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Nuuanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007

PAUOA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Canopin called the meeting to order at 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, Jim Bannan, Al Canopin Jr., Richard Carreira, Heather Mullins Crislip, Audrey Hidano, Paula Kurashige, Philip Nerney, Wendy Ogawa, Sylvia Young, James Marn. 11 of 15 Board members present.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dean Asahina, Jay Fidell.

GUESTS: Gail Lee (Hawaii Public Housing Authority), Janet Nuu Hiwa, Clare B. Silva, Lt. Norman Kau (HPD), Scott Yang (HPD), Sgt. Y Chan (HPD), Eiji Chiiro, Alan Nguyen, Susie Chun Oakland (State Senate), Katie Churchey (Rep. Ching’s Office), Vanessa Matautia (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

VACANCIES:

At this time, Chair Canopin asked that the Board acknowledge the passing of a long time Board member and advocate of the community, Patt Spencer. In 1978, Patt was voted onto the Board and also worked within the State legislature as well as the City Council. Canopin asked that a moment of silence be taken to commemorate her departure.

Subdistrict 2- one seat – explain where the area is located (Pacific Heights) no persons came forward.

ELECTION OF SECRETARY/TREASURER (Term January 16, 2007 thru May 31, 2007): Marn nominated Wendy Young Ogawa who declined. Wendy Young Ogawa nominated Sylvia Young and was seconded by Marn. With no objections, Sylvia Young is appointed the new secretary/treasurer. Young thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve and stated that it would be an honor to take up the work left by Spencer.

ELECTION OF VICE SECRETARY/TREASURER (Term January 16, 2007 thru May 31, 2007): Chair Canopin tables this as Young Ogawa remains the vice secretary/treasurer.

ELECTION OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS (Term January 16, 2007 thru May 31, 2007): Kurashige nominates Mason Aiona and was seconded by Young Ogawa. With no further objections, Aiona is appointed as the Board’s sergeant-at-arms.

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT

Honolulu Fire Department: Captain Soo gave the following report:

The statistics for the month of December were five structure fires and two vehicle fires. There were 55 medical emergencies and 11 miscellaneous calls.

Monthly fire safety tip: Fire, building, and U.S. postal codes, along with City ordinances, state that all property owners shall place their house number so it is legible and visible from the street or road fronting your property. This will assist the Honolulu Fire Department and other first responders in locating your home quickly in the event of an emergency.

Questions, comments and concerns:

Aiona commented that a good tip for residents during the New Years Eve time is to have 2 buckets of water put aside in order to put out small flames within eye vision of your property. This will help when there are wandering adolescents who have a tendency to throw fireworks.

Marn questioned whether it was easier for HFD to see address markers located on the house or on the curb. Captain Soo reported that as long as the signage is visible from the street but stated that painting the house number on the front curbs would not work if cars are parked in front and if there are no curbs. He also stated that keeping the numbers in a well lit place would also make it easier.

Carreira asked if there was any update regarding the replacement of blue reflectors used to verify where fire hydrants were located. Captain Soo reported that he had filed information with the Department of Facility Maintenance regarding the reflectors and would follow up at the next Board meeting.

Kurashige commented that an ordinance described where address numbers should be located and stated that the numbers should be in at least 4-6 inch large without brush or foliage blocking.

Honolulu Police Department, District 1: Officer Scott Yang and Sgt. Y.K. Chang from the 3^rd Watch gave the following report:

The stats for December 2006 for Beats 158 and 160 were as follows: 8 burglaries, 8 UEMV, 5 auto thefts, 5 assaults, 7 property damage cases, 33 motor vehicle collisions, 2 D.U.I.s, 3 sex offenses, 7 family offenses, 1 drug offenses, 2 graffiti cases and 162 miscellaneous service calls.

Sgt. Chang had dispersed information sheets regarding two laws that came into affect and help law enforcement in their goal of keeping Hawaii drivers safe. The first law is an amendment to the speeding law requiring all offenders caught going 30 mph over the posted speed limit or over 80 mph to be arrested, cited and be given a court appearance. The second law signed into law was the requirement that any child under 4’9” and less than 40 lbs. should be strapped into a booster seat. The maximum initial fine for this law is set at $100.

Questions, comments and concerns:

Mason reported that there was an incident involving minors in Booth Park where HPD and EMS had responded to and requested information on what was the nature of the disturbance. Officer Yang did not have the specifics regarding the incident but would report back at the next Board meeting with information.

Kurashige questioned when residents were reported graffiti, where should they call because they have been told several conflicting statements. Lt. Kau reported that if the graffiti artist is in the progress of defacing property, residents should call 911 but if there is graffiti that is already present, residents should call the graffiti hotline. He also stated that there must be a complainant in which many times does not happen but encourage all residents to come forward with information.

Nerney commented how many Hawaii drivers would actually acknowledge and abide by this law and believed that very few would do so. Young commented that her family made it a point to use the booster seats as a precaution and should be something Hawaii drivers take into consideration.

Honolulu Police Department, District 5: Sgt. So gave the following report - The stats for December 2006 for Beat 573 were as follows: 4 burglaries, 4 thefts, 16 UEMV, 3 property damage cases, 8 motor vehicle collisions and 5 arguments.

Questions, comments and concerns: Kurashige requested that statistics be available for Beat 572 since it is within the Neighborhood Board’s boundaries.

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

A press conference was held recently where the Attorney General’s introduced a packet of bills that would up for legislative review:

Domestic Violence: This bill would protect victims of Domestic Violence by raising the level of the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony count. This law would help to protect victims by deterring those who would otherwise ignore the misdemeanor count.

Copper Theft: This bill would create a felony count for the theft of any copper. It would also require scrap dealers to request documentation of where the copper was taken in the form of a detailed receipt and photographs. This would limit the amount of stolen copper to be sold to scrap dealers and hopefully slow the rate of copper thefts down.

Jury and prior convictions: This bill is a request that a State constitutional amendment that would allow for prior convictions to be given to the jury. This bill passed in the Senate last year and hopefully will pass through the House. The fourth bill relates to jury instructions in criminal cases.

The final piece of the package is a joint resolution requesting for the setup of a taskforce that would find solutions to retaining current Hawaii law enforcement. Much of the force that currently serves is nearing retirement age and much of the younger officers are being taken by mainland Police departments. Several leaders from the law enforcement community including HPD Chief Boisse Correa are backing the resolution.

Questions, comments and concerns:

Marn asked Bennett what the rationale behind the upgrading of the laws. Bennett stated that at the moment the violation of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is only at a

Nerney suggested that retaining the 4/12 schedule (4 day/12 hour shifts) would increase the number who would remain because it would allow for HPD to have enough time to find other work. Nerney then questioned Bennett regarding a client of his which is being harassed by DOT officials. Bennett requested that if the client has documentation regarding the harassment and corruption to please send the information to his office in order to review and take action.

STATE OF HAWAII LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: No representative was available for comment:

Approval of the Regular meeting minutes for November 21, 2006 Board meeting.

Young moved and was seconded by Kurashige to approve the November 21, 2006.

Discussion:

Nerney raised issue regarding a discussion not provided within the Board meeting minutes. The discussion that was initiated by Fidell before the beginning of Board agenda but Canopin stated that since the issue was not an agenda item and did not follow State sunshine policy, it would not be included within the minutes. Nerney believed that this was not the case and believed that information pertaining to the matter should be included within the minutes. A discussion ensued between Board members and a Board vote was taken.

The Board voted 8-1-2 to approve the minutes. Nay – Nerney. Abstaining – Mullins-Crislip, Marn.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: no announcements.

Adjournment

Chair Canopin adjourned the meeting at 8:24 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 - unlisted