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MAKAKILO / KAPOLEI / HONOKAI HALE

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009

KAPOLEI HIGH SCHOOL CAFETORIUM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Timson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note – This nine-member Board requires five members for a quorum and to take official action.

Members Present – Kioni Dudley, Michael Golojuch, Brian Kanno, Suk Moses, Evelyn Souza, Maeda Timson, George Yamamoto (left at 8:50 p.m.), Linda Young.

Members Absent – James Arthur.

Guests – Michele Golojuch, Michael Golojuch, Jr., Carolyn Golojuch, Ron Boyer (Governor’s Representative), Lee Tokuhawa, T. Phillips, Doug and Kevin Chafe, Damon Duhay-lonsod, Ron Schaedel, Shirley Santana, Sashe Hernandez, Homelani Schaedel, Tesha Malama (Hawaii Community Development Authority), Yvette Abeyta, Manny Lanuevo (Mayor’s Representative), Frank Genadio, Jonathan Allen and Breene Harimoto (State Board of Education), Carina Tagupa, Betty Nathaniel, W. D. Balfour, Jr., Leslie Miasnile, Shirley Swinney, Charlie Zahn, Geroge Kuo (Board of Water Supply), Erika Moon (Senator Mike Gabbard’s Office), Elwin Spray (Representative Karen Awana’s Office), Capt. W. Faulconer (Honolulu Fire Department), Lt. Jeff Bruchal (Honolulu Police Department), Dean Harvest (Neighborhood Commission Office).

MONTHLY CITY REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. W. Faulconer reported the following:

• February 2009 Statistics – There was 1 wildland, 10 rubbish, and 2 vehicle fires, 25 medical emergencies, and 7 miscellaneous calls for service, for a total of 45 calls.
• Fire Safety Tip: Although cooking at home can be a fun family activity, please ensure care is taken by adhering to the following fire safety tips to avoid accidents in the kitchen. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires and fire injuries nationwide.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. J. Bruchal reported the crime statistics, highlighting a total of 5,838 emergency calls registered in the district, and a total of 625 arrests.

• Captain’s Message of the Month: Recreation vehicles such as All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s), dirt bikes and mini bikes are illegal on any public roadway, or public beach. The penalty is citation, arrest and confiscation. Drive akamai on all roadways.

Questions and concerns:

• The auto thefts were spread out through all of Makakilo.
• Possible employees of the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) appear to be speeding on Kapolei Parkway. Mr. Kubota of DHHL will ask the employees to be mindful of this.
• The on-ramp of Makakilo may generate a higher volume of traffic accidents, but HPD has not seen anything out of the normal.
• HPD will monitor the bus stop fronting Starbucks for any suspicious looking persons.
• Please check on the high school students that are hanging out just off of school property line smoking.
• Mahalo to HPD for the traffic enforcement on the road behind Costco, and speeding vehicles going up Makakilo Drive.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Report – Manny Lanuevo reported that an Inspector from the City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) was assigned to check Makakilo Drive for possible sign violations and to take corrective action.

Question and concerns:

• The City Department of Emergency Management and the State Civil Defense are talking with each other to better navigate their responses to the public during a major incident.
• The City is looking for an alternative plan to save The Boat, for the Leeward commuters to have another mode of transportation into Honolulu.

Council Chair Todd Apo – Report was distributed.

Councilmember Nestor Garcia – Report was distributed.

Questions and concerns:

• The City and the City Council are to seriously consider the fate of the raising the parking rates at the Honolulu Zoo parking lot and at Kapiolani Park.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – George Kuo circulated the BWS report and highlighted the following:

• No main breaks for February 2009 in the Neighborhood Board No. 34 area.
• An information card with the BWS most frequently called phone numbers was located at the back table.
• Water quality is very important. If there is any discoloration, particles in the water, odor, taste, chlorination, or for bacterial testing, call 748-5020.

PRESENTATIONS:

DeBartolo/State Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) – Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center – Lee Sichter, consultant with Belt Collins, reported the following:

• Financing is in place by Prudential and First Hawaiian Bank.
• The investment is a long term plan.
• Bringing new retail, officers and a kama’aina Hotel to West Oahu.
• The land is owned by DHHL and is leased to DeBartolo for 65 years.
• This is an over $100 million lease revenue to DHHL for over 25 years.
• Access will be via North South Road, Kapolei Parkway, and Roosevelt Avenue.
• This is Mixed Use Retail, Hotel, and Office Development. 1.5 million square feet, with 4,000 parking stalls. (half underground)
• The proposed development will consist of Department Stores, Home Improvement Center, Two Hotels (totaling 300 to 500 rooms).
• Specialty Retail Stores.
• Office Space totaling 200,000 square feet.
• Restaurants and Outdoor Cafes.
• Specialty Market.
• Theater.
• Bowling Alley.
• The building heights will be from 25-120 feet.
• This will be a Mixed-Use Regional Center.
• Village Mixed-Use-Community Gathering Places: Main Street, Pedestrian Plaza, and Outdoor Restaurants.
• Neighborhood Commercial -Community Oriented Convenience: specialty Market, Shops and Services, and Drug Store.
• Main Entrances-Kapolei Parkway, North South Road Extension, Roosevelt Avenue.
• Service Entrances-Kapolei Parkway and Roosevelt Avenue.
• North South Road Connection from Roosevelt Avenue to Kapolei Parkway is proposed
• Development Plan contemplates Future Transit Station.
• Project Benefits:
• 21,000 constructions jobs.
• 6,600 direct and induced jobs.
• Reduces need for Ewa residents to commute to Honolulu.
• No significant impact on traffic.
• Accommodates a future Transit Connection.
• Nearly $5 million in annual Real Property Tax Revenues.
• Two Community-Oriented Hotels
• Focuses on pedestrians and community gathering.

Questions and concerns:

• The infrastructure water and sewer main lines are already in place.
• In 1999 an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) already factored in the usage of water to be equivalent to the use of 87 homes.
• The development along with the State Department of Transportation (DOT) is working with the Hawaiian Railway Society.
• A number of the buildings will employ Green Living sustainability.
• The DHHL Master-plan was approved by the City in 2006.
• All facets of daily home living are being looked at – Child Care, Medical, Household Goods, etc.

Board of Education (BOE) – Breene Harimoto circulated the BOE report and related the following:

·         Introduced BOE Student member Jonathan Allen.

·         As of today, BOE/State Department of Education (DOE) has a $10.2 million shortfall.

·         The Governor intends to shortfall the BOE/DOE a total of $86.6 million for the next fiscal year.

·         A total of $192.2 million is earmarked in the stimulus package promised to Hawaii.

·         The Governor has signed the letter of intent for the stimulus monies, but that letter must be reviewed and approved by the Federal Government; however, there is no assurance that the monies will come.

·         Monies are used to recruit high quality teachers.

Questions and concerns:

·         Chapter 19 is currently being amended.

·         Currently it takes approximately $100 million to maintain the current school buildings state wide.

·         It currently costs the State between $8,000 to $13,000 per year to educate a student.

·         Private schools have a larger endowment.

·         BOE should support a lottery.

Motion to add onto agenda KALAELOA STATUS REPORT under 3.C PRESENTATIONS, which was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (8-0-0) (AYE: Dudley, Golojuch, Kanno, Moses, Souza, Timson, Yamamoto, Young).

Kalaeloa Status Report: Tesha Malama stated that her report was circulated and highlighted the following:

·         Kalaeloa Roadway Conditions, Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) requested DOT change the street signage to reflect current conditions now that Kamokila Extension is opened.

·         Kalaeloa Shuttle Program, Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope (H5), is a non-profit organization is operating the Kalaeloa Shuttle services between downtown Kalaeloa to Kapolei Transit Center.

·         Residents are provided an identification card that must be shown upon request.

·         HCDA is currently seeking the City to extend bus services into Kalaeloa.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Transportation Committee – Committee Chair Golojuch reported:

·         The State will begin the Emergency Road Side Services July 1, 2009, and this is a standard contract for two years for $4 million. This program will have six roving tow trucks on H-1, H-2, and H-3. They will assist stall motorist with gas, flat tire, free tow off the freeway, and any minor engine problems.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

·         The Land Use Commission (LUC) approved the Special Use Permit (SUP) to the City for the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill Expansion and Extension.

·         Kapolei Regional Park – Homeless issue will be placed on the agenda as a line item.

·         Summer Fun hiring any student ages 14 to 24.

·         Job Fair at Honolulu Community College Saturday, March 29, 2009 from 8:30 to 12 noon.

·         Makakilo 40^th Anniversary at Makakilo School 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

·         Honokai Hale Community – the streets are not wide enough for the buses to pass safely with vehicles parked on both sides of the streets.

·         It would unsafe for the bus to turn around in the Honokai Community Park parking lot.

Yamamoto departed at 8:50 p.m.; seven (7) members present.

BOARD BUSINESS:

Items 7.A, B, and C, relating to the minutes (October 2008, January and February 2009), were deferred. Item 7.D was included in the mailout.

MONTHLY STATE REPORTS:

Motion to take out of order items 8.D. State Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and 8.E. Governor's Representative, was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (7-0-0) (AYE: Dudley, Golojuch, Kanno, Moses, Souza, Timson, Young).

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) – Pat Kubota reported the following:

·         On March 26^th is the celebration of the birthday of Prince Kuhio, founder and author of the Hawaiian Home Land Commission, by Act of Congress in 1920. There will be a parade in Waikiki at 4:00 p.m.

·         Kanahili Project – Construction on the first 111 units will begin.

·         The units will be awarded for a cost starting at $220,000 through $290,000.

·         A 400 million gallon water tank will be built up by the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus.

·         DHHL will begin building its first apartment/condominium building as multi-family units.

·         DHHL is partnering with Living Green sustainability homes, with the infrastructure being included in the initial development.

Governor’s Representative – Ron Boyer reported the following:

·         The Director of DOT, Brennon Morioka, will be attending the May Board meeting.

·         The Makakilo on-ramp will not be reconsidered for any modifications.

·         The Zipperlane will be opened to all vehicles when a major accident occurs on the freeway shutting down several lanes.

Questions and concerns:

·         The number of accidents that have occurred on the Makakilo on-ramp that vehicles use when traveling makai bound on Makakilo Drive was requested.

·         Even at the recommended speed limit of the Makakilo on-ramp, there have been cars that have spun out or fish tailed while negotiating the hair pin turn.

The agenda order was resumed.

Senator Mike Gabbard – Erika Moon, staff member, circulated the report and was available for questions.

Questions and concerns:

·         Sen. Gabbard and the legislature were thanked for deferring their pay raises.

Represenative Karen Awana – Elwin Spray, staff member, circulated the report and highlighted the following:

·         House Bill 539 Campaign Spending; this bill will limit the total amount of donation made by a Political Action Committee (PAC).

Questions and concerns:

·         Support was requested for Senate Bill 165 related to Foster Care; this bill will increase the allotment paid to Foster Parents for the caring of foster children.

Representative Sharon Har – Representative Har circulated her report and highlighted the following:

·         The State is facing a $1.8 billion shortfall.

·         Kamokila Boulevard Extension was dedicated earlier this month and the new road extends from Kapolei Parkway to Roosevelt Avenue.

·         Barbers Point, Kaleiopu’u, and Maukalani Elementary schools all participated in the nationwide reading event to promote literacy among youth.

·         Grand Opening for Costco and Target will be this month.

Questions and concerns:

·         It was suggested that the following properties be sold to private companies – Aloha Stadium, the University of Hawaii, State Prisons, and the State Convention Center.

·         Another recommendation was to build a new stadium in the Kapolei area.

·         Confirmation was requested that the State cannot raid the tax monies collected for the Transit Rail.

·         The residences of Oahu voted to raise the General Excise Tax and the residences of the Neighbor Islands choose not to.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Submitted by:

Dean Harvest, Neighborhood Commission Staff

Reviewed by:

Maeda Timson, Chair