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AIEA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

AIEA LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair William Clark called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Sugimura, Tuika Faumuina, Tracy Arakaki, Mary Booth, David Arakawa (appointed at this meeting), Silvia Sugihara, William Clark, Monica Texeira, George Passmore, Carl Jacobs, Ron Mobley.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Wilbert Ho, Ruby Hargrave, Daniele Lum, Ross Lee.

GUESTS: Sergeant Roger Nitta and Lt. Grant Arakawa (Honolulu Police Department), Robert Piper, V. Lovett, Kendys Fukuda (Hawaiian Electric Co. -- HECO), Clifton Valenzuela (HECO), Rachel Glanstein (Neighborhood Commission Office staff), Ken Sugama, Representative Mark Takai, Doris Fernandez, Breene Harimoto (Councilmember Gary Okino’s Office staff), Hiroko Nakamura (Councilmember Romy Cachola’s Office staff), Ken Best (Representative Blake Oshiro’s Office staff), Burn Luvacs, Karen Sur, Myrtle Nyuha (Pearl City Neighborhood Board), Blake Vance, Warren Hayakawa (HECO), Tracy Burgo (Board of Water Supply), Claire Tamamoto (Aiea Community Association), Susan Sheldon, Suzette Adversalo, Marty Aldinger, Ross Tsukenjo (Senator Donna Kim’s Office), David Tanoue (Mayor’s Office/Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Permitting), Eileen Clarke (Board of Education), Elwin Spray

ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Chair Clark welcomed the community to the meeting, asked for a roll call of Board members, and asked the guests present to introduce themselves.  There were eight members present (Sugimura, Faumuina, Sugihara, Clark, Texeira, Passmore, Jacobs, Mobley).

PUBLIC SERVICE REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – No fire representative was present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Grant Arakawa and Sergeant Roger Nitta reported area activity statistics for the months of July and August, reporting general decreases in burglary and thefts.  Texeira expressed concern about speeding on Kaonohi Street up towards the golf course with Nitta responding that the area would be monitored, explaining that currently several officers are sometimes designated for special assignments, and they would be rotated into that area for attention.  He explained that the intent is to saturate areas of concern if officers are available, and he anticipates that the saturation could be accomplished to include Texeira’s area of concern.  Luvacs asked if that meant that additional staffing had been assigned, with Nitta explaining that the saturation could be done as the current workload permits.

Arakaki arrived at 7:35 p.m.  Nine Board members present.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) –Tracy Burgo reported one 6-inch main break in August 2007, at 99-169 Kealakaha Drive.  She also expressed appreciation to the general community for the water conversation efforts, explaining that the water usage has not increased over the past year's usage (at 159 million gallons a day), and that it is actually less than last year.  She announced a planned Halawa Pump Station presentation on the water system to Oahu Neighborhood Board members on Oct 27, 2007 and asked for members to reserve a space by calling 748-5319, reporting that early sign-ups will be able to make a tour of the Halawa Shaft.

Booth arrived at 7:40 p.m.; ten Board members present.

Burgo discussed with Mobley that although there have been several major recent rainfalls (and major flooding), the water that is entering the ground takes several years to filter to the level where is being pumped out, and that the period of recharging the groundwater means that conservation is still an important issue.

Board of Education (BOE) –Eileen Clarke distributed a BOE newsletter and highlighted that Terri Ushijima is the Central District BOE head, that the current BOE school calendar has been extended to the next year, and that high school graduation requirements are being added to with the inclusion of 1) a personal development plan and 2) a senior project.  A question was asked about the media reports of the BOE adjusting the standardized testing criteria to meet the "no child left behind" levels, with Clarke saying that adjustments were made to the uniform testing but not to intentionally alter the results.

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for July 9, 2007 -- Chair Clark asked for additions or corrections to the Regular Meeting Minutes for July 9, 2007.  Without objections, Chair Clark declared the Regular Meeting Minutes for July 9, 2007 approved unanimously 10-0-0. 

Community Concerns - Chair Clark asked if there were any community concerns not listed on the evening's agenda.  Nyuha said she was not speaking as a Pearl City Neighborhood Board member but expressed concern that the Neighborhood Commission was considering a draft of a revision to the current Neighborhood Plan (the rules under which the Neighborhood Boards operate) which has not been well reviewed by Board members nor the community and she urged everyone to take a close look at the Plan draft.  She explained that a series of public hearings would be held and that public comments were welcomed.  She reported that the current draft was 127 pages, with Mobley commenting that the organization of the new rules had been revised in a legal document format rather than for a community-oriented organization and explaining that the Commission does not have to accept the re-formatted draft.

Nyuha also introduced Karen Sur, who has a business "Accu Imaging" which is located at uptown Pearl Ridge.  Sur explained that the medical imaging done by her company located in the community would relieve the need to drive to town, as well as offer the use of the latest machine design; she invited questions to 748-4080.  Mobley reported he was welcomed when he visited the newly opened office. Jacobs mentioned a prior concern reported by Pali Momi due to the weight of their newly installed machinery; Sur reported no concern.  She added that the imaging device was the largest in the state, being capable of admitting a 70 centimeters size, which she explained was an aid to those who where claustrophobic.  Texiera asked if Sur accepted most medical plans, which Sur agreed that they did.  Chair Clark thanked Sur for the presentation.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Jacobs reported expenditures in the Board's Operating/Publicity Account were $42.79 in July and $35.31 in August, leaving a balance of $4,624.90.  He reported no expenditures in the Refreshment Account leaving that balance at $120.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Aiea Community Association (ACA) –Claire Tamamoto referenced the regular ACA meetings of the fourth Monday (next meeting September 24, 2007) as listed on the Board's agenda.  She also announced the planned December 8, 2007 parade with Aiea High School, which would be on the first full week of December and explained that the ACA would be working to not be too disruptive of the community traffic in the holiday season.  She reported that at the last ACA meeting a presentation was made on a long-discussed possible State Library move to the Intergenerational Center area, with planning funds being used from last year and next year and discussed that the time might be right to start asking for the actual building funds. She also reported a real property tax education workshop to be held on September 13, 2007 at the Hongwanji Mission. 

Tamamoto reported that she was a member of the City's Transportation Commission and that discussions about the transit station locations and development are starting to be held and invited community participation, saying that she and others will be available to field questions as the discussion go forward. She also reported that the Federal Transportation Authority had said that if the City decides to go a rubber-tired system the funding process will have to be started over.  Faumuina asked about insurance for the parade, with Tamamoto reporting that the group is still working on obtaining it but that they are optimistic, also commenting that the state representatives are being asked to assist with obtaining HPD officers to assist.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Vacancy in Sub-District 1 (Halawa, Halawa Heights, Stadium, Halawa Valley, Ford Island) -- Chair Clark announced a Board member vacancy in Sub-District 1 (Halawa, Halawa Heights, Stadium, Halawa Valley, Ford Island), for the term from June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2009.  He asked for volunteers or nominations.  David Arakawa was proposed to fill the vacancy.  Without objections, Chair Clark declared the Arakawa elected unanimously 10-0-0.  Arakawa was sworn in. There were eleven Board members present. 

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands -- Kroc Community Center Land Exchange -- Chair Clark explained that the issue was in a pre-consultation stage, with Tamamoto saying that the supposed site would be the Old Salvation Army property behind the bakery in exchange for the North-South Road area site.  Chair Clark deferred discussion since no representatives were present and announces that he would, unless Board members had objections hold the subject over to the next meeting. 

Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan Briefing – Chair Clark announced a Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Summit meeting to be held on September 22, 2007 at a cost of $20.  

Kaahumanu Street One-hour Parking – Chair Clark reported that the Board had made the request in June to establish one-hour parking on Kaahumanu Street and that no signs had been placed yet (for the Ewa-side general area fronting Stuart Anderson's).  Jacobs expressed concern that one-hour was not enough for a haircut, which would normally be a two-hour parking.  Tamamoto noted that there were no crosswalks to the medical business across the street, where most of the users were suggested to be from.  Texeira noted the need for enforcement.  Chair Clark declared a 5-minute recess and reconvened to announce that since the Board had already voted on a motion in May for the one-hour parking that a second position was not necessary.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cultural Impact Assessment -- Waimalu – Chair Clark reported that the survey area was in the Waimalu Garden Tract and that the intent was to ascertain if the community could provide any comments upon unrecorded cultural items in the area.  In answer to a community question, Chair Clark noted that he remembered only that the BWS had previously been involved in a well rock fall mitigation.  The audience comment was that a prior attempt for a private development of a townhouse had been opposed under the coordination of Councilmember Morgado, with the comment from the audience that the neighbors want a greenbelt.  Takai reported that 5-years ago the BWS had expressed concern about rocks falling from the hill side.  Chair Clark asked BWS representative Burgo to follow up and report to the Board at the next meeting.

Hawaiian Electric Co. – HECO – Ground Wire Replacement along Kamehameha Highway – Kendys Fukuda led a presentation, accompanied by the project construction superintendent and others, of a planned replacement of a high wire on the existing (100 feet high) high-wires running the length of Kamehameha Highway through Aiea town.  The initial portion will be changed over four-days of night-time work (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) in mid-October, with three additional segments planned. Fukuda explained that the replacement is to change out the existing cable, with the other segments planned for day-time work.

REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS:

Representative Takai – Representative Mark Takai distributed a community newsletter and highlight articles on the closed Sportsmen Bar and striping changes near Newtown.  He also reported a quarterly Kamehameha Task Force meeting within the month where Kamehameha projects were to be prioritized for the $10 million that is available.  He reported a planned community meeting on September 19, 2007 with the intended topic being education (including higher education presentation from University of Hawaii West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni). E. Clarke asked about the previously reported Newtown left turn which Takai explained was a matter of not enough width to allow for the island to protect pedestrians but he stressed that the turn site was being reviewed to find the best solution within the width limits.

Representative Blake Oshiro –Ken Best reported a September newsletter from Representative Oshiro and invited any questions to be relayed to the legislator.

Senator Donna Kim –Ross Tsukenjo distributed a community newsletter and was available to respond to questions for Senator Kim.

Senator Norman Sakamoto – Tsukenjo also distributed newsletter and offered to take questions to Senator Sakamoto.

Councilmember Romy Cachola –Hiroko Nakamura circulated a community report and was available to answer questions.

Councilmember Gary Okino –Breene Harimoto circulated a community report and encouraged residents with property tax questions to contact the City property tax division or Okino’s office. He also reported that the ‘Olelo broadcast of City meetings has been augmented to “on demand” where meetings can be called up and the specific agenda item can be jumped to by the viewer.

Mayor’s Representative –David Tanoue reported that the Mayor’s Honolulu News was not available yet but called attention to the August issue since the Board was on recess for August and reported on follow up from prior meeting issues.  He reported that the Stadium Park restroom facilities are cleaned twice daily on week days, that the HPD and the City Parks Department will both monitor the Orchid Hill park, and that the potholes reported by member Lum will be patched in late September and are to be re-surfaced, but that no resurfacing date has yet been determined. 

Governor’s Representative – Governor’s representative had material distributed, including a Governor’s Office report. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Executive –No report

Transportation –Jacobs reported that he has attended transportation meetings as a private citizen. Chair Clark noted that Jacobs was authorized to attend meetings as the Board Transportation Committee Chair.  Mobley commented on the possible misinterpretation of the title as representing the Board, with Chair Clark saying that Jacobs can go to meetings and report back to the Board. Jacobs reported possible issues with the transit station planning with regard to elevators and designs.

Human Services –No report.

Community Relations and Publicity –No report.

Parks and Recreation – No report.

Planning and Zoning –No report.

Restoration Advisory Board – Mobley reported that he would anticipate making a full report on the agenda within the next three months, reporting that he has visited the underground fuel storage facility at Red Hill / Aliamanu and that there are some 40 people working underground there.  Chair Clark asked if the environmental issues are being addressed; Mobley said yes, that a State agent is participating at the meetings.  Tamamoto asked Mobley to follow the McGrew fishpond restoration issue.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chair Clark announced the next meeting will be held on Monday, October 8, 2007, Aiea Public Library Conference Room at 7:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT –There being no further Board business, Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.

Submitted by Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office staff

Reviewed by William Clark, Chair