DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 5, 2006

PAUAHI RECREATION CENTER

CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order by Chair Matusow at 7:00 p.m.  A quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Alvin Au, Richard Brawley, Lynne Matusow, Carl Middleton, Karl Rhoads, Tom Smyth, Burton White, Stanford Yuen.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dolores Mollring.

GUESTS: Suzanne Berg (Senator Suzanne Chu Oakland’s Office), Capt. Guy Masutani and Fire Fighter Mark Bates (HFD-Central Station), Jessica McDunn (Hawaii Pacific University), Capt. Carlton Nishimura, Lt. Robert Green, Sgt. Albert Somera (HPD), Collin Wong (Senator Gordon Trimble’s Office), Bill Brennan (Mayor’s Office), Al Canopin (Councilmember Rod Tam’s Office), Virginia Young, Dean Chu (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS:  The Board members introduced themselves at this time.

REPORTS AND CONCERNS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT – Capt. Masutani reported the following:

1.            Statistics for last month included 7 structure, no brush, 4 rubbish and 2 vehicle fires; 109 medical emergencies, no search and rescue, and 17 miscellaneous cases.  There were no major incidents or unusual incidents.

2.            Fire Safety Tip: Fire, building, and U.S. Postal codes, along with City ordinances, state that all property owners shall place their house numbers in such a manner as to be readily seen from the street.  Having your address plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting your property will assist the Honolulu Fire Department and other first responders to locate you more quickly in the event of an emergency.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.                   New Year’s Eve and day was good from the department’s view with no major fires or incidents.

2.                   Follow up will be done on whether or not there was a fire code violation with the Chinatown Cultural Plaza Post Office employees locking the door at closing time with customers inside and not letting them out until all customers had completed their business.

It was noted that the Makiki Post Office also locks the doors at closing time with customers inside, but has an employee letting them out when they complete their business; that this is a common practice with other businesses’ offices.

3.                   Follow up will be done on whether there is a fire code violation at the Maunakea Towers where fire exit lights on some floors are not lighted.

Capt. Masutani was thanked for attending the meeting.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT – Sgt. Somera reported for the month of November there were 5 robberies, 8 burglaries, 55 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, 20 auto thefts, 6 aggravated assaults, 33 simple assaults, 178 motor vehicle collisions, 10 DUI, 3 sex offenses, 8 family offenses, 5 drug offenses, and 3 graffiti cases.

Questions answers and comments followed:

1.            Two of the security cameras work, but do not move; and one is completely out of order.  The contractor has been contacted to make repairs.

2.            One of the Hawaii Theatre burglars has been arrested, one is being sought.  White, Theatre manager, noted they will be pressing charges.

3.            Thanks were extended for the response to a hit and run accident where officers searching area parking structures for the driver did so quickly and caught him.

4.            Follow up will be done about an awning at the Flower Field store on Maunakea Street presenting a hazard to pedestrians.

5.            Follow up will be done about water leaking into a street light with the City Street Lighting Division.

Capt. Nishimura, Lt. Green and Sgt. Somera were thanked for attending the meeting.

CITIZENS PATROL – Rhoads reported that the Patrol makes its weekly walk every Tuesday, 8:00 p.m.

HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY – McDunn reported the following:

1.            The Winter Session ends on January 13, and graduation will be held January 11, Waikiki Shell, with more than 500 students to graduate.  Spring Semester runs from January 23 to May 12.

2.            The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, has awarded the 2005 Stand-Alone Baccalaureate Geriatric Course Award to the HPU School of Nursing.

3.            Preview Day, to interact with HPU faculty, staff and students to see what HPU has to offer, is scheduled for January 7, Hawaii Loa Campus, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

Following a traffic accident that damaged a traffic signal light at Ft. Street Mall and Beretania Street, the automatic cycle for the pedestrian crossing does not work.  Rhoads noted that the City’s Street Lighting Division can be called 24-hours a day and repairs are promptly made.

            The button for a pedestrian activated signal at Nuuanu Avenue and Vineyard Boulevard is missing.

HONOLULU CULTURE AND ARTS DISTRICT – No report.

Au and Smyth arrived during the above portion of the meeting.

PUBLIC OFFICIALS:

SENATOR GORDON TRIMBLE – Collin Wong, from Senator Trimble’s Office, reported the following:

1.                   Senator Trimble is in the Philippines on an official visit with the Governor and is expected to return on January 12.

2.                   Work is being done on suggestions for bills received from the public.

There were no questions from the Board or guests.  Wong was thanked for attending the meeting.

SENATOR SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND – Suzanne Berg, from Senator Chun Oakland’s Office, distributed a packet of informational materials, which includes the following:  a) an invitation to the opening of the next session of the Legislature on January 18 and a survey on what you would like to see the Legislature use the increase in State revenues, b) a legislative calendar, c) material from Mayor Hannemann and the Office of Environmental Quality Control on the mass transit system, and d) information, including an application form, on the State’s Pharmacy Assistance Program.

There were no questions from the Board or guests.  Berg was thanked for attending the meeting.

MAYOR’S OFFICE – Brennan, representing the Mayor’s Office, reported the following:

1.     The Honolulu City Lights program was a success.

2.     Chinese New Year’s events in Chinatown are scheduled for January 21 and 27.

3.     Property tax assessment notices have been mailed to property owners.

4.     In response to a statement from last month’s meeting taking issue with the response to a request for fencing to be installed between the play apparatus and a nearby stairwell at Smith-Beretania Park, the City’s response was “…Department of Parks and Recreation maintains that construction of a fence separating the play apparatus from the stairwell is not required.”

5.     In response to a request from last month’s meeting that a fence be built around the play apparatus at Pele Street mini park, the City’s response was “…the scope and cost of the construction at Pele Park does not include additional funding to construct a fence around the play apparatus.  There are no additional funds to install a fence.”

6.       In response to a question from last month’s meeting about emergency vehicles’ use of lights and sirens, the City’s response was “…emergency vehicles are exempted from certain traffic codes (stop signs, red lights, parking and speed limits) only when the vehicle sounds a siren, bell or whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and the vehicle displays a lighter red lamp, or in the case of the Honolulu Police Department only, a lighted blue lamp, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle as a warning to others.  On a daily basis, Emergency Medical Services fields complaints of siren noise from citizens.  We encourage reasonable siren use, such as responding at 3:00 a.m. on residential streets with no traffic; sirens would not be necessary to arrive quicker at an emergency.”

7.       In response to a question about the City’s web site not listing all of the Chinese New Year’s events, the City responded that it is ”in the process of redesigning its web sites and will take the request into account.”

8.     In response to a question from last month’s meeting about the proliferation of publication racks in the Downtown area and a suggestion that Waikiki type racks be developed, the City’s response was “…the law governing general newsstands that are being placed outside Waikiki does not provide for any limitation, and placement restrictions are based only on whatever the chief of police determines that the condition or location of a newsstand constitutes a hazard to the public.  If the Neighborhood Board seeks to have similar restrictions on placement of dispensing racks in the Downtown area, it is recommended that the City Council coordinate with all public and private stakeholders to develop such a restrictive ordinance.”

9.       Additional work is being done on a response to a question about the accounting of funds for the Chinatown Action Plan.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.           Smyth stated that he is putting the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City Corporation Counsel on notice, via a personal letter, about the City’s liability in not placing a fence separating the play apparatus from a nearby stairwell at Smith-Beretania Park.

2.        Smyth reported he will follow up on a Chinatown Summit meeting next month and that the Chinatown Action Plan may be discussed at that time.  Yuen stated that he believes that the Chinatown Action Plan is dead and requested an accounting of the $150,000 allocated for this project being worked on by UH graduate students as part of a thesis.  Yuen suggested a contact person the City Administration can check with for more information on the status of the plan.

3.           Signs Aala Park had the wrong time for the closing of the skating facility, but the City changed the time on only two of five of the signs, creating confusion for park users and police.

4.           The Mayor can only spend money that the City Council approves in the budget, and that the media is falsely reporting that the previous Administration improperly spent funds.

5.           The Pele Street mini park has a perimeter fence and that this should keep kids from running into the street.

6.           Thanks were expressed for the City improving maintenance of refuse trucks to reduce the noise they create.

7.           The City is following federal guidelines in the processing being used on the mass transit project.

8.           The City Council has the jurisdiction to, and has yet to set property tax rates, only the assessment notices have been sent to property owners.

9.       There may be legal problems with the new restroom parity bill, as it is a gender based bill, favoring one sex over another, which is illegal.

10.        Concern was expressed that the Waikiki Street Performers bill will end up in court, taking years to litigate.

Brennan was thanked for attending the meeting.

COUNCILMEMBER ROD TAM – Al Canopin, from Councilmember Tam’s Office, distributed the monthly report and highlighted/added the following:

1.       Two bills relating to abandoned vehicles have been introduced, one makes it a traffic violation to leave a vehicle on a street, highway or pedestrian mall unattended for more than 24-hours; the second makes it unlawful for anyone, other than the legal owner or someone to tamper with or remove parts from motor vehicles parked on public streets, highways, or pedestrian malls.  Both bills passed first reading and were referred to committee.

2.       Copies of a letter to the Mayor requesting the City Administration to identify locations in the Downtown/Chinatown area to provide public restroom facilities, and a letter from the Mayor stating that it is legal for mopeds to be parked in a bicycle rack unless otherwise prohibited.

There were no questions from the Board or guests.  Canopin was thanked for attending the meeting.

PUBLIC CONCERNS:  None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGES TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD SYSTEM – Smyth reported the following:

RECOGNIZING EACH NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD AND NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER – This proposal is non controversial.

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION TO PERIODICALLY REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE EFECTIVENESS  OF THE BOARDS, ASSIST THE BOARDS IN COMMUNICATING WITH GOVERNMENAL BODIES,  PERFORM AN ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY – This proposal is controversial as the commissioners, an appointed body, would be conducting reviews of an elected body, the Neighborhood Board members.  Such a review might be better handled by another body, such as the City Auditor.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SHALL HAVE SERVED ONE FULL TERM ON A NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD AND BE A NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION – This portion relating to the executive secretary having served on a Neighborhood Board is non controversial and a good idea, especially in light of the current executive secretary not having served as a Neighborhood Board member and that lack of experience has resulted in a number of problems in office operations.  The portion relating to being a non-voting member is not clear and is controversial.

DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO INCLUDE ELECTIONS, SUPPORT STAFF FOR BOARDS, BUDGETARY NEEDS, TRAINING FOR STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS, IMPLEMENT COMMISSION POLICIES, COORDINATE WITH BOARD CHAIRS DEVELOPMENT OF OFFICE POLICIES – This proposal is non controversial and reflects current operations.

CORPORATION COUNSEL TO BE LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARDS AND DEFEND THE BOARDS FOR MATTERS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION – No report on this proposal.

Discussion and the consensus was to take no action at this time and wait to see what the Charter Commission does with these proposals.  Board comments can be made during the upcoming public hearing process.

NEW BUSINESS:

CHINESE NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS, JAN. 21, 27, AND 28 – Chair Matusow reported events include: January 21, Night in Chinatown, Chinese New Year’s Street Festival, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.; and Night in Chinatown Parade, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.; January 27, Chinatown Open House, Chinese New Year’s Lion Dances, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Other events will be held at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza.

RELOCATION OF BUS SHELTER FROM NU’UANU AND BERETANIA TO SMITH AND BERETANIA – Chair Matusow reported the relocation was made as the articulated versions of TheBus were blocking traffic and pedestrians.  Temporary benches have been placed at the new location, it has not been announced if the old bus stop shelter will be moved to the new location or a new shelter built.  Brennan will follow up.

HOMELESS ISSUES RELATED TO POSSIBLE DOWNTOWN AREA SHELTERS – Smyth reported that the Governor is proposing to spend $20 million, $10 million on repairing existing shelters, and $10 million to develop temporary housing.  Temporary housing could include use of converted buses and Navy ships as has been done successfully in other states.  The Hawaii Housing Coalition, made up of a number of existing non-profit organizations, has combined resources to acquire a portion of the temporary housing funds.

Also, $6.1 million in federal Department of Housing and Urban Development grants for 25 housing programs statewide is available to non-profit organizations.  These programs could include supportative programs in existing facilties such as hotels, and ones like that at Kalaeloa for veterans.  Programs would include health care and job training.  Smyth was unable to say if any of these programs would have an impact on the Downtown/Chinatown area at this time.

Smyth noted that additional funds could be allocated, but would have to come at the expense of other programs.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.       Funding for repairs of existing shelters would increase capacity as some shelters are below capacity due to the need of repairs.

2.       Supportive services could get some persons directly from being homeless into existing housing, bypassing their having to stay in temporary housing.

3.       The most difficult group to service is single parents with children, as if the parent finds a job, child care becomes a problem.

4.       Another problem occurs when existing housing projects convert from affordable to market price, as has happened in several Downtown/Chinatown buildings.

5.       There is a State program that provides qualified persons with the equivalent of the security deposit, so persons who can afford the monthly rent, but do not have funds to pay first and last month’s rent and a security deposit.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 1, 2005 REGULAR MEETING – Rhoads moved and Brawley seconded to approve the minutes.  The motion carried, 7-0-1.  Middleton abstained.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

CHAIR’S REPORT:

KALIHI BERETANIA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR A 24-INCH WATER MAIN FROM KING AND HOUGHTAILING STREETS. TO ALAPAI ST. AND VINEYARD BLVD. -  Chair Matusow reviewed correspondence from the Board of Water Supply, and the only area affecting this Board’s area is the segment of Lusitana Street, between the H-1 and Alapai Street.

STREET CLOSURES – In addition to streets closed in Downtown/Chinatown for the Chinese New Year’s, the Kui Ka Pono Run/Walk for Justice, on January 15, will close King, Victoria, Beretania and Nuuanu, from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.

LIQUOR LICENSES:

RESPONSE FROM BOTH LIQUOR COMMISSION RE: DON HO’S ISLAND GRILL EXTENSION OF LICENSED PREMISES AND DON HO’S ISLAND GRILL – Chair Matusow read a letter from the Honolulu Liquor Commission, explaining the public notice requirement for the temporary extensions of licensed premises.

KIM AN’S, 174 N. KING ST., #2, RETAIL GENERAL (PACKAGE SALES) LICENSE – Notice of this application has been received by the Board.

THE EXECUTIVE CONEXTION, 521 ALA MOANA BLVD., PIER 2, FOREIGN  - TRADE ZONE NO. 9, WHOLESALE BEER AND WINE LICENSE – Notice of this application has been received by the Board.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT – Chair Matusow noted receipt of correspondence requesting volunteers for the whale counts to take place on January 28, February 25 and March 25.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA:

UPDATE ON ALOHA TOWER PROJECT – No new information was available on this matter.

ALTERNATIVES TO H-1 LUNALILO ON RAMP/VINEYARD BOULEVARD OFF RAMP – Chair Matusow noted receipt of correspondence from Senator Fred Hemmings on alternatives, including a tunnel, to the morning closure of the combination Lunalilo on-ramp and Vineyard Boulevard off-ramp asking for the Board’s support.  The Board was not interested in discussing this matter at a future meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  No report.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY – A written report was received from the Board of Water Supply on the following:

1.       There were no water main breaks in this area during the last month.

2.       The new Manager and Chief Engineer is Clifford Lum.

3.       Water saving tips:  Take shorter showers and install a water-saving shower head.

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION:

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN REVISION STATUS – Chair Matusow reported that the December meeting of the Neighborhood Plan Review Committee was cancelled.  Past minutes of the committee are being reviewed and a number of suggested revisions were not incorporated into the present draft currently under review.  This matter may be addressed at the next Commission meeting.

STATE AFFAIRS – Smyth reported that this is a supplemental budget year.  The Governor’s budget is prepared in December, modified in January, and submitted to the Legislature for review.  During the review process the Legislature meets with individual departments on their budgets.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.       There is a water-wasting situation at the One Capital District Building.  Smyth, who works in the building, noted that the water wasting problem is not from the building’s grounds, rather it is from sidewalk landscaping.

2.       In response to a comment about Representative Bev Harbin not attending this Board’s meetings, Smyth reported that he contacted Representative Harbin when she was appointed about attending this Board’s meeting.  Chair Matusow noted that there is no requirement that she or other legislators attend the Board’s meeting, but do so a courtesy to the community.

3.       Thanks were expressed for the Governor’s efforts to address the homeless problem.

CITY AFFAIRS:

FORT STREET MALL – No report.

PELE STREET MINI PARK – Rhoads reported that the construction work has been completed, the play apparatus is to be installed and landscaping is becoming established.

CHINATOWN ACTION PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE – No report.

OAHU METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION – White reported at the last Policy Committee Meeting, there was discussion on the Draft Financially Constrained 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP), at the January 18 meeting, there will be discussion on Request for Organization Viewpoints on 2030 ORTP at the March 15, 2006 Citzens Advisory Committee meeting, and Identification of Task Force Members to Investigate the Island-Wide Communtiy Meetings.

PUBLIC SAFETY – No report.

CHARTER COMMISSION – Chair Matusow reported the next meeting is scheduled for January 10, matters to be discussed include revisions relating to the Neighborhood Commission (tentatively scheduled for January 24), impeachment of elected officials, budget and taxes, new agencies and programs, and schedule of future meetings.  She noted that this commission is behind schedule compared to the 1991 commission.

WEED AND SEED – In response to a question, Chair Matusow reported that there are three years remaining on the current designation and that funding is allocated annually.

TRANSPORTATION SPECIAL INVESTIGATION:

HONOLULU HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT CORRIDOR PROJECT, REPORT ON DEC. 13 SCOPING  MEETING, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE PROPOSED DOWNTOWN ROUTES – Smyth reported that seven proposals were discussed at the meeting. They include: 1) no build, 2) enhanced bus system based on a hub and spoke system, 3) managed lanes alternative – grade separated lanes for buses and other high occupancy vehicles, 4) four different fixed guideway systems, with different starting points in the Kapolei area, different routes to the Downtown area, at-grade or underground in the Downtown area, and different ending points in the Kapiolani and University of Hawaii areas. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A.      The next regular meeting of the downtown neighborhood board will be February 2, 2006 at the Pauahi Community Center, 171 N. Pauahi Street, at 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Submitted by,

Dean Chu

Neighborhood Assistant

Minutes of the meeting are subject to approval at the next meeting.