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McCully - Moiliili Neighborhood Board # 8

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009

WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ron Lockwood called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.; a quorum was present with nine (9) members. Note: This fifteen (15) member Board requires eight (8) members for a quorum and to take official Board action. A few housekeeping announcements were expressed and included: restrooms locations, turn-off all cell phones and the rules of being recognized to speak and time limits.

Members Present: Maryjane Carlos, Gregory Cuadra, Judy DeVilbiss, John Gollner, Serena Kyi-Yim, Betty Lou Larson, Ron Lockwood, Clifton Takamura, Lee Ann Tokuhara.

Members Absent: John Kato, Les Hata.

Vacancies: There are 4 seats vacant, in Sub-District 1.

Guests: Tom Heinrich (Chair, Manoa Neighborhood Board No. 7), Officer Egami (Honolulu Police Department – District 7), Sergeant Earl Ochoco (Honolulu Police Department – District 1), Firefighter Ken Han (Honolulu Fire Department), Kurt Tsue (Board of Water Supply); Councilmember Ann  Kobayashi, Torin Ching (Senior Advisor) and Michele Sansone (Legislative Aide); Representative Scott Saiki, Senator Carol Fukunaga, Susan Todani (Kamehameha Schools), Candace Van Buren (Representative Scott Nishimoto’s Office), Bob Kern, Dean Nakamoto (Principal, Lunalilo Elementary School), Amy Kantowitz (Vice Principal, Lunalilo Elementary School), Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office) and approx. 10 others that didn’t sign in.

PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY LIAISON:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Fire Fighter Ken Han reported the following:

• Statistics for August 2009 included:  5 structure fires, 57 medical, and 19 miscellaneous calls for service.
• Fire Safety Tip: Fire Prevention Week (FPW) reflected its roots of the Great Chicago Fire in October 8 -10, 1871 and the 40th anniversary of that fire. The Fire Marshals Association of North America decided to observe the anniversary nationally and since 1992, FPW observed the week of October 9. This year’s selected theme is “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned” as the theme for FPW on October 4-10, 2009; and will focus on burn awareness and prevention, and keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires. In October, elementary school students statewide will receive a Fire Fighter’s Safety Guide (FFSG) from their teachers. HFD encourages parents to review the FFSG with their child, create or revisit the family fire escape plan, practice the plan, test smoke alarms, and consider the other safety tips in the guide.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Status of the Bus Stop Relocation – To HFD knowledge, the signage and landscaping has been completed.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD):

District 7 – East Honolulu: Officer Egami reported the following:

District 7: Sgt. Egami reported the following:

• District 7’s Monthly Statistic Report: Included the monthly statistics, telephone contact information the Community Policing Team 529-3628 and email address, www.honolulupd.org/patrol/d7.
• Highlighted Stats: The report highlighted 23 burglaries, 27 thefts, and 19 Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle (UEMV), totaling 69 reported cases.
• HPD’s Monthly Safety Tip: Included Steps for Home Security.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Citizens Patrol – It was reported that during a recent Citizens Patrol, the patrol was not allowed on the Diamond Head Side of Paani Street (750 Block) unless they were accompanied by HPD. Officer Egami needed more specifics on this matter in order to respond.
2. Community Policing – There will be a Community Policing meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at the Kaimuki High School Cafeteria.

District 1 - Honolulu: Sergeant Earl Ochoco reported the following:

• District 1 Statistics Included: 2 assaults, 6 burglaries, 2 DUI’s, 0 drug offense, 2 family offense, 0 graffiti, 25 motor vehicle collisions (MVC’s), 5 property damage, 1 robbery, 0 sex  assaults and 8 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV’s).

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Status of Parked Vehicles – Parked vehicles have been removed at the intersection of Kalakaua Avenue and South King Street by the Makiki Stream Bridge located next Jack in the Box.
2. Speeding Concern – Speeding at the intersection of Kalakaua Avenue and South Beretania Street was expressed. Sgt. Ochoco reported that speeding has gone down.
3. Graffiti Concerns – Graffiti continues to remain a chronic problem in the community where can anyone report to the police even though it is in another building where the affected resident does not reside. Sergeant Ochoco replied that the property owner cooperation is vital in curbing graffiti. Sergeant Ochoco mentioned that if a property owner removed graffiti soon after the graffiti was committed, it sends a message to graffiti culprits that someone is aware of their activities thereby deterring future graffiti acts.
4. Special Duty Officer’s – Bob Kern spoke to the Kalakaua Avenue and Kanunu Street project where special duty officers (SDO) need to let cars pass through in a timely manner as they are backing up to the Convention Center. Also, when will this project be completed?   

University of Hawaii Manoa (UHM): Chair Lockwood announced that UHM Representative Elmer Kaai could not be present. However, he received a written report and highlighted the following:

• Student Enrollment – UHM has 20,158 students, up 300 from last year
• UH System President – UH System President M.C. Greenwood’s term started on August 1, 2009 and she is officially on board and visiting all the colleges within the UH system.
• Rainbow Wahine Volleyball – Tip off for the Rainbow Wahine Volleyball match was tonight at 5:00 p.m. along with Saturday’s at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday’s at 3:00 p.m.
• UH Warriors Football – Kickoff for the UH Warriors Football game is on Friday at 7:05 p.m.
• UH Budget Status – The status on UHM’s budget remains in negotiations with the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) faculty union. Impact is less classes offered, and larger class sizes.

• Convocation – The Convocation for 2009 is held on Thursday, September 15, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., at John F. Kennedy Theater.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Invitation to President M.C. Greenwood – It was suggested that the McCully-Mo’ili’ili Neighborhood Board No. 8 extend an invitation to President M.C. Greenwood to give an overview presentation on the UH System at a future Board meeting.
• Announcement Manoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 – Tom Heinrich, Chair of the Manoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 announced that the next Manoa Neighborhood Board Meeting is Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at School of Architecture, UH-Manoa Campus.

Kamehameha Schools (KS): Susan Todani highlighted the following:

• Varsity Theater Parking Lot – The former Varsity Theater parking lot is being paved and greenery being planted that is likely to be completed by Thanksgiving 2009. 
• The Former Eastside Grill Site – The former site of Eastside Grill will now be a pre-school with a maximum of eighty students attending.  A variance would be sought to utilize part of the parking lot at the intersection of University & Varsity Avenues as an enclosed playground would be sought.
• Trash Flyer – A flyer has been developed by a KS fifth grader with a message that trash should not be dumped; it will be mailed out to the community soon (the flyer was distributed).

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       Traffic at University and Varsity Avenues – A traffic concern expressed that at the intersection of University and Varsity Avenues with the pre-school about to open. Todani noted that there is ample parking to accommodate staff and the eighty students (the maximum number of students) attending this pre-school.

2.       Apartment Rent – The rent for the two-bedroom apartment unit goes for $1,900 a month.

3.       Kakaako Master Plan – Regarding the newspaper article about KS’ Kakaako Master Plan, will there be a similar one for the McCully-Mo’ili’ili community. The Kakaako Master Plan took about three years to be completed. As for the proposed McCully-Mo’ili’ili Master Plan, KS is in the process of doing community outreach to get input from the community which will be done on a consultative process.

4.       Varsity Theater Parking Lot – KS hired Diamond Parking to manage the parking lot; however they have not fulfilled their end of the contract. Therefore, KS will manage the parking lot during the interim while working on permitting issues.

Mayor’s Representative: Chair Lockwood reported that Mayor’s Representative Mark Oto could not be present at tonight’s meeting. However, was ready to answer questions that he will convey to Oto.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Project Status at Kalakaua and Kanunu Avenues – Concern rose regarding the status of the project at the intersection of Kalakaua Avenue & Kanunu Street where the SDO (special duty officers) talk among themselves and chat with construction workers while not letting vehicles pass through in a timely manner,

      backing up traffic to the Convention Center.  When will this project be completed?

• Parking Meters – A suggestion that parking meters be installed on South King Street and Kalakaua Avenue to help raise revenues for the City & County of Honolulu.
• Bus Stop Condition – The condition of the bus stop at the intersection is Date Street and University Avenue is very weak especially the bench that needs to be immediately fixed. It was suggested that a railing be installed behind the bushes.

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: No representative was present, but the Chair was open to receive and forward questions for responses. There were no questions raised for follow-up.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Kurt Tsue reported the following:

• Main Breaks – No main breaks reported in July 2009.
• General Announcement – Apologized in advanced that the valve repair project scheduled for August 19, 2009 has to be rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict. BWS will keep Board posted on future area repair projects.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

BWS Capital Improvement Project (CIP) – Is there a 6-year CIP budget for BWS such as they used to put out a decade ago for the public to read specifically the installation of a 42-inch main project. Tsue’s response was not definite and he will follow-up.  

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Michele Sansone circulated Councilmember Kobayashi’s written report and introduced himself as the Legislative Aide assigned to do the McCully-Mo’ili’ili community. Accompanying Sansone is Torin Ching, Councilmember Kobayashi’s Senior Advisor.  

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Poor Road Conditions – An inquiry was raised regarding the poor road conditions in the Mo’ili’ili area specifically Mahiai Street that is only two blocks long. Sansone will follow up.
2. Meeting with Councilmember Kobayashi – Chair Lockwood mentioned that he would like to arrange a meeting with Councilmember Kobayashi and representatives from Kamehameha Schools concerning dumping of bulky items.

Representative Scott Saiki: Representative Saiki circulated his written report and highlighted the following:

• The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) – There will be a briefing at the State Capitol on Sunday, October 18, 2009 on Health Care Reform where a representative from their national office will give the presentation.
• Upcoming Graffiti Cleanup – A reminder of the upcoming graffiti cleanup will be on Saturday, September 26, 2009 and the Aloha ‘Aina bulky item on Saturday, October 17, 2009. 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• 2010 State Legislature – A suggestion that the 2010 State Legislature work on and pass legislation to protect victims of crime and punish the perpetrators hard.

Elected officials not present tonight submitted written reports; Representative Issac Choy, Representative Scott Nishimoto, Senator Carol Fukunaga, and Senator Brian Taniguchi.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

A Blighted Community – Janet Inamine distributed copies of a Star-Bulletin article, dated September 3, 2009 from Representative Rida Cabanilla, of the 42^nd Representative District (Ewa/Honouliuli/West Loch/Waipahu) describing the McCully-Mo’ili’ili neighborhood as a blighted community. The Board requested that Rep. Saiki ask his colleague to attend the October 1, 2009 meeting to explain her rationale.

FILLING OF VACANCIES: Chair Lockwood explained the following: The Neighborhood Commission voted in its Monday, August 31, 2009 Meeting to remove the offending language that Corporation Counsel inserted into Section 2-14-104 (other than by expiration of a term of office or by a declaration of vacancy) of the Neighborhood Plan which does not allow Boards to fill seats that were vacant due to no one running by a unanimous vote of 7-0-0  to amend Section 2-14-104 (a) was approved to allow N.B.’s to fill vacancies as a result of an insufficient number of candidates. This will now go to the Mayor for his signature. Hopefully, this quick action can be done so that this Board can begin filling vacancies at next meeting on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

PRESENTATIONS:

Lunalilo Elementary School Marquee Signage Presentation: Principal Dean Nakamoto and Vice Principal Amy Kantowitz of Lunalilo Elementary School distributed handouts describing the marquee and its location on campus and gave the following presentation:

• Marquee Sign – Lunalilo Elementary School needs a marquee sign to advertise their school for school related activities/events at the intersection of Pumehana and Fern Streets.
• Zoning Variance – About a year ago, the school applied with the City Department of Planning and Permitting and learned that they needed a zoning variance because the school is located in a residential neighborhood.
• Surveyed Surrounding Neighbors – About 15 to 20 of the nearest homes surveyed regarding the impact of the marquee sign where the homeowners replied they strongly support this marquee sign.
• View Obstruction – A concern raised regarding that it might obstruct views. The marquee will be 6 to 10 feet from the corner of Pumehana and Fern streets.
• Cost – The marquee will cost $6,000 with funds coming from the Lunalilo School Parents Teachers Association  (PTA). In addition, the school will need a waiver from Patricia Hamamoto, State Schools Superintendent.
• School Logo – Lunalilo Elementary School’s Hawk logo will be part of the marquee.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. No Objections – In response to a question, the school has discussed the proposed marquee signage with Councilmember Kobayashi’s office and HPD; they had not objected to this proposal.

• Letter to DPP – Chair Lockwood added that the Board would send a letter to the DPP stating that Lunalilo Elementary School gave a presentation at tonight’s meeting. Any comments from the Board and the community will be included in this letter.

HOUSEKEEPING:

Report on OMPO (Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization) Meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2009: Chair Lockwood reported that OMPO’s primary topic was the Draft Oahu Bicycle Plan which has since then been accepted by the City. The next OMPO meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2009.

Report of Neighborhood Commission Meeting on August 31, 2009: Chair Lockwood reported on this meeting in the Filling of Vacancies section (see above).  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2009, 7:00 p.m. City Council Committee Room, Honolulu Hale, 2^nd Floor.

40th Anniversary of McCully-Mo’ili’ili Library will be Celebrated November 2009: Chair Lockwood announced that the long-awaited new air chiller unit construction project is underway. As part of this construction, there will be a trench dug in the parking lot, resulting in closure for up to seven days of the lot. Testing of the new unit may result in closure of the library in November. As a result, organizers are having a difficult time putting an event together for the library’s 40th Anniversary in November 2009. One project expected to commence soon is an Eagle Scout project to refresh the plantings outside the library where the Friends of the McCully-Mo’ili’ili Library are funding this project. The Eagle Scout designees will measure areas to plant; test soil for ph balance; find and negotiate with a nursery for plants, topsoil and supplements; arrange delivery and then move the topsoil and plant the vegetation within 24 hours of delivery. Another project for the 40th Anniversary is with the five area public schools: Ala Wai Elementary, Prince Kuhio Elementary, Lunalilo Elementary, Washington Middle and Kaimuki High. These school librarians will hold Pennies for Books drive where for every penny each school collects, up to 1,000 pennies ($10.00), the Friends will donate $1.00 – up to $1,000 per school. Chair Lockwood encouraged the community to step forward and get involved in this endeavor. 

McCully-Mo’ili’ili Fire Station is Open: Chair Lockwood stated that the Board will continue to await word from the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) as to when the community will be able to celebrate the return of the McCully-Mo’ili’ili Fire Station.

The Lock Up Storage: Chair Lockwood announced that Lock Up Storage will be open for business in October 2009 instead of September 2009 as originally scheduled.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Bulky Items – Monthly Letter to Department of Environmental Services (ENV): Chair Lockwood stated that he sent a letter to Department of Environmental Services Director stating that there have been 173 violations concerning bulky items not picked up by the City in a timely manner this month.

Complete Streets and Hauoli/South King Street Pedestrian Activated Crosswalk: Chair Lockwood noted there has been no bidding to install the pedestrian activated crosswalk; therefore, the City will perform this project in-house.  We anxiously await some information on when this project will begin.

NEW BUSINESS:

Parking Meters on South King Street: A discussion requested by Chair Lockwood on the issue of installing parking meters from Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Boulevard along South King Street. Most board members agreed with the idea, although questions raised regarded the parking fees near Stadium Park; what the price would be – not 10 minutes for 25 cents in downtown Honolulu. A proposal that parking meters installed on Makahiki and Isenberg Streets will help the City raise revenues to due to budget constraints.

Shopping Carts Follow-Up:  Chair Lockwood reported that a few years back, Councilmember Kobayashi held a committee meeting to discuss shopping carts abandoned in neighborhoods. The Honolulu City Council passed a Resolution urging the Retail Merchants of Hawaii to take the lead to remove shopping carts from abandoned neighborhoods and bring it back to the respective merchants. To date, no action has been taken therefore this issue needs to be revisited where it remains a chronic community problem.

Street Sweeping: Chair Lockwood led discussion among Board Members and the community in asking the City to ban parking during certain hours so that street sweepers can do their job properly and remove pollutants from the street before they run into storm drains and go out to the sea. This Board and community want the City to follow up on this issue.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Kyi-Yim moved, Takamura seconded, that the Board approve the July 2, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion was ADOPTED by a UNANIMOUS VOTE of 9-0-0 (Aye: Carlos, Cuadra, DeVilbiss, Gollner, Kyi-Yim, Larson, Lockwood, Takamura, Tokuhara).

Kyi-Yim moved, Takamura seconded, that the Board approve the August 6, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes as circulated. The motion was ADOPTED by a UNANIMOUS VOTE of 9-0-0 (Aye: Carlos, Cuadra, DeVilbiss, Gollner, Kyi-Yim, Larson, Lockwood, Takamura, Tokuhara).

TREASURER’S REPORT: Deferred as errors were discovered and need follow-up.

COMMITTEES: Deferred

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Review the announcements posted on the agenda at your leisure.  

Char Lockwood announced possible agenda items for the October 1, 2009 Regular Meeting included the following:

• Sewage Line replacement/refurbishment
• Precincts closing for voting
• The Varsity Bar & Grill license change
• Parking Meters on South King Street
• Street Sweeping & Parking Hours Ban
• Inviting Representative Rida Cabanilla of the 42^nd Representative District (Ewa/Honouliuli/West Loch/Waipahu) to explain her controversial comments in describing the McCully-Mo’ili’ili community.

ADJOURNMENT: Without objections, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:30 p.m., Washington Middle School Cafeteria.

Submitted by,

Ron Lockwood / Marie Richardson

Neighborhood Assistant