMBERS PRESENT: Scotty Anderson,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gerri Digmon and
GUESTS: Lieutenant Gary Lum Lee, Sergeant Mike Nakada (Honolulu Police Department), Captain Mike Tosaki (Honolulu Fire Department), Senator Sam Slom, Representative Barbara Marumoto, Representative Lyla Berg, Mark Andersen (Governor’s Representative, Deputy Director, State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism [DBEDT]), Bill Brennan (Mayor’s Representative, Office of the Mayor), Francisco Figueiredo (Councilmember Charles Djou’s Office), Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Kelly Kauinana (Kahala Mall), Cheryl and Eric Leong, and
INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Everyone present introduced themselves.
Questions, comments and concerns:
- In response to Pyles, Capt. Tosaki replied that HFD is in the process of purchasing and replacing the old fire extinguishers.
- Chair Roberson inquired to what percentage of medical calls are home accidents such as a fall, fire, etc. Capt. Tosaki said most of the medical calls that Kaimuki Fire Station responds to include stroke, cardiac arrests, and heart attacks.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lt. Gary Lum Lee distributed District 7 (East Honolulu) report that included area crime trend statistics, safety tips for elderly drivers, contact information including dialing 911 for emergency calls, Community Policing (Neighborhood Security Watch) and Geographical Information System (GIS) in District 7 and HPD’s District 7 website – www.honolulupd.org/patrol/d7.
REPORTS FROM CITY AGENCIES:
Board Of Water Supply (BWS): Lorna Heller highlighted: 1) No water main breaks in February 2008. 2) General Water Announcements: BWS takes pride in the fact that water pumped into homes and businesses is of the highest quality. As you know, many
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
- Fukuda inquired about the status of the landscaping project fronting the Ainakoa Reservoir. Heller could not give a definitive answer but will follow up on it.
- Citing recent newspaper articles regarding pharmaceuticals in the water systems, Chair Roberson inquired if there are pharmaceuticals in
Mayor’s Representative: Bill Brennan gave the following responses to concerns raised at last month’s meeting: 1) The lack of street parking markings at the intersection of
Questions, comments and concerns:
- Pyles stated concern that the trees on the
- Chair Roberson inquired to who is responsible for street marking at the intersection of Malia Street and Hoakoa Place and that a “No U-Turn” sign should be installed at this intersection. Brennan will follow up.
Councilmember Charles Djou: Francisco Figueiredo distributed the Council member’s report and highlighted: 1) Council is holding a series of public hearings regarding the City’s budget for fiscal year 2009 as submitted by Mayor Hannemann. 2) Thursday, March 27, 2008, Council’s Zoning Committee has scheduled a special meeting to address the four Bed and Breakfast (B&B) bills pending before the Council.
Questions, comments and concerns:
· Pyles expressed dismay that the B&B (4) bills pending before the Council was the same bills heard before the Planning Commission whose members voted to reject it. This process of allowing loopholes and variances is an example of the process that expends a lot of time for working people who prepare and testify in opposition to this bill.
· Kane shared concern regarding the five-member panel that selected steel rail technology for
· Himeda commented that the five-member panel did not consider noise as part of their criteria. Figueiredo mentioned that finances to build and maintain this mass transit system were also not part of the criteria.
· Representative Marumoto noted that based on Councilmember Djou’s written report, the City’s budget will be a 12% increase as compared to the final fiscal year budget of the previous Administration without a possible property tax increase. Brennan replied that property tax levels are flat and added that the City will provide homeowners a $100.00 property tax rebate.
· Roberson inquired to what political office is Councilmember Djou running in 2008. Figueiredo replied that Councilmember Djou’s current City Council term expires in 2010. By running for a federal office, specifically the First Congressional District Seat, Councilmember Djou does not have to resign his current City Council Seat.
BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:
Approval Of February 18, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes – The following correction was made:
- Page 3, paragraph 1, line 2, delete “The landowner (Kamehameha Schools) has encouraged residents to contact the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the Pig Hunters Association”; insert “The landowner (Kamehameha Schools) will take responsibility to rid the area of pigs. Residents should not contact the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) or the Pig Hunters Association.”
Without objections, the February 18, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved as amended by a unanimous vote, 6-0-0. Aye: Anderson, Fukuda, Kane, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin.
Treasurer’s Report – Board Treasurer Himeda reported the following for February 2008: Previous operating account balance was $1,333.70; current expenses were $24.99; current operating account balance to date is $1,308.71. The publicity account balance remains at $665.84. The refreshment account balance remains at $120.00. Without objections, the February 2008 Treasurer’s Report was approved by a unanimous vote, 6-0-0. Aye: Anderson, Fukuda, Kane, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: None.
Turbin arrived at 7:40 p.m.; seven (7) members Present.
REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor’s Representative: Mark Anderson, Deputy Director of the State Department of Business and Economic Development (DBEDT), reported the following: (1) He has facilitated a series of meeting addressing the vegetation overgrowth that has resulted in the shrinking
Questions, comments and concerns:
- Pyles commented both City and State agencies along with community residents are working together to address the vegetation overgrowth issue that has resulted in the shrinking of
- Turbin expressed concern regarding complaints that Genshiro Kawamoto has ordered cutting down coconut trees on the beachside front of his properties falling over other residences’ properties. Turbin encouraged residents to call the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). DLNR has called back residents regarding this issue. Pyles noted Kawamoto has cut down trees on the
- Pyles was concerned of the eyesore due to the irrigation system on the
Representative Barbara Marumoto: Representative Marumoto distributed her report and highlighted: 1) Former Sumo Wrestler Saleva’a Atisano’e (aka Konishiki) was honored by the House for his Sumo career and helping the people along the
Representative Lyla Berg: Representative Berg distributed her report and highlighted: 1) A brochure for the upcoming Taste of East Oahu taking place on Saturday, April 19, 2008, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Calvary By The Sea Church. Proceeds will benefit the Angel Network Charities, Inc., Calvary By The Sea Montessori School and Youth of Calvary By The Sea Church. Representative Berg is the event’s Honorary Chair. 2) On March 13, 2008, she will host the Fourth Annual Human Rights Day and Justice For All at the State Capitol Office bringing awareness to a broad range of issues relating to social justice, environmental stability, education and health. (3) Introduced HB2433 to require a public notice and informational meeting before a new care home could be licensed failed to win approval after a public hearing was held on the issue of Adult Residential Care Homes (ARCH). She has in the interim proposed HCR250 and HR212 calling on the Department of Health (DOH) to encourage applicants for care home licenses to make presentations to the relevant neighborhood board so that the community can be informed and involved in the process. (4) Sponsoring HB 2973 where if passed will focus on expanding existing programs and services form 3 and 4 year olds with priority given to underserved and at-risk children. This proposal aims to close the gap in the academic abilities of high and low income children which can be seen by the age of six. (5) Both she and Representative Marumoto voted against HB2429 that would transfer management, operation and maintenance and improvement of Aloha Stadium from the Stadium Authority to the newly created University of Hawaii Stadium Corporation and allow additional revenues generated by Aloha Stadium to benefit the UH athletics program.
Questions, comments and concerns:
- Fukuda mentioned that his father was a corrosion expert therefore steel as in the new steel rail technology will rust over time.
Senator Sam Slom: Senator Slom distributed his written report and highlighted the following: (1) As a member of the Special Senate Investigative Committee assigned to look into DBEDT’s H2Energy LLC to Manage the Hydrogen Investment Capital Fund, the committee has subpoenaed numerous DBEDT officials where after numerous hours of hearings, there so fat has been no evidence of wrongdoing. (2) Regarding Aloha Stadium, he noted that the steel structure on the stadium originally came from Bethlehem Steel in
Questions, comments and concerns:
- Anderson mentioned that he attended a meeting at Wilson Elementary School relating to gangs where as a Board and community member he felt an obligation to attend and learn what was going on at the at the school.
KAHALA MALL REPORT: Kahala Mall Representative Kelly Kauinana reported the following: (1) Construction of the Whole Foods Store in the former Star Markets location is proceeding where Whole Foods has a parking plan. (2) Adore – the new women’s boutique store has opened recently in the shopping center. (3) Hawaii Realty Associates’ new offices are located at the former Tower Records location. (4) Legendary Hawaiian Eddie Kamae will be performing at the Kahala Mall Stage on
Questions, comments and concerns:
- Chair Roberson inquired about Whole Foods; parking plans. Kauinana replied that Whole Foods will have an elevator so that customers parking on the upper level can take the elevator directly into their store.
- Turbin inquired about the status of the Yen King Restaurant. Kauinana replied that the Yen King Restaurant is under new management.
TASK FORCE/COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Ompo Traffic: Fukuda distributed the written report from OMPO’s Public/Private Partnership Subcommittee and commented on the following: Stated his problem with the steel frail technology for Honolulu’s Mass Transit where the 5-member technology panel’s decision to choose steel rail technology does not meet reality where with Hawaii being surrounded by ocean, having steel will in the long term create rust corrosion therefore they did not look at the long term cost of placing steel rail technology and its impact for the foreseeable future. Fukuda favors magnetic levitation that would better match
Land Use And Zoning – City Council Action Or Pending Hearings: Pyles distributed a written report stating that the Honolulu City Council’s Zoning Committee will be holding a special meeting on Thursday, March 28, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to address the four Bed and Breakfast Bills where she urges the Council to reject Bills 6, 7, and 9 while supporting Bill 8 – that provides additional enforcement tools against illegal Bed and Breakfast operations. The fines are up to $5,000 per illegal Bed and Breakfast operation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Neighborhood Watch: No Neighborhood Watch representative was present.
Four Way Stop At Ainakoa: Item mentioned earlier in the meeting.
Maintenance Of Properties In Kahala By Absentee Homeowners: Item mentioned earlier in the meeting.
Street Parking At
Street Repairs – Notification To Residents: Item mentioned earlier in the meeting.
Temporary Vacation Units (Tvu): Item mentioned earlier in the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution 07-379 Relating To Neighborhood (Term Limits) – (1) Fukuda mentioned that this resolution states that individual Board members are limited to serve four two-year terms. (2) Chair Roberson noted that this term limit idea was result of an audit done on the neighborhood board system. (3) Turbin expressed concern at this proposed resolution noting that some neighborhood boards have has a hard time filling vacancies. (4) Himeda stated that having long time Board Members currently serving have a history and bring with them institutional memory. (5) Kane stated that it is important to have new Board Members who bring in fresh perspectives. (6) Pyles stated that one of the reasons why she ran and got elected to the Board were a wide range of issues that she felt were not being seriously addressed.
Turbin moved and Himeda seconded that the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3 oppose Resolution 07-379: Term Limits on Neighborhood Board Members. The motion was adopted by a vote of 5-0-1. Ayes:
2008
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Neighborhood Board No. 3 Or City Council Notices – Item deferred.
The Board Of Directors Of Neighborhoods,
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
Submitted by,
Neighborhood Assistant