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Wahiawa Neighborhood Board

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007

WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ben Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. A quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Sheri Bentley, Jeanne Ishikawa, Silvia Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Kathy Masunaga, Jyun Yamamoto.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Burt Iwata, Robert Kent.

GUESTS: Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz, Kim Ribellia and Keanu Yang (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office), Patty Dukes (EMS), Captain Richard Ochoa and Fire Fighter Curtis Ortiz (HFD), Lt. Charles Wong and Sgt. Henry Holcombe (HPD), Duke Chung (BWS), Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), CDR Bob Goodwin and CWO Cliff Jenkins (NCTAMS PAC), Chief Jeff Lein and Lt Col. Mark Boussy (U.S. Army), Jack D. Smith (WCBA/Church of Nazarene), Walter Benavitz (WCBA), Marian Tsuji (Lanakila Rehabilitation Center), Pam Mills-Packo (RMS), Nancy Barry (Ho’ala School), Mark Takemoto (Castle & Cooke), Jim Niermann (R.M. Towill); Anita Acohido, Doug Aton, Leroy Chincio, Vee Chuensanguansat, Joe Francher, Ellen Hyer, Barbara Ladao, Hugh Lowery, Brandon Mitsuda, Joshua P., Benny Quiseng, David Scott, Roy Tanji, Doris W.; Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 16, 2007:  The Board approved the minutes with the following corrections: there were a number of grammatical errors. The corrections are on file.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Yamamoto read the Financial Statement for the month of April 2007. The Operating/Publicity Account expenses were $79.69, leaving a balance of $3,214.78. 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) – Captain Richard Ochoa reported: 1) For the month of April, the Wahiawa Fire Station responded to 9 fires and 71 medical emergencies. 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. Find the closest phone and call 911.” 3) The rear access to their facility is closed because of construction. Now, they are forced to reverse their vehicle through the front entrance on California Avenue. He encouraged everyone to use caution. The project will be completed in eight months.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Charles Wong reported: 1) The statistics for the months of April/March were: 12/7 burglaries, 19/8 thefts from vehicles, and 34/32 other thefts. 2) The “Click-it-or-Ticket” campaign began today. Officers issued 20 citations in the North Shore area. Sgt. Hank Holcombe said they have received complaints regarding underage drinking in the parks. Officers will arrest anyone caught drinking under the age of 21 or doing graffiti.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Sgt. Holcombe stated an abandoned vehicle is defined as a vehicle that has not been moved within a 24-hour period. Masunaga indicated there is an abandoned vehicle on Lehua Street, near Wahiawa Public Library. Sgt. Holcombe suggested calling 911. 2) Lee had concerns that one residence parks their five vehicles on both sides of Iho Iho Place (they may be operating an illegal business). Sgt. Holcombe said officers do make periodical checks. Unless the vehicles are parked illegally (i.e. blocking a driveway or a fire hydrant), there is nothing HPD can do.

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) – Chair Acohido said Patty Dukes was present before the meeting was called to order, but had to depart to attend a prior engagement.

U.S. Army – Schofield Barracks – Chief Jeff Lein reported: 1) The 3rd Brigade’s deployment in Iraq has been extended another three months and is scheduled to return in October. 2) The Stryker Brigade case is still

ongoing. There will be no training until an environmental study is completed. 3) The 3rd Brigade sponsors schools in the community. Each school is allocated $5,000. All the principals are happy.

Lee thanked the Army for their consideration and waiting for three hours until the traffic subsided before driving their convoy on the highway.

U.S. Navy – NCTAMS PAC – CDR Bob Goodwin reported: 1) Captain Jim Donovan sends his regrets. 2) NCTAMS PAC would like to thank Councilmember Dela Cruz for honoring four of our sailors on May 2 at the City Council Chambers. The sailors were recognized for their support and volunteering efforts in the community. 3) NCTAMS PAC appreciated the visit by the Neighborhood Board on April 15 to their facilities. 4) NCTAMS PAC conducted a base wide cleanup on May 20 to support Earth Day. 

RESIDENTS CONCERNS:

Kaiaka Watershed – Pam Mills-Packo, RMS, asked the Board’s support in getting the Kaiaka Watershed prioritized. It needs to be prioritized in order to get federal funding. The State Department of Health (DOH) is supposed to be the lead agency with EPA.

BWS California Avenue Project – Resident Leroy Chincio had concerns regarding the BWS’ project on California Avenue. The condition of the road is terrible. Chair Acohido asked Chincio to meet with him and the contractor after the meeting.

Royal Palm Drive – Chair Acohido noted that the consensus of residents who attended last month’s meeting was to install speed humps and not stop signs at Royal Palm Drive. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is proposing to install the stop signs.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: Chair Acohido stated: 1) Site Visit – during the past two months, Board members visited Schofield and NCTAMS PAC. a) Schofield – certain construction relating to the Stryker Brigade can continue. Major live-fire training will occur at their Big Island facility. b) NCTAMS PAC – construction will begin shortly on a new national intelligence facility. 2) WCBA – a community strategic project was initiated last year. One of the suggestions was to build a multi-generation facility. The Lanakila Rehabilitation Center received a grant to construct such a facility. Marian Tsuji, from the center, thanked the Board and Councilmember Dela Cruz for their support in getting a $300,000 grant. (A round of applause was given at this time).

PRESENTATION:

Sandwich Isle Development – Jim Niermann stated Sandwich Isle is licensed by the FCC to provide utilities (telephone and broadband) to rural areas statewide. The primary function of this project is to house the headquarters for Sandwich Isle. It will include three buildings (technical and administration facilities). The project will encompass 15 acres. They will need a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and change the Sustainable Community Plan for Central O’ahu. The Board supported this project in 2001.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Acohido mentioned this project is not a Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) project, but a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) project. 2) Niermann stated the project is located near the National Guard Amory. 3) Niermann stated 100 people will be employed at the facility. It will be a 24-hour/7-day a week facility (8-hour shifts), 60 employees will be there during the day. They haven’t done a traffic study. Chair Acohido said traffic and economic impact are important issues. 4) Neirmann stated Sandwich Isle have been in discussions with DHHL. Construction will begin in three years.

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido circulated the Board’s correspondence. In addition, he presented a letter of recognition to Brandon Mitsuda, formerly of Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office. (A round of applause was given at this time). Mitsuda thanked the Board and community for their support. He is now the deputy director for Lanakila Rehabilitation Center. (Another round of applause was given at this time).

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES:

Wahiawa Community Business Association (WCBA) – Walter Benavitz announced the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival will be held this Saturday, Wahiawa District Park. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and the festival begins at 10:00 a.m. There will be food booths, entertainment, etc. He encouraged everyone to attend.

Mayor's Representative – Eugene Lee reported: 1) The Mayor’s Midterm Report is being distributed this week with Wednesday’s Midweek magazine and Thursday’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 EPA’s public hearing on the 301(h) waiver was held on May 15. The hearing was well attended and approximately 70 public testimonies were given, heavily in opposition to the EPA’s tentative decision to withdraw the waiver. 3) The Fasi Civic Center Grounds will host the Honolulu Book and Music Festival this weekend. This will be followed by the “Flavors of Honolulu” event during the last weekend in June. 4) The Mayor and his cabinet will be participating in the Memorial Day services at the Punchbowl National Memorial of the Pacific. The Department of Parks and Recreation is coordinating the collection of 50,000 leis. 5) There will be a Special Budget Committee meeting this Wednesday, Committee Meeting room, 9:00 a.m.

Masunaga asked the status of the development near the YMCA site on Kilani Avenue. Lee will follow-up.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Kim Ribellia circulated Councilmember Dela Cruz’s monthly report, while Councilmember Dela Cruz highlighted the following: 1) At this Wednesday’s Special Budget Committee meeting, the City Council will be looking at the tax rate. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please let him know. The Final Reading of the budget will be held on June 2. Wahiawa has a lot of projects in the budget, including $6 million for the Wahiawa Transit Center. 2) He has submitted requests for a speed monitor trailer for the Wahiawa Police Station and speed bumps for Royal Palm Drive. 3) The City has been given extra incentive to plan and implement bike friendly roads and paths following the passage of last November’s city charter amendment. Last week, he biked to work (a total of 22 miles). The scariest part was Kipapa Gulch. He empathizes with bike riders. 4) He encouraged everyone to attend this weekend’s Wahiawa Pineapple Festival. For those who have children, keiki ID will be available. 5) He read a list of RISR’s (Request for Investigation and Service Report) his office submitted for the community.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Councilmember Dela Cruz stated the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is waiting for DTS on the Wahiawa Transit Center. Since the project has taken longer than expected, more money had to be appropriated. He encouraged everyone to call the Mayor’s Office to release the funds. 2) Chair Acohido said residents wanted speed humps for Royal Palm Drive. Councilmember Dela Cruz stated as long as it’s in the budget on June 2, then the Mayor can release the money on July 1. 3) Councilmember Dela Cruz stated for concerns regarding the BWS project on California Avenue, please contact Devon Nekoba, Communication Office of BWS. 4) Yamamoto asked for a marked crosswalk at Kukui and Kilani. Pedestrians jaywalk because of a lack of crosswalk. Councilmember Dela Cruz will follow-up.  

Governor’s Representative – Chair Acohido said Laurence Lau sent his regrets. Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues made available information on health insurance for adults.

Senator Robert Bunda – No report or representative was available.

Representative Marcus Oshiro – Representative Oshiro’s monthly report was made available on the sign-in table. Representative Oshiro sent his regrets.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Duke Chung reported: 1) There were no main breaks for the month of April. 2) Detect-A-Leak Week will be observed from June 3-9. Toilet leak detection dye tablets are available at City Mill stores, satellite city halls, and in the BWS lobby on Beretania Street. 3) Water Safety Tips: a) if your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead; b) when you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load side adjustments; c) more plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. 4) Update on California Avenue WSI project: on May 17, BWS Communications Office staff met with Perfecto to discuss the completion date of the project. Perfecto agreed to attend the meeting of the Wahiawa Rainbow Seniors as well as this Board meeting. Although no firm completion date could be given, Perfecto was to prepare a final project schedule by May 25.

Wahiawa Action Initiative (WAI) – No report or representative was available.

Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – Geri Tramontano reported: 1) The Pearl Ridge Satellite City Hall reopened on May 9. Two of their employees were temporarily transferred to the Wahiawa Satellite City Hall during the renovations. 2) The DMV is next door to their facility.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Community Ad Hoc Committee for Wahiawa General Hospital – Chair Acohido said this item will be tabled since only two people were interested in setting-up an ad hoc committee.

Resolution to Support S.O.R.T. – Chair Acohido said this item will also be tabled. Councilmember Apo has a proposal to buy land for a race track.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Acohido announced this is the last meeting for the 2005-2007 term. Board members Iwata and Kent decided not to seek reelection. The two new Board members are Joe Francher and Vee Chuensanguansat. Masunaga will be the chair pro-tem.

ADJOURNMENT: By a consensus of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Submitted:

Steve J. Rodrigues,

Neighborhood Assistant