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AIEA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007

AIEA PUBLIC LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM

CALL TO ORDER – Chair William Clark called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Sugimura, Mary Booth, Wilbert Ho, Sandra Thompson, Martha Aldinger, William Clark, George Passmore, Sam Heth, Ron Mobley.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Tracy Arakaki, David Arakawa, Ruby Hargrave, Ryan Distajo, Monica Texeira, Ross Lee.

GUESTS: Breene Harimoto (Councilmember Gary Okino’s Office), Gary K. Omori and Pat Lee (HHCTCP), Panos Prevedovros (University of Hawaii), Ken Best (Representative Blake Oshiro’s Office), Lisa Vargas (Representative K. Mark Takai’s Office), Tracy Burgo (Board of Water Supply), Rosy Ishikawa, Bob Agres (HACBED), Sgt. R. Itomura, Lt. G. Arakawa, and Officer Gushiken (Honolulu Police Department, District 3-Pearl City), Sharleen Oshiro (Councilmember Romy Cachola’s Office), John L. Mariani, Barney Hanson, Jr., Claire Tamamoto (Aiea Community Association), Susan Sheldon, Suzette Adversalo, Lawson Teshima (HHUA), Captain Kam (Honolulu Fire Department, Aiea), Wayne Adams, David Tanoue (Mayor’s Office/Department of Planning and Permitting), Ross Tsukenjo (Senator Donna Kim’s Office), Nola Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS – The roll call of Board members was administered with a quorum of nine members present (Sugimura, Booth, Ho, Thompson, Aldinger, Clark, Passmore, Heth, Mobley).

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS – Tonight’s guests introduced themselves.

PUBLIC SERVICE REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Kam reported statistics for March included 1 brush, 2 rubbish, three vehicle fires, 64 medical, and 16 miscellaneous response calls. Fire Safety Tip – Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and the second major cause of death among older adults. If you are cooking and must leave the kitchen for a few minutes, turn off the stove. Keep a fire extinguisher (with a minimum rating of 2A10BC) in or near your kitchen and learn how to use it. Inspect the fire extinguisher regularly to ensure that it has not expired. There were no questions from Board members or guests. Captain Kam was thanked for attending the meeting.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Itomura reported statistics for the month of March included auto theft 14, auto theft recovery 10, burglary 14, criminal property damage 25, sex assault 1, theft 62, unauthorized entry into motor vehicle 45, and calls for service 1,870 approximately 25.82% of calls received for District 3. There were no questions from Board members or guests. Sgt. Itomura was thanked for attending the meeting.

Board of Water Supply – Tracy Burgo reported: 1) One main break for the month of March occurring on March 19, 2007 at 99-002 Kaamilo Street, to an 8-inch cast iron main that is 42 years old. As the useful span of the current water mains end, BWS is spending millions of dollars to replace them to insure reliable water service and help prevent main breaks. 2)  This is just one of the many way BWS continues to be the stewards of O’ahu’s precious water. The annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) will be mailed out in June to service holders. As mandated under Federal and State law, the State Department of Health and the BWS regularly test O’ahu’s drinking water. The CCR identifies the sources that supplies water for your address; reports detected contaminants or elements in the water and ensures your drinking water meets all safe drinking water standards; describes any treatment process used, if necessary, to make your water safe to drink; explains terms used in the regulation of drinking water; and tells you where to go for additional information. This report will be specific to your service address and more information can be found on the BWS website at:  www.boardofwatersupply.com. 3) Water Saving Tips: a) Take advantage of the $100 rebate for replacing your old toilet with a new low-flow one. Check out www.boardofwatersupply.com for more information. b) You can use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, you don’t need to water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually. c) For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow. There were no questions from Board members or guests. Tracy Burgo was thanked for attending the meeting.

Board of Education – No representative was present.

APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Chair Clark asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes:

§         Page 1, Members present should read, “…Mary Booth (appointed tonight)…”

§         Page 1, Introduction of guests should read, “…Chair Sugimura asked guests to introduce themselves…”

§         Page 4, Selection of Representative for Board Vacancy, Sub district 1 should read, ‘…Mobley moved, seconded by Thompson appointing Mary Booth to fill the vacancy in Sub district 1.

§         Page 4, should read, “…Tracy Arakaki arrived during the Proposed Nextel Antenna Facility segment of the meeting…”

§         Page 5, last paragraph should read, “… The motion carried unanimously, 10-0-0 (Sugimura, Arakaki, Distajo, Hargrave, Thompson, Aldinger, Texeira, Heth, Mobley, Booth)…”

§         Page 6, Comments and concerns line 7 should read, “…Vallarano replied HPD has issued more citations and the law on speeding has changed. Anyone going over 30 miles per hour over the speed limit or more than 80 miles per hour goes to jail…”

§         Page 6, line 9 item 3) delete, “…the…”

§         Page 8, line 9 should read, “…Teshima said he is involved in the tourist industry and would like vehicles to move faster…”

§         Page 8, line 10 should read, “…Tamamoto wanted to know if they knew if funding was allocated for the on and off ramps…”

§         Page 8, line 20 should read $300 million

§         Page 9, line 27 should read Senator Norman Sakamoto

§         Page 9 delete, “… Councilmember Romy Cachola (report written on page 10)…”

§         Page 9, last paragraph should read, “…Senator Norman Sakamoto…”

Without objections the March 12 regular meeting minutes were accepted as amended.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Thompson reported: February 2007 – Balance in the Operating/Publicity account was $1,650.14; expenses incurred were $81.95, leaving a balance of $1,568.19; no expenditures in the Refreshment Account leaving the balance at $120.00. March 2007 – Balance in the Operating/Publicity Account was $1.568.19; expenditures were $48.91 leaving a balance of $1,519.28; no action in the Refreshment Account leaving the balance at $120.00. The treasurer’s report was accepted subject to audit.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS: There were no community concerns.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Aiea Community Association (ACA) – Claire Tamamoto reported: 1) she, Warren Munro, Aiea Lions Club, Aiea and Pearl City residents along with the City participated in the bike path clean-up from Rainbow Bay Park to Aiea Kai Way. She noticed mangrove overgrowing into Pearl Harbor where the homeless have set up residency. Trash items along the path included stolen bicycles, car engines, brakes, trash, etc. The mangrove is also overgrown onto the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail. The Friends of Pearl Harbor Historic Trail is seeking help in cleanup of the trail. She said nice signs have been put up identifying the trail. 2) Announced Micro-Business Training for low to moderate income individuals who want to make products, sell products, or provide services, April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Aiea Intergenerational Center. Classes will also be offered at locations around O’ahu. For more information or to see if you qualify contact Kapiolani Silva, Aiea Community Association at 484-0641 or email Claire Tamamoto at www.clairet@hawaii.rr.com. Claire Tamamoto was thanked for her report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Fixed Guideway: Chair Clark overviewed that at the last meeting questions were posed and the participants were to come back with answers to those particular questions.

• Honolulu High Capacity Transit Project: Mobley agreed with the Chair and said he received some of the answers. He continues saying that Lee,  of the Honolulu High Capacity Transit Project, gave him a handout with the times for the different alternatives for  waiting for the transit, auto travel time, and the up to the year 2030 with what the estimated times would be with different criteria, depending of what transportation you are using. Lee responded that for the fixed guideway system the rail would run about every three minutes at peak times and wait times would be approximately three to six minutes. Mobley pointed out that wait times at the depot are not incorporated in the handout, are not matching and asked if it is part of the queuing theory. Lee answered that the bus system would be re-engineered once the guideway system is in place. However, no specific date was available. Mobley thanked Lee for the information. Lee also circulated a handout of Honolulu on the Move with information and scheduled scoping meetings. In summary, Lee a previous poll was taken in October/November 2006, with 900 respondents to the sample survey. Prior to December 2006 several meetings were held including a fifteen hour Transportation meeting.

Questions, comments, concerns:

1)         Thompson noted that statistics can be inflated and she would like to know out of the 900 respondents how many live in her district. An audience member replied about 120. Lee added that polls are just a snapshot and explained that polls are not perfect and there is a margin of error. The margin of error for this poll was four percent, which is below the margin error average. In response to Thompson’s other inquiry regarding current bus ridership, Lee replied it was a random poll.

2)         Heth mentioned that he may ride the rail once to see what it is like, and said for $5 billion it is important to know if the current riders would use this mode of transportation daily. Lee answered if given the option riders would use the system between 4 a.m. and 12 midnight.

3)         Chair Clark mentioned he has come to the belief that there is a lack of enough information on any one of these systems to be able to make a decision. However, he does not know how much information is enough to make a decision. Lee responded that in December 2006 the City Council with a 7-2 vote had enough information to select from four alternatives. On February 27, 2007, the Council voted for the Minimum Operable Segment (Phase 1-20 miles) from Kapolei to Ala Moana Boulevard via Salt Lake Boulevard. A scoping meeting held last week is to start the preparation for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); future scoping meetings are scheduled.

 4)        Panos Prevedouros representing the High-Occupancy/Toll Facility stated that the decision for the fixed guideway system is based on untruths. Money surveys were done and that Lee’s statistics regarding three minute intervals are incorrect. An existing rail cannot run every three minutes in America. Tamamoto informed Prevedouros that what Lee said relative to the decision made by the City Council is accurate. She noted that he was independently appointed to a separate committee formed by Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz, added that the Mayor had his own committee with both committees coming back with the same recommendation. She mentioned that he was also in attendance at the fifteen hour Council Transportation Committee meeting. Tamamoto relayed she would rather spend her time to know what is coming and preserving the land such as the Sumida Watercress Farm and opposes a concrete jungle coming down Kamehameha Highway. 2) Mobley stated he would prefer not to hear any name calling, just present the information they have if that cannot be done he prefers not to listen. Chair spoke for the Board saying that personal comments be kept to ones self.

Bus Expressway – Lawson Teshima reported the cost for a fixed guideway system to the taxpayer would be $6.4 billion. The New Start federal program will be broke by 2009. Current daily bus ridership from Makaha is 7,322 passengers on the regular buses and 4,334 passengers who use the express buses. The projection is to increase express bus ridership thirty percent. He noted that the EIS would take approximately two to three years and there is time to turn the decision of a fixed guideway system around. He mentioned that the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15 took a poll and the results were that ninety-five percent would not ride the rail.

High-Occupancy/Toll Facility: Professor Panos Prevedours reported that conclusive evidence show people who present projects lie. Rail will cost not $500 billion but $700 billion. The Mayor is asking $4.6 billion to fund the project, but a seven percent general excise tax increase would be needed. He distributed information relating to Underestimating Costs in Public Works Projects, toll schedules the costs of rails and lanes, and Honolulu traffic solutions (hot lanes, not rail) ten transit myths. He supports managed toll lanes.

Questions, comments, concerns:

1)         Mobley said looking at the cost gave no information regarding time for travel. Prevedours replied HOT lanes would have the shortest travel time between Aiea, U. H., and Waikiki. Per his own report an automobile is more competitive than a rail and would be more advantageous to us a car to Waikiki. Regarding the City’s Alternate Analysis engineers failed in the comparison to managed lanes – four elevated highways (toll lanes) and added that on and off ramps cost less than $10 million.

2)         Looking at the HOT lanes, Tanoue wanted to know how wide would they be. Prevedours answered the HOT lanes would be separate from the H-1 Freeway. 3) Thompson commented that it sounds like that the hot lanes would be going only in one direction. Prevedours said that is correct. A mid point could be established, such as the Aloha Stadium and the H-3 for special events on weekends. All cities do not operate hot lanes in both directions and charge a toll fee.

4)         Omori clarified that the proposed fixed guideway is not heavy rail and it is too early for cost comparisons. The City is looking at light rail. 5) In summary Lee said it is fine if the State wants hot lanes, but the City’s choice is fixed guideway and circulated the new 2007 toll schedules for interested persons to review. Per his experience on the mainland, toll booths do not take cash, a monthly pass must be purchased and gizmo put on the dashboard for scanning at the toll booth. We are seeking social equity and this was selected from several other options.

Chair Clark asked Board members if anyone wanted to make a motion, accept, forget, or reject the issue. Comments were that made that there is not enough information for a motion. Thompson said per the minutes from the last meeting information was to be sent to the Board members two weeks prior to tonight’s meeting. Chair Clark asked if this item should be placed on the May agenda for Board action. Heth questioned what decision. Chair Clark explained that the City made a decision for fixed guideway and that the Board has an opportunity to support or not. Prevedours noted based on other Neighborhood Boards no sides need to be taken. Chair Clark suggested reading over the material provided to see if a decision/action would be made next month. Mobley mentioned that all the information was provided tonight and asked if additional information would be sent prior to the May meeting. Chair Clark replied if additional information could be provided to the neighborhood assistant for distribution to Board members prior to the May meeting. He added there is no guarantee the issue would be on the May agenda. Omori noted information could be found on www.honolulutransit.org.

Due to the State Office of Informational Practices ruling that no more that two Board members could attend the same meeting, Tamamoto asked for clarification. Chair Clark replied that it has been declared by him that certain committees (Permitted Interaction Groups) within the guidelines of one less than a quorum (7) may choose to go to these meetings. Lee added that also useful would be scoping meeting comments due on April 13, 2007 and will be addressed in draft EIS. Teshima commented that it is a good thing that the draft EIS will be reviewed by the Feds. He stated that his group was flatly denied a booth by the City to participate in the scoping meeting because of their position. Lee stated that the scoping process is specific like a science fair and the purpose was a scoping meeting for preparation of the EIS process. No one was denied attendance to the public meeting. However, members of Teshima’s group did attend the scoping meeting held at McKinley High school. Pat Lee, Gary Omori, Panros Prevedours, and Lawson Teshima were thanked for attending the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan Briefing – Bob Agres reported in April and May, the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task force will be hosting statewide community meetings to gather ideas for the “Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan” that will be presented to the legislature in December 2007. The community process will gather ideas about long-term goals for sustainability and strategies to achieve those goals. The meetings will also highlight key points from sustainability issue papers prepared by the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Meeting schedules: a)  Kapolei Community Meeting, Saturday, April 14, 2007, 8: 30 am to 11:30 a.m., Kapolei Elementary School Cafeteria, 91-119 Kamaaha Loop; b) Saturday, April 21, 8:30 am to 11:30 am, Kailua High School Cafeteria; c) Saturday, April 28, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 am, Sunset Beach Elementary School Cafeteria; d) Saturday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., McKinley High School Cafeteria. A handout was circulated for interested persons to review. Everyone was encouraged to attend the community meetings and to fill out the surveys.

Questions, comments concerns: 1) Mobley asked if there would be other scheduled meetings for those who cannot attend these. Agres replied the scheduled meetings are the first round for Oahu so that the Task Force can compile the surveys. Public opinion polls would also be taken. The Task Force would then return and schedule meetings. 2) In response to Tamamoto, the information is online as well as the surveys. Information gathered at the community meeting would be put online after the meeting. Bob Agres was thanked for attending the meeting.

REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS:

Councilmember Gary Okino – Breene Harimoto distributed Councilmember Okino’s report and noted it included information regarding the Capital Improvement Projects draft budget. There were no questions from Board members or guests. Breene Harimoto was thanked for attending the meeting.

Councilmember Romy Cachola – Sharleen Oshiro circulated Councilmember Cachola’s written report and was available for questions. There were no questions. Sharleen Oshiro was thanked for attending the meeting.

Representative Lynn Finnegan – No representative was present. Her written report was available for interested persons to review.

Representative K. Mark Takai – Lisa Vargas announced that the Kamehameha Highway Improvements Project posters are displayed (from Waihona Street to Center Street near Hickam) at Pearlridge Shopping Center, Uptown near the Satellite City Hall. The next Aiea/Pearl City Town Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2007, Waimalu Elementary School from 7:00 to 8: 30 p.m. to discuss transportation issues and Kamehameha Highway improvements project update. For additional information call 586-8455. Two handouts were distributed for interested persons to review.

Questions, comments, concerns: Heth noted at the last meeting he reported no work being done on the bridge near the Arizona Memorial, and the bridge has not been worked on for six months. It was previously said that a pipe was found and no one knew who it belonged to. Vargas replied the pipe belonged to the Army. She was told that they are working on the bridge. Follow up will be done. Lisa Vargas was thanked for attending the meeting.

Representative Blake Oshiro – Ken Best circulated two handouts and was available for questions. Ken Best was thanked for attending the meeting.

Senator Donna Kim – Ross Tsukenjo circulated Senator Kim’s written report and announced that Senator Norman Sakamoto’s report was available for interested persons to review. He reported a call from a constituent expressing concerns about motorcycle riders without mufflers (loud noise) when leaving an area bar. A letter was drafted by the Senator to HPD asking to step up enforcement in the area. The constituent questioned why are motorcycles sold without mufflers. Tsukenjo responded to the constituent about the DDCA rules and the Hawaii Revised Statutes requiring motorcycles to have mufflers. Legislation has been proposed to enforce decibel levels (noise levels). He also advised the caller that HPD attends the Neighborhood Board meetings and encouraged the constituent to attend. An email would be sent to the caller that the Board was informed about the noise concern.

Questions, comments, concerns: 1) Ho suggested having HPD monitor the motorcyclist by sitting near the Forty Niners Diner because the motorcyclists speed, make a u-turn on Kamehameha Highway to go town bound. Tsukenjo replied another letter would be sent to HPD. Ross Tsukenjo was thanked for attending the meeting.

Mayor’s Representative – David Tanoue, representing Mayor Mufi Hannemann, commented relative to transit alternatives from the planning perspective. He noticed no one has come forth and said we don’t need anything; it is clear something is needed. The mass transit decision was made thirty years ago and is in the books. If no decision is made on transportation alternatives the plans would have to be re-evaluated. It is very irresponsible to allow a development in an area before alternative is available. Regarding the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan, we must look to the future of how to manage our resources.

• A Recycling and Disposal Guide for Oahu was circulated for interested persons to review and announced that meetings would be held island wide. For more information relative to recycling log on to www.opala.org.

• Follow up: a) Regarding Aiea Heights Drive and Halewiliko Street intersection - the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) adjusted the traffic signal sensors on Aiea Heights Drive. b) Regarding no crossing guard at the crosswalk on Hekaha Street – DTS investigated and found that the School Crossing signs near the crosswalk on Hekaha Street are appropriately posted. The DTS was informed by the Department of Education that a request for a school crossing guard for Waimalu Elementary School has been submitted to the Honolulu Police Department. c) regarding request for interim reply for Makalapa Neighborhood Park (to prevent flooding onto adjacent lots) – The consultant submitted a preliminary draft of the report. The City reviewed the draft and has returned in to the consultant for comments. The consultant is revising the report and will be resubmitting a draft report in June. The Department of Design and Construction anticipates finalizing the report by the end of the year. As responded earlier, the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Division of Road Maintenance does not distribute sand bags to private property owners unless there is an imminent danger of flooding i.e. during a severe weather event. There were no questions from Board members or guests. David Tanoue was thanked for attending the meeting.

Governor’s Representative – Governor’s representative Robert Piper was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Executive – Chair Clark announced correspondence received: 1) 50^th State Fair, May 24, 28, June 1-17. 2) Correspondence from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) regarding the letter of request for the Halawa District Park closure. The request has been forward to the 

DPR board and Chair Clark would be informed when a decision has been made.

There were no other committee reports.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Audience member Suzette Adversalo announced the Salt Lake Elementary School Fun Fair, Saturday, May 5, 2007 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

ADJOURNMENT – Without objections Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.

Submitted by,                                                               Reviewed by,

Nola Frank, Neighborhood Assistant                           William Clark, Chair