NUUANU/PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2004

BOOTH DISTRICT PARK

CALL TO ORDER – Chair Magaldi called the meeting to order at 7:19 p.m.  A quorum was present

MEMBERS PRESENT-Al Canopin, Jr., Remy Luria, Patricia Jones, Sylvia Young, Signe Godfrey, Russ Awakuni, Wendy Ogawa, Patt Spencer, Dean Asahina, Audrey Hidano, Joe Magaldi, and Philip Nerney.

MEMBERS ABSENT – Jim Bannan, Richard Carreira, and Paula Kurashige.

GUESTS – Mr. & Mrs. Buck Laird, Betty Sugarman (Legal Aid Society of Hawaii) Acting Captain Aaron Lenchanko (Honolulu Fire Department, Nu’uanu Station) Shawn Hamamoto (Rod Tam’s Office), Sgt. Gordon Costa (Honolulu Police Department District 5), Ken Tailor, Officer Robert Oakes and Sgt. Clayton Lai (Honolulu Police Department, District 1), Kathy Grebe, Jon P., Hiroko & Vance Vaughn, Greg Myers (IRH), Pat Lee (Pat Lee & Associates), James H. Pietscht, Toshi J. Suzuki (Architect for IRH), Greg Myers (Contractor for IRH), Lawrence L.C. Ho, Violet Y. Ho, Doris Lum, Carlotte Lum, Nadine & Melvyn Miyagi, Colette Ono, Pastor Sean Matsumoto (IRH), Evelyn Akamine, Lennie Lee, B. Welch, Gail Holm-Kennedy, Mason K. Aiona (Neighborhood Security Watch), Jenny Quezon (Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland’s office), Bob Farrell, Ivonne Cardenas, Brody McClellan (Representative Corrine Ching’s Office staff), Shannon Ajifu (Board of Education), William Ridgeway, Jr., Richard Bissen, Jr. (Governor’s Representative),and Nola Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff) and approximately 15 other guests who did not sign-in. 

FIRE, POLICE, AND NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY REPORTS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) – Acting Captain Aaron Lenchanko reported the following:

1)       Statistics for last month included 1 rubbish, and vehicle fire responses 1; 27 medical and 3 miscellaneous calls.

2)       Fire Safety Tip – Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and the second major cause of death among older adults.  If you are cooking and must leave the kitchen, even for only a few minutes, turn off the stove.  Keep a fire extinguisher (with a minimum rating of 2A10BC) in or near your kitchen and learn how to use it.  Inspect the fire extinguisher regularly to ensure that it has not expired.

3)       Suggestion for the month:  Keep fire hydrants in your neighborhood clear of obstructions, including parked cars, debris, and weeds.

4)       The request for “no parking” signs on Kamaaina Street to allow emergency vehicles to maneuver the turns better has been forwarded to Fire Chief Leonardi.

Questions, answers and comments followed:  1) There was nothing significant occurring in Pacific Heights last week, just basic medical response calls.  2) A medical call for HFD is co-responding to an emergency call with the truck to assist emergency medical services.

NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY WATCH (NSW):

PAUOA – Mason Aiona reported the following:  1) Strangers are still walking around the neighborhood.  Tonight he observed persons wandering around Booth Road and through the park.  He suggested that residents in the community keep their eyes open because people may be surveying the area to commit a crime.

NU’UANU – The representative was not present.

PAPAKOLEA COMMUNITY REPORT – There was no report.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DISTRICT 1, HONOLULU – Officer Robert Oakes reported statistics for February compared with the previous month included burglary7/10, U.E.M.V. (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle) 7/11, auto theft 8/5, simple assault 3/1, MVC (motor vehicle collision) 26/29, and family offense 4/4.

Questions, answers and comments: Follow up would be done to Canopin’s question asked last month regarding information on what percentage of the budget HPD receives is used for retirement and leave, which was brought up at City Council last year.  Officer Oakes responded that patrol officers have no access to this information.

DISTRICT 5, KALIHI – Sgt. Gordon Costa reported the following:

1)       Statistics for January included burglary 2, theft 3, UEMV 4, motor vehicle theft 2, assault 1, property damage 1, D.U.I. 1, miscellaneous public cases 4, MVC 10, arguments 6, nuisance complaints 5, parking violations 10, suspicious circumstances 11, and miscellaneous service calls 15.

2)       Community Area of Responsibility (CAR) included burglary 4, theft 2, UEMV 2, motor vehicle theft 1, property damage 1, DUI 1, miscellaneous public cases 3, vehicle tow 2, MVC 9, arguments 1, nuisance complaints 5, parking violations 12, suspicious circumstances 12, and miscellaneous service calls 11.

3)       Follow up regarding district evacuation plans for Nu’uanu residents when a major accident occurs on to Pali Highway – District 5 has operational plans when a major accident occurs of what should be done, which includes contra-flowing, detours and stabilizing the area.  The main concern is safety for everyone.

Question, answers and comments:

1)       Awakuni said that relative to the major truck accident in January, that residents’ would have liked to have parked at Nu’uanu Elementary School, walk home and return to retrieve their cars when traffic is cleared to retrieve their cars.  The reason they would like to park at the school is because when an accident occurs on the highway, detoured traffic blocks off access streets to their homes.  Sgt. Costa replied that arrangements for parking at the school would have to be made among the school, the Board or the residents.  The question is who will be responsible for the security of cars parked at the school.

2)       Comments were made that signs on Pali Highway do not indicate the location of the closure and the information is not clear.

3)       Pertaining to roosters in the neighborhood, only two chickens are allowed per household.  However, there are nuisance laws regarding roosters so one can call 911 with noise complaints.  Responding officers would speak with the owner (s).

4)       A question arose asking if cars are allowed to park on side roads when an accident occurs and picked up later.  In response, each situation is on a case-by-case basis.

5)       Hidano expressed concern for a constituent whose husband encountered a traffic accident at the intersection of Pali Highway and Laimi Street due to no overhanging traffic light arms extending across the highway.  Evelyn Akamine, spouse of the person involved in the accident, explained that she fears because the driver was from out of state and unfamiliar with the area, he did not see the stoplight in the middle of the median strip going in the Kailua- bound direction. She reiterated that someone unfamiliar with the area might not see the traffic light. She asked if over hanging stoplights could be extended across the highway, which would be visible to everyone. This concern would be forwarded to the State Department of Transportation (SDOT).  Chair Magaldi said that the Board would also draft a letter to SDOT asking that the stoplights at the intersection be checked. 

6)       In response to Canopin’s question relative to the percentage of HPD’s budget going to retirement and leave pay, Sgt. Costa read the following from the Administrative Bureau Finance Division: 

The Finance Division oversees the department’s annual operating budget, which amounted to $156 million for the 2002 - 2003 fiscal year.  The budget covered all salaries, current expenses, and equipment purchases. 

The division also coordinated or managed 28 federal and state grants totaling more that $15.2 million.  These grants funded programs and projects including the purchase of mobile data computers and the Computer Aided Dispatch System, implementation of the NCIC 2000 system, public housing drug elimination, drug interdiction and prevention, marijuana eradication, sobriety checkpoints, speed and safety belt enforcement and forensic DNA testing.

CITIZENS’ CONCERNS:

LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAII – Betty Sugarman distributed informational brochures and reported that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, funds a public education and outreach program to educate renters and landlords about housing discrimination.  She noted that it is illegal to advertise for a particular type of person, but it is legal to advertise that pets are not allowed.

REQUESTS TO CITY AGENCIES PERTAINING TO UNRESOLVED ISSUES – Canopin mentioned that several meetings ago it was discussed that a list of items not answered could be provided to Board members for tracking purposes.  Magaldi replied that the requests have been forwarded to the proper authorities and copies have been sent to Board member Luria for tracking, to date, no responses have been received.  Neighborhood Assistant Nola Frank will attach copies with the minutes for Board members.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (CIP) – Chair Magaldi informed her that he distributed copies of the Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2005, and asked if the Board would like City Managing Director Ben Lee and/or Ivan Lui Kwan, Director of the City’s Budget and Fiscal Services to attend next month’s meeting to make a presentation.

Questions, answers and comments:

1)       Spencer asked why the Board did not prioritize the CIP list, and why it was done only by the Chair.  Also, why the requests were rewritten and unsigned by the members who submitted them.

Magaldi responded that all requests were attached to the forms sent to the Department of Design and Construction.  He noted that he does not prioritize.

2)       Luria noted that CIP should be worked on at least six months in advance.  Awakuni agreed because for this year, information was passed out in October 2003, and the due date for the requests was in November 2003.  It does make sense to start at the end of the summer.  Copies of the last two years’ requests would be provided to Board members.

7:40 p.m. Ogawa and Young arrived.  (12 members present)

REQUEST FOR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION – Jones requested a representative from the City’s Department of Transportation Services to attend a Board meeting to answer unresolved issues that were requested quite some time ago.  In particular, her concerns are regarding four-way stop signs at Puowaina Drive and San Antonia Avenue; the other is metal stakes blocking a fire hydrant on Prospect Street.  Chair Magaldi said that he could request DTS come again, but they will not attend the meeting. 

PRESENTATIONS:

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT MINOR, FOR INSTITUTE FOR RESEACH IN HUMAN HAPPINESS MEDITATION CENTER (IRH) – Pastor Sean Matsumoto, head of the Beretania Street chapter reported he has been in Hawaii since 1995.  The ideas and teachings are based on spiritual Buddhism, which includes enlightment, health, study, meditation, and prayer.  The Pacific Heights location would be used for meditation purposes only. The organization wishes to be good neighbors.

Architect Toshi Suzuki and contract manager Greg Myers were introduced and presented the following: 

1)       An application for a Conditional Use Permit Minor (CUP-Minor) is being sought for the property, located at 3180 Pacific Heights Road for a Meditation Center.  A CUP-Minor is required in order to build a meeting facility on the property.  The existing property consists of one structure, gardener’s residence, swimming pool area, and twelve parking stalls, on approximately three and two-eights acres of land.  The current structures are termite and moth infested; the paint is laced with lead, and asbestos exists.  The plumbing does not meet today’s building code, thus the structure needs to be altered.

2)       The proposed site plans are to demolish the existing structures and parking site and replace them with one central structure and thirty parking stalls.  The new design would be similar to the original one.  The new building would have one central entrance, a kitchen, dining, storage area and a lanai on the ocean side, a prayer area and facilities for overnight guests.  Approximately five to fifteen cars would be on site at one time.  A traffic assessment result shows that traffic impact would be minimal.   In the future, plans may include another structure at the parking lot site. 

3)       No changes would be made to the landscaping.

4)       The site is strictly for meditation with no bells or gongs used.  Approximately 20 visitors would be brought to the site via a van twice a week for education in meditation.  No commercial weddings will be held on the property.

Questions, answers, and comments from the Board:

1)       Hidano asked how long the duration of construction would be.  In response, once the process has started, construction should take approximately 12 to 24 months to complete.

2)       Meeting facility guidelines come under the Land Use Ordinance.

3)       Suzuki replied that there are no long-term plans at this time.  Should this occur, IRH would return to the

Board.  Also, meditation seminars can only accommodate 20 people at a time.

4)       The Honolulu office is located at 1259 Beretania Street, Suite 19.

5)       The property was formerly owned by John Dominis Holt and is not on the State Historical Register.

6)       The trees will not be removed unless they are diseased and would then be replaced with similar trees.

7)       Regarding a concern about boulders rolling down the hill, the property is surrounded by a retaining wall and deficient areas will be repaired or replaced.

8)       The plumbing is old, and has lead.

9)       The house is in R-10 One, which means a minimum of 10,000 square feet.

10)     Bishop Museum was willed the property when Patches Holt died.

A number of people in the audience expressed opposition for the following reasons:

1)       A seminar would be held a few times a year with approximately 100 people in attendance.  However, neighbors would be notified prior to the event.

2)       Fourteen rooms would be constructed to accommodate 20 people in the Monastic wing for overnight visits.

3)       Regarding trash pickup for that many people, Myers replied if need be additional trash containers would be purchased or have trash picked up by a private company.

4)       Regarding a concern expressed about why such a large building for a small group, Myers replied that for now it is anticipated that 15 to 20 people would be in the house twice a week.  The future may have an increase of people; however, the CUP Minor limits the numbers.

5)       Concerns were expressed regarding safety measures because strangers would be walking in the neighborhood.

6)       A future building is strictly for administrative work and living quarters.  There will be two distinctively separate facilities.

Awakuni moved and seconded by Asahina that the Board supports the Conditional Use Permit Minor application by IRH.  Discussion followed.  By a consensus, the motion was tabled.  It was decided that an ad hoc committee meeting be formed with Board members Russ Awakuni, Patt Spencer, and Sylvia Young.  A notice would be sent out with date, time, and location of the meeting.

Awakuni, Young and Ogawa left the meeting room at this time.  (9 members present)

APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 17, 2004 – The following corrections were made:

·         Page 1, Guests should read, “…Greg Schalais (Representative Sylvia Lukes’ Office), Shannon Ajifu (Board of Education)…”

·         Page 2, Nu’uanu no. 3 statistics should read, “…delete item no. 4 and move up to item 3 under no. 4) Cars have been broken into on Dowsett Avenue…”

·         Page 5, questions, answers and comments no. 2 last sentence should read, “…2. There are only a handful of good parents that participate in the process.  She noted that maybe we are going about the wrong process and their parents should concentrate on the kids…”

·         Page 8, Questions, answers and comments should read, “…1. Nerney mentioned that he is not in support of SB2105, relating to condominiums…”

·         Page 8, Questions, answers and comments should read, “…2. If the business has over 15 employees, and does not adhere to the drug treatment program, fines would be imposed and there would be imprisonment…”

·         Page 8, Questions, answers and comments should read, “…3. However, Lanakila has a shortage of $75,000.00. The State Department of Health has recommended to Governor Lingle not to fund the $75,000.00 and $50,000.000 for Moiliili…”

·         Page 8, Second Questions, answers and comments should read, “…1. Nerney asked the status of HB2536, relating to health maintenance organizations.  He mentioned that SB2105, relating to condominiums is a bad bill.

·         Page 9, Chair’s Announcements should read, ”According to the newspaper no roadway funding within the community was identified for resurfacing was listed for this area and asked where this community’s share is…”

Luria moved and seconded by Asahina to accept the regular meeting minutes of February 17, 2004 as amended.   The motion carried 8-0-1, with Godfrey abstaining.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY – A representative was not present.

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Richard Bissen, Jr. distributed Governor Lingle’s weekly report and highlighted/added the following:

A copy of the report regarding the Fruit Man of Nu’uanu from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Cecilia Ching was given to District 5, who gave a copy to the Board.  The information would be sent to Board member Paula Kurashige.

Questions, answers and comments:

1)       Followup would be done regarding the purpose of a twelve-member board to oversee prescriptions related to the Hawaii Rx program.

2)       Followup would be done regarding a question posed as to what the Hurricane Fund would be used for by Governor Lingle.

Nerney moved and seconded by Spencer to extend the meeting for 10 minutes.  The motion carried unanimously, 9-0-0.

Chair Magaldi relinquished the gavel at this time.

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Magaldi reported the following:

1)       Distributed copies of the Fiscal Year 2005 Executive Program and Budget Highlights.  Managing Director and Ivan Lui Kwan, Director for the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services would be invited to next month’s meeting to discuss the budget.

2)       Fliers pertaining to Sunset in the Park scheduled for this weekend at Sills Field, Schofield Barracks.  Movie for Saturday night is “Pirates of the Carribbean” and on Sunday “Seabiscuit” will be shown.

Chair Magaldi resumed the order of the agenda.

COUNCILMEMBER ROD TAM – Shawn Hamamoto distributed Councilmember Tam’s report and reported that the broken sprinklers at Booth District Park would be repaired this Thursday, Friday or next Monday.  A certified plumber will repair the crack in the main water line.

Questions, answers and comments:

1)       The downtown Honolulu Block J sale did go through to purchaser Pfleuger Honda for a car dealership.

2)       Awaiting response from the administration regarding changing two-way San Antonio Avenue into a one-way street.

3)       Jones mentioned that cars are park illegally on Lusitana Street and on San Antonio Avenue.

4)       Regarding the proposed stoplight at the intersection of Kamamalu Street, Iolani Avenue, and Magellan Street, Magaldi replied that the funding for the design is now in the budget.

Follow up would be done regarding why it took three weeks to complete electrical work at the above mentioned intersection and the cost, and asked what kind of electrical work was done and why.

SENATOR SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND – Jenny Quezon distributed the monthly report and was available for questions.

Questions, answers and comments:

1)       House Bill 2536, relating to health maintenance organizations, was deferred in both the Health Committee and the Senate.

2)       Follow up would be done regarding Senator Chun Oakland’s position on the Death with Dignity Bill.

3)       It was requested to have abandoned cars removed between the addresses of 1956 and 1980 Puowaina Drive, which is a State road.

SENATOR CAROL FUKUNAGA – A representative was not present.

REPRESENTATIVE SYLVIA LUKE – Greg Schlais distributed the monthly report and was available for questions.

Questions, answers and comments:  House Bill 2536, relating to Health Maintenance Organizations was deferred in both the Health Committee and the Senate.

REPRESENTATIVE CORINNE CHING – Brody McClean distributed the monthly report.  Representative Corinne Ching reported the following:

1)       She will work with HPD regarding the stoplight at the intersection of Laimi Road and Pali Highway.

2)       The First Annual Liliha Festival informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, 6:00 p.m. at Ma’ema’e Elementary School, located at 319 Wyllie Street.  The festival is to promote a healthy and   vibrant Liliha community.  For more information contact Representative Corinne Ching.

Questions, answers and comments:  Representative Ching supports the Death with Dignity Bill on principle only.  She is prepared to vote against the bill written as a physician-assisted suicide.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Deferred.

NEW BUSINESS – Deferred.

CHAIR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS – None.

ADJOURNMENT – Chair Magaldi adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

Submitted By,

Nola Frank

Neighborhood Assistant