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http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb26/06/26_2006_04Min.pdf 
WAHIAWA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2006
HELEMANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ben Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. A quorum was present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Sheri Bentley, Burt Iwata, Robert Kent, Mary Jane Lee, Kathy Masunaga, Irwin Yamamoto, Jyun Yamamoto.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Silvia Koch (excused).
GUESTS: Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Brandon Mitsuda (Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Zeny Muyot (Congressman Ed Case’s office), Thomas Arizumi (Governor’s Representative), Patty Dukes (EMS), Lt. Stanford Afong (HPD), Duke Chung (BWS), Captain Jim Donovan, CW Clifton Jenkins and ITCS Darin Long (NCTAMS PAC), Maj. Patrick Campbell (U.S. Army), Don Robbins (Ka Nupepa), Rod Ohira (Honolulu Advertiser), David Bremer (Mililani Neighborhood Board, HBL, ORC&D), David Kinvig (USDA – NRCS), Alena Pule (Whitmore Community Association), Tom Lenchanko (‘Aha Kukaniloko), Ellen Hyer, Al Turrqueza, Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office Staff).
(Iwata arrived at 7:09 p.m.)
APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 20 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Kent moved and Masunaga seconded to approve the minutes with the following corrections:
Page 2, under EMS, line 7, substitute “Maui” for “Kauai;”
Page 3, under Homeless Update, line 7, substitute “their” for “they,” and in last line, add “at the shopping center” to the last sentence; and under Kipapa Bikeway Proposal, line 2 substitute “alternative” for “alternate.”
Page 4, second paragraph, should reflect that Congressman Case was traveling back to Washington, D.C. from Hawai`i; under Mayor’s Representative, line 2, substitute “shoe laces” for “shoestrings”, line 13, substitute “will be” for “should be;” and under Concerns, item 4, line 4, substitute “its” for “it’s.”
Page 5, under Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz, line 5, add “to” after “Field”, line 9, item e) substitute “ask” for “asked”, under Governor’s Representative, line 5, substitute “Albizia” for “Albizzia,” concerns, item 1, substitute “Avian” for “Asian”, concerns, item 3) insert comma between “building” and “they;”
Page 6, under BWS, line 4, insert comma between “water” and “then;” under Wahiawa Satellite City Hall, line 3, substitute “Pearlridge” for “Pearl Ridge”, under New Business, line 4, delete two instances of “getting.”
The motion carried unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Iwata read the Financial Statement for the months of March and April. For March, the Operating Account expenses were $26.50, leaving a balance of $1,114.50. The Publicity Account expenses were $818.91, leaving a balance of $472.18. The Refreshment Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $120.00. For April, the Operating Account expenses for were $70.85, leaving a balance of $974.96. The Publicity Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $1,291.09. The Refreshment Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $120.00. The report was accepted subject to audit.
FIRST RESPONDERS – Reports and Concerns:
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – No report or representative was available.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Stanford Afong reported the statistics in the District for the month of March. There were 8 burglaries, 20 UEMV (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle), and 15 thefts.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) – Patty Dukes, Chief for EMS, reported: 1) For the month of March, Wahiawa EMS received a total of 351 calls, transported 235 patients, responded to 8 out of area calls, had 0 MAST transfers, and did 79 co-responses. 2) The National Guard will now be flying the MAST transfers. They will be available seven days a week, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Dukes answered: 1) EMS does service NCTAMS PAC because the Navy doesn’t have an ambulance on base. 2) She doesn’t have the breakdown of calls. EMS responds to every call.
U.S. Army – Schofield Barracks – Maj. Patrick Campbell stated: 1) He apologized for missing the past three meetings. 2) At July’s meeting, the Rear Detachment Brigade will be in attendance. 3) Soldiers will be deployed to Iraq this summer. 4) Two soldiers will be attending the Board’s send-off ceremony.
Maj. Campbell answered: 1) Schofield should receive the Stryker Brigade in two years. 2) The Operational Code for this next mission is Iraq Freedom 6.
U.S. Navy – NCTAMS PAC – Capt. Jim Donovan reported: 1) NCTAMS PAC is pleased to be able to provide a presentation on its command to the Board. 2) NCTAMS PAC won the Navy Retention Excellence Award and Quarterly Honor Roll for 1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2006. This is the first time in at least six years that they have made the honor roll. 3) NCTAMS PAC also won the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Award for High Frequency (HF) communications. They were selected as the very best HF site in the Pacific, and recognized for making significant contributions to overall mission support to the “Warfighter”.
Capt. Donovan answered: 1) NCTAMS PAC no longer has a library on post. 2) NCTAMS PAC has approximately 1,000 sailors. Housing facilities include houses, barracks, etc.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:
Neighborhood Board Banner – Whitmore resident Alena Pule asked if the Board could put up a banner one week before its two scheduled meetings in Whitmore so residents would be aware of the meeting. Also, if she is notified ahead of time, she would able to notify more people. Chair Acohido agreed. He will post signs for October’s meeting.
Graffiti – Pule had concerns regarding graffiti in the community. She suggested the community, school principals and teachers work together to eliminate this problem. Chair Acohido said the suggestion is well taken. They can work with the principals and HPD. Pule has paint available for paint-outs. Other communities have paint brigades. Pule inquired about a neighborhood patrol. Chair Acohido suggested contacting HPD or the Guardian Angels. He referred this item to Iwata. Iwata mentioned if you see anything out of the ordinary, call police. It’s difficult to prosecute those who graffiti because the police have to witness the crime.
PRESENTATIONS:
Operations at NCTAMS PAC – Capt. Jim Donovan distributed information on NCTAMS PAC, that followed his power point presentation. NCTAMS PAC’s mission is to operate and maintain the Navy’s global telecommunication systems and services, provide direct support to joint military operations and command and control of naval forces, in the assigned geographical area of responsibilities. It also provides full range of Fleet information system and network services. He has 700 people under him in Hawai’i. His responsibilities cover 17 time zones, including 700 acres in Wahiawa and 1,700 acres in Lualualei. The Navy is doing reconstruction work in Iraq. Construction of the Hawai’i Regional Security Operations Center (HRSOC) will begin fiscal year 2007. Construction of the Naval Regional Network Operations and Security Center (RNOSC) would begin FY 2008. A new building will be built housing a teleport site. There are only two in the world, the other being in Virginia.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Capt. Donovan answered: a) A local contractor will be hired for the HRSOC project. After the project is completed, there will be 4,000 people working on base; b) They will be told what buildings they can tear down and what buildings they can’t; c) About 55%-60% of employees are military personnel; d) An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed for the entire base; e) Children from the military families are educated through home schooling, Helemano Elementary, Leilehua High School and private
schools. The HRSOC project would not have an impact on the schools because more homes would not be built; f) He will inform his employees when they drive through the community to be aware of graffiti and if they do to call 911.
2) Jyun Yamamoto inquired about the long-term projection for the population at the base. Capt. Donovan stated it would remain 4,000. Yamamoto asked if the Navy could come on board and support the proposal for a second access road from Whitmore to Mililani and the H-2 so additional federal funds could be sought. Capt. Donovan agreed it was a good idea, but he would have to get the admiral on board.
3) Tom Lenchanko of ‘Aha Kukaniloko, stated their organization recommends: a) Written commitment, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that the Pacific Command and its sub-entities will substantively consult with ‘Aha Kukaniloko on all matters that pertain to measures of integrity and creditability to protect and preserve resources and practices of our national treasure and sacred heiau, Kukaniloko; b) Give back the land to the Ohana.
4) A resident asked Capt. Donovan to remind everyone, especially motorcycle riders, to drive 25 mph through residential streets. Capt. Donovan will follow-up. He noted that if they are notified that one of their sailors is speeding, the sailor would lose base privileges.
Chair Acohido called for a recess at 7:58 p.m. Orders resumed at 8:03 p.m.
CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido circulated the Board’s correspondence.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES:
Wahiawa Community Business Association (WCBA) – No report or representative was available.
Mayor's Representative – Eugene Lee stated: 1) Follow-up items: a) City drivers who pick up green waste will be reminded to slow down when driving through residential streets; b) The Bus Stop Realignment Project will be completed in phases over the next two years. As each phase begins, the City will notify the Council members and Neighborhood Boards of the affected bus stops. Bus stop evaluation for the Wahiawa area is in the last phase; c) While the Department of Design and Construction does respond to such requests for specific locations, a study of lighting levels for all City streets in Wahiawa is beyond the department’s resources, and would require the services of a private consultant. Should the Council member of the district support the request, a capital appropriation of $50,000 would enable the department to have such a study done, with the understanding that future appropriations may be required to implement any identified upgrades of the area’s City street lighting system; d) Fred Wright Field does not require any re-grading. However, cinders/dirt had been ordered to fill-in any low spots but due to the recent inclement weather, the project has been put on hold; e) The Mayor does not have a position on the Kipapa Bike Path project. The project is located on State land; f) City practice is to upgrade existing marked crosswalks to the international type when the road is resurfaced. 2) The Mayor has declared a natural disaster, for the purposes of providing real property tax relief, for the City of Honolulu. 3) “Honolulu News”, the Mayor’s monthly newsletter, was circulated by the Neighborhood Assistant.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Chair Acohido noted the softball parents cleaned the Fred Wright field and had opening day on April 1.
2) Kent mentioned there still is not a “Pedestrian Crossing” sign at Mango Street on California Avenue. Lee will follow-up.
3) Mary Jane Lee expressed her disappointment that no one from the City attended the Board’s transportation meeting held on April 5. State transportation officials were present. Chair Acohido echoed Lee’s sentiments. He made telephone calls, wrote letters and sent emails to Department of Transportation Services (DTS), but received no response. Chair Acohido asked Eugene Lee to take back this concern to the Mayor. Lee will follow-up.
4) Resident Ellen Hyer suggested increasing the parking limit for the City municipal parking lot on Kamehameha Highway from one hour to two hours. One hour is not enough time for shoppers to
complete their errands. Chair Acohido disagreed with Hyer. He believes one hour is more than enough time. It will keep malingerers from dominating the parking spaces.
5) Iwata said he appreciated the City’s pothole patching crew. They fixed the potholes within a few days of its existence. His concern is that there are no advance signs warning motorists of upcoming work. He suggested putting up signs, especially on a two-lane highway.
6) A resident asked when is the sewer system going to be fixed (i.e. Ala Wai Canal spill). Lee answered $30 million is already budgeted for the project. It will go out to bid by the end of the year.
Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz – Brandon Mitsuda circulated Council Chair Dela Cruz’s monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) Council Chair Dela Cruz sends his regrets. 2) Copies of the City Council Calendar are available on the sign-in table. 3) He submitted a copy of the budget amendments to Chair Acohido. 4) Bill 49 requires the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to maintain an inventory of all City-owned streams to be reviewed and updated annually. 5) Their office does site visits in the community four times per year. 6) He read a list of RISR’s (Request for Investigation and Service Report) in the community. 7) Aloha Aina Earth Day, a recycling community cleanup project, will be held on April 22, Leilehua High School, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. It’s a fundraiser event for the school.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Regarding Bill 49, Lee asked if there is a list of all the streams. Her concern is that no one seems to know if a stream is City-owned, State-owned or privately-owned. Mitsuda answered Bill 49 will address that concern.
2) Kent asked if the traffic signal at California and Nanea Avenues has been contracted out. Mitsuda will follow-up.
3) Pule had concerns about the coconut tree outside of Whitmore Gym (safety issue) and the bus stop at Whitmore Avenue and Kamehameha Highway. Mitsuda will follow-up.
4) A resident commended the City for painting Whitmore Gym.
Governor’s Representative – Thomas Arizumi circulated the “Governor’s Update” and follow-up concerns.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Masunaga mentioned that about two to three years ago the Army gave Board members a tour of Ku Tree Dam. At that time the Army planned to build a diversion to drain water in the event of flooding. Chair Acohido said he would place a request with the Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for an update in light of the recent heavy rains.
2) Kent said there has been a mudslide across of Toth Bridge and trees are hanging down.
3) Lenchanko questioned what happens if the landowner does not take responsibility for its dam (i.e. Wahiawa Dam). Chair Acohido said Senator Bunda and Representative Oshiro are working on it. He will forward the concern. Lee indicated if a private citizen is privy to reports on dams, she would like to see it.
Congressman Ed Case – Zeny Muyot circulated Congressman Case’s monthly newsletter and highlighted the following: 1) Congressman Case’s $2 million request to address dam safety across the state is among the federal spending requests he had submitted in the U.S. House for the next fiscal year. 2) Representative Case voted against the Dubai Ports deal. 3) If you know of anyone celebrating their 80th birthday or 50th wedding anniversary, or anyone graduating from high school or college, call their office and they can make a certificate.
Senate President Robert Bunda – No report or representative was available.
Representative Marcus Oshiro – No report or representative was available.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Duke Chung reported: 1) There were no main breaks for the month of March in the Wahiawa/Whitmore area. 2) Water conservation tip: “The height at which your mow your lawn can have a direct effect on how much and how often you water it. Make sure you know what the correct height is for the type of grass you have on your lawn. Leaving grass cuttings on your lawn can help soil retain moisture naturally.” 3) BWS projects update: a) Wahiawa-Whitmore Village 16-inch Main – 60% complete; b) California Avenue Water System Improvements, Part I & II – 8% complete; c) California Avenue Water System Improvements, Part II & III – the contractor will continue to install 8” PVC pipe water main on California Avenue towards the Honolulu side of Karsten Drive loop and begin installing service laterals on California Avenue, Ala Hula Way, Ma Way, Hoe Way and Holua Way.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Chung stated Wahiawa has two wells (Wahiawa Wells I and II).
2) Chair Acohido requested a tour of Wahiawa Reservoir. Chung said the reservoir falls under the jurisdiction of DLNR.
3) Chung confirmed that there was a problem with the Wahiawa Pump Station.
4) Bentley thanked BWS for their work on Circle Makai.
5) Chung said there are many golf courses that use non-potable water.
6) A resident asked if the dumping of sewage in Lake Wilson affects the drinking water. Chung answered probably not. Jyun Yamamoto said a U.S. Geology Report indicated that there are no trace levels of anything in the water table under the lake. Chair Acohido suggested visiting Halawa wells; it’s quite educating.
Wahiawa Action Initiative (WAI) – Iwata said: 1) Bus shelter cleanup throughout Wahiawa and Whitmore continues. 2) On May 13, they will cleanup the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival parade route. The community is invited to participate in both events.
Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – No report or representative was available.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Kipapa Bike Path Regarding Statement of Support to City & County of Honolulu – Chair Acohido mentioned the Board was given a presentation on the Kipapa Bike Path at last month’s meeting. Masunaga moved and Lee seconded that the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board No. 26 support a resolution requesting Honolulu City and County sponsorship of a Kipapa Gulch Pathway for pedestrians/bicyclists on the old Kamehameha Highway. The motion carried unanimously.
Re-designation to “Wahiawa-Whitmore” Neighborhood Board No. 26 – Chair Acohido said the Board passed a motion at its February meeting to rename it to the Wahiawa-Whitmore Neighborhood Board. Since then, he received a request to rename it to the Wahiawa-Whitmore- Schofield Neighborhood Board. This proposal still has to be approved by the Neighborhood Commission, but they did not have a quorum at its last meeting.
Masunaga indicated the correct name is Whitmore Village. Chair Acohido agreed. Masunaga noted that when the motion was first made it was not properly listed on the agenda, it was brought up under residents’ concerns. Masunaga moved and Jyun Yamamoto that the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board No. 26 change its name to the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26. The motion carried unanimously.
Report (minutes) of April 5 Special Meeting – Chair Acohido circulated the Board’s April 5 Special Meeting minutes (which was submitted by Silvia Koch). He asked the Board to review the minutes. A second access road for Wahiawa needs to be moved from long-range improvements to near-range improvements. Masunaga moved and Kent seconded that the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board No. 26 adopt the April 5 Special Meeting Minutes with Chair Acohido’s comments and changing OMPA to OMPO. The motion carried unanimously.
Status of Committee Formation – Who are Serving in the Committees? Chair Acohido said Koch is inviting two sides of the Kawela Bay/Turtle Bay development to make a presentation. She asked Kent to work with her on this issue.
NEW BUSINESS:
Community Send-Off Ceremony for Deploying Elements of the 25th Infantry Division – Chair Acohido announced a community sendoff for the 25th Infantry Division will be held on April 24, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The event is co-hosted by the Board and Hawai’i of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Attendance is by invitation only. A banner will be presented to the 3rd Brigade.
Agenda for Next Regular Meeting – Chair Acohido asked the Board if there are any items you want on next month’s agenda to let him know. Jyun Yamamoto requested the second access road be added.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1) There will be no Committee of the Whole meeting in May. 2) The next Regular Meeting will be held on Monday, May 15, 2006, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:01 p.m.
Submitted:
Steve J. Rodrigues
Neighborhood Assistant