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WAIPAHU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2007

FILCOM CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Richard Oshiro called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Maureen Andrade, Marty Burke, Lorraine Duhaylonsod, Irene Elston, Terry Healey, Connie Herolaga, Joe Hunkin, Jr., Thomas Maus, Kerry Nishimoto, Richard Oshiro, Russell Roller, Rito Saniatan, George Yakowenko.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Charles Arnold, Constante Domingo, Robert Tokioka III.

GUESTS: Danny Agsalog (Mayor’s Representative), Karen Scharfenstein (Councilmember Gary Okino’s office), Senator Will Espero, Rock Riggs (Senator Mike Gabbard’s office), Corie Arre (Senator Clarence Nishihara’s office), Representative Sharon Har, Representative Jon Karamatsu, Representative Ryan Yamane, Daniel de Gracia (Representative Rida Cabanilla’s office), Captain Darrell Kuioka (HFD), Sgt. Jett Kaneshiro and Officer Wyllie Lum (HPD), Manuel Ayala (Leeward YMCA), Yvonne Cardenas and Bob Farrell (videographer), Chuck Wheatley (WNIA), Toy Arre (FilCom Center), Jeffery Higa (Hawai’i Plantation Village), Myrna Feliciano (WCA), Gordon Pang (Honolulu Advertiser), Rick McComb (Air Force), Michael Phelps (Parsons); Edmund Alfonso, Luther Flynn, Darryl Macha. Ilalo Parayno, George Yakowenko, Jr. Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND BOARD MEMBERS – At the request of Chair Oshiro, everyone introduced themselves.

CHAIR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS – Chair Oshiro announced: 1) He welcomed everyone to the last meeting of the 2005-2007 Neighborhood Board. There will be three new Board members for the 2007-2009 term. 2) Tonight’s meeting was relocated due to air-conditioning problems at the Waipahu Cultural Garden Park. He thanked Toy Arre, FilCom Center, for allowing the Board to meet at this facility.

FILLING OF VACANCIES FOR SUB DISTRICTS 7, 8, 9 – Chair Oshiro asked if there were any candidates to fill any of the vacancies. If so, please come before the Board and provide your address to Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues. There were no candidates present. Chair Oshiro said if you know of anyone who lives in the aforementioned sub districts and are willing to serve on the Board to please ask them to attend the next meeting.

APPROVAL OF APRIL 26, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Burke moved and Yakowenko seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Saniatan read the Financial Statement for April 2007. The Operating/Publicity Account expenses were $29.38, leaving a balance of $5,017.42. The Refreshment Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $120.00. The report was accepted subject to audit.

OFFICIAL REPORTS:  

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Darrell Kuioka reported: 1) For the month of April, the Waipahu and Waikele Fire Stations responded to 20 fires, 153 medical emergencies, and 77 miscellaneous calls. 2) Fire Safety Tip: “Prepare a fire escape plan. Map out your escape routes with at least two ways out of each room. Designate a location outside of the house where everyone can meet. Know where the closest phone is located to call 911.” 3) Before leaving your home, please remember to turn off your stove. They just returned from a fire where the individual left the house with the stove still on. 4) Follow-up: A question was asked what is the percentage that HFD arrived on the scene before an ambulance unit. The answer is two-thirds of the time.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Jett Kaneshiro reported the crime statistics for the months of February to April 2007.

HPD Weed & Seed – No report or representative was available.

Mayor's Representative – Danny Agsalog, substituting for Baybee Hufana-Ablan, reported: 1) The Mayor’s Midterm Report is being distributed this week in yesterday’s Midweek magazine and today’s Honolulu Advertiser. According to Section 5-103(j) of the City Charter, one of the duties of the Mayor is to “make periodic reports informing the public as to city policies, programs, and operations.” The eight-page insert was prepared by the City’s Customer Service Department. 2) The recycling meeting held in Kapolei was well-attended.

There was a very lengthy discussion on a proposal to eliminate one trash pickup per week and substitute it for one recycle pickup. Every Board member who spoke on this issue was opposed to paying a $10 fee if a resident wanted a second trash pickup. Agsalog will follow-up. Chair Oshiro said this item will be on next month’s agenda.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Bus Stop Relocation – Resident Edmund Alfonso said the City moved the bus stop and painted the curb in front of his friend’s house. As a result of these actions, his friends can’t park in front of his house. Agsalog will follow-up.

COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Central O'ahu Regional Park (CORP)/Waipio Soccer Facility – Burke reported: 1) The Department of Parks and Recreation and league officials are addressing continuing rules violations at the softball complex. Violations include drinking alcoholic beverages, illegal parking and excessive noise. As a result of drinking and fighting, the director of the offending league cancelled play for the rest of the season. 2) Tennis complex: not posts are breaking. The posts on courts 11 and 17 are being repaired and the decision to contract the remaining 18 courts is being considered. 3) Baseball season has begun and due to the renovations on two lighted fields, Hans L’Orange and Ala Wai, the fields at CORP will be very busy this season. 4) Project requests to be submitted: more speed bumps at strategic locations, erosion control along the roadways, roadway striping repainted, repair fence posts along the roadway.

FilCom Center – No report.

(Andrade arrived at 7:43 p.m.)

Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP) – No report or representative was available.

Leeward YMCA – Manuel Ayala reported: 1) Membership continues to grow. 2) Registration is being held for Summer Programs. For more information, call 671-6495 or visit www.ymcahonolulu.org. 3) This Summer “Commit to get Fit”. Enroll until June 15. Three month membership dues are $119 (individual) or $199 (family). 4) They received a couple of awards: historical life, and YMCA USA.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Oshiro commended Ayala on the award. (A round of applause was given at this time). 2) Herolaga recognized Leeward YMCA for their excellent programs, especially their salsa aerobics. 3) Burke praised Ayala for doing a superior job. (A round of applause was given at this time).

OMPO Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) – Maus said he would no longer be able to represent the Board at the CAC meetings. Chair Oshiro asked if there were any volunteers. The representative does not have to be on the Board; community members are welcome.

Waipahu Community Association – Myrna Feliciano reported: 1) The graffiti paint out and clean up held on May 19 was a success. There were over 180 volunteers. She thanked those who participated. 2) The projected completion date for the Waipahu Festival Market Place Business Incubator and Training Center is July 2007. A blessing and grand opening will follow. Stalls are still available, for more information call 676-8858. 3) Micro-Business Training will be held on June 9-July 14 (Saturdays), Leeward Community College, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon.

Waipahu Community Foundation – Russell Roller announced the deadline to submit the next quarter grant applications is June 1, 2007. Approximately $16,000 is awarded each quarter. He encouraged non-profit youth organizations in the Waipahu area (96797) to apply. Applications are available through him or at the Waipahu High

School administration office. If anyone needs assistance in filling out the application or wants an electronic copy of the application, please contact him at 671-6636.

Announcements – There were no announcements.

PRESENTATIONS:

Hickam Fuel Pipeline Restoration Project – Rick McComb gave a brief update on the Hickam Fuel Pipeline Restoration project. The project will go through Waipio Neighborhood Park and Crestview Community Park in the months of June and July. Parsons is the contractor for the project. The Air Force retains an easement on these properties to access the valve pits and the pipeline in a reasonable manner. For more information, visit http://gisparsons.com/hickamCEVR/.  He will come back before the Board to give updates.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

EMS Support for Waipahu – Deferred.

Sunshine Law: OIP Opinion regarding Neighborhood Board quorum requirement – Chair Oshiro said he’s looking forward for legislation regarding this issue at next year’s legislative session.

Redistricting Committee Update – Yakowenko, Chair of the committee, stated a letter was sent to Joan Manke, Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office, requesting population figures for the three subdistricts in order to assign appropriate number of seats. Hopefully, a response will be received before the next meeting.

(Nishimoto departed at 8:21 p.m.)

Nextel Telecommunications Facility – Chair Oshiro indicated he spoke to Albi Mateo of the Royal Kunia Community Association regarding this issue and was told they were planning to send a representative to tonight’s meeting (there was no representative present). The association conducted a survey and out of the 937 residents who responded, 66% opposed the proposal to install a monopole/antennas at Royal Kunia Island Club.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Resident Chuck Wheatley, a Nextel customer, supported the project. He said better coverage is needed in the area. 2) Herolaga noted that Nextel does not need the Board’s support. They were only required to make a presentation to the Board. The project will go forward. 3) Burke suggested since there is no one from the association present, the Board should not take any action. A number of Board members agreed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Continuation Videotaping on Olelo – Yakowenko noted that in June 2006 the Board approved videotaping on Olelo for a one-year period. The Board would either have to vote on this issue tonight or next month. Yakowenko moved and Burke seconded that the Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22 authorize videotaping on Olelo for the next fiscal year, based on the availability of funds. The motion carried unanimously.

Meeting Date (2007-2009 Term) – Yakowenko mentioned the Board used to meet on the third Thursday of the month, but was requested by the former executive secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office to change the meeting date. Chair Oshiro asked Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues if the Board changed back to the third Thursday, would it be a problem. Rodrigues answered no. By a consensus of the Board, the date will remain as is.

Meeting Location (2007-2009 Term) – Chair Oshiro compared the two meeting facilities (Waipahu Cultural Garden Park versus FilCom Center). The cultural garden park is free, while there is a fee to use the FilCom Center. Jeffery Higa, Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, stated the air-condition unit should be fixed by the next Board meeting. Chair Oshiro announced the Board will meet at the cultural garden park, unless notified otherwise.

Waipahu Cultural Garden Park – Request to Close the Park from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. – Higa asked for the Board’s support to close Waipahu Cultural Garden Park between 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. due to vandalism This action is needed in order for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to post park closure signs and, allow HPD to remove individuals for trespassing. Burke moved and Herolaga seconded that the Waipahu Neighborhood Board No. 22 recommend Waipahu Cultural Garden Park be closed between the hours of 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. The motion carried unanimously. Andrade asked for the Board’s support in closing Hoaeae Park for the same time period. Chair Oshiro said this item will be on next month’s agenda.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues circulated BWS’ monthly report.

Councilmember Nestor Garcia – Herolaga circulated Councilmember Garcia’s monthly report and was available for questions. Councilmember Garcia sends his regrets.

Councilmember Gary Okino – Karen Scharfenstein circulated Councilmember Okino’s monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) The Pearl Ridge Satellite City Hall reopened on May 8. 2) Resolution 07-80 establishes the Real Property Tax rates for the Fiscal Year 2008. 3) Bill 16 provides a one-time tax credit of $200 of eligible owners of real property for the upcoming fiscal year.

Governor's Representative – Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues circulated various reports, brochures, and information from the Governor’s Office.

State Department of Transportation (DOT) – No report or representative was available.

Board of Education (BOE) – No report or representative was available.

Senator Mike Gabbard – Rock Riggs circulated Senator Gabbard’s monthly report. In addition, he stated: 1) Senator Gabbard sends his regrets. 2) He circulated an informational sheet detailing why the City can’t issue State IDs. 3) Senator Gabbard’s next “Talk Story” will be held on June 2, Waikele Elementary School, 9:00 a.m. 4) Approximately $268 million in CIP was appropriated for District 19, including $75,000 in grant-in-aid for American Box Car Racing, and $250,000 for Kunia Agricultural Park.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) A number of Board members commented on the State ID issue. 2) Yakowenko had concerns regarding the Sunshine Law: a) most of the Neighborhood Boards are not satisfied with the current law and how it is interpreted; b) he’s disappointed that the Senate won’t hear the bill; c) the Legislature exempted itself from the Sunshine Law; d) will legislation be introduced next year.

Senator Clarence Nishihara – Corie Arre circulated Senator Nishihara’s monthly report.

Senator Will Espero – Senator Espero circulated his monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) He circulated booklets which included all the bills that were passed this session. 2) Health insurance coverage is available for all keiki. 3) Hawai’i is the second State that passed a Greenhouse Gas Emission bill. 4) The major issue for this area is UH West O’ahu. It is schedule to open 2009-2010. The North-South Road is scheduled to open in 2009. The future is looking bright for our region. 5) He will introduce legislation regarding State IDs.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Oshiro indicated he received a report from Michelle Ching (Senator Espero’s office staff) regarding State IDs. He asked Senator Espero to look at Senator Gabbard’s report. Senator Espero said before they introduce a bill, they would first need to speak to the various agencies. 2) Yakowenko reiterated his concerns regarding the Sunshine Law. Senator Espero explained that the Legislature exempts itself from the Sunshine Law because it holds numerous meetings in one day versus the Neighborhood Board, which holds one meeting per month. He does agree that more than two Board members should be allowed to go the same meeting. The Sunshine Law bill went to the Judiciary Committee. He will follow-up on the issue relating to not being able to call the meeting to order if there is no quorum.

Representative Rida Cabanilla – Daniel de Gracia circulated Representative Cabanilla’s monthly report.

Representative Sharon Har – Representative Har circulated her monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) She apologized for missing the past couple of meetings. 2) In addition to the more than $246 million appropriated for projects in District 40, schools in District 40 are set to receive over $1.3 million for repair and maintenance. 3) She urged the Board to contact the Governor’s Office to ensure that all the funding appropriated for this area is released. 4) HB 776 and HB 777 – two bills she introduced has passed. 5) Grant-in-Aids – there were 300 requests for a total of $300 million. 6) She and Senator Gabbard were chosen to sit on a joint investigation committee. 7) Surplus - $195 million (or 28%) went to Health and Human Services. Tax relief was given to those who needed it the most.

Burke moved and Yakowenko seconded to extend the meeting. There being no objections, the motion carried unanimously.

Representative Jon Karamatsu – Representative Karamatsu circulated his monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) He enjoyed serving Waipahu and the State as Vice Speaker of the House. 2) More than $238 million was appropriated in CIP for Waipahu. 3) His Peace Day Bill, HB 345, was signed into law as Act 23. The bill establishes September 21 of each year as Peace Day to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace. 4) HB 337, which he introduced, appropriates $9.2 million to purchase agricultural land in Kunia and Ewa and lease it to farmers,

Representative Alex Sonson – No report or representative was available.

Representative Ryan Yamane – Representative Yamane circulated his monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) Bills he introduced include: a) HB 582 – establishes a EMS unit for the Mililani and Waipio Gentry area ($150,000 will be appropriated in 2008 and $150,000 in 2009); b) HB 1721 – would protect EMS personnel from harm by making it an offense if they are attacked of assault in the second degree and terroristic threatening in the first degree. 2) Approximately $950,000 was appropriated for electrical improvements at Kanoelani Elementary School. 3) As a result of the Big Island earthquake, the Legislature instituted a statewide building code designed to promote the safety of buildings and facilities.

ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, the meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

Submitted by:

Steve J. Rodrigues

Neighborhood Assistant