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http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb26/06/26_2006_05Min.pdf 
WAHIAWA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, MAY 15, 2006
WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ben Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. A quorum was present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Sheri Bentley, Burt Iwata, Robert Kent, Silvia Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Kathy Masunaga, Irwin Yamamoto, Jyun Yamamoto.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
GUESTS: Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Brandon Mitsuda (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Laurence Lau (Governor’s Representative), Representative Marcus Oshiro, Representative Brian Schatz, Patty Dukes (EMS), Captain Tony Sung (Honolulu Fire Department), Lt. Charles Wong (HPD), Duke Chung (BWS), Jay Hamai (DDC), Captain Jim Donovan, CW Clifton Jenkins and CMDCM Scott Teves (NCTAMS PAC), Jack Kampfer (WCBA), Don Robbins (Ka Nupepa), Colin Chang, Randy Chun and Kendys Fukuda (HECO), Keith Kurahashi (Kusao and Kurahashi), George Cox and Ralph Makaiau (Turtle Bay Resort), Cora Sanchez (Friends of Sharks Cove), Tim Vandeveer and Alan Villegas (Defend O’ahu Coalition), Davinae C. (HPTF), T. Bloomfield, Murray Estes, Michael Goodrich, Ellen Hyer, Daniel Neyer, Paul Swerkes, Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office Staff).
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 17 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Kent moved and Koch seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Iwata read the Financial Statement for the month of April. The Operating Account expenses were $95.85, leaving a balance of $949.96. 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 $0. The report was accepted subject to audit.
FIRST RESPONDERS – Reports and Concerns:
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Tony Sung reported: 1) For the month of April, the Wahiawa Fire Station responded to 9 fires, 49 medical emergencies, and 7 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 and call 911.”
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Charles Wong reported: 1) The statistics in the District for the month of April. There were 9 burglaries, 17 UEMV (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle), and 17 thefts. 2) Click-it-or-Ticket campaign will begin shortly. 3) Officers will be conducting underage drinking sweeps and Memorial Day weekend sweeps.
Iwata inquired if HPD plans to do any anti-graffiti operations in this area. Lt. Wong stated the sector sergeant is in contact with a community group to do a graffiti paint out. In addition, officers will conduct an undercover operation.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) – Patty Dukes, Chief for EMS, reported: 1) For the month of April, Wahiawa EMS received a total of 311 calls, transported 167 patients, responded to 0 out of area calls, had 0 MAST transfers, and participated in 47 co-responses. 2) EMS Week will be held May 14-20. She encouraged everyone to stop by Honolulu Hale and view their displays.
Dukes answered: 1) The Hawai`i Army National Guard has been helping fill the void with MAST. They did one transfer in April and two in May. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 2) They did not respond to the deadly Kunia traffic accident. 3) There was a bill in the Legislature for another ambulance facility in Waipio, but it died. They will try again next year. The bill was proposed by Representatives Lee and Yamane. 4) The ratio of EMS calls is three for Wahiawa and two for Mililani. 5) EMS’ policy is that whenever they respond to a 911 call, they turn on their siren.
U.S. Army – Schofield Barracks – No report or representative was available.
U.S. Navy – NCTAMS PAC – Capt. Jim Donovan reported: 1) He thanked the Board for the opportunity to briefly highlight NCTAMS PAC’s roles and responsibilities during April’s meeting. 2) Six personnel from NCTAMS PAC contributed their time and efforts for Aloha Aina Earth Day. 3) Navy Region Hawai`i provided an escorted site tour of installation restoration sites at NCTAMS PAC on April 29 for members of the Navy’s Central O`ahu Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). 4) A Federal Awards luncheon was held on May 2 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. One of the recipients was Capt. Donovan for Employer of Choice. 5) On June 2, NCTAMS PAC will host the annual NCTAMS Day for graduating 5th graders of Helemano Elementary. The event is sponsored by NCTAMS PAC First Class Officer’s Association. 6) NCTAMS PAC personnel will be participating in the Pineapple Festival on May 20.
(Masunaga arrived at 7:19 p.m.)
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: There were no residents’ concerns.
PRESENTATIONS:
Wahiawa-Waialua Pole Replacement Project – Kendys Fukuda of HECO stated they will be working on a project to replace 20 utility poles along a one-mile stretch of Kamehameha Highway in the Helemano area. The poles will be alternating steel (brown) and wood poles. The new steel poles will be approximately 65 feet above ground and the wood poles will be 35 feet above ground. Existing poles are approximately 58 feet above ground. The work is necessary to improve the integrity of the pole line and the reliability of electrical services to the Helemano, Waialua and Waimea areas. Construction will begin at the end of the month and is expected to be completed in August. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fukuda, Randy Chun and Colin Chang of HECO answered the following: 1) When the power is turned off during construction, only commercial customers would be affected and not residential. 2) The new wooden poles are similar to the existing poles; the only difference is that they will be burying the poles deeper. 3) Construction crews will be staying off the highway as much as possible. They will use an existing access road that runs parallel to Kamehameha Highway. 4) The cost of overhead power lines is $570,000, while underground power lines is $4.8 million. Also, if something should go wrong they would have trouble with the underground trenching. 5) There are times when lightning hit the poles. They do not know if steel poles are more prone to be struck by lightning. 6) Although it rained for 40 consecutive days, the current poles are in great shape.
Informational Briefing on Turtle Bay Resort Development – Keith Kurahashi of Kusao & Kurahashi and Ralph Makaiau of Turtle Bay Resort provided a brief background on the hotel which was completed in 1972 and ownership changes, golf course, sewage treatment plant and mains, water transmission line developments, and traffic improvement plans to date. Community benefits package being offered includes two-public and two private parks open to the public, public shoreline access route, resort jobs with affordable housing and child care facilities. The expansion plans include 2,500 new hotel rooms and condo units at five sites, 100 affordable housing units, parks at Kawela Bay and Kahuku Point to be developed and then dedicated to the City, public shoreline access improvements, three public parking lots with 20 parking spaces each, traffic improvements along Kamehameha Highway at Kawela Street, Kuilima Drive, and Marconi Road. Work is being done with the State Department of Transportation (DOT) on the traffic improvements, the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) on landscaping improvements. Golf course improvements are also planned. Traffic impacts are anticipated to involve visitors coming to this resort and staying in the area.
There was lengthy discussion on this issue. Concerns and comments included: 1) Kurahashi and Makaiau answered: a) The project encompasses 880 acres, including four to five miles of coastline. They will dedicate 100 feet of shoreline to the City. b) All the parking will be open to the public. They will dedicate two parking lots to the City. Parking will be free. c) A traffic analysis was done in 1985. It does not include Wahiawa. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was also completed in 1985. All documents are available to the public. d) There is no existing helipad and no plans to build such a facility. d) They have not yet begun discussion on vertical development. There are no plans or drawings. e) Existing hotels are 90 feet high. f) There are two injection ponds to address sewage. g) Negotiations are ongoing regarding pay raises for hotel employees. h) They are the master developers. The conditions run with the land. I) Projection is to build the project within eight years. j) Subdivision has been acquired on the Kewala Bay side. k) Each hotel will have its own sewage pumping station. l) The City is requiring that the road be built on the existing level. m) Turtle Bay has 800-plus acres compared to 600-plus acres for Waikiki. n) It’s up to the City to determine public access to the ocean. Turtle Bay will maintain the shoreline for the City. o) They can’t comment on the litigation because it involves the unilateral agreement. 2) There were strong concerns regarding traffic impact, sewage, and the EIS being more than 20 years old.
Chair Acohido called for a recess at 8:28 p.m. Orders resumed at 8:35 p.m.
CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido circulated the Board’s correspondence.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES:
Wahiawa Community Business Association (WCBA) – Jack Kampfer stated: 1) The annual Wahiawa Pineapple Festival & Parade will be held on May 20, Wahiawa District Park. Parade begins at 9:00 a.m. Events and activities are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2) Malama O Wahiawa – a) Neighborhood Security Watch – three street meetings have been held; b) Wahiawa Faith Alliance – October 14, 9:00 a.m. 3) WCBA is still waiting for a response regarding a grant they submitted for Wahiawa Arts Festival. They have received favorable feedback from the arts community. 4) WCBA is working with Empower O`ahu – to revitalize the community.
Mayor's Representative – Eugene Lee reported on follow-up items: 1) Department of Road Maintenance crews patching potholes wear safety vests and all their equipment have flashing lights, dome lights and/or arrow boards. The department feels these measures are sufficient. They suggest motorists drive cautiously at all times and obey traffic rules. 2) More visible fluorescent yellow-green background pedestrian crossing signs are currently being fabricated and will be installed soon along California Avenue at Mango Street, Westervelt Street and Nanea Avenue. 3) Due to prior commitments and changing of meeting dates, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) was not able to send a representative to the Board’s April 5 Special Meeting. If the Board has questions on the O`ahu Regional Transportation Plan, please forward it to DTS for a response. 4) It is the City’s policy to optimize limited resources by upgrading crosswalks only when a street is resurfaced. The one exception is crosswalks adjacent to schools. 5) The Neighborhood Commission will discuss the Board’s request to change its name to the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board at its May 9 meeting.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Chair Acohido noted when the Neighborhood Commission has all their vacant positions filled, they will hold a public hearing on the Board’s name change.
2) Masunaga mentioned DOT Director Rod Haraga indicated at the Board’s Special Meeting that the State would support a Traffic Management Center System for O`ahu to coordinate jointly at one control center for the City and State roads. Lee will follow-up.
3) Ellen Hyer said she was not satisfied with the response she received from the Managing Director regarding vending machines on City property. All machines are required to have the tax stamps.
Councilmember 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) He encouraged everyone to attend the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival on May 20 (flyers available on the sign-in table). 3) A list of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for Wahiawa was submitted to the Board. CD2 amendments include $355,000 for Wahiawa District Park Baseball Field improvements; and $50,000 for Whitmore Village sign installation to a rock wall at Kahikani Park. 4) He can’t comment on Resolution 06-173, amending the unilateral agreement for Turtle Bay Resort, since the issue is before attorneys.
Concerns and comments followed:
1) Chair Acohido asked when will Resolution 06-173 be heard. Mitsuda answered the hearing will be heard on May 25, City Hall, 2nd floor, 9:00 a.m. Chair Acohido informed the Board that they can submit testimony as private citizens. He will submit testimony on behalf of the Board.
2) Chair Acohido noted that Rod Haraga, Director of DOT, indicated the Welcome to Whitmore sign would be placed on State land. Mary Jane Lee clarified that the State and Dole Foods would not approve the sign on their property.
Governor’s Representative – Laurence Lau circulated the “Governor’s Update” and follow-up concerns, and highlighted the following: 1) DOT has patched the pothole on Kamehameha Highway and Toth Bridge. 2) DOT will trim the large tree growing on the hillside next to Kamehameha Highway and Toth Bridge. 3) Once the Army Corps of Engineers has finalized the inspection report on the Wahiawa Dam, they will forward a copy to the Board. 4) The Governor has signed bills relating to energy efficiency and water conservation.
Congressman Ed Case – No report or representative was available.
Senator Robert Bunda – Senator Bunda’s monthly report was circulated.
Representative Marcus Oshiro – Representative Oshiro circulated his monthly report and highlighted CIP for Wahiawa: 1) Helemano Elementary – a) concrete sidewalks fronting the school; b) expansion of the cafeteria and renovation of existing facilities; c) construction of a classroom building; and 2) Leilehua High – a) electrical system upgrades and telecommunications and power infrastructure improvements; b) improvements to the football field; c) construction for a baseball park and associated facilities.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Duke Chung reported: 1) There were no main breaks for the month of April in the Wahiawa/Whitmore area. 2) Congratulations to Jason Fly from Hale Kula Elementary for winning second place in the Kindergarten category for BWS’ Water Conservation Poster Contest. 3) Today, BWS approved a revised rate schedule which will go into effect October 1, 2006. The average single-family customer will see an additional $3.23 in their water bill every month. BWS is distributing the needed rate increase over a five-year schedule to further mitigate impact on its ratepayers.
Wahiawa Action Initiative (WAI) – Iwata stated WAI has been painting bus stop shelters along the parade route (Wahiawa Pineapple Parade). They have a shortage of manpower and could use any additional assistance. He thanked Wahiawa Rainbow Seniors and Wahiawa Hongwanji for their participation.
Chair Acohido thanked WAI for painting trash cans in the community.
Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – No report or representative was available.
The agenda was taken out of order. There were no objections.
NEW BUSINESS:
Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant – Jay Hamai, Department of Design and Construction (DDC), said the department is requesting to put a symbol on the Public Facilities Map. The symbol would allow them to increase the capacity of the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant and address the sewage problem islandwide.
Chair Acohido said this item will be placed on next month’s agenda.
Resolution for Central O’ahu Regional Park Tennis Complex – Davinae C, Hawai`i Pacific Tennis Foundation (HPTF), asked the Board to pass a similar resolution as the Mililani Mauka/Laulani Valley Neighborhood Board. The resolution strongly requests the City to work collaboratively with HPTF at the Central O`ahu Regional Tennis Complex. The foundation is struggling to survive at the park due to the City policies. They are being charged over $4,000 per month in rent.
In response to Masunaga, Davinae stated the City built a building for an aquatics center and tennis complex. Half of the tennis complex is not being used. Masunaga moved and Lee seconded to defer action until July’s meeting. Masunaga amended and Lee seconded her motion to defer action on the remainder of the evening’s agenda. The amended motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:34 p.m.
Submitted:
Steve J. Rodrigues, Neighborhood Assistant