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McCully - Moiliili Neighborhood Board # 8

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Central Union Church, Parish Hall, 1660 Beretania Street

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Call to order:  The meeting was called to order by Chair Ron Lockwood at 6:40 p.m. with a quorum of eight members present.

Board Members Present:  Judy Devilbiss, Mimi Gans, Les Hata, John Kato, Serena Kyi-Yim, Klement Kondratovich, Ron Lockwood, Clifton Takamura.

Board Members Absent: Marijane Carlos, Betty Lou Larson, Shaunna Tabor,

Vacant Board Seats: Two seats in Sub District 1 and two seats in Sub District 2.

Guests; Council Member Ann Kobayashi, Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, Jim Manke (UH Manoa) Candace Van Buren (Representative Scott Nishimoto’s Office), Tom Heinrich (Senator Brian Taniguchi’s Office), Representative Kirk Caldwell, Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Firefighter 3 Bryan Goo (Honolulu Fire Department/McCully Station), Sgt. C. Kalani (Honolulu Police Department/District 1), Ofc. T. Ussing, Ofc. R. Kalaniki, Sgt. A. Kivens (Honolulu Police Department/District 7), Julie Lindberg (Board of Water Supply), David Tanoue, (Deputy Director, City Department of Planning and Permitting), Garin and Lorna Fukushima, Sean John, Henry Ching, Laura Ruby (McCully Community Center), Janet Inamine, Raymond Lalosin (McCully Citizens’ Patrol), Bonnie Trustin (Neighborhood Commission Office ).

PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY LIAISON

The meeting was taken out of order as the Fire Department had not arrived.

Honolulu Police Department-District 1:  Sgt. C. Kalani, District 1, distributed March statistics and reported the following:

• There were 4 assaults, 6 burglaries, 4 drug offenses, 2 family offenses, 2 graffiti incidents, 28 motor vehicle collisions, 3 motor vehicle thefts, 6 property damage incidents, 1 robbery and 1 unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle (UEMV) compared to 7 last month.
• Their sergeant and some officers are doing plain clothes work in hot spots to prevent car break-ins when they are fully staffed.
• The District 1 area for this neighborhood is bounded by Kalakaua Avenue to King Street down Hauoli Street to Kapiolani Boulevard.

UH - Manoa:  Jim Manke, the Chancellor’s representative, reported the following campus news:

• The new Athletic Director has been appointed, Jim Donovan.
• The academic calendar is in the spring term and commencement will be in six weeks and the summer session begins a few weeks later.
• The music department is holding a concert at the Blaisdale Auditorium April 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
• Introduced Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw who has been presiding on the campus for one year and was previously Vice Chancellor at the University of California, Davis campus. She is a researcher and a life long learner. Chancellor Hinshaw made the following remarks:

It is her policy to be a good neighbor as she knows it takes many partners to keep good relations to keep the University of Hawaii in the forefront. They are working with Kamehameha Schools and want to establish a relationship with Moili’ili community also. Chancellor Hinshaw prefers person to person interaction. The school is having events for alumni and wants them to be apprised of what is happening on campus such as the recent state wide robotics competition

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. UH Manoa is a “jewel” intellectually but “tarnished” physically; so a sustainable financial plan for the facilities upgrade is being done at the school which is one of her priorities.
2. Private donors are helping to improve Cooke Field. It is a financial hardship that the school cannot garner funds from having their own stadium.
3. UH Manoa hosted the first “Manoa Makeovers”, planting 16 monkey pod trees on Dole Street on March 15th to enhance the environment.
4. The legislature is currently considering financing for the campus broadcast studio.
5. To bring the campus to a good level for full maintenance, it is estimated that $66 - $70 million per year is needed. Some buildings need to be replaced to upgrade the school to a destination of choice by the educational community. Chancellor Hinshaw wants to be advised of campus maintenance needs.
6. The Orvis Auditorium vents were cleaned previously but this summer the whole air conditioning system will be replaced. A new technology of treating the air with UV light going in and out, , is being considered. to handle the mold because the old system was not replaced.
7. Chancellor Hinshaw appreciated David Haffner, the new Facilities Director, for his good planning and use of campus resources that saved $40 million last year. Wants to make the campus greener.
8. Art Mania, a student and faculty art exhibition, will be on view Sunday, April 6th, from noon to 5:00 p.m. in the Art Building.

The agenda was taken out of order when officers from HPD District 7 arrived.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD-District 7):  Ofc. T. Ussing, District 7, introduced Ofc. R. Kalahiki and Sgt. A. Rivers, distributed District 7’s report and read the March statistics as follows:

• There were 29 burglaries, 23 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV) and 35 thefts.
• Brochure on Identity Theft: Identity theft occurs when your personal information is used to commit a crime including theft, fraud, forgery, etc. It is also a crime to possess confidential personal information of another person without authorization. If you suspect someone has your information, report it to the police immediately. Ofc. Ussing suggested not carrying a social security card. If you have an old driver’s license with a social security number on it, get rid of it. Do not give out any credit card information; banks do not request it. People who steal information set up credit card accounts, then take money out of checking accounts and more. (This information in the brochure from the Attorney General’s office “Your Identity is Your Kuleana”.)

Kamehameha Schools Kathy Camp advised that the recent demolition at the old Varsity Theatre site was almost completed. They were able to give area schools salvageable items from the inside of the theatre.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. Asbestos was removed from the floor tiles and some glue from the roofing; a manifest shows it was extracted properly.
2. The smaller, individual letters from the marquee were able to be salvaged.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Firefighter 3 Bryan Goo, McCully Station, reported the following:

• There were 87 calls in March including 3 structure, 2 rubbish and 2 vehicle fires. There were 67 medical emergencies including one motorcycle fatality on Date Street.

• Fire Safety Tip:  A smoke alarm is absolutely necessary in your home; they are proven life savers. Smoke and toxic gases from fires can numb your senses and prevent you from reacting to the fire, especially at night when you family is asleep. A working smoke alarm gives you early notice.

1.   Install smoke alarms on every level of your house and outside every sleeping area.

2.   Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly, or when it chirps, signaling a low battery.

3.   Have an advance fire escape plan the whole family understands including: a) two ways out of every room, b) know where everyone will gather outside c) once you are out of the house, stay out!

4.   Plan a drill where you activate your smoke alarm and practice your escape.

Mayor’s Representative:  Mark Oto, the Mayor’s representative was not in attendance.

Governor’s Representative:  The Governor’s Representative was not present.

Board of Water Supply (BWS):  Julie Lindberg, BWS representative, distributed the flyer on Water System Improvement Projects and presented the following information:

• One main break of an eight inch pipe installed in 1957 at 738 University Avenue on February 27th.
• BWS wants to pump high quality water which requires a systematic replacement of the aging mains.
• BWS works to coordinate their water main changes with the City’s street resurfacing projects.
• Requested to check at 2132 Algaroba Street in the center of the street for the pot hole where there is a valve box which a resident hit three months ago.

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi distributed her newsletter and reported the following:

• Fixed rail was chosen but it was not decided which kind of fixed rail will be used.
• This year’s Mayor’s Budget is completed which included amendments from the councilmembers and suggestions from this neighborhood board and others.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. The rail project should not be delayed because of the discussion on what kind of wheels to be used because everything has already been passed on it including the tax. A fixed guide way will operateon a specific route; they are just choosing what vehicle will go on the system. A bill in 2006 was passed and now it is being acted on. Everyone is concerned about the cost; the FTA spoke with the administration saying they will provide $900 million so they will be short.
2. It was not known when the Ala Wai Park will be returned to the community as it now full of items used for the sewer project.
3. Councilmember Kobayashi reported the leaking swimming pool above the gym is a hindrance to the gym’s completion. The City tried to negotiate with the Office of Hawaiian Homelands to use the Bowl-A-Drome and separate the gym and the swimming pool into different buildings. The Office of Hawaiian Homelands was willing to exchange the Bowl-A-Drome with the City but the City was not able to meet the financing requirement needed to complete the project.
4. A resident has been maintaining an asphalt sidewalk by Kuhio School at 2762 South King Street that is in bad repair located on the dividing line between the City and State; it has not been maintained by either of them. Councilmember Kobayashi asked him to call the State Roads Department at 831-6714.

The following elected officials were not present however their reports were circulated: Representative Scott Nishimoto, Representative Scott Saiki, and Senator Brian Taniguchi.

Senator Carol Fukunaga was not present and did not circulate a newsletter.

FILLING OF VACANCIES:  There was a volunteer from Sub-District 1 who came forward to fill that vacancy. He is a second year law student living at 500 University and wants to get involved in his community. Kyi-Yim moved to accept Loren Tilley to be a board member from Sub District 1 seconded by Takamura. The vote, with a show of hands, to ACCEPT Tilley was unanimous, 8-0-0. (Aye – Devilbiss, Gans, Hata, Kato, Kondratovich, Kyi-Yim, Lockwood, Takamura.)

The board took a three minute recess while Trustin administered the Oath of Office to Tilley.

HOUSEKEEPING

Stream / Watershed Status Report - see www.manoawatershed.oceanit.com

Ala Wai Canal Bypass Update - go to www.beachwalkbypass.com

Hausten Ditch - No action due to cost.

Makiki Stream - Clean up postponed due to bad weather.

Manoa Stream - April 12th at 8:00 a.m. by Kaimuki High School near Date Street.

Palolo Stream - April 12th at 8:00 a.m. by Kaimuki High School near Date Street.

McCully Chop Suey Sign will be lit up this Friday, April 4th, at 7:00 p.m. Chair Lockwood thanked Councilmember Ann Kobayashi and Mark Oto for their assistance to help complete the project.

Pedestrian Safety Issues and Map was submitted by Chair Lockwood to Councilmember Kobayashi who included it as part of the Capitol Improvement Package (CIP) requests for the proposed City Budget.

Annual Egg Hunt sponsored by HOPE 968 at Prince Kuhio School was March 22nd which is a long tradition.

Varsity Theater Signage was saved by the Varsity Bar and Restaurant.

A Forced Sewer Main presentation was given at this meeting about 1 year ago going from Philips Street, down Kalakaua down to Ft. De Russy but was cancelled by the City. Now the developers joined together to do the line themselves on Kalakaua Street from Fern Street to Kapiolani Boulevard, which was presented at a public meeting held Tuesday, April 1st, at Ala Wai School. Mr. Pat Lee is the consultant to the project. The developers will make a presentation at this meeting this June or July allowing neighbors to give their input. The project will start in September if they get the Noise Variance for all day on Sunday and holidays. This is a wastewater project.

McCully – Moiliili Neighborhood Board Meeting site, in the Washington Middle School Cafeteria, was approved for the months of May through December, 2008 except September, by the Washington Middle School. The new location will be listed on next month’s agenda.

March Neighborhood Commission Meeting approved the Revised Neighborhood Plan Draft which was sent to Corporation Counsel for review and then will go to the Mayor for his signature. This would extend our current board terms from May 31, 2009 to June 30, 2009, synchronizing them with the City’s calendar.

Tree Give-Away will be Sunday, April 20, between 8:00 a.m. and noon; the third time Malama O Manoa has sponsored a 1,000 tree give-away at Manoa Valley Park. Early arrivals can receive endemic trees. Enter from Kaaipu Avenue on the makai side. Arborists will be present to answer questions on the trees and their care.

Town Meeting with the Mayor will be held April 14 at Kalani High School beginning at 6:30 p.m. to discuss rapid transit and recycling.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS

1.       Chair Lockwood will consider Inamine’s request that all draft resolutions be mailed to the entire mailing list so the public can view them and can give input before the board votes on it at the upcoming meeting.

2.       Lalosin submitted the following concerns in writing after the meeting:

a) Locks were vandalized in bathrooms at Crane Park by Kaimuki Avenue. Please secure restrooms when the park closes. District 7’s first watch was locking it due to vandalism; he asked for this to be a priority to avoid further miscellaneous activities

b) The McCully Rec Center’s lights still come on late, around 9:30 p.m., possibly because of a timer malfunction; parents are concerned children play in the park at night.

c) Access ramp at Pa’ani Street and Kapiolani Boulevard on the makai side of the street has been left undone by the contractor for three months which is very unsafe for senior citizens.

d) In the District 7 area, cars park illegally at Lime and Wiliwili streets, too close to the corners that block ramps, creating a visual hazard for traffic and poor lighting for citizens crossing there.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Transit Oriented Development, Public Input:  Chair Lockwood gave an overview of the resolution and reported: The resolution asks that regardless of the rail mode chosen, there should be noise testing at various times of the day and night during scheduled rail run times which are between 4:00 a.m. and midnight. The decibels need to be recorded at different distances and varying heights. Kato moved to adopt the Noise Tests Along High-Capacity Transit Corridors Resolution seconded by Gans. Discussion ensued as follows:

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. The rail is projected to operate at 70 decibels, quieter than a city bus at 50 feet away. Decibels measured by calibration with instrument similar to what the Liquor Commission uses to measure noise.
2. This neighborhood will have three transit stations: McCully, Date Street and around Pucks Alley.
3. When questions were asked about the kind of EIS to be performed, Pat Lee explained the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) will be an independent study on noise and dust measurements.
4. Kato supports this resolution because whether you are for or against it, the rail could cause a law suit so this is something people need to know exactly what the rail is.
5. Pat Lee explained the City is in the middle of the scoping process, the Impact Statement will be available for public comment this summer.
6. Inamine is concerned that the vibrations, sounds and structures from the rail system could devalue this neighborhoods’ property.
7. Councilmember Kobayashi is concerned that the Draft EIS was due to come out the end of 2006, then rescheduled to the spring of 2007 and by the time it does come out in 2008, it will be completed so what people can do now is comment. When Hata asked what people can do if they do not like the results of the Draft EIS, Lee explained it is a disclosure document that gives people an opportunity to report on the impact and the planned mitigation for it. After the public submits their final questions, a final EIS will be completed. In December, 2006 the City Council chose the fixed guideway so now the task is to choose the kind of rail it will be.
8. Kato feels the issue of noise is a major point for this neighborhood. The H3 highway had a three year delay because citizens chose not to comply with the law and delayed the project. Pat Lee noted that since the H3 incident there is an increased requirement for cultural documentation for an EIS. He reminded everyone that any development east of Ala Moana Center will be in a future phase of the project, built after 2017. The University of Hawaii and Waikiki spurs are the latter phases.

The board voted, by a show of hands, to ADOPT the Noise Tests Along the High-Capacity Transit Corridor Resolution 8-0-1. (Aye – Devilbiss, Gans, Hata, Kato, Kondratovich, Kyi-Yim, Lockwood, Tilley.

Nay -0. Abstain – Takamura.) (See attached Resolution).

Eminent Domain of Property for Public Use Update – This issue was not addressed at the Public Safety Meeting and there was no Planning, Zoning and Transportation Meeting last month so there was nothing new to report.

NEW BUSINESS

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades and EPA – There was no discussion of the resolution that was written.

Public Infrastructure Map Revision for High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project – The Public Infrastructure Map (PIM) was submitted to the Planning and Sustainability Committee April 1st. It gives a general location of the transit stations which, for this neighborhood, will be along Kapiolani Boulevard at McCully and Date streets, at King Street and a station at UH Manoa. Tanoue, Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) explained that a PIM shows where projects of a major public facility over $3M are planned to be located indicated by a symbol, which includes rail stations. Find it at the DPP website, www.dpp.org and click on the desired project. Chair Lockwood asked any comments on this issue be submitted to him by April 12, 2008.

Neighborhood Board Task Force:  Takamura reported he will have a meeting of his Permitted Interaction Group on the Neighborhood Board Task Force April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at McDonald’s on King Street. The members are Carlos, Devilbiss, Gans, Kato, Kondratovich and Kyi-Yim, Takamura.

Corrections to the March 10, 2008 Minutes:

Kondratovich submitted the following corrections in writing:

Page 5 Paragraph 1 should read - “…Gans moved to defer this Resolution to work on the verbiage…”

Page 5 End of Paragraph 1 - The vote for the resolution should list Kondratovich as voting “Nay”.

The minutes were accepted as amended.

Treasurer’s Report:  Hata reported the March report showed a Previous Operating Balance of $3,997.31. Current expenses totaled $142.50 leaving a balance of $3,854.81 and a refreshment balance of $106.54. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as read.

COMMITTEE REPORTS AND NEXT MEETINGS: 

• Affordable Housing/Homeless Meeting with Chair Larson presiding will be held Wednesday, April 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Care A Van, 1640 South King Street near Baskin Robbins. Her minutes will be distributed next month.
• Public Safety & Legislative Affairs Meeting with Chair Gans presiding will be held Wednesday, April 23rd beginning at 7:00 p.m. wants to meet at the Hope 968 office but not confirmed. March minutes will be distributed next month and wants to make meetings consistently on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
• Schools and Community Outreach Meeting - Chair Tabor was not in attendance so will discuss later.
• Planning, Zoning and Transportation – Chair Kato will schedule a May meeting to discuss more specific questions, planning and development.

The agenda was taken out of order when Representative Caldwell arrived after attending another meeting, distributed his newsletter and reported the following:

Representative Kirk Caldwell:  Representative Caldwell’s report covered the following:

• Environment and energy items, keeping Hawaii healthy, preserving and energizing the agricultural land and the Manoa Library project. The library construction is moving forward with the help of Senator Brian Taniguchi who got the funding supported by Councilmember Ann Kobayashi. Caldwell joined them later in their efforts and invited everyone to enjoy it upon completion.
• The 1000 tree give-away will be Sunday, April 20 at the Manoa Valley Park Pavillion. There will also be clippings given from Queen Kaahumanu’s favorite hau tree which was where she died. Caldwell planted two clipping which are growing nicely.
• The legislature is working on approving bills that support the neighborhood boards regarding the Sunshine Law.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. The new Manoa Library Project library will be on the grounds of the old one which will be completely demolished. The temporary library will be in portable buildings at Noelani Elementary School. When the library opens, the school will use the temporary buildings.
2. The building is two-story, the bottom floor for parking with the library above it.
3. The Board of Education had no current plans for a new McCully library.
4. The Manoa Library Project is currently being planned with construction beginning in August which will take 18 months to two years to complete.
5. Senator Taniguchi was a supporter of this library project years ago and now he is focusing on upgrading Stevenson Intermediate School where the Noelani students will continue their education.
6. As the current Majority Leader, Representative Caldwell stepped down as Labor Chair last year but still pays attention to labor bills. Kyi-Yim suggested the state needs an economic stimulus plan and he agrees because NCL left the state, Aloha Airlines closed along with Molokai Ranch and ATA and there could be more companies leaving.

ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Submitted by:

Bonnie Trustin

Neighborhood Assistant

Proofed by

Chair Ron Lockwood