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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER:  Chair Scotty Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 – None.

Vacancies – There is one (1) vacancy in each of Sub-districts 1, 2, 3 and 4, for a total of four (4) vacancies. Boards are now able to fill vacant seats due to amendment to 2-14-104(a) in the neighborhood plan.

Guests – Captain T. Turgeon (Honolulu Fire Department – Kaimuki Fire Station); Sergeant A. Rivers, Officer A. Kahapea (Honolulu Police Department – District 7, East Honolulu); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego (Councilmember Charles Djou’s Office); Representative Barbara Marumoto; Melvin Ah Ching (Senator Sam Slom’s Office); Kekoa McClellan (Friends of Stanley Chang); Carol Hoshiko (KCC/CIP); Ron and Audrey Halsall; Theona Kapoi (Neighborhood Commission Office Assistant).

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

With no objections the agenda was taken out of order for the Honolulu Fire and Police Department reports.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS:

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

• August 2009 Statistics: 4 wild and 1 vehicle fire, 65 medical and 19 miscellaneous emergencies.

• Community Relations:

o        The National Fire Protection Association selected the theme, “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned” for the Fire Prevention Week on October 4-10, 2009. This year’s campaign focuses on burn awareness and prevention. Testing a child’s bath water prior to placing them in the tub or wearing an outfit with short sleeves when cooking are simple actions to prevent serious burns.

o        HFD encourages every family to take steps to ensure that your home is safe from fire hazards and your family is prepared to escape when alerted by your smoke alarm. Practice your family fire escape plan and designate a safe meeting place outside your home.

o        In October, children attending elementary schools state wide will receive a Fire Fighter’s Safety Guide (FFSG). We encourage parents to review the FFSG with their child, create your fire escape plan, practice it, test your smoke alarms, and consider the other safety tips in the guide.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sergeant A. Rivers and Officer A. Kahapea circulated the report and highlighted the following:

• Statistics reported for August 14 through September 14, 2009 included 18 burglaries, 31 thefts and 21 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles.

• General Information: The new circulated report includes monthly statistics, contact information, where crimes occur and information about home security. It is suggested to start a Neighborhood Watch Patrol. There is contact information on the back of the report for how to get that started. HPD would also like to inform residents about calling 911 and doing so to report a crime or if there is any suspicious activity going on. It is important not to confront a burglar; you never know what they are capable of doing.

Questions, comments, and concerns:

• Residents pointed out burglaries on Halekoa Drive between the 1700 and 2100 block, mentioning it used to be a ‘hot spot’ for trouble, is the problem returning? HPD responded stating the crimes that occur are crimes of opportunity.

• Resident commented that having a garage door will minimize your chance of getting burglarized. Criminals will not know if cars are home and will less likely risk burglarizing that home as opposed to a home without a garage door.

Agenda resumed order with filling of Board Vacancies.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEATS:

Paul Saito expressed interest of being a board member for Sub-district 2. Anderson nominated, and Turbin seconded that Saito join the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3.  Saito was APPOINTED UNANIMOUSLY, 5-0-0 (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

Chris Williams expressed interest of being a board member for Sub-district 3. Turbin nominated, and Himeda seconded that Williams join the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3. Williams was APPOINTED UNANIMOUSLY, 5-0-0 (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin).

Kapoi verified information and administered the Office of Oath to Saito and Williams.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS: (Continued)

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – No Representative present.

Questions, comments, and concerns:

• The Board is disappointed for not receiving a response from the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), or the Director, David Tanoue to attend the meeting tonight.

• Chair Anderson did receive a copy of a report which includes the violations issued to properties on Kahala Avenue. There were 48 Notice of Violations issued, 20 Notice of Orders issued, 36 violations have been corrected and 27 fines have been paid and filed closed.

• Chair Anderson clarified that the Board is not targeting Mr. Kawamoto but the Board will go after anyone not taking care of their property. It is not understood if DPP is not doing anything because the Board is singling out this individual. Chair Anderson suggested Turbin and two other board members meet with Director Tanoue and report back with information at next meeting. The board will continue to request the presence of Director Tanoue at the next board meeting.

• A resident commented that Mr. Kawamoto had begun demolition of the Hemmiter property between Pueo Street and Kealaolu Street on the ocean side today. There have been complaints regarding this demolition and whether proper permits have been issued because the property is a hazard.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller reported the following information:

• There were no main breaks in July or August 2009.

• Water Emergency Preparedness: Hurricane Felicia was the first major hurricane of the central pacific hurricane season. When it was approaching the islands as a category 4 storm, it served as an important reminder why we ALL need to be prepared. Having an emergency kit ready with at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least five to seven days is just one of the crucial water emergency tips listed in the handout we prepared for you tonight. It is very important that everyone stay tuned to media reports. BWS will issue water information bulletins and appropriate actions to be taken through the media. Please visit our website for more emergency preparedness information at www.boardofwatersupply.com. The pacific hurricane season continues until the end of November.

• Water Saving Tips: 1) When mowing the lawn, leave the cuttings. The added organic matter helps your soil retain moisture and leaves you with a reason not to rake up after you are finished. 2) Instead of dumping leftover from dinner into the disposal that uses water, start a compost pile that will help your soil retain moisture and nutrients as well as help you save water and fertilizer in the yard.

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

• Shark Tour Ban Bill will prohibit commercial/marketing operations of these tours land based on a Maui version of this bill. Shark tours are illegal, and enforcement of the law is difficult because the tours are done out in the ocean.

• Public Sidewalk Bill will prohibit individuals from sleeping, lying or eating on a public sidewalk. Public walkways are not appropriate for those things and may become a safety issue.

• An increase in the property tax exemption was introduced and proposes a change of $80,000 to $100,000.

• Bill 58, a real property tax exemption of all alternative energy items, is not just for buildings but land as well. This exemption will last for 25 years for the alternative energy item and NOT the land.

Questions, comments and concerns:

• A resident is appreciative of Councilmember Djou’s efforts on the Oahu Bike Plan.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

• Medal of Honor Park (also known as Triangle Park) – Residents commented that Sony has repaired the lawn to what it was before; however it has not been kept up. Seems as if gravel was used to fix some of the area and six months after it had been repaired, it does not look like what it has before. The sprinkler system seems to be broken because the outer edges of the park the grass is green; yet toward the center the grass is brown. Residents ask the park be maintained even after the repairs Sony has done.

• Hunakai Avenue Streetlights – A Hunakai Street resident wanted to thank the Board for the opportunity to speak at the last meeting to address his concern and attended the meeting tonight to do a follow up. He was notified a week before by the city indicating there will be a streetlight put up near his house.

• 1901 Halekoa Drive –

• Concerned resident feels his neighbor has overstepped their building permit. Resident asks the Board the following questions; 1. What is it he and the city do to protect his residence and it’s property value from the kind of encroachment seen in the picture as well as loss of values, use, and peace and quiet? 2. What can be done about renters in a single family neighborhood?
• A suggestion to contact Don Clegg, was done and was who to call about specific items. The resident is claiming not to be getting cooperation from the city and being told that they have necessary permits and everything is alright.
• A comment noted that the Neighborhood Boards are not to get involved with neighbor to neighbor disputes. The charter is to work with government, state, and city agencies and to facilitate relationship and conversation between neighbors and various agencies. The resident would have to take it upon themselves to check with DPP if permits were violated.
• There are two general things the board may look into: 1) Not wanting to be next to a neighbor that could be violating permits and 2) There is no question of the intent of what the project is. Resident mentioned the construction is not just a home renovation, but to build a boarding house.
• There is a city rule that states no household is allowed to have more than five (5) unrelated people living in the same house. The resident noted their area is covered by covenant and restrictions passed on by the Bishop Estates, which simply states you cannot rent. This issue could turn into a civil lawsuit.
• A comment noted that the cited violations are not significant enough for DPP to make arrests because the standards to make arrests are too high. It has been suggested to lower the standard slightly so people are able to get away with things so easily. Suggestions have been made to get more of the surrounding neighbors together to be aware of the problem and even getting a spot on the news about this situation and the things that could be done.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Approval of the July 16, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes – The July 16, 2009 regular meeting minutes were UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AS CIRCULATED, 7-0-0 (AYE: Anderson, Fulton, Himeda, Roberson, Turbin, Williams, Saito).

BOARD BUSINESS:

• Uneven Sidewalks – Residents complain about runners running on the street, but that is due to the uneven sidewalks. A letter was given to the Board to be aware of the issue; the same letter was sent to the mayor and to the city council. Resident read from Mayor Hannemann’s newsletter that “…City personnel will survey the sidewalks and spray paint the areas determined to be potential trip hazards needing repairs. The volunteers, supervised by City personnel, will follow with an application of a quick drying concrete patch to alleviate the problem.”

• Area Post Offices – The idea that they may be closing has gone away for the moment. It is unknown if the Waialae-Kahala post office will remain open when the lease expires.

OTHER REPORTS:

• Chair Reports/Correspondence: 1) Kalanianole Highway sewer system improvement project will begin. 2) Kathy from Kapiolani Community College (KCC) would like a member from the Board on Saturday, September 26, 2009 to attend a charrette discussing the future of the college. If any member of the board can attend it is between, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 3) To help manage the shoreline, be aware of debris that may come from your property.

• Treasurer’s Report (August 2009): Treasurer Himeda reported the following: (a) the Operating account expended $21.51 for printing and postage, leaving a balance of $1,458.67; (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. The refreshment allowance will no longer be in effect as of September 2, 2009.

• Committees:

• Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Traffic: Chair Anderson noted the Board will keep Lester Fukuda as their representative for OMPO and any other board member may serve as the alternate.

• Land Use & Zoning – City Council Actions or Pending Hearings: Permitting will be discussed again in the City Council.

• Permitted Interaction Group (PIG):

• The Bed and Breakfast issue will have a full hearing on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Need to make sure the resolution on behalf of the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board is turned in, or someone is present at the hearing.

Governor Linda Lingle’s Representative – No Representative present.

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

• Sam Lemo with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is interested in keeping beaches free of debris. DLNR requested the removal of derelict concrete debris at Mr. G. Kawamoto’s property, Tax Map Key (TMK) TMK: (1) 3-5-04:001 on the beach below the shoreline. DLNR states the material “is clearly interfering with public access along the shoreline and may present a public safety hazard…” If this issue is not resolved in a timely manner, the matter may be referred to the Board of Land & Natural Resources for disposition. The penalty could be a fine of up to $15,000 per day in addition to administrative costs incurred by the DNLR. A resident commented that the Kawamoto property on Hunakai Street is going to badly hurt someone if the debris is not cleaned up.

• A resident walked with Lemo along the beach and Lemo pointed out all infractions caused by property owners. Lemo suggested to resident to send letters on behalf of the Board and Lemo to clean up the beach debris. Resident was approached by property owners and they decided they would not do anything about the debris unless a state agency forces them to do so. Resident commented that in other states like California and Florida, the state agency will clean up what is necessary and bill the property owners when the work is done.

Representative Lyla Berg – No Representative present. Newsletter has been circulated.

Senator Sam Slom – Melvin Ah Ching circulated a newsletter and reported the following: The senate did meet for a special session. It is confirmed that Judge Craig H. Nakamura is the Chief Judge to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2009.

ADJOURNMENT:

• The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

Submitted by: Theona Kapoi, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Scotty Anderson, Chair