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Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2007

WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ben Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was present.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

GUESTS: Eugene Lee (Mayor’s Representative), Keanu Young (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Edmund Aczon (U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye’s office), Linda Smith (Governor’s Office), Thomas Arizumi (Governor’s Representative), Tracy Kubota (Representative Marcus Oshiro’s office), Patty Dukes (EMS), Capt. Ed Nishi and Lt. Charles Wong (HPD), Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), Brian Hunter (DOH), Patty Miyamoto and Chad Taniguchi (HHA), Captain Bob Goodwin (NCTAMS PAC), Col. Matt Margotta (U.S. Army); Walter Benavitz (WCBA), Don Olden (Wahiawa General Hospital), Kathy Best, Bruce Barrett, Rodney Funakoshi, Annette Ishitani, Laura Kodama, Richard Mirikitani, Sherman Wong (Castle & Cooke); Patricia Deliz, Debbie Ellison, Ellen Hyer, Bob Kent, Barbara Ladao, John Lee, Hugh Lowery, Daniel Neyer, Benny Quiseng, Sonia Soares, Doris Ware, Lusia Wieckowicz; Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 16, 2007:  Masunaga moved and Francher seconded to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously.

            Page 1, under HPD, second paragraph, second line, delete “however, the officer did not stop.”

            Page 3, under Councilmember Dela Cruz, fourth line, it should read “Corporation Counsel”.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Masunaga read the Financial Statement for the month of August 2007. The Operating/Publicity Account expenses were $32.43, leaving a balance of $3,675.10 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. Charles Wong reported: 1) The statistics for the month of July/August: 14/10 burglaries, 7/7 thefts from vehicles, and 27/36 other thefts. 2) HPD has a new parking enforcement program that entails using off-duty officers. He encouraged everyone to drive carefully.

Capt. Ed Nishi announced that he would be transferring out of this district. A new captain will be named next month. He thanked the community for the tremendous support and he will miss working out here.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) A number of individuals voiced their concerns regarding illegally parked vehicles on sidewalks, especially on Rose Street and Olive Avenue. Nothing is being done. Lt. Wong stated the E-911 System (or Enhanced System) prioritizes the calls. He will bring it up. Capt. Nishi noted that there are only 11-13 officers for the entire district. Officers do issue citations. 2) Capt. Nishi indicated the Waialua brush fire is still being investigated. (A round of applause was given to Capt. Nishi at this time).

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) – Patty Dukes reported: 1) Wahiawa EMS responded to the following calls: Wahiawa – 225; Waipio – 12; Mililani – 143; military – 21. 2) Hopefully, the new Wahiawa EMS facility will open by the first of next year. She will keep the community updated.

U.S. Army – Schofield Barracks – Col. Matt Margotta reported: 1) Soldiers will continue to return from Iraq until October. 2) He thanked the community for the support of the soldiers, their family members, and Schofield for the past 15 months. 3) There will be a redeployment ceremony for every group at the Wheeler Army facility. The community is invited to attend. For more information, visit the 25th Infantry Division website. 4) The Army is working to have the Stryker Brigade come back to Hawai’i. Public meetings will be held in October on O’ahu and the Big Island.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Acohido mentioned the Board’s ad-hoc committee will testify on the community’s behalf regarding the Stryker Brigade.  2) Chair Acohido said the Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans will be presenting gift bags to each troop. 3) Masunaga inquired if there would be a hotline number regarding drunk driving and speeding. Col. Margotta answered in the affirmative.

U.S. Navy – NCTAMS PAC – Captain Bob Goodwin reported: 1) Captain Janet Stewart sends her regrets. 2) He acknowledged the Board members who attended the retirement ceremony for Captain Jim Donovan. 3) Sailors picked up 38 bags of trash along Whitmore Avenue.

Chair Acohido requested that the agenda (New Business) be taken out of order. Francher moved and Yamamoto seconded to take New Business out of order. The motion carried, 7-2-0. Nay: Lee, Masunaga.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ad Hoc Committee Chaired by Joseph Francher – Francher said he has two weeks to read through the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the Stryker Brigade. The ad-hoc committee will meet this Wednesday, Ceramics Room, 6:30 p.m. A number of community members volunteered to serve on the committee.

Support WCBA’s Concern for Galbraith Estate Sale – Walter Benavitz. President of WCBA, said they are opposed to the sale of Galbraith Estate for the following reasons: it will take away AG-1 zoned land; the land will be leased to a developer; the community will lose the aquifer; the military lose land for training; and it will eliminate the buffer zone between the community and the military. He asked for the Board’s support. The Rainbow Club already gave their support.

Masunaga moved and Lee seconded that the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26 support WCBA’s effort to keep the Galbraith Estate land agricultural. Discussion ensued. The motion carried unanimously. 

Collaborate with WCBA on Beautification of Wahiawa – Chair Acohido referred this item to the Beautification Committee. The intent is to beautify Wahiawa. The Rainbow Seniors have adopted the public parking lot, while the Board has supported planting trees at Wahiawa District Park. If anyone wants to volunteer or has any ideas, please contact WCBA.

Supporting Homecoming Events for 25th Infantry Division – Chair Acohido mentioned the community sponsored a Sunset in the Park two year ago when the soldiers returned. The community is planning the next Sunset in the Park for spring 2008.

RESIDENTS CONCERNS:

Chair Acohido relinquished the gavel to Vice Chair Yamamoto.

Various Concerns – Acohido, speaking as a resident, stated: 1) He supports public transportation. Wahiawa was one of the first communities to support the transit system. 2) He’s concerned regarding the building heights in Wahiawa. There is a moratorium to limit the heights of building to two stories.

Yamamoto relinquished the gavel to Chair Acohido.

Speeding – Resident Hugh Lowery had concerns regarding speeding on California Avenue, and reiterated his concern regarding vehicles parking on sidewalks (forcing children to walk on the streets).

Status of Iliahi School JPO’s and Crossing Guards – Chair Acohido indicated that the JPO’s were pulled back due to a lack of usage.

More Concerns – Resident Bob Kent had the following concerns: 1) Illegal signage on utility poles throughout Wahiawa. 2) Motorists are failing to stop before turning right when the signal is red.

Homeless – Yamamoto said there are homeless people living in abandoned vehicles at the bottom of Ihoiho Street. He asked if it’s State land. Eugene Lee, Mayor’s representative, will follow-up.

Fire Hazard – Board member Lee had concerns that the last house on the left on Ihoiho Street is a fire hazard. There is an accumulation of trash on the premises. Eugene Lee will follow-up.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: No report.

PRESENTATION:

Sale of Wilikina Apartments – Chad Taniguchi, Executive Director of Hawai’i Housing Authority (HHA), stated they manage 6,000 units statewide. HHA plans to sell 119 units in Wahiawa or two percent of their total inventory. Wilikina Apartments is 30 years old. The Authority would like to sell it to a non-profit organization and keep it affordable rental units. They met with residents in June and their concern was long-term affordability. HHA retained a consultant to change from public housing to a non-profit. After the Request for Proposal (RFP) is completed, they will go back to the residents and discuss the RFP. The Wilikina Apartments were supposed to be renovated three weeks ago but they only had $5.8 million of the $8 million costs. The project is running in the black and is supported by Section 8 vouchers. The rent is between $500-$700. They will be renovating the elevators at a cost of $50,000 versus replacing it, which would have cost $500,000. HHA has spoke to Senator Bunda, Representative Oshiro, and Councilmember Dela Cruz.  

There was lengthy discussion on this issue. Concerns and comments included: 1) A resident, who resides at Wilikina Apartments, stated everything seems to be secretive. Residents don’t know if the new owner will keep the units affordable (i.e. Kilani Vista went from $500 to $1,000)). 2) A resident said affordable housing is needed and we need to keep on top this situation. Wilikina Apartments were never maintained. 3) Bentley, who had a daughter that managed a building before it was sold, mentioned once the owner has the building for 30 years they can do whatever they want with it. 4) Mike with HHA indicated the owner doesn’t have the manpower nor the capabilities to maintain the building. 5) Lee mentioned that the people that needs help is not getting help (i.e. Kukui Apartments). 6) Chair Acohido noted that this is an informational presentation only. 7) Masunaga inquired if the asking price would be higher than the buying price. Mike stated they don’t know what they will sell the building for – whatever money they receive it will either go to the State or another affordable housing project. 8) Yamamoto questioned how can you guarantee that the units will be kept affordable. Tsniguchi answered that is why they hired the consultant. They will ask the consultant to put it in the RFP. 9) In response to Chair Acohido, Linda Smith, Senior Policy Advisor for the Governor, stated all the meetings are open to the public. The whole purpose of selling the building is to improve the quality of living fir the tenants. The key difference with other projects is that this is a Section 8 project and the maximum amount of rent is 30 percent of income. 10) Mike answered they have no other properties in Wahiawa to sell.  HHA will have the final say with the project. They just opened up a new housing project in Wahiawa. (A round of applause was given at this time).  11) Masunaga asked that the following message be taken back to the Governor: Wahiawa has a lot of homeless individuals and affordable housing is sorely needed. 12) Chair Acohido thanked everyone for the presentation.

Development Status of Waiawa Site – Rodney Funakoshi of Castle & Cooke showed a brief slide presentation on their Waiawa Ridge Development project. In 2003, the community visioning process began. He thanked the Board members who attended the workshops. The project entails 1,500 residential units on 191 acres. They are currently preparing the draft EIS, which should be completed next month. Castle & Cooke is still in discussions with Wahiawa General Hospital. Koa Ridge is not being pursued wince it was denied by the Land Use Commission in 2002.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Funakoshi answered they will be building a land bridge to extend across the gulch. 2) Funakoshi responded that the EIS will include traffic mitigation measures. 3) A resident was concerned about the increase of vehicles on the road. 4) Koch inquired about schools, especially with Mauka and Iliahi Elementary Schools over capacity. Funakoshi stated they are ongoing discussions with the Department of

Education (DOE). They are aware what occurred in Mauka. 5) Masunaga had concerns: a) most households have more than two vehicles; b) the roads are so narrow that only one vehicle is able to pass at one time. 6) Chair Acohido encouraged the Board to attend the community visioning meetings. 7) Funakoshi responded that they will have affordable housing units, as required by the City (30 percent).

(Masunaga departed at this time)

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES:

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

Mayor’s Representative – Eugene Lee reported: 1) The Recycling Fair will be held on September 20-22, 2007, Neal Blaisdell Center. 2) He welcomed back Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues. 3) The Mayor recently unveiled his Energy and Sustainability Plan that was the collaborative effort of various City departments; it’s a nuts and bolts operational plan to effect energy savings and address environmental issues; it adheres to the Mayor’s 21st Century Ahuapuaa concept; provides to implementation plan. 4) Follow-up: a) the roadway and parking lot to Ilahi Neighborhood Park is under Iliahi Elementary School’s jurisdiction. The park is accessible by foot; b) a work order has been generated to conduct an inspection of the Wahiawa District Park facilities for live dry wood and/or subterranean termite infestation. Once a determination has been made remedial action will be issued for all old and new termite damage; c) the division of Road Maintenance will inspect crosswalks and schedule the repainting as needed and resources allow; d) the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) Royal Palm Drive Pilot/Demonstration Project will tentatively begin sometime in October 2007, and will include installing three mini humps similar to those installed on Walker Avenue. The humps will be 600 feet apart with appropriate signage/roadway markings; e) DTS investigated and determined that the existing roadway geometrics of the intersection of Royal Palm Drive and Glen Avenue are adequate for cars to turn from Glen Avenue onto Royal Palm Drive. Motorists are expected to drive prudently and slow to a proper speed before turning.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Lee thanked the City for the road restriping on Uuku Street. 2) Resident Ellen Hyer thanked the City for re-painting the Wahiawa Police Station.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Keanu Young circulated Councilmember Dela Cruz’s monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) Councilmember Dela Cruz sends his regrets. 2) He asked the Board to submit Capital Improvement Project (CIP) request by October 1, 2007. 3) Included in their report were copies of RISR’s (Request for investigation and Service Report.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Francher asked the status of the Wahiawa Transit Center. Young answered the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) is with DTS. Eugene Lee indicated that Mel Kaku, Director of DTS, would be more than happy to make a presentation to the Board. Chair Acohido will contact Kaku. 2) Yamamoto reiterated his concern that a number of parking spaces would be eliminated. Young will follow-up.

Governor’s Representative – Thomas Arizumi circulated the “Governor’s Update”. In addition, he stated he will provide the Board a formal response regarding the housing issue.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Yamamoto inquired if the State is planning anything for the H-1/H-2 merge. Arizumi will follow-up. 2) A resident stated that the temporary permit for a State housing project in Wahiawa has long expired. Arizumi will follow-up.

Senator Robert Bunda – No report or representative was available.

Representative Marcus Oshiro – Tracy Kubota stated: 1) Representative Oshiro sends his regrets. 2) Representative Oshiro was able to acquire $140,000 to re-roof the covered walkway at Wahiawa Middle School. 3) Representative Oshiro’s newsletter will be mailed out in a few weeks. 4) If anyone has any legislation request for 2008, please contact their office.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – No report or representative was available.

Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – Geri Tramontano reminded everyone that the deadline to submit an application for real property tax credits is October 1. Applications are available on the sign-in table.

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

CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Acohido circulated the correspondence to the Board members.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Establishment of Committees and Missions/Board Action to Establish Standing Committees– Chair Acohido said this item was discussed at the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting. He will speak to the members after the meeting.

Priority Status of Kaiaka Watershed – Brian Hunter of State Department of Health (DOH) gave a brief update on the Kaiaka Watershed. Part of the $300,000 grant has been expanded by the University of Hawai’i (UH). The area is still not a priority watershed. They are trying to make it a community watershed based plan.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Hunter stated the Request for Proposal (RFP) is due on Wednesday. 2) Lee asked to identify the different watersheds. Hunter will follow-up.

Status of Ilaiahi School JPOs and Adult Road Guards and Access to Public Playground – Discussed earlier in the meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1) The next Regular Meeting of the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26 will be held on Monday, October 15, 2007, Helemano Elementary, 7:00 p.m. 2) The next Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting will be held on Monday, October 1, 2007, Ceramics Room, 6:30 p.m.  

ADJOURNMENT: By a consensus of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.

Submitted:

Steve J. Rodrigues,

Neighborhood Assistant