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Wahiawa Neighborhood Board

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2007

WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ben Acohido called the meeting to order at 6:57 p.m. A quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Jeanne Ishikawa, Burt Iwata, Robert Kent, Silvia Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Kathy Masunaga, Jyun Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Sheri Bentley.

GUESTS: Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Brandon Mitsuda (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Lawrence Lau (Governor’s Representative), Patty Dukes (EMS), Captain Scott Fukumae (HFD), Lt. Charles Wong and Sgt. Hank Holcombe (HPD), Duke Chung (BWS), Eric Hirano (DLNR), Col. Howard Killian and Lt. Col. Boussay (U.S. Army), CWO Cliff Jenkins (NCTAMS PAC), Pam Mills-Packo (RMS), Bob Lormand (Friends of Wahiawa Public Library), Tom Lenchanko (Aha Kukaniloko), Daniel Nellis (Dole Plantation), Josie Bidgood (Bank of Hawai’i), Derek Chow (Army Corps of Engineers), Mike Wilcox (Save Our Race Tracks), Yuki Kitagawa (Wahiawa Pineapple Festival), Marian Tsuji (Hawai’i Meals on Wheels), Anita Acohido, Joe Francher, Ellen Hyer, Barbara Ladao, Doris W., Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office Staff).

Kent moved and Koch seconded to take the agenda out of order (i.e. to hear presentations at this time). The motion carried unanimously.

(Ishikawa and Masunaga arrived at this time).

PRESENTATION:

Update on Wahiawa Dam, Ku Tree Reservoir, and Lake Wilson – Flood Threat, Ownership and Maintenance, and Future Use – Daniel Nellis, Dole Plantation, stated the Wahiawa Dam encompasses 12,000 acres. It sits on Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate land, Dole land, and land of private owners. The dam is owned by both Dole and Galbraith Estate. Irrigation is done by Dole. Last summer, they were approached by farmers on the North Shore concerned about the water. Dole will try to donate their portion of the dam to the State so that there would be only one owner. In exchange for the land, Dole will ask for water for free to their diversified corps (i.e. coffee, etc.) Wahiawa Dam is one of the most inspected systems in the State – it was inspected twice in 2006. The system should be able to distribute 60,000 gallons per day. Currently, it distributes 30,000 gallons per day. Galbraith Estate has participated in the process. The best way to mitigate flood threat is added irrigation demand. They are trying to participate in matching funds. The cost mostly occurs with health and sewage issues. Lake Wilson has 3 million gallons of water. The City can’t put anything (i.e. discharge) in the lake. They are trying to motivate the City to move things along quicker.

There was lengthy discussion on this issue. Concerns and comments included: 1) Nellis said the State claims to own all the water in Hawai’i. Eric Hirano of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) clarified that the State holds the water in trust for the benefit of the public’s use. 2) Josie Bidgood of Bank of Hawai’i stated she represents the trustee for the Galbraith Estate. A total of 2,000 acres have been on the market since November 1986. Parcel 21 encompasses all the real property including all the land under Lake Wilson. 3) Hirano said if the dam would come under the State control, it would fall under the Department of Agriculture – and he can’t speak for them. 4) Nellis said the Army Corps of Engineers and DLNR inspected the dam. Dole controls the water, but they would be happy to let the State control the water. 5) Nellis said the State regulates water use. In the event of heavy rains, it helps to keep the dam lower. 6) Nellis said the water flows to the North Shore. 7) Eugene Lee, Mayor’s representative, said the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is an old facility, but it’s not obsolete. The City has made upgrades. Lawrence Lau, Governor’s representative and Department of Health (DOH), stated WWTP meets the original standards, while the Schofield Wastewater Treatment Plant is more modern and meets DOH’s current standards. 8) Hirano said the State Water Commission is not involved in this issue. 9) Col. Howard Killian of the U.S. Army stated there is no water in Ku Tree Reservoir. 10) Lau said any

type of raw sewage spillage is a violation. By rule, if a spillage should occur the owner is required to notify DOH, then the public. 11) Nellis said the affluent discharges into the irrigation system and not the lake. It’s R-2 affluent – same as Lake Wilson. They are upgraded to R-1 standards. 12) Hirano said the department is evaluating its options regarding the proposed educational program. 13) Derek Chow of Army Corps of Engineers stated in conjunction with DLNR they are conducting detail studies on 11 dams, including Wahiawa Dam. The study is to determine if the dam should fail, where would the water go. When the study is completed, they will share it with the community. The goals are to propose an evacuation plan and to work on a flood warning plan. 14) Col. Killian said every plan requires an emergency action plan. 15) Hirano said the dam owners are responsible if the dam fails, except in case of a natural disaster. Dole has an emergency water plan (i.e. warning telephone system) in place for Lake Wilson. 16) Chair Acohido thanked all the presenters. (A round of applause was given at this time).

The agenda resumed regular order.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2006 AND JANUARY 22, 2007: Masunaga moved and Kent seconded to approve the November 20, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes as amended (due to the large number of corrections a copy of the amended minutes is on file) and January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Iwata read the Financial Statement for the month of January 2007. The Operating/Publicity Account expenses were $82.76, leaving a balance of $3,418.67. The Refreshment Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $120.00. The report was accepted subject to audit.

Masunaga inquired about a public address system. Chair Acohido said he would follow-up with Parks.

FIRST RESPONDERS – Reports and Concerns:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Patty Dukes of EMS, speaking on behalf of Captain Scott Fukumae who had to depart, reported: 1) For the month of January, the Wahiawa Fire Station responded to 10 fires and 68 medical emergencies. 2) Fire Safety Tip: “Every home should have a working smoke detector installed near each sleeping area and on every level. Since cooking vapors and steam can set off a smoke detector, the detector should be located away from the kitchen or bathroom. Wall-mounted detectors should be positioned 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from air vents.”

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Charles Wong reported: 1) The statistics for the month of January 2007: 15 burglaries, 11 UEMV’s, and 32 thefts. 2) This District now has 13 police beats. Mililani Mauka was just added. They are not fully staffed, but the beats are covered.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Acohido requested full staffing for Wahiawa. 2) Lee had concerns regarding graffiti in the community. Lt. Wong mentioned officers came across nine individuals trespassing at Mililani Uka Elementary. They had 20 spray paint cans in their vehicle. 3) Ishikawa reiterated her concern from last month regarding HPD pedestrian safety education. Lt. Wong said to contact Officer Andrew Bonfacio at the Wahiawa Police Station. 4) Ishikawa acknowledged Wahiawa Police officers for an article in the newspaper commending the officers. 5) A resident said a media report indicated that the district is 25% undermanned. Lt. Wong indicated they are able to staff 11 out of 13 beats on any given day. They have one officer per beat. 6) A resident had concerns about jaywalking in front of Wahiawa Elementary. Lt. Wong said officers will monitor.

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) – Patty Dukes reported: 1) For the month of January, EMS responded to 198 alarms in Wahiawa; 167 alarms in Mililani; and 26 on military installations. 2) Groundbreaking for the new Wahiawa ambulance facility will be held in either April or May. She will keep the Board posted. In March, the City will inspect six new ambulances, one of which will be for Wahiawa. The old ambulances will go into a reliever pool.

U.S. Army – Schofield Barracks – A representative from the U.S. Army reported: 1) The 3rd Brigade is in its seventh month of deployment. 2) Approximately 4,000 solders from the 2nd Brigade remain at Schofield. 3) As reported at last month’s meeting, Lyman Gate will be closed from March 10 through June 30, 2007.

U.S. Navy – NCTAMS PAC – CWO Cliff Jenkins reported: 1) NCTAMS PAC has celebrated its 162nd day of no DUI’s. 2) Captain Jim Donovan will be transferring in August.

In response to Chair Acohido, Jenkins said the invitation to the Board to tour the NCTAMS facility is still open.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Save Our Race Tracks – Mike Wilcox asked that the “save our race tracks” issue be placed on a future agenda. There is a bill in the Legislature, HB 5617 that addresses this issue. Chair Acohido asked Wilcox to have his attorney draft a resolution for consideration by the Board members.

Hawai’i Meals on Wheels – Marian Tsuji said their organization serves over 40 meals to seniors in Wahiawa. She asked support for their grant-in-aid from the legislature. Masunaga asked that this item be placed on next month’s agenda. Chair Acohido agreed. In response to Chair Acohido, the representative from Hawai’i Meals on Wheels said they would be open for the Board to tour their facilities.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: Chair Acohido circulated his Chairperson’s Report and highlighted the following: 1) Wahiawa Pineapple Festival – will be held in May and Yuki Kitagawa requests the support of the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board. Chair Acohido said this item will be placed on next month’s agenda. 2) High Capacity Central O’ahu Transit Spur – Wahiawa and Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Boards support a resolution to be submitted by Councilmember Dela Cruz for the City to begin planning for a Central O’ahu Transportation Spur. Brandon Mitsuda of Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office circulated Resolution 07-048 addressing this issue. Chair Acohido said this issue will be placed on next month’s agenda. 3) Prison Facility and Affordable Housing at Kunia – non-profit organization to construct and operate on 593 acres (agenda item for next meeting). 4) Services for the late Benjamin Kama, Jr. – former Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office will be held on March 2, 2007, Downtown Mililani Mortuary. 5) Legislature and Council Bills – Board members required to watch and to testify as individual. 6) Board Name Change – the Neighborhood Commission Office recommends early meeting on March 19, 2007 for action.

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido circulated the Board’s correspondence, mostly RISR’s (request for investigation and service report) from Councilmember Dela Cruz’ office.. Masunaga offered to scan the correspondence and email a copy to the each Board member. Chair Acohido gave his okay after the meeting was adjourned.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES:

Wahiawa Community Business Association (WCBA) – No report or representative was available.

Mayor's Representative – Eugene Lee reported: 1) In the Mayor’s State-of-the-City Address he announced that is forming a pedestrian safety task force to come up with recommendations within the next 45 days. 2) Follow-up items: a) Section 9-1.4(c) states “Containers shall not be left on the street or sidewalk area after the day of collection…” Residents who work would not be able to remove their containers until they return home; b) Design for a traffic signal at California/Nanea Avenues is to be completed in 2009 with construction to begin in 2010. He will follow-up; c) No response has been received on the development of the lot next to the YMCA. He will follow-up; d) Currently, no funds have been appropriated in the near future for construction of a comfort station at Kahi Kani Park. In the past, sanitoi’s have been provided for the permitted events, but DPR has experienced high volume of vandalism, at cost of $2,100 per sanitoi. Provision of sanitoi’s will be reviewed. 3) Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues circulated “Honolulu News”, the Mayor’s monthly newsletter.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) In response to Koch regarding the funding for both traffic lights, Lee will follow-up. 2) Board member Lee had concerns that the street lights at Kilani Avenue and Palm Street, across from Wahiawa General Hospital Emergency Room driveway, are too dim. Eugene Lee will follow-up. 3) A resident requested concrete curbs be placed at bus stop sites and the issue of asphalt sidewalks along California Avenue in the vicinity of the Nazarene Church. Lee will follow-up. 4) A question was asked if the permit for the house construction at 1273 California Avenue be assessed to make sure they have the required number of parking spaces. Lee will follow-up.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Brandon Mitsuda circulated Council Chair Dela Cruz’s monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) Councilmember Dela Cruz sends his regrets. 2) He also circulated the 2007 Council Calendar. 3) On January 24, the City Council voted to approve a resolution urging state and federal leaders to consider more funding to save Kahuku Hospital. 4) The City Council recognized Lucia and Phillip Mocz of Mililani High School for placing second in the 2006 Siemens National Competition in Math, Science and Technology. 5) He encouraged everyone to support the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival. 6) Their office conducts site visits in the community four times per year. 7) He read a list of RISR’s in the community. 8) If anyone has any questions, please call him at 527-5710.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Lee thanked Councilmember Dela Cruz for having Mitsuda on his staff. A lot of residents want to thank you for your dedication. 2) Kent inquired about a resolution for noise levels. Mitsuda will follow-up.

Governor’s Representative – Lawrence Lau circulated the “Governor’s Update”, his follow-up concerns report, and highlighted the following: 1) He also circulated “Lingle-Aiona Administration 2007 Initiatives – The Future Begins Today”. 2) The Governor is currently in Washington, D.C. 3) Follow-up items: a) The rail lights projects along the H-2 Freeway is scheduled to go out to bid May 2007; b) Regarding adding a third lane on Kamehameha Highway north bound into Wahiawa, it is an issue between the Wahiawa community and WCBA. WCBA has been opposed to removing parking along Kamehameha Highway through Wahiawa town; c) The slopes near Ka Uka and Waianae cutoff have been seeded and are waiting to sprout; d) The repairs on the deck on the Airport Viaduct will begin late March or early April; e) DOT does not support installing directional signs to the Wahiawa Public Library; f) HCDCH staff is totally maxed out on the work at hand, so they are ill prepared to cultivate shelter opportunities in Wahiawa. Their efforts have been concentrated on the Leeward Coast shelter development and renovating existing shelters in Waimanalo, Waipahu, Kalaeloa, and downtown Honolulu.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Masunaga said she could ask the president of WCBA to provide a letter of support for a third lane during pau hana hours if it would help. Lau said okay. Chair Acohido mentioned the Board had asked former DOT director Haraga for to add another lane. 2) Lee had concerns about the response regarding the homeless in Wahiawa. Lau said the Governor went back to Waianae a couple of weeks ago for a meeting with the community and a lot of homeless people spoke. The issue seems to be a lack of resources. Eugene Lee, Mayor’s representative, stated the Mayor has made his position pretty clear – let the State take the lead on the issue. 3) Masunaga thanked Lau for following-up on the “shack” on the Wahiawa Civic Grounds. It has been removed.

Senator Robert Bunda – No report or representative was available.

Representative Marcus Oshiro – Board member Lee announced Representative Oshiro will be sponsoring a “Mid-Session Forum” on March 8, 2007, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Duke Chung reported: 1) There were no main breaks for the month of January. 2) Dean Nakano is the new Deputy Manager and Chief Engineer for BWS. 3) BWS has announced the 2007 Water Conservation Week Poster Contest for all O’ahu students in kindergarten through 6^th grade. Deadline for poster entries is March 13, 2007. 4) Water Savings Tip: “Repair your drippings by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.” 5) The California Avenue project is 65% complete. He doesn’t expect it to be completed by July 2007. 6) He thanked Board member Lee for writing a letter to BWS commending the 2006 Water Conservation Week Poster Contest Calendars. 7) He will be unable to attend next month’s meeting.

Wahiawa Action Initiative (WAI) – Iwata had no report.

Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – No report or representative was available.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Renaming Neighborhood Board to Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board – Chair Acohido announced the meeting with the Neighborhood Commission Office representative will be held prior to the next Regular Meeting, March 19, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 6:30 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS: There were no new business items.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – 1) The next Wahiawa Neighborhood Board No. 26 meeting will be held on March 19, 2007, Wahiawa Recreation Center, 7:00 p.m. 2) Honolulu Advertiser has a community website – Wahiawa will be added in March. Board members are encouraged to use the website. 3) Production of the television series, 29 Down is complete. Lost is still planning to film on the North Shore. Another pilot is also planning to film on the North Shore.

ADJOURNMENT: By a consensus of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.

Submitted:

Steve J. Rodrigues,

Neighborhood Assistant