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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER:  Chair Kelley Roberson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; a quorum was present with eight (8) of nine (9) members present.

Members Present: Scotty Anderson, Gerri Digmon, Stan Fichtman, Lester Fukuda (8:11 pm), Sylvia Himeda, Lucinda Pyles, Kelley Roberson, Richard Turbin, and Linda Fulton (Appointed at this meeting).

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Lt. H. Ishida, and Sgt. G. Perreira (Honolulu Police Department – District 7, East Honolulu), Capt. Mike Tosaki (Honolulu Fire Department, Kaimuki Fire Station), Wayne Yoshioka, Ross Tanimoto (Mayor’s Representatives and Director, Department of Transportation Services), Barbara Shideler, Bryan Gallagher (Board of Water Supply),Carol Hoshiko (KCC), Representative Barbara Marumoto, Deborah Pope (Shangri-La), Kathleen Kelly (Citizens Against Noise), Senator Sam Slom, Dylan Nonaka (Councilmember Charles Djou’s office), John Pyles, and John Lane (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Those present introduced themselves.

HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Mike Tosaki reported:

• 2 structure fires, 2 rubbish fires; and 88 medical and 16 miscellaneous emergencies. No major incidents were reported.

• Fire Safety Tip: 1) Smoke alarms save lives and are an important part of a home fire escape plan. Since the late 1970s, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms have contributed to an almost 50% decrease in fire deaths. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 65% of reported home fire deaths in 2000-2004 resulted from fires in homes that had no or inoperable smoke alarms. An estimated 890 lives could be saved each year if all homes contained working smoke alarms. Do you have working smoke alarms in your home?

No questions, comments, or concerns followed.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. H. Ishida reported: 1) The monthly statistic report was distributed and included the Home Security Safety Tips and a flyer with contact information for District 7-East Honolulu. 2) District 7 – East Honolulu website is www.honolulupd.org/patrol/d7; and using the “Report to Us” link, a response can be received within 48 hours.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Digmon stated that there are older people that live on Ainakoa Street and they are being bothered on weekends by a very large leaf blower. Nishiyo responded that when that happens call 911 and they will investigate.

• Turbin asked if HPD checks on the homeless people at Kahala Beach. Nishiyo responded that yes they do.

• Digmon asked what the difference was between the yellow and white lines in the road. Nishiyo responded that if they are yellow then traffic is going in the opposite direction.

REPORT FROM CITY AGENCIES:

Mayor’s Representative – Wayne Yoshioka and Ross Tanimoto reported:

• Yoshioka commented to Fukuda that he should continue to bring his transportation concerns and questions to the City and we will continue to answer them.

• Malia and Ainakoa have not been forgotten. In a month DTS would like to do a presentation on the intersection options.

• Representative Marumoto has been very proactive about the Kilauea Intersection, but it would have set the project back too long so it can not be added. 

• Pyles mentioned that the asphalt used in street repairs do not seem to last very long. Are we using the best possible products. Yoshioka answered that reconstruction is better because it takes out all the old asphalt and starts from scratch, but using a new technique resurfacing will be done differently and should last longer. 

• Scotty Anderson stated that his neighborhood switched to the three bin trash system in January and there a lot of problems that need to be worked out. Some information that was given out by the City was inaccurate at first. The City told one of his neighbors that if he had extra trash to just put the bags next to his bin and it will be picked up. When he did that the truck left his bags. Anderson asked if it was legal to leave your bin out on the curb all the time. Tanimoto said he will look into it.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Bryan Gallagher reported: 1) No main breaks for the past month.

New Manager & Chief Engineer

The BWS is pleased to announce that Wayne Hashiro has recently joined the BWS as the new manager and chief engineer.

As manager, Hashiro will be responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the BWS, with a focus on furthering the department’s mission, “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola,” and expanding its efforts to become a truly world-class water utility.

Hashiro was previously the city’s Managing Director, where he oversaw the execution of the city’s $1 billion+ operating and capital improvement program, supervised the heads of all executive departments and agencies of the city, and served as acting Mayor during the Mayor’s absence.  The Maui native has worked as a professional engineer and successful manager for more than 34 years in Hawaii, Korea, Japan, and Virginia developing diverse engineering, project management, and employee leadership experience.  Prior to his city service, he gained extensive experience while with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

For more information on Wayne Hashiro, please log on to our website at www.boardofwatersupply.com.

Halawa Xeriscape Garden Workshops

Workshops are held each month at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden and are geared toward community education about how you can conserve water outdoors.  Our education team has found a creative and fun way to merge holiday activities for parents and their keiki while learning about water conservation through Xeriscape.  Here are the upcoming scheduled workshops:

·         February 7, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Nature Valentine Cards Parent/Keiki workshop where parent and keiki will learn now to make a nature xerophytic Valentines Day card for someone special!

·         February 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon – Adults will learn how to make organic pesticides.

·         March 21 and May 9 – 10:00 – 12:00 noon – Learn how worms can turn food waste into organic fertilizer at the worm workshop.

·         Roberson asked when the power came back on were there any pumps damaged. Gallagher answered no but in a year or two there will be major renovations in the area.

·         Pyles asked when the once a year plant sale is and Gallagher stated October and April, the dates can be found at BWS.com.

·         To register for these classes, call Diane Moses (748-5363) or email tours@hbws.org.  To find a list of upcoming classes, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

Councilmember Charles Djou – Dylan Nonaka circulated Councilmember Djou’s report and highlighted:

• Bill 67 was vetoed by the Mayor and council has it on its agenda to try and override the mayors veto.

• Djou is trying to get a solution to the camping at Kapiolani Park. He is looking for citizens to give their input on how best to solve the problem.

• The bill regarding banning leaf blowers is going through the legislature. They want to see what kind of opposition there will be.

• Kelly stated that on Black Point Road some body built a new home with the permits for a driveway with flares. It ended up removing a parking space from taxpayers. She talked to DPP about it and they said that someone can have a 25 foot driveway with flares. Can Djou please do something about it. Nonaka will check on it.  

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:

Approval of the November 20, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes – The November 20, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes were deferred as circulated by unanimous consent.

Treasurer’s Report – Pyles reported for January 2009, current operating expenses of $30.11 leaving a total balance of $2,391.07. No expenditures reflected in the Publicity and Refreshment accounts leaving the balances the same at $936 (Publicity) and $120 (Refreshment).

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: 

• Kelly stated that Citizens against noise has a meeting the DOT about aircraft noise. Last month they discussed cargo planes and this month they will discuss tourist planes.  Contact NCO if you would like to attend.

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS: 

Governor’s Representative – Report was circulated.

Representative Barbara Marumoto – Distributed her report and highlighted the following:

• She is working for the passing of HB 366 so that all people who commit violent crimes have their DNA collected.

• She is working for the passing of HB 795 which would prohibit minors from riding All Terrain Vehicles.

• She is working for the passing of HB 22 that would cite owners who have a messy yard. If they were to be found guilty then they would be charged with a misdemeanor.

• Turbin stated that on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 9 am there will be a meeting at Walter James’s house to consider filing a lawsuit against Genshiro Kawamoto. The DPP has cited Kawamoto 15 times but under the ordinance it has a $25.00 maximum fee.

Representative Lyla Berg – Distributed her report and highlighted the following:

• Wailupe Elementary is one of the schools that is under consideration for closing. She wants to know how the neighborhood feels about the school because it is important to her.

• The Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) is a hands on education and service learning program for young people to learn the principles of natural resource stewardship and the importance of sustaining Hawaii’s unique natural environment.

• There are bright spots in Hawaii’s public schools, and probably none more luminous than Niu Valley Middle School, whose candidacy has just been accepted to begin an International Baccalaureate Progamme.

Senator Sam Slom – Distributed his report and highlighted the following:

• Tomorrow, February 20, 2009 will be the 20^th day of the 60 day working session.

• Two of the most controversial bills ever are being discussed right now one is HB 444 regarding Civil Unions and the other is HB 79 which would ban Pit Bulls.

• There are a lot of bad bills out there regarding taxes and mandatory employer laws.

• Slom is on seven committees. There are 14 committees and only two republicans so they each have seven.

• The Senate Transportation and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee as well as the Human Services Committee, passed SB 673 which will allow the counties to “impose within their zoning ordinances performance standards on group living facilities.”

• Anderson stated that many residents live in homes that are 50 years old or close to it. They have tried to get some laws regarding historical preservation repealed. To tear down your house and build a new one you have to fill out a 72 page report. It doesn’t make any sense to have to allow public access. No digital photographs are allowed on the report. The already know which buildings they want to save but this applies to everybody.

OLD BUSINESS:

Honolulu Marathon – Zero complaints have been received from residents again this year. When they opened up the freeways they left the no parking signs up on Malia Street for too long.

Meeting concerning East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan - Pyles said that the meeting went well and that we are still under consideration.

Kahala Beach Encroachment – Anderson said that several people from the Board submitted testimony supporting the bill.

Anderson moved, and Fukuda seconded, to support HB-1808. Aye: Anderson, Fukuda, Roberson, Digmon, Pyles, Turbin, Himeda, Fichtman. Motion is adopted unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

2009 Neighborhood Commission Elections Permitted Interaction Group recommendation regarding 2009 Neighborhood Board Elections – At this point, the elections will most likely be held online and there will be mail outs to remind registered voters to vote.

Filling Vacant Board Position – Linda Fulton is interested in joining the neighborhood board. Anderson moved, and Digmon seconded to appoint Fulton to the Board. Aye: Anderson, Fukuda, Roberson, Digmon, Pyles, Turbin, Himeda, Fichtman. The motion is adopted unanimously. Neighborhood assistant John Lane administered the oath of office to Fulton.

Kalanianaole Highway Sewer System Improvements – Fukuda stated that the improvements are just being designed. It will be a brand new sewer line and there will be some traffic delays.

Shangri-La Open House – Debra Pope (Executive Director), Barbara Shidler (Architect) presented: Pope said that they are here to update the community on plans to renovate Shangri-La. Shangri-La’s property is a 4.9 acre parcel in a mostly residential area. They’re operations are governed by a conditional use permit. They are abiding by all rules and regulations that are given to them. Currently Shangri-La is below capacity for members and events. The total payroll contains 26 people, 14 people on site, and provides 24 hour security. They are emerging from a two year process of master planning.

The proposed improvement includes the driveway and the security gate. They are also planning on restoring the historical landscape. There will also be typical household improvements such as windows, doors, electrical, and plumbing. A SMA permit that they have acquired is for the maintenance building. It will be reconstructed where monkey cages used to be. The two story building is 700 square feet and they have not gone in for any special building permits.

Himeda asked if the SMA was for the maintenance shed or for the entire property. Pope responded only the shed.

Culinary of the Pacific Institute Update – Carol Hoshiko presented: the Kapiolani Community College Dean of Advancement mentioned that the school is building an advanced culinary institute. John Martin is handling the Environmental Assessment and a copy will be given to the Board. KCC has a competition team that is at the same level as Olympic competitors in culinary arts. There is a national contest in April in Seattle Washington.

Turbin asked if that means that the entire KCC culinary program would be moving to this location. Hoshiko answered no, only the top level of Culinary Arts will be practiced there. The main program will remain where it currently resides. Roberson asked how secure the funding is for this program. Hoshiko said it is very secure. KCC has received a five million dollar donation from the Hilton Foundation and are trying to raise 16 million dollars more and maybe get some federal funds.

TASK FORCE / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

OMPO Traffic – No report at this time.

Land Use & Zoning – City Council actions or pending hearings – No further information at this time.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Waialae Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3 mail or City Council notices – Chair Roberson announced receiving the following correspondence:

• November 25, 2008 E-mail message from Ivy Yeung, subject: Resolution, with copy of Resolution Opposing Bill 6, Legalizing B&B Homes.
• December 2, 2008 E-mail message from Marie Richardson, subject: Russ: pls. send to Kahala NHB ., concerning East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

Submitted by,

John Lane

Neighborhood Assistant