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MAKAKILO / KAPOLEI / HONOKAI HALE

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008

KAPOLEI HIGH SCHOOL CAFETORIUM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Maeda Timson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of seven members present (Dudley, Golojuch, Kanno, Moses, Souza, Timson, Yamamoto) of the nine total seats, with five members required for quorum and for approval of any Board action. 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Kioni Dudley, Michael Golojuch, Brian Kanno, Suk Moses, Evelyn Souza, Maeda Timson, George Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: James Arthur, Linda Young.

GUESTS:  Lt. Mike Johnson (Honolulu Police Department – HPD), Councilmember Todd Apo, Ron Schaedel, Michael Golojuch Jr., Carolyn Golojuch, Mike Freitas, Mike Leskovec, Gary Omori (Honolulu Rail Transit), Henry Eng (Mayor Mufi Hannemann's Representative – Director, Department of Planning and Permitting), Ron Boyer (Governor Linda Lingle's Representative – Deputy Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs), Cindy Ramirez (Councilmember Todd Apo's Office staff), Jack Legal, Frank Genadio, Betty Nathaniel, Michelle Golojuch, Puni Chee (Councilmember Nestor Garcia's Office staff), Tesha Malama (State of Hawaii Community Development Authority – Kalaeloa), Bob Farrell (Makakilo.com), Captain Mike Kaneshiro (Honolulu Fire Department – HFD); Theresia McMurdo (Kapolei Property Development); Councilmember Nestor Garcia, Tracy Omori (Councilmember Todd Apo's Office staff), Stacie Kanno (Kapolei Public Library), Georgette Stevens, Erika Moon (Senator Mike Gabbard's Office staff), Jeff Sampson, Doug Chafe, Mel Kahele, Reuben Libay, Marissa Capelouto, Bev Larranas, Joe Collins, Representative Karen Awana, Lance Widner, Representative Sharon Har, Hanalei Aipoalani (member, Nanakauli-Maili Neighborhood Board No. 36), Elwin Spray (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

WELCOME:  Chair Timson welcomed the community to the meeting and explained that an earlier freeway accident had backed up the roadways, with people therefore likely to be arriving late.  She explained that the Board agenda order would be different from the usual agenda to allow for the candidate forum, with the Board to first conduct business, including governmental reports, and then break for the scheduled candidate forum, with Board business following if time allows.  She explained that questions to candidates were to be through written slips found by the sign-in table, with the order as shown on the agendas (with copies also available on the sign-in table) and that the Board would rearrange itself before the forum, with Board Vice Chair Golojuch serving as the moderator.  She reported the need for order at the meeting, to be respectful and for the agenda items to be kept within the times allowed.  Dudley objected to the written question format, with Chair Timson saying the format had been e-mailed to Board members, which Dudley said he had not received. He asked if the format could be changed for direct questions, with the agreement that it could be changed but Chair Timson said that she had received no objections for the format and unless other members had concerns, the distributed format would be followed; there were no other objections. 

MONTHLY CITY REPORTS, PART I:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Mike Kaneshiro reported on Kapolei and Makakilo Fire Stations activities, with monthly statistics for fourteen fires, two service calls, fifty-nine medical emergencies, twenty-one good intent calls and twelve false calls.  Kaneshiro reported a fire safety tip on open burning and smoke:

The Honolulu Fire Department investigates reports of smoke to determine if a fire exists. While some fires are allowed or authorized under state and county regulations, most are unauthorized. When the HFD encounters an unauthorized fire, the Fire Captain will request that the fire be extinguished or have the fire crew extinguish it. If the fire is allowed, the Captain must determine if the fire is safe and properly contained and not a nuisance to others.  Authorized fires include those for cooking, barbeque and bathing (furo), but those fires must be safe, with proper protection and supervision, and if they produce smoke, should have been previously noticed to your neighbors and the local HFD station. For more information, call HFD's Fire Communication Center at 523-4411.

Michael Golojuch asked about fire stations offering blood pressure checks, with Kaneshiro explaining that HFD stations invite the public for checks during the regular day until 8 p.m. except at meal times.  Chair Timson thanked Kaneshiro for his report.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Mike Johnson (from the Kapolei Station) distributed copies of the July 2008 monthly statistical report to the Board and the community, reporting no murders, manslaughters, or robberies, and highlighted that cases include two sexual assaults, fifteen burglaries, fifteen Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicles (UMEV), ten auto thefts, thirty-seven thefts, sixteen property damage incidents, and ninety-one motor vehicle collisions, with a total area calls at 1576, of which 371 were adult arrests and 92 juvenile arrests.  Moses reported that recent incidents have led the community to suspect a drug house in the lower bottom part of Makakilo, saying that area cars have been vandalized and homes broken into, with Johnson saying HPD will plan to increase the patrols in the area and asked that 911 or the Narcotics/Vice Division be called whenever an incident is experienced in order to establish a complaint record.  Chair Timson thanked Johnson for his report.

Mayor's Representative – Henry Eng, Director, City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), represented Mayor Mufi Hannemann and presented information on issues raised at prior meetings:

1.                  Signs at the bottom of Makakilo Drive – The City DPP’s staff investigated the posted signs and determined that those observed were on the State’s ramp property; the signs have been reported to the State. 

2.                  Improvements for Makakilo Community Park – The City’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will work with Councilmember Garcia’s Office to provide any information needed.

3.                  Community Benefits Program board – The membership is now filled but the Neighborhood Board’s interest has been recorded.

4.                  Kamokila Community Park (Honokai Hale) – The play apparatus now in the park was installed in May 2002, with additional recent expenditures for archery supplies, a fax/copier, a computer chair and dry erase boards/chalkboards. 

5.                  Benefit Package awardees – All non-profit documentation for awardees are thoroughly investigated prior to grant award and execution.

6.                  Illegal dumping concern – Following the Board’s July 23, 2008 meeting, the City’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) cleaned the area on July 25, 2008, with the community dumping reoccurring by July 28, 2008.

7.                  Makakilo Drive and Palahia Street intersection – The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is conducting a study and will report to the Board by November 2008.

8.                  Kamokila Boulevard Extension – The extension project is being started with an anticipated finish of this phase in March 2009.   

Eng also reported no new information on the Wal-Mart property issue and that Honolulu Rapid Transit Project representative Gary Omori was present to update the Board on any concerns or take questions on the Transit Project.   Souza asked about the status of Parcel 24 (State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property where a raceway project had been proposed) with Eng reporting that a notice of violation and a notice of order had come from the City, with the leasers having filed a third request for a stock piling permit.  Michael Golojuch discussed a recent Dragon Boat Race, where the DPP team was late and thereby allowed Golojuch’s department to win a race.  Dudley reported that the Board was told last month that there were three vacancies on Benefits Committee, with the Board having then asked that at least two of the Committee positions be Makakilo residents, and asked for a follow up on that request.  Dudley also reported the Ewa Development Plan as requiring adequate transportation as a criterion for DTS sign-off of a development project, with Chair Timson requesting that he write a specific question.  Chair Timson thanked Eng for his report. 

Governor’s Representative – Ron Boyer, Deputy Director, State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), represented Governor Linda Lingle, distributed a written community report and a “Fraud Prevention and Resource Guide” from his department, saying it was available online as a .pdf file.  He reported the appointment of a State renewable energy facilitator (Josh Strickler) who will encourage new companies to provide the services in Hawaii.  He reported the planned repair of Old Farrington Road potholes (by the Water Park) within the next several months and reported that the State Department of Transportation (DOT) was aware of the reports of Makakilo on-ramp problems, that they feel the site is safe if the speed is reduced to the posted 25 miles per hour (MPH), although they are reviewing the site. 

• Yamamoto thanked Boyer for the web design and postings and reported that the freeway construction project lighting was good but expressed concern that the freeway roadway leading up to and from the project still needs night lights. 
• Dudley asked for gubernatorial attention to be paid to the dependence of the State’s economy on a land-development economy and encouraged exploration of other alternatives. 
• Chair Timson reported that the State DOT’s decision to eliminate the zipper lane access to those with only two riders was not the correct decision and encouraged the State to revisit the decision. 
• Moses noted concerns that if the Makakilo on-ramp contractor had built the ramp incorrectly that the contractor should be paying for corrections and not the State, with Boyer saying the DOT was still investigating. 
• Souza asked for a report on the costs of the freeway’s copper wire thefts. 
• Michael Golojuch Jr. asked about planning for the return of the State’s now-deploying National Guard, asking what programs will be in place to support the individuals when they return, as well as to fill the gaps due to their departure. 

Chair Timson thanked Boyer for his report.

CANDIDATE FORUM:  The Board ended its regular meeting and conducted a Candidate Forum, with Michael Golojuch as moderator and written questions being read by Evelyn Souza and Brian Kanno (7:40 p.m.).  Candidates were:  Councilmember District IX (Makakilo) -- Nestor Garcia, Emil Svrcina (sent regret), Lance Widner; Councilmember District I (Kapolei) -- Todd Apo, Garry Smith (sent regret), State House District 40 (Makakilo - Kapolei) -- Sharon Har (D), Jack Legal (R); and, State House District 44 (Honokai Hale) -- Hanalei Aipoalani (D), Karen Awana (D), Tercia Ku (R) (sent regret).  After the Candidate Forum, the Board resumed the meeting at 9:20 p.m. 

COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS -- Chair Timson invited community concerns, reporting that the Palehua Hillside Association of Apartment Owners (AOAO) townhouse condominium was requesting that the driveways fronting Makakilo Drive and Kikaha Street have “No Parking Signs” placed near the driveways for safety of those using the driveways.  She explained that the association representatives had been present but that the issue would have to be placed on the agenda if it was desired to discuss or consider action.  Without the representatives present, Chair Timson said she would add the item to the next meeting agenda. 

• Kapolei State Librarian Stacie Kanno invited the community to the library for a unique foods exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution, with story tellers on weekends, running from September 2 to October 18.  She reported the Kapolei Library hours as Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Chair Timson commented on the recent book sale, with Kanno reporting its success.  Chair Timson thanked Kanno for the report.
• Michael Golojuch announced the September 1, 2008 Waikiki parade honoring the Waipio World Little League Baseball championship team and the Olympics medal winners.
• Moses reported the successful community support of the Kapolei high School Football Team fundraiser, with support from community companies like D.H. Horton, Delta Construction, the Kapolei Property Development, and expressed mahalos on behalf of the high school.
• Puni Chee announced the Sunset on the Plains event on September 6 and 7, 2008, and invited the community to attend.
• Doug Chafe expressed a concern for HPD that the Makakilo exit from the freeway had been backed up from the North-South Road to the Kunia Road on three afternoon occasions in the past two weeks.  Chair Timson said the issue was really for the State DOT.
• Michelle Golojuch expressed support for TheBoat operation and invited Chafe to try the trip on the ocean where there are no congestion problems.  Chair Timson endorsed The Boat’s operation as a traffic alternative.
• Dudley expressed concern over the development plans for the area, saying that traffic congestion is expected to increase in the west Kapolei section with the addition of 3000 rooms to Ko Olina and 6500 homes being developed by Kapolei Property Development.  He said that the roads are limited in the area, are rated as “F” by national rating systems and there are no plans to widen the freeways.

ADJOURNMENT: With no other business before the Board, Chair Timson invited a motion to adjourn.  Dudley moved and Moses seconded, with Chair Timson announcing no objections and declaring the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Submitted by: Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office staff

If you would like to receive this Board’s agenda and minutes, please contact the Neighborhood Commission Office, Honolulu Hale, Room 406, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; call 768-3710; or fax 768-3711 to be added to the mailing list or visit www.honolulu.gov/nco

Any individual wishing to attend a Neighborhood Board meeting who has questions about accommodations for a physical disability or a special physical need should call the Neighborhood Commission Office at 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at least 24-hours before the scheduled meeting.