Printable version (copy and paste into browser):

  http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb3/09/03200907Min.PDF

WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2009

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER:  Chair Pro Tem Richard Turbin called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. with five (5) members present. Note – This nine-member Board requires five (5) members for a quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present – Scotty Anderson, Linda Fulton, Sylvia Himeda, Kelley Roberson, Richard Turbin.

Members Absent – Marley Shain (notified).

Vacancies – There is one (1) vacancy in each of Subdistricts 1, 3 and 4, for a total of three (3) vacancies. The Board is not able to fill vacancies in its membership at this time, due to the wording of the Neighborhood Plan 2008 (NP), §2-14-104; this section will be amended as soon as possible.

Guests – Captain T. Turgeon (Honolulu Fire Department – Kaimuki Fire Station); Lieutenant G. Lum Lee, Sergeant G. Perreira (Honolulu Police Department – District 7, East Honolulu); Craig Nishimura (Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Office – City Department of Design and Construction, Director); Bryan Gallagher (Board of Water Supply); Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego (Councilmember Charles Djou’s Office); Mark Andersen (Governor Linda Lingle's Office – State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Deputy Director); Representative Barbara Marumoto; Senator Sam Slom; Gran Kao (Kahala Community Association); Stanley Chang, Chris Williams; Rachel M. Glanstein (Neighborhood Commission Office).

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

Kahala Community Association (KCA) Meeting – There is also a KCA meeting tonight at 8:00 p.m.

Previous Chair Recognized – Roberson was thanked for his service as Chair for the past two years.

BOARD ORGANIZATION: The following officers were all ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0-0) (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin) –

Chair – Scotty Anderson was ELECTED Chair. (Roberson declined a nomination for Chair.)

Vice Chair – Kelley Roberson was ELECTED Vice Chair.

Secretary – Linda Fulton was ELECTED Secretary.

Treasurer – Sylvia Himeda was ELECTED Treasurer.

Selection of Regular Meeting Day, Time and Place – The motion to continue meeting on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (5-0-0) (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

Selection of Recess Months – The motion to recess in August and December was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (5-0-0) (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain T. Turgeon reported the following information:

June 2009 Statistics – There were 127 alarms, including 2 structure and 1 vehicle fire, 102 medical emergencies, 7 search/rescues, and 15 miscellaneous emergencies.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lieutenant G. Lum Lee distributed the report and highlighted the following:

Report Contents – The format of the report has been streamlined to conform island-wide, and the report still included monthly statistics, contact information, and information about the cell phone ban (for drivers).

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1)       Breakdown of Noise Complaints – The Citizens Against Noise group requested a breakdown of the noise complaint statistics; however, those reports are too time-consuming for HPD to create, and there are some breakdowns included in the report.

2)       Cell Phone Ban – The ban on using cell phones while driving does not apply to those using hands-free kits, including Bluetooth.

3)       Homeless Issues – HPD was thanked for politely informing several homeless people that they can't just live on Kahala Beach. In the past, it was rumored that other states would give plane tickets to their homeless to transport them to Hawaii, which is against the law if the person doesn't understand what's happening, but the offense is very difficult to prosecute. HPD is aware of the homeless people that loiter at the bus stop by the Shell gas station under the H-1 Freeway at night, and officers will monitor the area.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – Craig Nishimura, the Director of the City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), circulated the Mayor’s newsletter and supplied the following information:

1)       Trash Pickers – HPD requested additional information regarding the locations of the trash cans being left in the roadway, allowing some people to habitually pick through the items.

2)       Kahala Nui Parking – The Kahala Nui project appears to be in compliance with the unilateral agreement that requires them to provide parking for their employees so that Malia Street isn't congested with parked cars. The City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) twice inspected, found the organization to be in compliance, and stressed the importance of following the agreement.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

Complaints Against Genshiro Kawamoto – There was no update on the status of the complaints regarding multiple deteriorated properties belonging to Mr. Kawamoto, although the fines may have been paid. There hasn't been any discussion about citing Mr. Kawamoto as a perpetual offender. Health and safety hazards are the most critical issues with deteriorating properties, and the State Department of Health (DOH) won't assist unless the health/safety hazards can be easily seen. It was suggested to ask the Director of DPP to attend the next meeting to explain the apparent lax enforcement.

Turbin moved that the Chair transmit a letter to the City Department of Planning and Permitting and ask the Director to come to the September meeting and give report of what action is being done about all the blighted Kawamoto properties. Discussion ensued:

General Versus Specific – It was proposed to avoid naming individuals in the motion and to keep it general.

The motion to amend by striking out "blighted Kawamoto properties" and inserting "absentee owners of multiple blighted properties" was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (5-0-0) (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

The motion, as amended, that the Chair transmit a letter to the City Department of Planning and Permitting and ask the Director to come to the September meeting and give a report of what action is being done about all the absentee owners of multiple blighted properties was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY 5-0-0 (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Bryan Gallagher, from the BWS, furnished the following information:

1)       No Main Breaks – There were no main breaks in June 2009.

2)       Xeriscaping – The 21st Annual Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale will be on August 1, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event includes family-friendly and free keiki activities and games aimed at teaching our youth about water conservation, sustainability and being eco-friendly. Educations workshops will be conducted by garden experts, narrated tours of our garden, free mulch giveaway, and the unthirsty plant sale. All attendees may enter for a chance to win an Extreme Xeriscape Garden makeover, valued at more than $20,000. For more information, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

3)       Water Conservation Tips – (a) Water lawns just two to three times per week to promote deeper root growth, making the lawn healthier and more water-efficient; and (b) water lawns in the early morning or at night, between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., because water evaporates quickly when the sun is out.

Councilmember Charles Djou – Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego, from Councilmember Djou's Office, distributed the report and touched on the following:

1)       Shipping of Waste – The report included information on why Oahu needs to ship its waste off-island.

2)       Fiscal Responsibility Package – The fiscal responsibility package includes four bills: (a) Bill 46, Establishing an Expenditure Ceiling for the City’s Annual Operation Budgets; (b) Bill 47, Establishing and Maintaining a Searchable Budget Database to Enhance City Spending Transparency; (c) Bill 48, Limitation on Debt; and (d) Bill 49, Public Contributions.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

Lack of Street Lights in the Aukai Avenue – There are no street lights in the area of the Aukai Avenue and Hunakai Street intersection, up to Kahala Avenue. Residents previously requested lighting but were told that it could only be done if funding was available. The lack of lighting is increasing the crime in the area, and the police do help, but the real problem is the lighting. At approximately 4604 Aukai Avenue, there is a utility pole that could have a light installed on it, which may be an inexpensive fix to some of the problem.

Bulky Pickup – Bulky pickup for the Kahala area is on the week of the fourth Monday, but items are not supposed to placed on the sidewalk until the Sunday night before that fourth Monday. The City maintains a website, www.opala.org, that contains a great deal of information about refuse collection, bulky trash, and recycling. Some materials that are considered hazardous won't be picked up by the normal bulky trash pickup team. If people are putting bulky items out where there aren't residents, this action can be reported to HPD and DPP. It was recommended to remind the neighbors nicely about the bulky pickup rules. Refuse bins are to be kept on the homeowner's property unless they are put out properly for pickup. Call the Refuse Division at 768-3401 for more information, or call 768-3203 to report illegal dumping.

C133 Beach Access – The area of the beach access labeled C133 is experiencing illegal activity, such as bicycle theft and casing of the nearby houses.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Approval of the April 16, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes – The April 16, 2009 regular meeting minutes were UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AS CIRCULATED, 5-0-0 (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

Approval of the June 18, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes – The June 18, 2009 regular meeting minutes were UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AS CIRCULATED, 5-0-0 (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

BOARD BUSINESS:

Operation Red Wing – The Board would like to have been invited to the June 28, 2009, dedication/naming ceremony for the Medal of Honor Park, previously known as Fort Ruger (Triangle) Park.

OTHER REPORTS:

Treasurer’s Report (June 2009) – Treasurer Himeda reported that: (a) the Operating account expended $25.64 for printing and postage, leaving a balance of $1,193.78; (b) the Publicity account had no expenses, leaving the balance at $936; and (c) the Refreshment account had no expenses, leaving the balance at $120.

Committees –

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Traffic: The Transportation Improvement Plan Revision No. 10 for fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 showed little of interest (or alarm) to this Board area.

The motion to keep Lester Fukuda as the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization representative was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (5-0-0) (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

Land Use & Zoning – City Council Actions or Pending Hearings: Chair Anderson will watch the City Council to track any action on Bed and Breakfasts (B&B's) or Transient Vacation Units (TVU's). Councilmemer Ikaika Anderson has indicated that Council will have to begin again on the issues.

Permitted Interaction Group (PI Group) –

Bed & Breakfast / Transient Accommodations PI Group – Investigation of Bills: This PI Group members include Anderson, Fulton, and Himeda.

Governor Linda Lingle’s Representative – Mark Andersen, the Deputy Director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), emphasized the following information:

1)       Budget Situation – Hawaii and the nation may be experiencing the worst recession since the Great Depression, with Hawaii's growth listed at 0% (and no projections for it to increase). There was a surplus of $300 million in the last year, and now $2.8 billion had to be cut out of the next two-year budget, which still contains a shortfall of $780 million. The initial idea for Gov. Lingle to furlough State workers in order to avoid layoffs was ruled unconstitutional by the State courts, and she hasn't yet decided if she will appeal that decision. A layoff plan is being drafted. DBEDT in 2003 had 195 funded positions, which dropped to 95 this year, and may be further cut by half. Mr. Anderson has been furloughed two days per month, along with taking a pay cut of 5%, beginning July 1, 2009; he will no longer bring printed copies of Gov. Lingle's report, to save on costs. Each county will most likely have serious budget deficits as well. Gov. Lingle is beginning to focus on a strategy for long term economic growth.

2)       Federal Stimulus Package Assistance – DBEDT is starting to focus more on funds available  to the department and its programs in the federal stimulus package.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1)       Federal Stimulus Funds – Hawaii will receive approximately $2 billion in federal stimulus funds over the next two years in different forms, some on demand (such as unemployment money), some by formula, and some by competition. Federal agencies are spending more money than previously thought, and it's a challenge to stay on top of what funds are available for Hawaii, who's eligible, and how to request them. Federal funds will have a positive impact, possibly preventing layoffs, in the areas of education, energy, healthcare, and transportation; in addition, the funds allowed the State to reduce its Medicaid contributions.

2)       Legislation Vetoed and/or Overridden – Out of the 53 bills vetoed by Gov. Lingle, 37 of those vetoes were overridden by the Legislature; Gov. Lingle believes that it would be detrimental to raise taxes in the current economic situation. The barrel tax was not increased, but the laws relating to the construction industry went through some changes (card checks and apprentice training programs) that may make it difficult to for non-union contractors to get State jobs.

Representative Barbara Marumoto – Rep. Marumoto circulated her report and detailed the following information:

1)       Legislative Vetoes – It was reiterated that out of the 53 bills vetoed by the Republican Gov. Lingle, 37 of the vetoes were overridden by the Democratic Legislature. The gubernatorial veto of the barrel tax increase was not overridden; the proposal was to increase the tax on barrels of oil from $0.05 to $1.05. The veto of the Kakaako bill that would have required affordable housing on every lot larger than 20,000 feet would have greatly driven up the cost of construction, and so was not vetoed.

2)       Representative Marumoto's Vote – There was an item reported that implied that Rep. Marumoto held up a vote in the House due to a luncheon with foreign dignitaries, but she clarified that her vote didn't matter.

3)       Medal of Honor Park Ceremony – The ceremony held in June 2009 to rededicate the Fort Ruger (Triangle) Park as the Medal of Honor Park was attended by some U.S. Navy Seals.

4)       Diamond Head Lighthouse Garden – The garden is maintained by a community member, Gilber Lum, and Rep. Marumoto presented him with a certificate of recognition from the House for his 84th birthday.

5)       Deceased Community Members – Edith Takeya, 96, of Kaimuki Dry Goods, passed away; she was a leader in retail commerce, and Rep. Marumoto previously nominated her for the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce Neighborhood Retailer of the Year. Ms. Takeya was a charter member of the 63-year old Kaimuki Business and Professional Association. Dr. Ira Rohter, who taught policital science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and whose family lives up the Waialae Nui ridge, passed. Condolences were also expressed to Kathleen Sattler of Waialae Iki who just lost her husband Jim, an attorney.

Representative Lyla Berg – Senator Sam Slom distributed the report.

Senator Sam Slom – Sen. Slom circulated his report and called attention to the following points:

1)       Veto Override Day – Sen. Slom christened July 15, 2009, Veto Override Day, given the large number of gubernatorial vetoes that were overridden by the Legislature; the special session for veto overrides was un-televised. From 1962 to 2002, there was only one gubernatorial veto overridden in 1997 (the age of consent bill). Only one bill in the Senate had more than three noes to override (the card check bill affecting the construction industry). The Legislature has decided to allow people to stay at Kalama Valley Park. Regarding the proposed barrel tax increase, neighbor island residents lobbied well to inform the Legislature about the high costs that would cause for them (i.e., interisland flights, etc.).

2)       Next Legislative Session – There will be no other special sessions until January; consequently, the General Excise (GE) tax will not be increased for the next six months. The next legislative session will begin on January 20, 2010. Contact Sen. Sloms Office with any proposals for legislation.

3)       Costly Repairs to the State Capitol's Mosaic – The State Capitol's Aquarius mosaic located on the ground floor in the middle of the rotunda was restored (October 2008 to July 13, 2009), costing $1.4 million; the furloughs of the executive branch saved the State only $1.3 million, which was less than the repair cost.

4)       Hospital Reorganization – The bill relating to the reorganization of the hospital system was removed from Gov. Lingle's veto list.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE:

Liquor License Application – The Honolulu Liquor Commission (LIQ) sent a notice of public hearing for a liquor license application for Assaggio Bistro Italian Restaurant at 4346 Waialae Avenue on August 27, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. at 711 Kapiolani Boulevard.

Next Board Meeting – The Board will recess in August and the next meeting will be held on September 17, 2009.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Submitted by: Rachel M. Glanstein, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Scotty Anderson, Chair