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DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Albert Fukushima called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m., with a quorum of 10 members present. Board members present were Alfred Coleman, Sol Ray Duncan, Albert Fukushima, Kevin Furutani, David Howton, Myrtle Nyuha, James Pickard, Sr., Amoreena Rabago (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), Davin Takahashi, Larry Veray, and Cruz Vina, Jr. Board members absent were Stanley Ching and May Imamura-Uruu. There are no vacancies.
GUESTS: Capt. B. Neves (
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Coleman led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RULES, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES FOR USE OF HIGHLANDS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CAMPUS: Chair
REMINDERS OF TIME LIMIT POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR INPUT, COMMENTS, RESPONSES AND PRESENTATION OF AGENDA ITEMS: Chair Fukushima summarized the time limit policy – ONE minute for comments; THREE minutes for reports; FIVE minutes for presentations already given to the Committee, TEN minutes for new presentations; ONE minute for comments/questions/responses; recognition from the Chair is required to speak; microphones should be used; all cell phones should be turned off or put in "silent" mode. Chair
APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS: Chair
* Traffic and Transportation (TT): Vina; Coleman
* Development, Planning and Zoning (DPZ): Furutani; Ching
* Health, Education and Welfare (HEW): Pickard; Veray
* Legislative and Capital Improvement Programs (LCIP): Rabago; Nyuha
* Publicity/Refreshments (P/R): Imamura-Uruu;
REGULAR MEETING RECESS IN AUGUST 2007: Chair Fukushima suggested the Board recess its regular Board meeting in August to give the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) time to hold training for its staff. If the Board recesses its regular meeting, then the Committees will meet twice in August.
Vina moved, on behalf of the Executive Committee, to cancel the regular August Board meeting, which was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 10-0-0.
Pickard conveyed that the Committees will be holding a special meeting on August 21, called "A Night with the Finest" to hear from the Honolulu Police Department on various issues. There will be refreshments.
EMERGENCY AGENCY REPORTS:
1) June 2007 Statistics – There were 10 brush, 4 rubbish, and 2 vehicle fires; there were 71 medical emergencies and 21 miscellaneous calls (including motor vehicle accidents, odors, false alarms, etc.).
2) Fire Safety Tip – Childproof your home. Check for potentially dangerous situations, i.e., electrical shock, accidental falls or poisoning from medications, cleaning fluids and houseplants. Keep matches and lighters in a safe place and out of the reach of small children.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) – Maj. D. Tandal thanked the community for working with the police, leading to more arrests.
MONTHLY STATISTICS: Sgt. D. Iwamasa circulated the report and provided the following statistics for June/May/April – There were 15/15/17 auto thefts, 8/13/10 auto theft recoveries, 14/15/18 burglaries, 22/22/6 criminal property damage cases and 29/38/49 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs). There were a total of 7,135/7,378/7,045 calls for service in District 3, with some 1,743/1,716/1,583 calls (24.43%/23.26%/22.47%) from the
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1) Chair
2) Pickard relayed the concern that teenagers in blue golf cars were riding around in
3) Pickard asked if there is an age restriction on those riding in the back of a truck, which was confirmed by Sgt. Iwamasa. Pickard commented that he’s seen children riding in the back of a truck coming from summer school at
4) Chair
5) Furutani and Chair Fukushima mentioned the noisy vehicles, with most likely illegally modified mufflers, at Don Quixote close to
ADDITION OF AN AGENDA ITEM:
Vina moved, and Furutani seconded, that the Board amend its agenda to add this item to the section for the HEW Committee, "Rescinding of EPA Variance for Secondary Treatment of Effluent for Sand Island and Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plants", which was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 11-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS:
JULY 2007 YARD OF THE MONTH – Publicity/Refreshments (P/R) Committee Vice-Chair Duncan and Veray presented the July 2007 Yard of the Month Award to Carolyn and William Matsuura, of Hoomahie Loop (Waiau).
AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES – P/R Committee Vice-Chair Duncan and Veray gave certificates to the following:
* Melvin Seki – 2007 Honolulu Advertiser All-Star Baseball Coach of the Year
* Austin Hagio – 2007
* Rorry Nakayama – 2007
* Jolana Gollero – 2007
* Lilia Carrillo – 2007
Rabago arrived during the above presentations, at 7:03 p.m., making 11 members present.
A. Nikou highlighted the following: The rockfall protection project on
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Furutani asked if the event of a major earthquake had been factored into the design of the rockfall protection improvements. A. Nikou responded that first consultants identify the site geology and identify loose pieces in danger of falling for whatever reason (erosion, earthquake, etc.), and then analyze and determine a worst-case-scenario using the largest rocks as reference. Chair
There was again no report on the new
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS) (1) – A representative arrived a little later in the meeting.
1) Both LCC and the
2) About 98% of entering students are not prepared for college, and that UH is trying to address the problem through two new programs, The American Diploma Project and Achieving the Dream.
3) LCC is addressing
4) The fall semester begins on August 20, 2007 for all UH campuses.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Nyuha inquired if LCC had its own nursing program. Dr. Pecsok replied that there is a joint nursing program between LCC and Kapiolani Community College (KCC), with some facilities available for students living on the west side of the island. Many students are dually enrolled in LCC and KCC in this Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program.
CITY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (DPR) – Mayor's representative Isaac Hokama reported that DPR did not have a satisfactory response to the Board's request for a DPR representative at Board meetings, and he will provide follow-up at next month's meeting.
BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) – Breene Harimoto distributed the BOE Highlights and the Superintendent's Update, and summarized the following: Student proficiency levels in the Spring 2007 Hawaii State Assessment increased in every grade and subject area except Fourth Grade reading. While the percentage of students reaching proficiency in reading and math has increased, the results also indicate growth in the number of students who are "well below" proficiency (partially due to the increased difficulty of the new standards). In
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1) Takahashi asked what improved the proficiency levels. B. Harimoto explained that there were many factors, including that the principals and teachers focused their efforts based on prior experience.
2) Chair
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS) (2) – L. Yoneda circulated xeriscape flyers and reported the following:
1) There were no main breaks in June 2007.
2) There is no current cause for concern about drought on Oahu, since
3) It's brushfire season, and brushfires not only put a strain on the HFD, but also on water resources.
4) On Saturday, August 4, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Gardens and the BWS will sponsor the Nineteenth Annual "Unthirsty Plant" sale at the
5) The water in Waiawa (by LCC) is provided by private water sources.
6) On July 1, 2007, the water rate will increase from $4.18 to $4.68 for 1,000 gallons of water.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1) Pickard mentioned the three to four broken sprinkler heads by Hickam Air Force Base (HAFB), near the main gate; L. Yoneda will relay the concern to the appropriate State agency.
2) Chair
There was no report for the Pearl City Library.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS (1):
OTHER ISSUES (1) – The following concerns were expressed:
No Parking Along Portion of Hoomahilu Street Hoomahilu Street
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Chair
There were no reports on
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
GOVERNOR'S REPRESENTATIVE – Jim Propotnik circulated the Governor’s two Updates, and emphasized the following points:
1) The State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) reported that
2) The State Department of Public Safety is actively recruiting deputy sheriffs and adult corrections officers.
3) The Hawaii Superferry will begin its inter-island service later this summer; there is an open house tour.
Questions, comments and concerns followed (J. Propotnik will follow up):
1) Furutani asked how much income is required for the average person to afford to live in
2) Chair
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Isaac Hokama distributed the Mayor's Newsletter and conveyed the following:
1) DTS investigated the dangerously parked cars on Hoomahilu and Hookanike Streets. A "No Parking From Here to Corner" sign will be installed on
2) Kapolei Sunset on the Plains will be held at
Questions, comments and concerns followed (I. Hokama will follow up):
1) Chair
2) Chair Fukushima mentioned that at the bus stop shelter on Komo Mai Drive across from Trinity Union Church, near the intersection of Komo Mai Drive and Waimano Home Road, someone painted all of the plexiglass red, so it’s impossible to see who's there, which is a safety issue.
COUNCILMEMBER GARY OKINO – Robert Sato circulated the report and stated that HPD has monitored speeding motorists traveling Ewa-bound on
SENATOR CLARENCE NISHIHARA – Senator Clarence Nishihara distributed his Legislative Update, and highlighted the following items:
1) The legislation appropriating $150,000 to establish and fund the Waimano Ridge Task Force became law when Governor Linda Lingle neither vetoed nor signed the measure before July 10, 2007. The release of the funds is dependent on Gov. Lingle's authorization.
2) The State Department of Transportation (DOT) released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for comment for a secondary access road to LCC, which will reduce traffic congestion and potential hazards created by having only one access road and will provide access to future and existing development.
3) Gov. Lingle will not be releasing $110 million of the $235 million appropriated for school repair and maintenance projects. The State Department of Education (DOE) would not name the affected schools until the principals were notified.
4) Pearl City schools gave to the "Books for a Peaceful World" project, which enriches the education of students in the
5) The "Lunch N Learn the Law" provides the public with insights to various areas of the law and is sponsored by the Hawaii State Judiciary. The April 25, 2007 presentation of "Wills and Estate Planning" is now available for viewing through the Judiciary's website: www.courts.state.hi.us.
6) Sen. Nishihara has a "Coffee Hour" at the Pearl City Wal-Mart McDonald's on every fourth Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and at the Waipahu McDonald's on every fourth Wednesday.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Chair
REPRESENTATIVE K. MARK TAKAI – Representative K. Mark Takai circulated a letter related to the bridge replacement status near Arizona Memorial and a letter from Gov. Lingle regarding SB 810 (Waimano Ridge Task Force). He touched on the following points:
1) Sportsmen Lounge is now successfully closed (as of June 30, 2007), due to work of the Board, elected officials, and residents. As of December 31, 2007, no liquor license may be issued for the same location.
2) Appreciation is expressed to DOT for providing "first-aid" repaving of some rough portions of
3) The bridge replacement on
4) Gov. Lingle wrote that her administration supports efforts to create and complete a community-based master plan, such as the Waimano Ridge Master Plan (related to SB 810), and she requested $700,000 (plus the new $150,000) in DOH's budget for the plan's development. Gov. Lingle conveyed that she was impressed with the amount of involvement in the
There were no reports for Senator David Ige and Representative Roy Takumi.
COMMUNITY INPUT:
PEARL CITY FOUNDATION (PCF) – B. Harimoto relayed that the Third Annual Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1) Nyuha inquired about the advance notice required if someone wanted to use a room at the
2) Pickard requested the PCF to ask residents in the area to take down their old "Garage Sale" signs; B. Harimoto replied that it's a problem for the PCF too, since people post their signs on the PCF's fences.
There were no reports for the Manana Community Association and the Pacific Palisades Community Association.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY 23, JUNE 27, JULY 25, AND NOVEMBER 28, 2006, JANUARY 23, FEBRUARY 27, MARCH 27, APRIL 24, MAY 22 AND JUNE 26, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:
Vina moved, and Furutani seconded, to accept the May 23, June 27, July 25, and November 28, 2006 minutes as circulated, subject to corrections, which was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 11-0-0.
Chair
JUNE 2007 TREASURER'S REPORT: In June 2007, the Operating / Publicity Account incurred expenses of $546.54, leaving a balance of $669.80, and the Refreshment Account balance was still $0.00.
COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRAL:
EXECUTIVE – Chair
Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) Board and Committee Goals and Objectives – Board members were urged to consider and write down any ideas for goals and objectives, including budgetary concerns.
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE (HEW) (1) – HEW Committee Chair Pickard gave the following updates:
1) Lehua Avenue Bars – Liquor License Renewals – The Sportsmen Lounge has been closed since June 30, 2007, and will be closed permanently on December 31, 2007, since no new liquor licenses may be issued to the owner for that location. This item may be removed from the agenda.
2) Olelo Channel 49 – Continued Community Use – Channel 49 is available for community use until December 31, 2007, then the parties involved will begin negotiations. Takahashi added that the deadline has not been set for the Request for Proposals (RFPs). Chair
3) Removal of Graffiti Legislation – This item may be removed from the agenda.
4) DPR Monthly Representation at Board Meetings – This item is deferred until a response is received from Mayor's representative I. Hokama.
5) Motor Sports Facility on
The Board moved ahead in the agenda to hear the report on City Council Bill No. 48 (2007), related to vehicle parking on roadways restricting movement (agenda item no. XV.C.6), from R. Sato, which was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (11-0-0).
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION (TT) (1) – R. Sato provided the following explanation:
City Council Bill 48 (2007) – Vehicle Parking on Roadways Restricting Movement – Council Bill 48 (2007) proposes to increase the available width of streets, roadways and alleys, that a parked vehicle must leave available to permit the free movement of vehicular traffic from 10 to 12 feet. A public hearing was held and Bill 48 (2007) passed second reading on July 5, 2007. After considering the repercussions of Bill 48 (2007), one of which is the loss of 35,000 parking stalls, the Council decided not to adopt the bill, and it probably won't make it out of committee.
The normal order of the agenda was resumed.
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE (HEW) (2) – This item was added to the agenda earlier in the meeting:
6) Rescinding of EPA Variance for Secondary Treatment of Effluent for
Vina moved, and Furutani seconded, to send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to urge the EPA to allow the City to continue with the 301(h) waiver for the Honouliuli sewage plant. Discussion ensued. Coleman noted that if the EPA denies the request, then the City can take it to court. Pickard commented that there is an implied agreement between the City and the EPA.
The motion to send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to urge the EPA to allow the City to continue with the 301(h) waiver for the Honouliuli sewage plant was ADOPTED, 7-3-1 (Aye: Duncan, Furutani, Howton, Nyuha, Rabago, Veray, Vina; No: Coleman, Fukushima, Pickard; Abstain: Takahashi).
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION (TT) (2) – TT Committee Chair Vina relayed the following information:
1) Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) – The last meeting included support of House Bill 70 (HB 70), in the Senate Conference Committee, regarding Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs), and Vina suggested writing a letter of support. The OMPO CAC makes recommendations to the Senate Policy Committee, which recommends action to the Senate. The Board received certification on July 17, 2007 for Vina's continued attendance of the OMPO CAC meetings.
2)
3) Transit Oriented Development Conference – The conference was held at LCC on July 14, 2007. The
4) H-1 Freeway Westbound (Waiau Off-Ramp) and
5) Home Depot Traffic Concerns at
6) City Council Bill 48 (2007) – Vehicle Parking on Roadways Restricting Movement – Covered earlier in the meeting.
7) Rehabilitation of Streets, Phase 2,
8) Parking/Traffic Control Measures –
DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND ZONING (DPZ) – DPZ Committee Chair Furutani gave the following reports:
1) Waimano DOH Bio-Safety Level 3 Lab – Furutani didn’t attend the last meeting.
2) Koa Ridge – Castle and Cooke will begin the EIS for the Koa Ridge residential development in Waiawa, and a report will be provided for the September meeting.
LEGISLATIVE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (LCIP) – LCIP Committee Chair Nyuha circulated the City Auditor’s report on the Neighborhood Board System Operation and the Board’s response to it, and gave the following updates (except for the report on funding for the Waimano Ridge Master Plan):
1) Response to City Auditor’s Report on the Neighborhood Board System Operation – The deadline for input is in one month.
2) City Council Neighborhood Board Review Task Force – Nyuha attended the last meeting, and found that the task force needs to report to the Council in December 2007.
Veray moved, and Pickard seconded to adopt the resolution titled “Ratification and Declaration of Participation by the
3) Status of 2006 Draft Revised Neighborhood Plan (RNP) – Nyuha attended the last Neighborhood Commission meeting, which included the RNP on the agenda. Three representatives from the City’s Corporation Counsel (COR) attended and strongly suggested that the RNP not be made available to the public yet. As a result, the Neighborhood Commission went into an executive session on the RNP issue. Chair
4) Waimano Ridge Master Plan (WRMP) Infrastructure Funding (SB 810) – Rabago distributed a letter from Gov. Lingle to the House of Representatives, similar to the letter that Rep. Takai discussed earlier. Chair
5) Upcoming Neighborhood Board Training Sessions – The NCO is planning to hold a training session on meeting tools and how to run a meeting for Boards in October 2007.
The Residents’ Concerns portion of the agenda was revisited to allow a resident to share her concern.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS (2):
OTHER ISSUES (2) –
Ewa Side of Hugh and Second Streets: Laurie Tanaka expressed concern about the lack of lighting under the freeway overpass off of
PUBLICITY/REFRESHMENTS (P/R) – The following information was provided:
1) June 2007 Yard of the Month – P/R Committee Vice Chair Duncan offered the yard of Mary Jane and Nester Andres, and daughter Ziara, at Noelani Street (Manana) as the June 2007 Yard of the Month. Chair
2) Certificates of Recognition and Acknowledgement – Chair
3) Olelo Videographer Services – Takahashi mentioned that Councilmember Garcia wants the State to subsidize a private owner to continue the community programming on Olelo; he added that Councilmember Garcia plans to attend Board meetings to see how many Boards videotape and broadcast their meetings on Olelo, and to discover the reasons that some Boards don’t videotape. Chair
4) E-mail Newsletter – Chair
5) NB #21 Website – Chair Fukushima conveyed that the Board needs to determine exactly what information to put on the Board’s individual website. He suggested deferring this issue to the next committee meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The next Committees’ meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, August 21 (“A Night With the Finest”) at 7:00 p.m. and August 28, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., at the
2) The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 6:30 p.m., at the
3) The
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Submitted by:
Rachel M. Glanstein, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by:
David Howton, Treasurer, and Albert Fukushima, Chair