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DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chair James Pickard, Sr. (now Acting Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m., with a quorum of 10 members present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Al Coleman, Sol Ray Duncan, Kevin Furutani, May Imamura-Uruu, Myrtle Nyuha, James Pickard, Sr., Amoreena Rabago (arrived at 6:35 p.m.), Tom Sylva, Davin Takahashi, Larry Veray, Cruz Vina, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Albert Fukushima, David Howton.
GUESTS: Firefighter G. Hasuda, Capt. K. Yasui (Honolulu Fire Department – Pearl City Station); Lt. G. Arakawa, Sgt. R. Itomura (Honolulu Police Department – Pearl City Station); Keith Kurahashi (Kusao and Kurahashi); Manny Cabral (Leeward Community College – Interim Chancellor); Jim Propotnick (Governor's representative – Deputy Director, State Department of Public Safety); Isaac Hokama (Mayor’s representative – Special Assistant to the Mayor); Robert Sato (Councilmember Okino's Office staff); Representative K. Mark Takai; Gary Omori (Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project – Public Involvement Team); Cory Critchley, William McKale (Pearl City Home Depot); Fay Toyama (Lehua Elementary School – Principal); Kevin Cassel (Olelo Videographer); Kent Kitagawa (State Department of Health – State Labs Division); Gifford Chang, Cara Gebhard, Brennan Lee, Nelson T. Moriwaki, Kathy Yoda; Rachel M. Glanstein (Neighborhood Commission Office staff). There were approximately 30 other people present who didn’t sign in.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Sylva led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REMINDERS OF TIME LIMIT POLICY AND PROCEDURES ON INPUT, COMMENTS, RESPONSES AND PRESENTATION OF AGENDA ITEMS: Acting Chair Pickard reminded everyone that smoking is not allowed on the school campus grounds. He summarized the time limit policy as follows – one minute for comments; three minutes for reports; five minutes for presentations already given at the Committee Meeting, ten minutes for new presentations; one minute for comments/questions/responses; recognition from the Chair is required to speak; microphones should be used when speaking; all cell phones should be turned off or put in "silent" mode. Acting Chair Pickard asked government representatives to please limit their oral reports to one subject matter.
EMERGENCY AGENCY REPORTS:
1) April 2007 Statistics (Pearl City/Waiau) – There were 8/1 structure, 2/3 brush, 1/0 rubbish, and 1/1 vehicle fires; there were 58/34 medical emergencies, 4/0 search/rescues, and 19/17 miscellaneous calls.
2) Fire Safety Tip – Prepare a fire escape plan. Map out escape routes. Designate a location outside of the house where everyone can meet. Know where the closest phone is located to call 911.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Takahashi inquired about a portable trash can fire at
Rabago arrived during the above report, at 6:35 p.m., making 11 members present.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) –
MONTHLY STATISTICS: Sgt. R. Itomura circulated the report and gave the following statistics for April/March/February – There were 17/5/23 auto thefts, 10/8/9 auto theft recoveries, 18/16/15 burglaries, 6/29/23 criminal property damage cases and 49/40/44 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs). There were a total of 7,045/7,243/6,695 calls for service in District 3, with some 1,583/1,627/1,566 calls (22.47%/22.46%/23.39%) from the
Questions, comments and concerns followed (Sgt. Itomura will follow up):
1) Veray requested HPD to step up its patrols in the Hukenani and
2) Imamura-Uruu relayed that there have been many burglaries on Kaweloka and Pane Streets and asked what could be done and if there is a neighborhood watch in the area.
3) Acting Chair Pickard inquired if it would be possible for HPD officers to assist in closing the cattle gate at
PRESENTATIONS:
MAY 2007 YARD OF THE MONTH – P/R Committee Chair Imamura-Uruu presented the May 2007 Yard of the Month Award to Jane and Norman Uechi, of
AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES – Publicity/Refreshments (P/R) Committee Chair Imamura-Uruu presented certificates to the following:
1)
2) March 2007 Lex Brodie Tire Company “Thank You Very Much” Award – Dayne Okamura and teacher Lori Oshiro.
3) Board of Water Supply (BWS) 2007 Water Conservation Week Poster Contest Winners – (a) Brennan Lee (first place) and mentor Lynn Wakahiro; (b) Nathan Nakasone (third place) and mentor Michelle Umemoto; (c) Bria Daniel (honorable mention) and mentor Donna Hayashi; and (d) Raelynn Ortiz (honorable mention) and mentor Michelle Umemoto.
4) Hawaii Self Storage Scholarship ($4,000) – Monica Orcine and mentor Lathan Horn.
5) State and District High School Journalism Awards – (a) Stayson Isobe, Most Valuable Staffer and Best News Writing; (b) Sean Herman, Best Editorial Writing; (c) Brent Mukai, Best Illustration; and (d) Russell Tolentino, Best Feature Writing. The two co-editors of the Pearl City High School Messenger are Suha Khan and Janel Higuchi. The mentor for all of the awardees was Gay Ching.
6) Pearl City High School (PCHS) Baseball OIA Champions and Second Place State Winners – Jonathan Abe, Ryne Acosta, Jordan Casarez, Jordan Dekneef, Jeff Domingo, Duane Kiyota, Jr., Scott Muraoka, Jared Nagai, Bryson Nakamura, Micah Nakasone, Rorry Nakayama, Kurt Poentis, Chad Quillopo, Jason Rasa, Terrence Ryan, Cody Sugitaya, Carton Tanabe, Matthew Tanaid, Kellen Ushijima, Cory Yuh, Head Coach Mel Seki, and Assistant Coaches Dave Silva, Dennis Fukunaga, Dean Silva, Pono Moises, Thomas Yamasaki and Shaun Ohira.
7) Hawaii State Qualifying Champion in Girl’s Scratch Bowling – Jodi-Ann Gum and mentor David Yoshishige.
8) Gerald Suyama – Pearl City High School (PCHS) Principal retiring after 20 years, recognized for his outstanding leadership skills which made PCHS an outstanding school in
9) 2007 Olo Pono $1,000 Award – Cara Gebhard, a counselor at HIS; she donated her award to the school. She was the Complex Coordinator for the Challenge Day program, which helps to make
10) University of Hawaii (UH) Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award – Manny Cabral, the newly appointed Interim Chancellor for Leeward Community College (LCC).
11) WorldQuest Trivia Competition – First place winners were Keolani Naeole, Stephanie Leverett, and Alex Johnson, and they each won $100. Second place winners were Jose Aviles, Drago Krakovic, and Robert Taguchi, who each won $50. The mentor for both teams is Dr. Patricia Neils.
12) Tom Oshiro – Lions Club member who paints out graffiti along
HALE MOHALU II AFFORDABLE ELDERLY AND FAMILY RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – Keith Kurahashi, of Kusao and Kurahashi, the planning and zoning consultants for the project, distributed handouts and highlighted the following points from the PowerPoint presentation:
1) Location – The location will be right off of
2) Background – From 1949 until 1978 the property contained Hale Mohalu, a hospital and home for patients with Hansen's disease which extended on to the lot located to the southwest of the property. In 1978 the State closed Hale Mohalu and in 1983 the last of the tenants were moved out and the buildings were torn down. In 1985 the property was leased to the Pearl City Youth Complex Association; the Youth Complex never developed and the lease was canceled in 2005 after 20 years. In 1996 Hale Mohalu Elderly Housing, with about 210 units, was developed on the neighboring property to the southwest by the Coalition for Specialized Housing (CSH). In January 2006 a direct lease to CSH for affordable housing development in
3) Project Details – The proposed affordable rental development will include 168 family units and 168 senior units with 5% of the units supporting families or individuals earning at or below 30% of median income and 95% at or below 60% of median income. The applicant (CSH) will provide the 212 parking stalls required for the affordable family units and 74 parking stalls for the affordable senior units. CSH is seeking available funds to develop the affordable rental development.
4) 201-H Exemptions – (a) to allow multi-family dwellings in a P-2 General Preservation District; (b) to allow a height of about 60 feet in a district with a 25-foot height limit; (c) to allow an encroachment into the building height setback by about 18 feet; (d) from the park dedication permit process; (e) from Building, Plan Review, Grading and Grubbing permit fees; and (f) deferral of payment of wastewater system facility charges and BWS water system facilities charges.
5) Infrastructure – The municipal water service to the property is adequate to support the proposed development. CSH is working with the City to determine wastewater requirements for the proposed development. The project site is in Flood Zone D, areas in which flood hazards are undetermined.
6) Traffic – The project is not expected to have a significant impact to traffic conditions in the area. The traffic assessment recommends prohibiting left turns from the driveway (right turns only) which reduces vehicle delay for vehicles exiting the proposed driveway by over 65% in both the morning and afternoon peak hour.
7) Viewplanes – The development won't extend above the mountain. Pictures were shown of affected views.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1) Gifford Chang, a business owner near the proposed location, asked about accessibility to the site. K. Kurahashi answered that the traffic study done indicated that the exit will be right-turn only, to minimize the traffic effect on
2) Rabago inquired if the median there would be fixed to allow left turns; K. Kurahashi affirmed this, and added that they will landscape the median following whatever requirements the State provides.
There was no representative present to provide an update on the new
The agenda was moved up to hear the Home Depot traffic concerns.
COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRAL (1):
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION (TT) (1) –
Home Depot Traffic Concerns at
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1) Acting Chair Pickard suggested installing an entrance "arm" and making people take parking tickets, or extending the delineators to force motorists to go all the way to the end of the parking lot, to cut down on the dangerous u-turns there. He acknowledged that the problem occurs on private property, but recommended that they go to the media with the issue.
2) Furutani proposed installing speed bumps in the entrance to the parking lot.
3) Rabago asked what Home Depot wants the Board to do. W. McKale replied that they would like the Board to help them to get HPD to assist them. Rabago inquired if they had researched hiring special duty officers to monitor the area. W. McKale responded that special duty officers were hired for the opening of the store, but they weren't effective then.
4) Coleman asked about adjusting the timing of the traffic lights at the intersection to decrease the u-turns.
5) Imamura-Uruu advocated hiring more security guards to monitor the area, during peak traffic hours.
Veray offered to draft a letter to Mayor Mufi Hannemann setting forth this concern.
The order of agenda was resumed.
COMMUNITY REPORTS:
There were no representatives or reports present for the BWS, the City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Pearl City Library, or the Board of Education (BOE).
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: No concerns were expressed.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
GOVERNOR'S REPRESENTATIVE – Jim Propotnik circulated the Governor’s Update and a list of Governor Linda Lingle's appointees and their specialties, and reported the following response to last month’s question:
The sex offender rehabilitation facility at Waimano Ridge has no time limit on its presence; the patients are mostly disturbed children who need social education, and there are never very many children living there at any one time. The State Department of Health (DOH) owns the property on which the facility is located.
Questions, comments and concerns followed (J. Propotnik will follow up):
1) Pickard and Rabago mentioned that the ewa-bound H-1 Freeway Pearl City off-ramp onto
2) Imamura-Uruu commented that the delineators on the ewa-bound H-1 Freeway Aiea on-ramp are in bad shape and should be replaced with stronger materials.
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Isaac Hokama had the following responses to last month’s concerns:
1) The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) investigated and found that
2) A DPR arborist from the Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) recently inspected City Pittosporum trees along
3) Pedestrians can legally cross the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk, which is defined in the State Traffic Code as “that part of the roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or, in the absences of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway.” DTS will investigate requests for marked crosswalks at specific intersections. Contact Layden Akasaki at 768-8315 with any questions.
4) It's possible for cities to receive waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirement for secondary treatment of waste. According to the EPA website, there are 36 waiver recipients and nine applicants with decisions pending, and one applicant with a court appeal pending the final decision denying waiver (
Questions, comments and concerns followed (I. Hokama will follow up):
1) Pickard relayed the corrected concern regarding the lack of traffic signs at the intersections of
2) Takahashi complained that the increase in the general excise tax should go to fix the sewer system, not to fund the rail. It was indicated that this is a concern for the State representative.
3) Imamura-Uruu conveyed that the trees along
4) Furutani mentioned the property on
5) Furutani commented that at
6) Pickard noted the Board request that Mr. Doran (DPR) attend meetings to give reports for DPR. Mr. Doran indicated that the Board would have to write a letter to the DPR Director, Lester Chang, which the Board did. The response they received was somewhat sharp telling them to contact the Mayor’s representative. Also, when Pickard spoke to L. Chang’s secretary, she was unfriendly and unhelpful. The Board would like DPR representation (or at least reports) at the meetings.
7) Pickard remarked that, across from Trinity Union Church, on Komo Mai Drive just Ewa of Waimano Home Road, there is a bus stop in need of attention. The plexiglass for the stop was replaced, but now someone has painted the entire thing red, so it’s impossible to see who’s there (a safety issue).
8) Pickard mentioned that, on
9) Pickard pointed out that on
COUNCILMEMBER GARY OKINO – Robert Sato distributed the report and highlighted the following information:
1) City Council Resolution 07-80 sets the real property tax rates for the Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08). Due to the proposed Council Draft 1 (CD1), which would lower the tax rate for the residential and apartment classes from $3.59 to $3.29 per $1,000 of net taxable real property, a special public hearing will be held tomorrow, May 23, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Committee Room at Honolulu Hale. Following the hearing, a special Budget Committee meeting will convene to make a formal recommendation on the proposed CD1.
2) Council Bill 16 (2007), CD1 provides a one-time tax credit of $200 to eligible owners of real property for FY08. Bill 16 (07) had a public hearing and passed second reading on April 25 and is scheduled for further discussion and deliberation at the special Budget Committee meeting tomorrow, May 23.
3) Council Bills 29, CD1, Bill 30, CD1, and Bill 31, CD1 (07) are the Legislative, Operating, and Capital Improvement Budget bills for FY08, respectively. Each of the bills had a public hearing and passed second reading on April 25. The bills are scheduled for further discussion and deliberation at tomorrow's special Budget Committee meeting.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Coleman asked for information about Bill 42 (07). R. Sato explained that the bill is more of a policy issue that the City should handle its own waste, and accompanies Resolution 07-151.
REPRESENTATIVE K. MARK TAKAI – Rep. K. Mark Takai summarized the following points:
1) The draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the second LCC access road is available; the deadline for comments on the draft EA is June 22, 2007.
2) Drug houses are being successfully combated by the Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit, created in 2004. People may call agents at 586-1244 or 587-4374 anonymously to report suspected drug houses.
3) The next
4) The Ahui Ohana Lounge, formerly the Sportsmen Lounge, closed its doors at the beginning of May 2007. The Honolulu Liquor Commission (LIQ) will hear a motion on June 16 at 4 p.m. for non-renewal of the liquor license and revocation of the license on July 1. Credit was given to Principal Fay Toyama (
5) Congratulations to Principal Fay Toyama from
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
Imamura-Uruu requested an update on the UH Athletic Division. Rep. Takai briefly described his own background as a product of the UH athletics program in swimming. He emphasized the importance of UH sports, citing how the UH sporting events make headlines on the front pages of newspapers, not just the front pages of the sports sections. The legislature wants to know about any community concerns regarding the football program, budget, coaches, and some facilities. Rep. Takai stressed that this is an opportunity to begin a dialogue about the future of UH sports.
There were no representatives or reports present for Senator Clarence Nishihara, Senator David Ige, or Representative Roy Takumi.
A recess for refreshments was taken from 8:08 p.m. to 8:25 p.m.
COMMUNITY INPUT: There were no reports offered for the Pearl City Community Association, the Manana Community Association, the Pacific Palisades Community Association, or the Pearl City Foundation.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY 23, JUNE 27, JULY 25, AND NOVEMBER 28, 2006, JANUARY 23, FEBRUARY 27, AND MARCH 27, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Acting Chair Pickard announced that drafts of the minutes have been completed, and the Board is now reviewing the drafts for approval at next month's meeting.
APRIL 2007 TREASURER'S REPORT: The April 2007 financial report was attached to the agenda. In April, the Operating / Publicity Account incurred expenses of $28.66, leaving a balance of $1,440.76, and the Refreshment Account incurred expenses of $36.69, leaving no money available in the Refreshment Account.
COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRAL (2):
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE (HEW) – HEW Committee Chair Pickard relayed the following updates (except for the updates on the reopening of
1) Lehua Avenue Bars – Liquor License Renewals – Rep. Takai spoke about this issue earlier, and the proposed permanent closing date of Ahui Ohana, formerly called the Sportsmen Lounge, is December 31, 2007.
2) Removal of Graffiti Legislation – This item will be taken off the agenda.
3)
4) Laundry Hanging on Neighbor's Fence – This is a neighbor-to-neighbor issue, and outside the Board's purview.
5)
Furutani moved, and Coleman seconded, to submit the letter requesting additional parking and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding the availability of the restrooms for the Pearl City Library to Senator Nishihara, which was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 11-0-0.
6) Olelo Channel 49 – Continued Community Use – Takahashi reported that the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is under new management by Larry Rayfirth. The DCCA is currently evaluating Channel 49 but there is no set date for their decision on whether to eliminate the channel, extend its trial, keep the channel, or keep the channel but change the format.
7) Funding for 20 Extra Parking Stalls at Manana Community Park – No response has yet been received to the letter to Mayor Hannemann requesting funding for additional parking at Manana Community Park.
8) City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Monthly Representation at Board Meetings – Mayor’s representative I. Hokama will submit the request.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION (TT) (2) – TT Committee Chair Vina provided the following information:
1)
2)
3)
4) H-1 Freeway Westbound (Waiau Off-Ramp) and
5) Home Depot Traffic Concerns at
DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND ZONING (DPZ) – DPZ Committee Chair Furutani gave the following reports:
1) Central Oahu Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting – April 26, 2007 – There will be further construction work on Kamehameha Highway, west of Lehua Avenue.
2)
3) Waimano DOH Bio-Safety Level 3 Lab – Laurence Lau, from DOH, will arrange a site visit to the lab for Board representatives.
LEGISLATIVE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (LCIP) – LCIP Committee Chair Nyuha 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 audit was extensive and strongly recommended training for the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) and Board members. Permitted Interaction Groups (PIGs) are being formed to discuss the recommendation for more training. The auditors also noted that there should be a clear line of communication between the Boards and the Neighborhood Commission.
2) City Council Neighborhood Board Review Task Force – North Shore Neighborhood Board No. 27 Chair Kathleen Pahinui is Chair of the task force and welcomed all those who want to give input.
3) Status of 2006 Draft Revised Neighborhood Plan (RNP) – The City’s Corporation Counsel (COR) should be finished reviewing the 2006 draft RNP by mid-June, 2007.
4) Waimano Ridge Master Plan (WRMP) Infrastructure Funding (SB 810) – Rabago reported that Senate Bill 810 (SB 810) relating to funding for WRMP infrastructure passed and went to Governor Lingle on May 4, 2007.
5) City Budget FY08 – Council Bill 31 (07) Input – No update.
6) Mandatory Neighborhood Board Installation, Orientation and Training Session on Saturday, June 2, 2007 – It’s requested that all Board members attend the June 2 events, especially the training sessions.
PUBLICITY/REFRESHMENTS (P/R) – P/R Committee Chair Imamura-Uruu reported the following:
1) June 2007 Yard of the Month –
Imamura-Uruu moved, and Duncan seconded, to give the June 2007 Yard of the Month Award to Jean and Wally Minato of Aanui Loop (Palisades), and the motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 11-0-0.
2) Certificates of Recognition and Acknowledgement – Gregg Takayama, from
3) Publicity Account Expenditure for Olelo Videographer Services –
Furutani moved, and Vina seconded, to increase Kevin Cassel’s fee for videtaping Board meetings to $225 per month, effective July 1, 2007, and the motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 11-0-0.
4) Depletion of Refreshment Account – The Refreshment Account has been depleted, and everyone was thanked for helping to provide additional refreshments.
There was no update for the Executive Committee, since Chair Fukushima is out of town.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The next Committee meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, 2007, 7:00 p.m., at the
2) The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 6:30 p.m., at the
3) Everyone is strongly urged to attend the town meeting on emergency preparedness tomorrow, May 23, 2007, mentioned earlier in the meeting.
4) The State Department of Transportation (DOT) was thanked for its roadwork on
5)
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Submitted by:
Rachel M. Glanstein, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by:
David Howton, Treasurer, and Albert Fukushima, Chair