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Nuuanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007

PAUOA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Canopin called the meeting to order at 7:23 p.m.  The packets for each Board member containing reports of the emergency service agencies and legislators, and other items necessary to complete the evening’s agenda were distributed prior to beginning of the meeting.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mason Aiona, Dean Asahina, Jim Bannan, Al Canopin Jr, Heather Mullins Crislip, Audrey Hidano, James Marn, Paula Kurashige, Philip Nerney, Wendy Ogawa, Sylvia Young.  11 Board members of 15 Board seats present.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jay Fidell, Remy Luria, Richard Carreira.

GUESTS: Capt. John Yoshimoto (HFD), Sgt. Samuel Fontanilla (HPD-D-5),  Sgt. Victor Lau (HPD-D-1), Rev. Pam Vessels (APLE), Tracy Ryan, Scott Ishikawa (State Department of Transportation), Mark Bennett (Governor’s Office), Tyler Ogawa (Boy Scout troop 35), June Sandrich, Matt Sandrich (BSA Troop 201), Natasha Wong (Sen. Chun Oakland office) Wayne Panoke (Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition), Katie Churchey (Rep. Corinne Ching’s office), Derrick Kiyabu (Hawaii 2050 Oahu Coordinator), Vanessa Matautia (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

ORDER AND DECORUM: Mason Aiona gave the following report: Aiona read from the Revised Neighborhood Plan (1998 Edition), Chapter 4: Rules and procedures of the Neighborhood Board: Rule No 9: Order and Decorum. 

Section 4-9.1     The chairperson shall vacate the chair when taking part in a debate.  The vice chairperson shall then assume the chair.  In the absence of the vice chairperson, the recording secretary shall be the presiding officer.  In the absence of all other officers, the chairperson shall appoint a temporary chairperson and vacate the chair.

Section 4-9.2     When a Board member or person property before the board wishes to speak; the member or person shall address the chairperson, be recognized before proceeding, and shall confine remarks to the question under discussion, avoiding personalities and abusive language.

Section 4-9.3     If a Board member or other person in speaking, or otherwise, shall violate these rules, the presiding officer or any board member may raise a question of order.  The presiding officer shall then decide the question of order without debate.

Section 4-9.4     When any person is called to order while speaking, such person shall be in possession of the floor after the question or order is decided, and may proceed with the matter under discussion within the ruling on the question of order.

SUNSHINE LAW TRAINING & CERTIFICATION: Vanessa Matautia gave the following report:  Matautia reported that the Neighborhood Commission Office follows rules set in place by the State Office of Information Practices (OIP).  There is periodic training sessions on Sunshine policy rules hosted by the NCO and conducted by OIP for Board members to attend.  At this time, there are several Board members who have not attended the training and within the next several months there will be training sessions.  Information will be provided to them when these sessions are made public.

VACANCIES:

Sub district 2 – (one seat) – Due to the passing of Patt Spencer.

No interested parties came forth.

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT

Honolulu Fire Department: Captain John Yoshimoto gave the following report:

1. The statistics for the month of January 2007 were as follows:  four structure fires, one brush, one rubbish and one vehicle fire.  34 medical emergencies were answered with 5 miscellaneous calls.

2. Fire Safety Tip: Every home should have a working smoke detector installed near each sleeping area and on every level.  Since cooking vapors and steam can set off a smoke detector, the detector should be located away from the kitchen or bathroom.  Wall-mounted detectors should be positioned 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from air vents.

Questions, comments and concerns:

 Kurashige applauded HFD for their fine work and reported that Patt Spencer’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church on Punahou Street.

Honolulu Police Department, District 1: Sgt. Victor Lau gave the following report:

The statistics for the month of January 2007 were as follows:  two burglaries, 13 UEMV, seven auto thefts, one assault, four property damage cases, 33 motor vehicle collisions, two D.U.I, one sex offense, two family offenses, two graffiti cases and 74 calls for miscellaneous items.

Honolulu Police Department, District 5: Sgt. Fontanilla gave the following report:  The statistics for the month of January 2007 were as follows:  eight arguments, two assaults, four burglaries, one D.U.I., 12 motor vehicle collisions, five theft cases and 16 UEMV.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1. Aiona reported about the small acts of graffiti that are happening at Booth Park.  Sgt. Lau questioned if HPD was called and may be able to track the graffiti and eventually apprehend the graffiti artist using a camera to document the graffiti.  Aiona questioned why some officers take pictures and others do not and Sgt. Lau commented that the Police Department do not issue cameras and most seen are personal cameras.  Sgt. Fontanilla commented that HPD should be called regardless of it being a small or large incident.

2. Marn questioned item #10 on the Inventory of Community Concerns regarding parking on Kamamalu Street, stating that the resident in question is his neighbor.  Marn commented that the neighborhood has many families with young children and the parking on both sides of the lane as well as speeding traffic make it very dangerous and asked that HPD monitor the area.  Chair Canopin stated that he had contacted Department of Transportation Services and a letter regarding their answer is included in the Board’s packet.  DTS stated that restricted parking will be established on Kamamalu Street on the Ewa end.

3. Kurashige commented that over the weekend Pali Highway had been hit with graffiti.  She did not call it into HPD but commented many can see the graffiti very clearly from the highway.  Kurashige also stated that she hopes her survey of the Neighborhood Security Watch signs will be forwarded to the correct personnel at HPD.

BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEMBERS:

Sylvia Young and Jay Fidell.  Chair Canopin deferred this agenda item until the end of the Board meeting.

STATE OF HAWAII EXECUTIVE BRANCH: Attorney General Mark Bennett gave the following report –

1. Bennett introduced to the Board Candace Park, Deputy Attorney General and resident of Pauoa.  He commented that on occasions when he would not be present to attend, she would be available at the meetings in order to answer any questions. 

2. Governor Lingle announced her two candidates for two judgeships being vacated this year for the Intermediate Court of Appeals and First Circuit Court of Oahu.  Mark Recktenwald, a former Assistant District Attorney, he is currently the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs while Glenn Kim, is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

3. On Sunday, Bennett attended services for the slain Sheriff Deputy Daniel Browne-Sanchez.  He commented that for law enforcement, even when off duty as with the actions by Sheriff Browne-Sanchez, they risk their lives for the greater good of the community.  This sad moment in Hawaii’s history also strengthened for Bennett the belief that Hawaii is in need of tougher sentencing laws.  The suspect in this  case should have been in jail and been required to do such jail time and is an example of where sending some individuals to jail would have worked in keeping the public safe.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1. Marn questioned if there was a backlog of vacancies for judgeships and Bennett replied that there are several chairs open but did not believe there was a backlog.

2. Kurashige reported that an individual in their neighborhood known as the “fruit man” has for a long time stolen fruit.  There have been many times in which this person has been arrested but all it does is have him incarcerated for 30 days at a time and he comes back doing the same thing.  Bennett commented that this individual could be charged under a repeat offender statutory in which would come with a longer jail time and asked Kurashige to give him further information on this subject.

3. Nerney questioned if Governor Lingle had seen the Senate bills regarding hazardous land area, land development and real property introduced by Senator Chun-Oakland and whether or not the Governor had an opinion.  Bennett commented that he did not have any knowledge on the Governor’s opinion and would report back at a later Board meeting.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION: Ishikawa reported on an upcoming project for Pali Highway beginning in April of 2007.  The left turning lane on Pali Highway onto Vineyard Boulevard will be increased by 300 feet in order to deal with the large surge of traffic that backs up onto Pali Highway.  The State DOT Highway Division has been working with the Outdoor Circle in order to work a deal in which would have three existing trees on the current median will be replanted.  One large monkey pod tree will remain while new and smaller monkey pod trees would be planted.  There are two projects in which will cost an estimated $1.3 million.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1. Kurashige questioned where the new trees will be located and Ishikawa commented that the tree will be near the Wyllie Street Overpass.  Kurashige commented that the tree may be a hindrance to driver’s using the Wyllie Street exit and commented that the tree should be planted on the Ewa Side of the Wyllie Street exit as to not block drivers’ views.

2. Nerney commented that DOT’s partnership with the Outdoor Circle, they would have this issue regarding the trees finished.

3. Young commented that if DOT uses monkey pod trees, would they also include maintenance of the tree because the seedlings that fall from the tree become a large mess for island commuters.

PROSTITUTION – Senate Bill 706, House Bill 982:  Reverend Pam Vessels and Tracy Ryan gave the following report. 

Tracy Ryan thanked the Board and commented that their group, APLE, Arresting Prostitutes is Legal Exploitation, have been working for 15-20 years now with the sex workers in downtown Honolulu and Waikiki where many of them are located.  The recent shooting on Kukui Street has raised awareness of the ongoing problem because once prostitutes that were on Hotel Street have been pushed onto Kukui Street, which is within a more residential area.  Ryan stated that they would like to see the State legislature form a task force on finding areas in which would be more suitable but the decriminalization of prostitution must be done.  Reverend Pam Vessels worked with the Waikiki Health Clinic and stated that many people were not opposed to the people involved having consensual sex but the transactions that happened upon the streets.  Vessels stated that the majority of convictions are against the prostitutes and only during police sting operations is when “johns” are prosecuted.  Problems that have arisen is when a former prostitute cleans up her act, they may go and clean up their records, it becomes an almost impossible mission because of the string of arrests from prostitution.  Prostitutes have an average of 54 arrests would make it almost impossible to move on.  Vessels and Ryan requested that people have open discussions regarding prostitution that would enable prostitutes to report abuse by johns and pimps without the fear of being arrested.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1. Chair Canopin questioned about what legislation there was regarding this issue and Ryan reported that there are bills in the House and a companion bill in the Senate as well addressing zoning and decriminalization.

2. Young questioned which legislators had introduced the bills and Ryan commented that it was Senator Carol Fukunaga and Representative Sylvia Luke.  Young also questioned if they will allow brothels because at one time, the Mustang Ranch, a famed brothel in Nevada, was once under the control of the Federal Government after it had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Ryan stated that a de facto ban of prostitution happened in Hawaii around 1930 and 1940’s.  She feared that brothels would lead to overregulation by government and create further problems.

3. Nerney commented that he would have liked to gain a perspective from Attorney General Bennett regarding this legislation.  Ryan reported that many politicians remain skittish on very controversial legislation and a much needed discussion regarding this is needed.

ILIO’ULAOKALANI COALITION – (Relating to the Kahuku Community and the protection of all shorelines along Kahuku Golf Course from future development.)  Wayne Panoke, the Executive Director of Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition, a group of Native Hawaiian Practitioners celebrating their 10 years of existence, gave the following report.  The Coalition is against the further development upon the Hawaiian island shorelines and protecting public access to these shorelines.  Their fight is to support the Kahuku community against the Continental Pacific plan to build 18 luxury homes on the Kahuku shoreline, which is the only shoreline left untouched on the North Shore.  Panoke stated that because families within the Kahuku Villages phase V have been there for generations and most have no other options, he believed that the families were being held hostage by CP in approving the 18 luxury homes.  With projected earnings of $60 million by CP if allowed the opportunity to continue, Panoke stated the community would not be benefiting enough from such a plan.  He also reported support from other Neighborhood Boards and request that Nuuanu NB would do the same.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1. Young commented about a group in Hawaii Kai and questioned if they too are supporting this measure.  Panoke reported that he was familiar with the group and that they too supported their efforts in keeping future development off of Hawaii shorelines.

2. Marn questioned if the group had spoken with Continental Pacific regarding the proposed development.  Panoke commented that there were talks of selling the shoreline property to The Trust for Public Land but at the amount of $26 million.  Panoke further reported that Continental Pacific highlighted a ten point plan in which includes the development of 18 luxury homes they price at $2-3 million a piece but believed that the homes would be put up for sale at a higher price.  Panoke finished by stating that the Coalition will fight until the Kahuku coastline is safe from any future development.

A motion was made by Marn and seconded by Kurashige to support Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition and their fight against any future development along the Kahuku shoreline.  The Board voted 9-0-2 (Abstaining: Hidano/Nerney).

CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – (Variance Requirement) for AHA Punana Leo Hawaiian Immersion Pre-School proposed for 243 N. Judd Street. – Leinaala Medeiros.  Chair Canopin reported that under further research, he had informed Medeiros that the site was within the confines of another Neighborhood Board, Liliha.  Medeiros did not attend the meeting and this agenda item was tabled.

CHAIR’S LETTER to elected State and City representatives, dated February 12, 2007:  Chair Canopin reported that he sent out letter requesting information from State and City legislative representatives on resolutions and bills in which they were requesting support from the Neighborhood Boards.  Canopin stated that due to the swiftness in which the Legislature moved items, the offices were unable to present items this session but would keep it in mind for the following year’s agenda.    Katie Churchey from Rep. Ching’s office stated that if the Board would like to support a bill that the Representative has introduced into legislation. 

BILLS/RESOLUTIONS received by the Chair, seeking support from the Neighborhood Board.

OMPO – Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Report (Jay Fidell/Heather Mullins-Crislip):  Mullins-Crislip had nothing to report but requested that her information be included in order for OMPO to give

Approval of the Regular meeting minutes for January 16, 2007 Board meeting: Bannon made a motion to approve the minutes and was seconded by Marn.  The Board approved the minutes 9 yea, 1 nay (Nerney), 1 abstain (Crislip), with the following corrections provided:

• Page 1, under Election of Secretary/Treasurer, replace “Marn nominated Wendy” with “Bannon nominated Wendy Ogawa”.
• Pages 3, under Hawaii State Executive Branch QCC, #1, include at the end of the sentence “misdemeanor level whereas with the upgrade, it would create a stiffer felony offense for the same crime”.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: none

Adjournment

Chair Canopin adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by:

Vanessa Matautia

Neighborhood Assistant

NUUANU/PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD DIRECTORY

SUBDISTRICT 1:                                                     SUBDISTRICT 3:

Chair Al Canopin Jr. – 688-7337 (E) 527-5569                  Vice Chair Paula Kurashige – 595-7094

James Bannan – 521-5465                                              Dean Asahina – 595-6452 (B) 845-3986

Richard Carreira – 537-4106                                            Audrey Hidano – 595-6262 (B) 847-5555

Remy Luria – (B) 538-8300                                             Philip Nerney – 537-1777

                                                                                    Jay Fidel – W) 566-2105 C) 780-9254

SUBDISTRICT 2:

Secretary/Treasurer Sylvia Young – 845-9022

Vice Secretary/Treasurer Wendy Ogawa – 474-3418 x216

Mason Aiona – 538-6173

Heather Mullins Crislip – 523-6186