Inventory of Community Concerns

Kapaloala Place

Adjacent to Pauoa Elementary School Parking Lot)

SERVICE REQUESTED: 

• Provide timetable/target start & finish dates for the proposed widening project at the location.
• Provide information regarding the source of funding for the project.
• Provide justification for proceeding with this project.
• Provide detailed map of project, and information regarding the impact upon residents at the location.
• Provide documentation of a public hearing, notification to residents in the area, acceptance by residents impacted, to include an endorsement by the neighborhood board.
• DO NOT proceed with this project without first providing the impacted property owners/residents an opportunity to express their concerns via a public hearing, etc.
• Respond to our office, and to the requestor with your findings, recommendations, and intended action to be taken.

NOTE(s):

• Kapaloala Place is a public and private roadway.
• Residents have indicated that they DO NOT support this proposed widening roadway project.
• Inquiries and request for information regarding this project from the requestor to the MDO and DTS have been unanswered for nearly a year.

Memorandum – dated Janruary 27, 2006 from Department of Transportation Services to Director Henry Eng (Department of Planning and Permitting) stated: "DPP will be preparing the appropriate response, and there is no requirement from the Department of Transportation Services.

Status:  Response from the Department of Planning and Permitting is pending.

A 2^nd follow-up inquiry was sent to the City Administration on March 10, 2006.

NUUANU WATER SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Communication between Vice Chair Kurashige and Su Shin of BWS is included in the board member's information packet.  A colored map of the proposal (fire hydrants) is also enclosed.

NUUANU STREAM REPAIR

Violet Okuda – 145 Puiwa Road

Response by Deputy Director Eugene C. Lee (Department of Design and Construction):  We share the same concerns as you with respect to the erosion, and are trying our best to resolve the situation expeditiously.  Both Federal and local funds are available to make the repairs on an emergency basis.  Normally, a 401 Water Quality Permit (401 WQP) from the State Department of Health (SDOH) would be required for this type of project.  This permit process normally takes more than one (1) year to obtain; however, we are presently working with SDOH to see if a waiver can be obtained to expedite the 401 WQP approval.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Marvin Char at 527-6381.

LACK OF PARKING

S. Kuakini St. (between Nuuanu Avenue and Pali Hwy.)

Request by: Representative Sylvia Luke

SERVICE(s) REQUESTED:  

There is not enough parking for area residents, and as a result, police are ticketing cars much more frequently.  Please investigate this situation and see if a solution can be implemented.

Forwarded to the City Administration via Councilmember Rod Tam's office.  Response Pending.

Waokanaka Road

Missing Signage

A request to replace the missing sign.

The first sign on the makai side of the road on Waokanaka is missing, and there is an empty pole next to an electric pole.

Request was forwarded to the City Administration on February 7, 2006.

The Department of Facility Maintenance/Road Maintenance Division responded:  This is under State's jurisdiction.  DFM to notify State Highways District office.

3501 Nu'uanu Pali Drive

SERVICE REQUESTED:

• DFM - Street Cleaners to properly dispose of the debris fronting the location, and throughout Nuuanu Pali Drive.
• DDC to provide cost estimates, and a scheduled plan to make the location and surrounding areas ADA compliant.
• Provide funding appropriations in the Mayor's CIP budget for the ADA project.

The Department of Design and Construction (Marvin Char 527-6983)  responded that this location is under the "STATE" jurisdiction, and therefore needs to be referred to the "STATE" for consideration.  The Department of Design and Construction will take no further action concerning this issue of ADA compliance improvements.

A response from the Department of Facility Maintenance in regards to cleaning the area:  Nuuanu Pali Drive is scheduled for mechanical sweeping once a week as resources permit.  The last sweeping was done on 2/16/06.  It should be noted that the area in the subject vicinity has many trees and shrubbery that causes leaves and twigs to continually fall onto the roadway.  More frequent sweeping of this area cannot be scheduled due to large workload and lack of resources.  The Superintendent has informed his street sweeping drivers to  dispose of there debris properly and be more aware of having the street sweeping brooms clean closer along the curb side.  Should there be any questions, please call Melvin Miyata, District Road Maintenance Superintendent to the Halawa Corporation Yard, at 484-7630.

Director Henry Eng reported that Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) inspection on 1/14/06 revealed the sidewalk area is overgrown.  Notice of violation 2006/NOV-02-135 has been issued to the owners of the property.

An inquiry was made to State Representative Sylvia Luke's office to respond to the ADA Compliance concern.  Response Pending.

March 1, 2006 - Received a phone call from Marvin Char (DDC) 527-6893, who said he just was informed that the city does have jurisdiction.  He stated that there are no sidewalks at the location, and the city administration's recommendation would be to initiate the "Improvement District" process.  He would need several weeks to officially respond to our inquiry.   The homeowners would have to pay for 50% of the costs, and some may even lose some property to bring the location up to standard.

BOOTH DISTRICT PARK

ABANDONED/DERELICT VEHICLES

(Neighborhood Board Member Mason Aiona)

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Parking Complaints at 3242 Kaohinani Drive

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58 Niniko Place

The "No Parking Anytime" sign is totally faded. The "No Parking" sign needs to be so that rubbish trucks can turn around as Dead End Street. (Board member Paula Kurashige, 595-7094)

Vehicles have been parked (unmoved) at the location for over a year.  Vehicles were identified, and forwarded to Motor Vehicle Control.  Councilmember Rod Tam requested for the immediate removal.  Action by the City Administration is pending.

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Response by HPD (Officer Byron Anaya) – CAR 4 officers from both the day and night operations have been making checks of the 3242 Kaohinani Drive area, and have issued citations for observed violations.

Sergeant B. Iwane of night operations cited 2 illegally parked vehicles on January 5,, 2006. 

Officer J. Hinazumi marked three vehicles as abandoned on January 10, 2006.  Officers will continue to make checks and take enforcement action as necessary.

Officers will continue to make checks and take enforcement action as necessary.

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Response by Gail Y. Haraguchi – Mayor's Representative & Deputy Director Department of Enterprise Services

(808) 527-5437

I've followed-up with Department of Facilities Maintenance and they will replace the faded sign.  Although the sign is faded, whenever you have a roadway with a turnaround at the end there is no parking.  In the event of a parked car in the turn around area, the advice is to call 911 and HPD will come out and tag the vehicle.  You do not have to have a sign to be tagged.

ADDED - NUUANU VALLEY PARK

Banyan Tree & Overgrowth unto adjacent property

Response from Lester Chang (Director – Department of Parks & Recreation):  A tree trimming supervisor of DPR Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) inspected the Banyan tree of concern.  The tree does not require immediate maintenance (it was part of a tree pruning contract, and was maintained in FY 20050, and there is no overgrowth into the adjacent property.  Should you have any questions, call James Toyama at 971-7157.

DISASTER SHELTERS

Several months ago Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland provided our neighborhood board with a listing of schools that can be used for disaster shelters.  An announcement was later made that most of the schools on the list could not be used as shelters.   Some board members are concerned for the lack of shelters in our community, and they would like to know what is being done to make up the shortage.

(Board Member Patt Spencer)

An inquiry was sent to Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland to verify what schools may be used for emergency shelters, of which are within the geographical boundaries of Neighborhood Board 12?

Response Pending.

Nuuanu Reservoir

The Nuuanu Reservoir still has debris left in it from the BWS; if there's a heavy rain, this debris will flow down the Awai (?) and cause a problem. The impression was given that the City wants the State to take over the reservoir.

(Board member Sylvia Young)

The job is not yet completed.  Board of Water Supply crews is still working in the area and should be finished within the next 2 to 3 weeks.  The Nuuanu Dam acts as a regulator of storm flow (through the reservoir outlet works) and as such, the amount of water released during heavy rains is consistent and significantly less than if the dam was not there.  The BWS is interested in the State taking over the Nuuanu Reservoir because flood control and aquatic activities are not core BWS functions.

DOWSETT HIGHLANDS

Concerns were raised over the Mayor's "non-response" (Nov. 22 letter) to the concerns of the Nuuanu community about the proposed Dowsett Highlands subdivision. The Mayor has already seen specific information on the infrastructure inadequacies. It was felt that he was saying that the subdivision would be approved, regardless of inadequacies.

(Board members Phil Nerney, Sylvia Young)

The Mayor responded on Nov. 22, 2005 to September 16, 2005 letter from Mr. Canopin, Jr.

EXCESSIVE SPEEDING AT PUIWA ROAD

PAPAKOLEA

The area surrounding the dignified Papakolea sign (installed by the community) was supposed to be landscaped, and sprinklers installed – what happened to that project? Can the federal government chip in any money, since it's the gateway to the cemetery?

(Board member Patt Spencer)

Residents have expressed their concerns regarding excessive speeding (45+MPH) on Puiwa Road.  Councilmember Tam's office submitted a request to investigate the feasibility of installing a speed bump at the blind curve adjacent to 130 Puiwa Road, and/or to find another optional measure to reduce speeding in the area, to increase motor vehicle and pedestrian safety.  Response from the City Administration is pending.

Response from the Department of Design & Construction:

The area surrounding the dignified Papakolea sign (installed by the community) was supposed to be landscaped, and sprinklers installed – what happened to that project? Can the federal government chip in any money, since it's the gateway to the cemetery?

Eugene Lee, Deputy Director: There was a vision project to provide landscaping/irrigation around the existing sign situated on DHHL land. Plans were developed, however, one of the conditions imposed by the City was that a Memorandum of Agreement be executed to assign maintenance and liability responsibilities since the improvements were to be on State lands.  The community/vision team apparently balked at being a party to the MOA, and the project died.  The plan was provided to the vision team when they indicated that they wanted to pursue it on their own.

KIMO BRIDGE

Kimo Bridge is in disrepair, and needs work to reduce the flooding. No maintenance has been done on the bridge for years. The Pelekane Street Bridge also needs to be reviewed.

(Board member Paula Kurashige, 595-7094)

More time is needed for investigation.

Response Pending.

BOOTH DISTRICT PARK

Aiona received a call regarding his complaints about the trees in Booth District Park, and someone at DPR turned down the request to look at it, and Aiona was given the impression that no one from DPR would ever come look at it.

(Board member Mason Aiona)

DPR, Urban Forestry Division: To address the concern of the city tree branches that are encroaching hear high-tension wires, DPR responded that the tree work will be performed the latter part of February 2006. 

PALI DRIVE

Pali Drive (the 1^st house on Nuuanu Pali Drive off Pali Hwy), the sidewalk area is severely overgrown. Disabled persons must walk in the street to get to Pali Hwy. It's very dangerous. The house there is rented. Please assist in clearing.

  (Board member Paula Kurashige, 595-7094)

Response Pending.

Bridge at Auwaiolimu Street

The bridge is owned by Hawaiian Homes (DHHL). It was privately owned, then DHHL wanted to turn it over to Pauoa School, but they didn't want to take it.  (Board members Sylvia Young and James Bannan)

Response from the City Administration: 

This is a State issue and should be forwarded to the Governor's representative.

Response Pending.

Niniko Place

1^st bullet point: The makai side trees (31 plum trees) are growing into the sidewalk area. The residents want them checked for termites and maintained, not removed.

2^nd bullet point: The grass trimmings that were left, were not on the sidewalk, and they were left by the caretaker of the Marks Estate. The caretaker says that he can do nothing about the trees, since they are under historical preservation. 

(Board member Paula Kurashige, 595-7094)

Nola Frank – reported that this is a historic site and owner should call the State.

Nu'uanu Neighborhood Security Watch

Replacement of Signs – Request by Paula Kurashige 1Mar06

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2161 Pauoa Road

Request by:  Representative Sylvia Luke

SERVICE(s) REQUESTED:  

• There is a small grassy area in front of 2161 Pauoa Road, which has become a neighborhood magnet for bulky pickup items.  Many of these items are not acceptable for bulky pickup and the accumulation is becoming a safety hazard.  Please have these bulky items removed as to prevent any injuries to residents in the area.
• Please investigate the feasibility of placing an official City & County "No Dumping" sign on the existing telephone pole fronting 2161 Pauoa Road.

Request forwarded to the city administration via Councilmember Rod Tam's office – Response Pending.

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Forwarded to the City Administration via Councilmember Rod Tam's office.  Response Pending.

NAMILIMILI STREET

Request by:  Marvin Kailikea

SERVICE(s) REQUESTED:  

• Please provide street cleaning services every Tuesday & Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Namilimili Street in Pauoa Valley.   This request stems from the excessive amount of rubbish created by the Monkey Pod Trees at Booth Park, which is directly across Namilimili Street.  For many years, the rubbish from these trees has created a great burden on the residents in the area. 
• To help facilitate this street cleaning, residents are requesting the installation of "No Parking" signs on Namilimili Street, which would prohibit parking only on Tuesdays & Thursdays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
• A petition were signed by the Namilimili Street residents who are in favor of these measures.

Forwarded to the City Administration via Councilmember Rod Tam's office.  Response Pending.

AHEKOLO STREET

Request by:  Joe Fasone

SERVICE(s) REQUESTED:  

• There is overgrowth from private property encroaching onto the City Road, making it difficult for cars to pass safely.  This property, located across 2651 Ahekolo Street has many bushes and trees that are growing over the guardrail there.  Please inform the property owners of their responsibility of maintaining their shrubbery so that it does not encroach onto city streets.
• Our constituent is requesting the City look into the feasibility of lowering the speed limit on this part of Ahekolo Street (between Pacific Heights Road and Boot Road) due to its narrowness.

Response by Henry Eng (Director – Department of Planning and Permitting):  "Inspection by Lester Hirano revealed the sidewalk area on the Ahekolo Street side is overgrown with weeds and private tree branches.  This is a dual frontage.  A work order was sent to the Department of Facility Maintenance.

Response by Melvin N. Kaku (Acting Director – Department of Transportation Services)  Our investigation revealed that speed limit signs are not posted on this portion of Ahekolo Street.  Therefore, we will be issuing a work order to the Department of Facility Maintenance to install the appropriate "SPEED LIMIT 15" signs after the required legal notice has been published.  Should you have any questions, please call Leon Lau at 523-4676.

BOOTH ROAD

Request by: Councilmember Rod Tam

SERVICE(s) REQUESTED:  

• City crews recently cleared some overgrowth on a stream embankment located across 2642 Booth Road.  However, there is still a lot of overgrowth in the stream that needs to be cleared.  Please have this overgrowth removed as it may contribute to flooding in this area during times of heavy rain.

Forwarded to the City Administration via Councilmember Rod Tam's office.  Response Pending.

BOOTH PARK MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING

Request by:  Wilbert Lee

SERVICE(s) REQUESTED:

To investigate the electrical problem at the Booth Park Multi-Purpose Building.  The outside lights on the building have been on, day and night.

Forwarded to the City Administration via Councilmember Rod Tam's office.  Response from Lester Chang (Director – Department of Parks and Recreation):  "The solar timer for the outdoor security lights for the multi-purpose building was replaced and the lights were operating normally.  Repairs to the security lights around the gym need to be done by the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) electricians.  A work request was forwarded to DRM.  The work will be according to DFM priority.