WAHIAWA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD 

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2004

WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kathy Masunaga called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. A quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Robert Kent, Silvia Koch, Edith Kubo, Mary Jane Lee, Kathy Masunaga, Yoshiro Nakamura, Jyun Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Randall Kamisato.

GUESTS: Kim Ribellia and Brandon Mitsuda (Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Laurence Lau (Governor’s Representative), Lt. Brian Chang, Lt. John Matassa (HPD), Duke Chung, Jr. (BWS), Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), Tim Houghton (Department of Environmental Services), LT. Col. Jim Fly and Capt. Robert Hoover (U.S. Army), CDR Joe Spegele and Stan Kato (NCTAMS PAC), Don Robbins (Ka Nupepa), Rod Ohira (Honolulu Advertiser), Rod Ohira (Honolulu Advertiser), Rev. Jack D. Smith (WCBA), Alicia Mills (PACT Pu’uhonua), Jodi Higuchi (Legal Aid Society), Ronette Kawakami (Public Defender’s Office), Paulette Lee (Helemano Plantation), James Awai, Dan Gora, Donald Keao, Gerry Meade, Jake Ng and Aileen Stewart (North Shore Neighborhood Board No. 27), David Aki, Trini Canencia, Marie Campoq, Donald Estrella, Rebecca Gonzales, Mary Lou Gora, Ellen Hyer, Michelle and Zac Izon, Gladys Kamisato, Eunice Kunishi, Daniel Neyer, David R., Olivia Raquino, Ed Ramos, Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office).

CHAIR’S REPORT:

Strategic Plan for Wahiawa/Whitmore Village - Draft Strategic Plan Goals – Chair Masunaga stated the Board created a draft strategic plan for Wahiawa/Whitmore Village at its July Committee of the Whole meeting. The plan addressed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The goals are to improve Wahiawa and Whitmore, improve the perception of the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board and to improve citizen and community participation. The minutes of the committee meeting were mailed out with the Board’s August agenda/June minutes and are on file with the Neighborhood Commission Office. Any input from government agencies, community organizations and the community is welcome.

APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: The Board approved the minutes with the following corrections:

Page 3, under Bethel Bible Church, Number 3, add “and traffic” at the end of the sentence.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Yamamoto read the Financial Statement for September 2004. The Operating Account expenses were $52.27, leaving a balance of $1,358.94. The Publicity Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $2,110.00. The Refreshment Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $120.00. The report was accepted subject to audit.

REPORTS AND CONCERNS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – No report or representative was available.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Brian Chang reported: 1) For the month of September, there were 28 burglaries, 13 UEMV (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle), and 31 thefts. 2) At last month’s meeting, there were concerns regarding illegal parking on Lehua Street by the library and on Kamehameha Highway by the furniture store. Officers have patrolled the two areas and have found no violations. They will continue to monitor.

Concerns and comments followed:

1)       Chair Masunaga mentioned the Board has initiated a petition to restrict parking on Lehua Street.

2)       Acohido had concerns about a vehicle that was stripped and left abandoned on Kaliponi Street near Kaala School. Lt. Chang said they received a complaint about that vehicle last month.

3)       Mililani resident David Aki thanked HPD for apprehending the neighborhood predator that was terrorizing the community in Mililani.

CORRESPONDENCE – Chair Masunaga said Council Chair Dela Cruz is asking all Neighborhood Boards in District 2 to compile a preliminary list of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that would specifically enhance the health and public safety for all residents in their respective areas. The deadline to submit the list is November 12, 2004. For more information, call Brandon Mitsuda at 527-5710.

PRESENTATION:

State Constitutional Amendments for General Election – Lt. John Matassa of HPD gave a brief explanation on the four Constitutional Amendments that will be on the General Election ballot: 1) Question No. 1 reads – Shall the Constitutional of the State of Hawai’i be amended to provide that the legislature may define what behavior constitutes a continuing course of conduct in sexual assault crimes? 2) Question No. 2 reads – Shall the Constitutional of the State of Hawai’i be amended to provide that the public has a right of access to registration information regarding persons convicted of certain offenses against children and persons convicted of certain sexual offenses, and the legislature shall determine which offenses are subject to this provision, what information constitutes registration information to which the public has a right of access, the manner of public access to the registration information and a period of time after which the conditions pursuant to which a convicted person may petition for termination of public access? 3) Question No. 3 reads – Shall the Constitutional of the State of Hawai’i be amended to permit the legislature to provide by law for the inadmissibility of privileged confidential communications between an alleged crime victim and the alleged crime victim’s physician, psychologist, counselor or licensed mental health professional? 4) Question No. 4 reads – Shall Hawaii’s constitutional provision regarding the initiation of criminal charges be amended to permit criminal charges for felonies to be initiated by a legal prosecuting officer through the filing of signed, written information setting forth the charge in accordance with procedures and conditions to be provided by the State legislature?

Ronette Kawakami, Public Defender’s Office, gave her office’s position on the four Constitutional Amendments: 1) Question No. 1 – A unanimous jury verdict of guilt is the cornerstone of our criminal justice system. It is very dangerous to change basic constitutional principles in order to address one specific criminal charge. Changing the Hawai’i Constitution will only be the beginning and that other proposed changes will follow year after year. 2) Question No. 2 – The proposed amendment seeks to do away with State procedural due process protections that currently exist regarding the publication of the names, street addresses, employment street addresses, license numbers and photographs of persons convicted of sexual offenses and crimes against children. Because the process of adversarial scrutiny adds to the credibility of our criminal system, the current process involving a separate court hearing should be allowed to take place. Otherwise, there will be two conflicting constitutional provisions, i.e. the due process clause and this amendment. It will benefit no one and will further delay the public’s access to this important registration information. 3) Question No. 3 – The proposed amendment is unnecessary as the Legislature has already acted to protect the confidential communications between crime victims and their health care professionals and counselors. Furthermore, the amendment seeks to completely prevent evidence of certain statutorily privileged confidential communications from being admitted in court without consideration of a defendant’s state constitutional protections, it may result in wrongful convictions and unjust incarceration of innocent persons. 4) Question No. 4 – The proposed constitutional change would allow felony criminal charges to be instituted by filing a written document called an “information”. With information charging, no live witnesses are required to testify, and thus there is no opportunity to question the witness or seek clarification before the probable cause determination is made.

Concerns and comments followed:

1)       Koch, referring to question no. 1, asked who defines sexual assault. Kawakami answered the legislature. There are different types of sexual assaults.

2)       Lee asked if the Public Defender’s Office feels that the four Constitutional amendments are not needed. Kawakami answered in the affirmative.

3)       Chair Masunaga encouraged everyone to vote on November 2 or by absentee voting now being held at Pearlridge Shopping Center, Honolulu Hale, etc.  For the Constitutional Amendment items, a blank vote is counted as a no vote.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Proposed Whitmore Pre-Treatment Facility Pilot Study – Jake Ng, North Shore Neighborhood Board No. 27, said on behalf of his Board he thanked the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board No. 26 for the opportunity to speak. On the North Shore they have cesspool problems. Costs for pumping services have gone up 300% because of the costs of transporting the waste to Pearl City and it has caused a financial burden on residents. A lot of residents are elderly on fixed income. At its September meeting, the North Shore Neighborhood Board voted unanimously to recommend that an impartial 60-day pilot program at the Whitmore Village sewage disposal site be implemented to receive North Shore waste as originally proposed by the City. Their Board is cognizant of Whitmore’s concerns. A working committee (task force) has been established. The Whitmore Village site is off the main road, gated, down-wind from residents, and entrance would not be through Whitmore city. 

Concerns and comments followed:

1)       Kim Ribellia, Council Chair Dela Cruz’s office, said the council chair introduced a resolution for the Department of Environment Services (ENV) to work with the North Shore and Whitmore communities on this issue. She stated they have been meeting with the two Neighborhood Boards and Whitmore residents. They asked ENV for a Memorandum for an Agreement and they have come-up with a draft. No decision has been made and Council Chair Dela Cruz has no position either way.

2)       Kubo questioned why she wasn’t invited to the meeting with Council Chair Dela Cruz. Chair Masunaga said she didn’t know Kubo was interested in the meeting. Alena Pule, President of the Whitmore Community Association, was invited and had agreed to participate via speakerphone.   However, she wasn’t able to participate when reached by telephone that morning. Whitmore resident, Ed Ramos, attended the meeting.  Board member Lee had asked to attend the meeting and was welcome to do so, but did not attend because Chair Masunaga was unable to contact her to confirm the meeting time.  Also in attendance were Jake Ng and Kathleen Pahinui of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, Tim Houghton of ENV, Ribellia and Mitsuda of Council Chair Dela Cruz’s office, and Senate President Bunda and his chief of staff, Laura Figueira. Chair Masunaga said it’s difficult for Council Chair Dela Cruz because he represents the two communities.  She said one of the outcomes of the meeting was that the North Shore is not going to solve its cesspool problems in 60 days. It’s called a pilot program because the City doesn’t know if it will work or not. They tried it twice in Mililani and it failed both times.

3)       Acohido asked Ramos his position. Ramos said he would refrain from speaking until he speaks with the Whitmore Community Association and they review all the information. There has been a lot of information that was presented within the past two weeks. He doesn’t know the total impact to the community.

4)       A resident said one of the misconceptions is that the City is managed by taxpayers’ money. The funds that the water and wastewater departments receive are what they pay their employees and use for their construction projects. He said if you don’t pay these services then you shouldn’t grumble. His main concern was what is being dumped into Lake Wilson.

5)       Whitmore residents stated they don’t want the pilot project in their neighborhood. They raised the following concerns: safety (only one road in and one road out and too close where children play); the facility being too close to residents; it’s unsanitary and unhealthy; not being properly informed; the amount of trucks in the community.

6)       Acohido said this issue will not be solved tonight. He concurred with the agenda item to form an ad hoc committee of North Shore and Whitmore residents.

7)       Lee stated the City has been remiss on this issue. She said the City hasn’t been honest with us.

8)       Chair Masunaga mentioned neither the North Shore Neighborhood Board or the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board have the authority to make a decision on this issue. She suggested that everyone get along. The City is standing back and watching while the communities go at each other’s throats. If the cesspool problems are taken care of then, there will be clean ocean water in the North Shore for all to enjoy. All the City is asking is to try it. If the pilot project doesn’t work, then it will be stopped. Former councilmember Steve Holmes is the person that increased the cesspool fees. Pumping fees were $50 per month; now it’s $100. It’s an economic burden for North Shore residents. Some people are going to the parks to use the bathroom.

9)       Members of the North Shore Neighborhood Board and the community spoke in support of the pilot project. When the City pumps the cesspools, they only take the liquids and not the solids. The private contractors take both liquids and solids, but they charge $130 per month. The problem today is that sewage plants don’t have drying beds. They have been going through this problem for decades and asked the Whitmore community for their consideration.

10)   Chair Masunaga said the ad-hoc committee will meet in November. The following individuals have agreed to sit on the committee: Mary Jane Lee, Ben Acohido, Kathy Masunaga, Ed Ramos and Tim Houghton. Ng said he will confer with the chair of the North Shore Neighborhood Board.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES: (This item of business will be taken up at 8:00 p.m.)

Malama O Wahiawa – No report or representative was available.

Mayor's Representative – Cheryl Okuma-Sepe sent her regrets.

Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz – Brandon Mitsuda circulated Council Chair Dela Cruz’s monthly report (who sent his regrets) and highlighted the following: 1) Application forms for the real property tax relief program for homeowners 55 years of age and older are now available through October 30. For more information, call 523-4856. 2) There are four City Charter Amendments proposed by the City Council on the General Election ballot. 3) The next full City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004. 4) He is working with India regarding her concerns about Lake Wilson.

Governor’s Representative – Laurence Lau circulated his follow-up report and highlighted the following: 1) Regarding the odor from Lake Wilson, the State Department of Health (DOH) took hydrogen sulfide measurements and confirmed its presence on one day. DOH is analyzing how to conduct a health assessment. People with health complaints should call Barbara Brooks at 586-4249. 2) The State Department of Transportation (DOT) will coordinate with HPD and other enforcement agencies to curtail the homeless problem at Wahiawa Reservoir Park and under the main bridge. 3) The request to have someone from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) come before the Board has been made. 4) DOT will take a look at the road conditions on Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa bound from Kilani Drive, when they get a paving service contract. Until then, DOT can apply more asphalt concrete.

Concerns and comments followed:

1)       Kent had concerns about the lack of overhead street lights on Kamehameha Highway, from Wahiawa to Haleiwa and also the amount of traffic before and after daylight. Lau will follow-up.

2)       Chair Masunaga reiterated the Board’s concerns about the homeless in Wahiawa. She suggested DLNR enforcement in the morning. Koch echoed the same concerns. She questioned when something will be done. Lau said it’s a sensitive issue. He will follow-up.

3)       A resident asked Lau if he would eat the fish from Lake Wilson. Lau answered he wouldn’t recommend it.

Senate President Robert Bunda – No report or representative was available.

Representative Marcus Oshiro – No report or representative was available.

Board of Water Supply – Duke Chung submitted his monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) There were no main breaks in the Wahiawa area for the month of September. 2 Water projects in this area have not changed since last month’s meeting. 3) BWS’ latest water use report for the week ending October 6 shows an island-wide consumption of 151.83 million gallons per day (mgd), about 4 mgd less than in 2003. 4) He distributed BWS’ “Seven Easy Ways to Save Water” brochure, as part of their year round water conservation program. The brochure will be sent to all water customers. 5) BWS and Malama O Manoa will hold its Kuleana Eco-Fair on Saturday, October 23, 2004, Manoa Valley District Park Gym, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kent asked how many golf courses use fresh water. Chung will follow-up.

Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – Geri Tramontano reported: 1) October 26 is the last day for the City Clerk’s office to receive requests for absentee ballots for the general election. Ballots must be mailed or delivered to the City Clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2. 2) It has been nearly one year since senior citizens were required to obtain Photo Bus Passes. O’ahu Transit Services (OTS) and satellite city hall offices have postponed selling November 2005 annual stickers. There will be a press release when the stickers will be sold. The stickers will be sold to seniors who already have the Photo Senior Annual Bus Pass. Seniors will also be given the option of purchasing annual stickers through the mail using postage paid envelopes through OTS.

Wahiawa Vision Team – Lee announced the next Wahiawa Vision Team meeting will be held on Monday, November 15, 2004, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 5:30 p.m. The City and its consultant will give a presentation on the three new buildings for Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.

U.S. Army – Chair Masunaga offered the Board condolences for the Schofield-based soldiers who recently lost their lives in the war in the Middle East.

Lt. Col. James Fly reported: 1) He thanked the Board for the condolences. Memorial services will be held tomorrow and Wednesday at the Chapel for two aviation soldiers. Everyone is invited. Approximately 5,600 soldiers are deployed to Afghanistan and 5,000 to Iraq. 2) Twenty soldiers completed the Reading in the Park program at Ka’ala Elementary. 3) A solider will be sent to Leilehua High School on October 26 to teach the students about the military. 4) Between 16-20 soldiers will be assisting with the senior luau. 5) Approximately 50 soldiers will be participating in Make a Difference Day. 5) He is still trying to coordinate having some soldiers participate in the Wahiawa Veterans’ Day parade.

NCTAMS – CDR Joe Spegele reported: 1) Captain McLendon sends her regrets. 2) Their people are working on the parking lot expansion for Helemano Elementary. He thanked the school for the invitation. 3) NCTAMS have been participating in Operation Aloha, an outreach program, for the past 15 years. Fundraising events are being held to purchase supplies and they are accepting donations of non-perishable foods. 4) They are continuing to work with Board member Kent to resume TheBus service into NCTAMS.

Wahiawa Community Business Association (WCBA) – No report or representative was available by the time this was taken up on the agenda.

PACT Pu’uhonua – Alicia Mills stated she came to last month’s meeting to join the Board’s committee. She has been working with immigrants, etc. for the past three years. Her office is located at the Wahiawa Police Station.

Concerns and comments followed:

1)       Acohido asked if Malama O Wahiawa could help PACT Pu’uhonua. Chair Masunaga answered yes.

2)       Lee asked about her caseload. Mills answered she has opened 100 files, all in Wahiawa. Referrals are five times that amount.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Whitmore Pre-Treatment Facility – North Shore resident Rebecca Gonzales asked Whitmore residents to consider the City’s proposal for a test pilot for a pre-treatment facility in their community. Chair Masunaga asked Gonzales if she is interested in sitting on the ad-hoc committee.

NEW BUSINESS: There were no new business items.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Committee of the Whole – No report.

Environment & Conservation – Lee stated residents have expressed the following concerns: 1) The pollution in Lake Wilson and how it will affect the fish. 2) The City lifting the sewer moratorium and how it will affect residents. 3) Vehicles blocking driveways. 4) People fixing their vehicles and their car’s oil running onto the street. 5) Children throwing garbage into the storm drain. 6) An increase of rodents in Wahiawa.

Military Civilian Affairs – Yamamoto mentioned he attended the Stryker Brigade meeting on behalf of Chair Masunaga. There was no new information provided except an explanation on the Stryker brigade lawsuit.

Transportation & Traffic Safety – Acohido said: 1) He has been in discussions with Scott Ishikawa, spokesperson for the State Department of Transportation (DOT). The next Transportation and Traffic Safety Committee will be tentatively held on October 27, Wahiawa Recreation Park, Ceramics Room, 6:30 p.m. 2) Wahiawa Transit Center – he asked for a status report before the current administration leaves office. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) Reminder: The General Election is Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Please make an effort to vote that day or via absentee ballot. 2) The Wahiawa Lions Club will hold its annual Veterans’ Day parade on November 11, from Ka’ala Elementary School to Fred Wright Park, 10:00 a.m. 3) The next Regular Meeting of the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board No. 26 will be held on Monday, November 15, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

Submitted by:

Steve J. Rodrigues,

Neighborhood Assistant