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AIEA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2006
AIEA LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
CALL TO ORDER – Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Sugimura. Tracy Arakaki, Robyn Blanpied, Ryan Distajo, Sandra Thompson, Martha Aldinger, William Clark, George Passmore, Sam Heth, Ron Mobley.
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Arakawa, Ruby Hargrave, Wilbert Ho, Monica Texeira, Ross Lee.
GUESTS: Dan Ho, Myrtle Nyuha (Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21), Hiroko Nakamura (Councilmember Romy Cachola’s Office), Senator Norman Sakamoto, Captain Lee Muller and Firefighter Reid Yoshida (Honolulu Fire Department, Aiea Station), Jen Chahanovich and Mona Maehara (Pali Momi Hospital), Tracy Kubota (Councilmember Gary Okino’s Office), Lt. Keith Lima and Lt. Grant Arakawa (Honolulu Police Department – Pearl City Station), Wesley Sawamura, Tracy Burgo (Board of Water Supply), Emily Viglielmo, Gary Omori (Parsons & Brinterhoff), Ross Tsukenjo (Senator Donna Kim’s Office), Representative K. Mark Takai, Stan Shiraki (Governor’s Office), Rod Ohira (Honolulu Advertiser), Susan Sheldon, Suzette Adversalo, Reena Rabago (Representative Blake Oshiro’s Office), Scott Ishikawa (State Department of Transportation), Nola J. Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS – Neighborhood Assistant Frank called the roll of Board members. There were nine members present and a quorum present.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE BOARD:
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND OTHER OFFICERS FOR 2006-2007: Heth moved and seconded by Blanpied nominating the current Board officers to continue serving as officers for the 2006-2007 term. The motion carried unanimously, 9-0-0.
The 2006-2007 Board Officers are:
v Chair – William Clark
v 1ST Vice Chair – Jane Sugimura
v 2nd Vice Chair – Wilbert Ho
v 3rd Vice Chair – Ron Mobley
v Secretary – Robyn Blanpied
v Treasurer – Sandra Thompson
ESTABLISH THE 2ND MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7:30 P.M. TO HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS: Thompson moved and seconded by Mobley to hold regular Board meetings on the 2nd Monday at 7:30 p.m. each month. The motion carried unanimously, 9-0-0.
ESTABLISH THAT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT THE AIEA LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM – Thompson moved and seconded by Mobley that regular monthly meetings be held at the Aiea Public Library Conference Room.
Discussion followed: In response to Aldinger, the facility usage fee is $20.00 per month, which comes out of the Board’s Operating Account.
The motion carried unanimously, 9-0-0.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS – Tonight’s guests introduced themselves.
The agenda was taken out of order to Reports by Public Officials~ Representative K. Mark Takai. There were no objections.
REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
Representative K. Mark Takai reported the following:
1) Blanpied was thanked for her hard work in the community.
2) Distributed the monthly written report and highlighted/added the following: a) H-1 Lane – After more than two years of construction the additional lane across Waimalu Valley is finally completed. A dedication ceremony was held on June 5 to officially open the new lane by untying the maile. b) New improvements are pending for Kaahele Street in Newtown Estates. Future acceleration lanes and left turn pockets will provide additional safety areas for motorists. Restriping of the street would also be done. 3) Three new and three replacements signs are up at Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and additional changes to freeway signs will be completed later this year. 4) Included in the report were the results of his 2006 community survey. 5) The Kamehameha Highway Task Force is working on improving Kamehameha Highway on the East side. He has spoken with the Navy about improving the a.m. contra-flow.
Representative K. Mark Takai was thanked for attending the meeting.
PUBLIC SERVICE REPORTS:
Honolulu Fire Department – Firefighter R. Yoshida gave the following report:
1) Total responses for the month of May were 91: Fire –structure 5, brush 1, vehicle 4: emergencies – medical 59, search/rescue 2, miscellaneous 20.
2) Fire Safety Tip: Brush fire season is here, so remember to maintain a 30-foot wide clearing in between any structure and vegetation. Recent rains may have resulted in overgrowth vegetation in some buffer areas.
3) With Independence Day around the corner, consider leaving fireworks to the professionals and enjoy one of the many fireworks displays around town. If you use fireworks, follow all warnings and instructions. Young children should never be given fireworks. Older children should only use fireworks under the direct supervision of an adult. Have a happy and safe Independence Day celebration.
Captain Lee Muller and Firefighter Reid Yoshida were thanked for attending the meeting.
Arakaki arrived during the above portion of the meeting (ten members present).
Honolulu Police Department – Lieutenant Lima reported the following:
1) Statistics for the month of May included auto theft 30, auto theft recovery 23, burglary 13, criminal property damage (includes graffiti) 43, sex assault 1, theft 56, UEMV (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle) 4, and calls for service 1,840.
2) An incident occurred on June 9 when two male victims were leaving the 50th State Fair and approached by a twenty-year old demanding money, which is considered robbery. One victim notified a Special Duty officer who chased down the suspect and made an arrest. During the fair hours plain-clothes officers are patrolling the perimeter. It is required that Special Duty Officers are hired for events.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) In response to Senator Sakamoto, when calling 911 from a cell phone or land line, it must go through the process of screeners, then dispatchers.
2) An arrest was made two nights ago when a male suspect was witnessed painting graffiti on the H-2 freeway by an off duty officer. The officer called for units to respond and the arrest of a male military person was made. The suspect has admitted to other graffiti crimes.
3) A question was posed as to what is the penalty for a graffiti crime. Lt. Lima replied the charge could be a petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, fine or jail time. The judge makes the decision. Chair Clark commented that some judges require community service. However, there is nothing in the penalty law relative to graffiti cleanup.
Lt. Lima and Lt. Arakwa were thanked for attending the meeting.
Board of Water Supply (BWS)– Tracy Burgo gave the following report:
1) There were four water main breaks for the month of May – a) May 3, 2006, fifty-one year old eight-inch cast iron main on Ieie Place; b) 5/17/06, fifty-one year old six-inch cast iron main on Pamoho Place; c) 5/17/06 thirty-eight year old four-inch cast iron main on Kaonohi Street; and d) 5/19/06, fifty-one year old six-inch cast iron main on Ieie Place. As the useful lifespan of the current water mains ends, BWS is spending million of dollars to replace them to insure reliable water service and help prevent main breaks.
2) General Water Announcements:
- You can be part of the conservation effort by starting in your own backyard. In a partnership, the BWS, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the University of Hawaii, the City and County of Honolulu’s Environmental Service Department and the Big Island and O’ahu Resource Conservation and Development Councils have created the Hawaii Backyard Conservation Handbook. Copies were available for interested persons to review. More pamphlets are available at BWS office on S. Beretania Street, or call NRCS at 483-8600 extension 3.
- Washing your car can use up to 150 gallons or more of water. Use of a trigger nozzle can save 100 gallons of water, almost ten small fish tanks.
Questions, answers and comments:
Relative to the Akaaka Street project, a notice to proceed has been issued. The contractor then works on the plans and applies for the permits. The process takes time.
Tracy Burgo was thanked for attending the meeting.
Board of Education – No representative was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MAY 2006: The following corrections/additions were made:
- Page 1, under Members Present, add, “...Ryan Distajo...” who was present that evening.
- Page 7, Questions, answers and comments no. 5, should read, “...In response to Tamamoto, if any filtering is planned to avoid sediment flowing into Pearl Harbor, David Tanoue of the Mayor’s Office, replied the style of the older built channels are easier to maintain and are getting rid of the water from the site. In the past the water and sediment would drain through the channels. Presently, a different style of drainage being used may slow the process by retaining some of the sediment...”
Without objections the regular meeting minutes of May 2006 were accepted as amended.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Thompson asked that the treasurer’s report be deferred until July due to a discrepancy.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
Aiea Community Association – Deferred.
Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi – Jen Chahanovich, Chief Operating Officer, for Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi, gave the following update:
1) Since the last update 2, 263 patients have visited the emergency room, and 457 patients were admitted to the hospital. Services at the emergency room have increased 60%.
2) Each physician at the facility is board certified to work in the emergency room.
3) For the month of May 662 patients were seen for chest pain, headaches, pneumonia, etc., overflowing the emergency room.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) Thompson asked if the increase of the patients at emergency is possibly due to the number elderly living in the community. Chahanovich replied the increase in volume is due to pediatrics. It is closer for those living in the area and on this side of the island than driving into town to the Kapiolani Medical facility.
2) Sugimura inquired if the facility has a long-term care program. The response was the facility will not do homecare, but much is needed.
3) Follow up will be done regarding the parking valets
Jen Chahanovich and Mona Maehara were thanked for attending the meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
H-1Freeway Widening Update – Scott Ishikawa of the State Department of Transportation (DOT) reported the following:
1) A handout was circulated with pictures of the roadwork and progression relative to area repaving projects.
2) Aiea Access Road – due the asphalt shortage, transition to from concrete to asphalt would be done later this summer.
3) The completion of the Moanalua Road repaving will be done in the next fiscal year.
4) Grace Pacific is taking care of patching Honomanu Street, fronting the new Sam’s Club on Kamehameha Highway, and any other rough spots in the area, as promised.
Per page 2 of the handout, Chair Clark mentioned that on one of the days three lanes were shut down and traffic was heavily impacted. At around 11 a.m. traffic on Moanalua Freeway was backlogged to the Vineyard cutoff. Ishikawa replied that he would have more signs posted.
5) Board members and Representative K. Mark Takai were thanked for the attending the opening ceremony of the H-1 Freeway widening.
6) Ishikawa mentioned he would return to the Board in about three months with updates. Chair Clark asked Ishikawa if he would email road closures that might be of interest to the Board.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) There is a slight backlog of road repair due to the asphalt shortage.
2) Blanpied asked if there was a schedule to close part of Halawa Heights Road to Aliipoe last Friday at 7 a.m. The Camp Smith traffic was backed up. Tracy Burgo of the BWS replied a control valve was being installed. Blanpied asked if the project could start at 8 a.m. to allow people going to Camp Smith reach their destination without road closures.
3) Senator Sakamoto questioned who controls the stoplights from Middle Street exit from the N. King Street intersection to town. The response was the City. He also asked if the State and City has a plan to modify the lights when a project is complete.
3) Pearl City Resident Nyuha mentioned stoplights in Kamehameha Highway improvements area are tweaking. Ishikawa answered a study is currently being done, which will start at Hekaha Street.
4) Thompson asked who is responsible for changing traffic signal light bulbs that are out. Ishikawa replied the City maintains stoplights on Moanalua Road and the State maintains the stoplights on Kamehameha Highway.
5) A Waimalu resident asked when the clean up under the freeway would be completed. Ishikawa replied approximately in a month or two. Area residents will be updated on the completion date.
6) Mobley commended DOT on the opening ceremony of the H-1 Freeway widening.
7) A comment was made relative to an extra lane to Pearl City in the future.
8) A shoulder lane on the viaduct is now standard procedure.
Scott Ishikawa was thanked for attending the meeting.
Proposed Nextel Antenna Facility at 98-302 Kamehameha Highway (TMK (1) 9-8-018:39) also known as WatamulL Properties: Chair Clark reported HE spoke with Representative Takai who informed him that talks between Nextel and the management of Pearlridge Center are ongoing. Representative Takai is hopeful that an agreement is met.
Nextel is proposing to install an antenna in the banyan tree located on Lehua Avenue near the mauka side footpath. Nextel is asking for community support. The Outdoor Circle opposes this proposal. Pearl City Board member Nyuha mentioned the Pearl City Neighborhood Board said no and asked Nextel to look for alternate locations.
NEW BUSINESS:
Environment Assessment for the Project to Replace the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor – First Vice Chair Sugimura reported receipt of a notice from U.S. Park Services asking for input regarding the proposed new USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor, due to the present visitors center sinking. It is estimated the visitor center would closed for three years while the new one is built. Persons interested in providing input may log on to www.nps.gov or call Douglas Lentz at 422-2771.
Questions, answers and comments:
Heth commented that he heard the visitor center might be relocated to Ford Island adjoining it with the memorial.
First Vice Chair Jane Sugimura was thanked for her report.
Conservation District Use Application (CDUA) OA-3314, Landscaping and Maintenance of Fire Buffer/Greenbelt TMK (1) 9-8-073:003 – First Vice Chair Sugimura reported receipt of correspondence regarding comments on a thirty-foot fire buffer for Newtown. Plans are to replace green waste that is being thrown into the gulch with native plants, which is an ongoing activity. Deadline for comments was June 1, 2006.
First Vice Chair Jane Sugimura was thanked for the information.
REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
SENATOR NORMAN SAKAMOTO – Senator Sakamoto distributed his written report and highlighted/added the following:
1) Relative to the USS Arizona Visitor Center, cost for a new center is approximately $38 million. The structure would be built in front of the existing facility. A joint nation wide fundraising is planned. The legislature has put in $500,000 for this proposed project.
2) Money appropriated last year for school improvements and released by the Governor for this area are: a) Pearl Ridge Elementary cafeteria expansion - $744,010. Total project cost will be $950,000 and completion is expected to be in May 2007. The Governor released $205,990 last May for the project design; reroofing $169,000 and $10,000; replacement of grease trap $81,000. b) Aiea Elementary – Replacement of dumbwaiter $35,000 and replacement of waterlines $22,000. c) Aiea Intermediate – Electrical upgrade $650,000 and replacement of vpac (air-conditioning unit) $88,000.
3) There is an additional $20 million for schools, none of which are in budget deficit. The Department of Education will decide how the funding would be distributed and potentially could act in July.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) Relative to the new Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, Senator Sakamoto said he understands that the new facility would be built prior to closing the present one.
2) Regarding concerns raised about the Department of Education’s (DOE) student weighted formula, each school is has teacher professional development days (teachers only). Some schools choose to utilize waiver days first.
Senator Norman Sakamoto was thanked for attending the meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER GARY OKINO – Tracy Kubota distributed the Councilmember’s written report and highlighted/added the following:
1) The People’s Open Market previously held at Aiea Baseball Field parking lot is currently being held at Halawa District Park parking lot. The relocation is due to ADA compliance construction work on the baseball field bleachers and comfort station.
2) Tax Credit Applications – If the combined income of all titleholders for your property tax was less than $50,000 last year, you may qualify for a tax credit that caps your tax liability at no more than 4%of the combined income. Applications for this tax credit program are available in Room 115 at Honolulu Hale, all Satellite City Halls, and online at www.honolulupropertytax.com.
3) Bill 81 (2005), CD2, authorizes a one-time $200 discount on taxes due tin the 2006-2007 tax year. The discount will be automatically applied to every residential property that has a current homeowner’s exemption. The bill passed Third Reading, as amended at the June 7, 2006 Council meeting.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) Kubota replied the tax credit it applies only to owner occupants.
2) Aldinger questioned the delay on the Kaonohi Street/Moanalua Road improvements. Kubota replied there has been no delay from the report. The project should start when school is out and completed before Christmas. However, they are waiting for parts.
Tracy OKubota was thanked for attending the meeting.
SENATOR DONNA KIM – Ross Tsukenjo distributed Senator Kim’s written report and highlighted that one of the top priorities of a survey sent to the community earlier this year was education. Thus the 2006 legislature passed Senate Bill 2956 titled “Fix Our Schools Act of 2006”.
Ross Tsukenjo was thanked for attending the meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER ROMY CACHOLA – Hiroko Nakamura circulated Councilmember Cachola’s written report and was available for questions.
Hiroko Nakamura was thanked for attending the meeting.
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – David Tanoue, of the Department of Planning and Permitting, gave the following report:
1) Mayor’s Honolulu News highlights include wastewater emergency bypass project on Beachwalk in Waikiki; and the Chinatown Summit will be held on June 22 at the Hawai’i Theatre.
2) ThreeTransit Community meetings are scheduled for June 24, 2006, at Kapolei Hale from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.; June 2, Honolulu, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Mission Memorial Auditorium; and June 27, Aliamanu Middle School, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
3) Proposed FY07 Budget for Aiea includes: a) Aiea Stream outlet dredging $210,000; b)
Waimalu Stream dredging construction $3 million; c) Aliipoe ditch design and construction $850,000; d) Waimalu Sewer reconstruction and rehabilitation $9.5 million;
e) Aiea Transit Center $1,000 (acquired land for transit center site).
4) Follow up regarding a concern raised last month relative to the empty lot on Kaimakani Street – A community meeting was held last month. Last October, per the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) said they had no jurisdictions on the unimproved portion of the lot and decided not to maintain the area. The issue is still under dispute between the City and the State, which does not want the property and is giving it to the City. According to the State it is up to the City if they will accept the parcel or not. So the issue is back to square one, and the City is working to get volunteers to maintain the area.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) Blanpied asked if the State is doing something relative to the encroachment. Tanoue replied per advice from the attorneys, it seems as though the State is not taking any responsibility.
2) Myrtle Nyuha commented it was mentioned at the Pearlridge Town Meeting that the Kaonohi Street/Moanalua Road improvements would commence this summer. Okubo answered this is to alleviate the entire congestion in the area.
3) Improvements in the Aiea Industrial subdivision should start this July.
David Tanoue was thanked for attending the meeting.
GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Stan Shiraki circulated the Governor’s Update and copies of the Hawaii Drug Control Plan Report. The following was highlighted/added:
1) Relative to Kaimakani Street, receipt of a letter from the Attorney General’s Office states it belongs to the City and does not want anything to do with the issue.
2) As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s commitment to protect and preserve Hawaii’s environment, the Governor went to Washington D.C. to join President Bush as he announced that he will establish the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) as a National Monument.
3) Governor will christen the USS Hawai’i, which is the newest and most advanced nuclear attack submarine at Groton Shipyard in Connecticut.
Questions, answers and comments:
1) Thompson commented relative to the transit tax whether the State or City would collect the tax. She suggested it be added to the excise tax and transferred to the City. Shiraki replied that each county could oppose the tax because it is only for Honolulu.
2) A concern was raised regarding a drug house on Kaimakani Street. Blanpied responded that the police are aware of the situation.
Stan Shiraki was thanked for attending the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY – Ron Mobley distributed copies of the Board’s draft newsletter and a list of contacts for the Board’s Christmas Program. Due to time restraints, he requested to be relieved of organizing the Christmas Program. He said that the Board’s draft newsletter would be submitted to the Neighborhood Commission Office next week.
Ron Mobley was thanked for his report.
There were no other Committee Reports.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) Chair Clark announced that Board member Robyn Blanpied will be resigning from the Board and relocating to New Orleans. The vacancy in subdistrict 1 will be itemed on the July agenda.
2) Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21 member Myrtle Nyuha announced interested residents might participate in the Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21’s survey regarding transportation service for the upcoming Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club shuttle. She stated if no feedback were received, Aiea would not be included. Copies of the survey were available for interested persons to review.
3) Gary Omori, of the High Capacity Transit Corridor Project, invited everyone to attend the next meeting schedule for June 20, 2006, Highlands Intermediate School. Topics for discussion will include ridership estimates, capital costs, station locations, etc. A handout was available for interested persons to review.
ADJOURNMENT – Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.