KOOLAULOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Wayne Char reported the following:

1)      District totals for June – Kaaawa: 8 fires, 10 medical emergencies/search and rescues, 5 miscellaneous calls; Hau'ula: 4 fires, 22 medical emergencies/search and rescues, 2 miscellaneous calls; Kahuku: 1 fires, 11 medical emergencies/search and rescues, 5 miscellaneous calls. He reported one major fire over the last month, located mauka of Pounder's Beach, at 55-238 Kamehameha Highway.

2)      In response to a question about controlled agricultural or trash fires, he responded that no private fires are allowed.  He further explained that a farm might apply for a farm permit, which has a number of conditions that have to be met, through the State Department of Health's air pollution section. 

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Gilbert Brown reported the following:

1)      Statistics for June included: Ka'a'awa: 1 burglary, 2 other property thefts, 3 thefts from automobiles (UEMVs); Punalu'u: 1 burglary, 2 other property thefts, 1 UEMV; Hau'ula: 1 burglary, 5 other property thefts, 2 UEMVs, 2 robberies; La'ie: 9 burglaries, 8 other property thefts, 9 UEMVs, 1 auto/motorcycle theft; Kahuku: 2 burglaries, 1 other property thefts, 4 UEMVs.  Windward HPD has had 14 narcotics complaints, mostly from the Kailua-Kaneohe area, none from this area. 

2)      Brown reported that vandalized autos on the roadways are a major concern for this section of the island, with autos generally towed here, requiring them to be identified, tagged and towed from here for disposal.  He encouraged community members to report cars so the officers can start the tagging process.  He added that juveniles (and others) would erase the grease paint tags requiring the process to be restarted.  Following the initial tagging, the car could be moved within one to two weeks, as the towing service makes a circuit of the island on a rotational basis.  He also noted that vehicles not on the public right-of-way are not towed but legislation to include private property is under consideration.

3)      Brown reported that local stations (Kahuku HPD station: 293-8565 and Kaneohe HPD station: 247-2166) could give the most current information in case of an inquiry about road closure (Kahuku for Ko'olauloa communities and Kaneohe for Kahalu'u).

A concern was expressed over the need to monitor traffic speed of vehicles transiting through Windward communities following the closing of the Polynesian Cultural Center at approximately 9:30 p.m.; the vehicles are reported to be driving in excess of the 35 miles per hour limit.

An appreciation was expressed for the recent enhanced HPD presence and monitoring of the Laie Point community.

Mayor's Representative:  Patrick Kubota, Deputy Director, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services Department, represented Mayor Hannemann and distributed copies of both Honolulu News (a report from the Office of the Mayor) and a Neighborhood Board Report (dealing with recent issues).  The Neighborhood Board Report included: 

1)      Kaaawa Beach Park – permits for comfort station replacement are being reviewed by State DLNR since the structure (and cesspool, septic tank and leach field) is within a flood hazard zone.

2)      Hauula Community Recreation Center – construction has started.

3)      Hauula Skate Park – still in design phase.

4)      Hauula Beach Park – park improvement construction will start in August.

5)      Laie Sewage Treatment Plant – an issue of long standing, being a private treatment plant (with a 1990 federal court consent degree in place) in the process of replacement with a facility that is partially City and partially private (Council funding from FY2000 and FY2002).

A community member requested that the Board ask for a community presentation by Eric Takamura, Director, Department of Environmental Services, at the next Board meeting, on the sewage treatment plant issue including past funding amounts and the date when the new facility will be completed and turned over to City operation.

An issue on the Kokololio Beach Park parking gates being left open overnight (or at least until very late) was mentioned.  Having the gates left open during the summer evenings until later than the planned 8 p.m. closure was thought to be facilitating campers (with overnight parking passes) and their guests who might participate in activities that continued until 10 p.m.  During discussion, the issue was deferred to the parks committee of the Board.

Kubota reported that abandoned cars could be reported by calling 532-7700, explaining that the number would enable a message to be left 24 hours a day, with the menu item for abandoned cars being number 250.

Congressman Ed Case – No representative present.

Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz – Reed Matsuura represented Councilmember Dela Cruz and circulated a written report, highlighting the following:

1)      Funding is now available to open a Kaneohe-sited driver's license station.

2)      A new police beat has been added to the district – primarily in the Mililani Mauka area.

3)      Funding has been committed (from Budget and Fiscal Services Director Waterhouse) for Waikane Stream improvements.

4)      Kahuku roadways will be repaved in the immediate future, with an estimated completion of December 2005.

Matsuura reported that Dela Cruz supports a mass transit concept in the central and downtown areas of Oahu as beneficial to the whole island, causing an easing of traffic flow for the outlining portions.  He further explained that Dela Cruz is supportive of current considerations of a possible City increase in the excise tax to provide for Oahu traffic improvement.  Matsuura responded to a political campaign contributor question by explaining that as a City employee he has to defer any response and ask that any of those types of questions be asked directly to the elected Councilmember and not to City staff employees.

Governor's Representative: Ben Henderson, Deputy to the Chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, represented Governor Lingle, distributed her weekly press advisory and reported Governor Lingle's approval of 214 bills signed, 34 bills passed into law without her signature, and 28 vetoes.  He referred interested individuals to the State website for details on the acts and bills.  He reported that Lingle would be traveling on the mainland over the next week.

Senator Clayton Hee:  Senator Hee distributed a community report and was available to answer questions.  He introduced a staff aide Garret Tougchi.  Hee responded to questions on Kahana Valley leases, reporting that a prior community concern on demolishing a residence is being worked on.

Representative Michael Magaoay:  Judy Fomin introduced herself as representing Representative Magaoay and as a North Shore resident.  She thanked member Hurlbut for having represented Representative Magaoay at past meetings and she distributed copies of a legislative newsletter.  She was available for questions.  

Representative Colleen Meyer:  No representative was present.

Department of Education:  No department representative was present.  A report was made on plans for a windward-side environmental education program, with Kaaawa Elementary School working with Kualoa Ranch to explore the Ranch's possible assisting in support of the school and that the Hauula community was planning a meeting to involve all the community's education providers.  Recycling programs were reported as forming the core of the environmental education concepts; a suggestion was offered that windward environmental education should include water issues.

U.S. Army:  Captain Malo Lagai reported that a regular Hawaii unit has been deployed to Iraq (with a planned return date of this fall), that a unit is in Afghanistan with a return date after spring of next year and that there have been recent rotations back from Iraq.  He explained that these were all regular unit movements that are in addition to the National Guard and Reserve units, which are regularly reported on in the news media.  He noted that there are no plans for additional training areas in the Schofield area but that there are plans to purchase adjacent property at Pohakupuu Training Area on the Big Island.

U.S. Marine Corps (quarterly):  No representative was present.

Board of Water Supply:  Barry Usagawa reported that there were no recent water main breaks in the community but that there has been higher water usage than last year and the BWS is continuing to stress conservation. 

Ko'olauloa Watershed Management Plan Update:  Barry Usagawa noted that the BWS has started development of a master water plan for Oahu, beginning with the two segments of Ko'olauloa and the Waianae coast.  He reported that the ten-month plan process is well underway, with meeting notices and reports being distributed by the Neighborhood Board, seeking first to identify water usage. He announced an August 13th workshop, with community member James Anthony submitting comments.  Comments submitted are made part of this record.

Hau'ula Mission Baptist Church:  Chair Letts deferred the report, as the presenters were not present.

Malaekahana State Park:  Chair Letts deferred the issue as presenters were not present.

Department of Transportation (DOT) Kokololio Stream Bridge Replacement Project Update:  Scott Ishikawa, of the Hawaii DOT, reported on construction closure plans for the Likelike Tunnel, with the completion of the one tunnel scheduled for August 5, an opening of both tunnels for a thirty-day period until September 5, when the second tunnel would be closed for 30-days. 

(Kahana left the meeting, 8:15 p.m.  Quorum was lost.)

He reported that the Kokololio Bridge, built in 1932, was being repaired, with an anticipated maximum blockage of Kamehameha Highway for about ten minutes during the construction process.  He will report back on whether laws have limited closure for construction.  A member of the community reported having prior discussions of concerns that a series of bridge replacements and construction on Kamehameha Highway could cause major traffic congestion.  The Board requested that the timing and sequencing of all bridge replacements be clearly thought through to minimize the traffic flow impacts.  The Board will request an update for its next meeting.

Hau`ula Watershed Plan (Oceanit):  Jeff Merz reported that the preliminary draft watershed analysis had been submitted to the City and County of Honolulu, covering a series of issues, including tested water quality and currents for both ocean water and near shore water.  He reported it also discussed flood mitigation issues for both streams and estuaries, included water quality components of nutrients, and turbidity.  He said his report recommended cleaning, possible combining, and stabilizing of outfalls.  He also proposed the community become involved in a stream-cleaning project.  He explained that he would request a copy of the draft report for distribution to the Neighborhood Board. Mr. Merz was informed that he needed to contact the Hau`ula Community Association and present the project.  It was noted that the Board has a policy of not taking a position on a project until the effected community has been consulted. Mattoon and Chair Letts suggested that if Mr. Merz and the community planned on hosting a stream-cleaning project and the Board could assist with the mailing of a flyer.  

La'ie Point Community Association – Purchase of La'ie Sewage Treatment Plant:  La'ie Point Community member Choon James, La'ie Point Community Association (LPCA) Vice President Jim Thompson and LPCA member Josephine Bird stated their concerns about the resolution of the City Council supporting the purchase of the sewage treatment plant; the organization having taken a position in opposition to Resolution 05-132. 

Bird presented a letter from the LPCA organization stating that the LPCA Board "opposes the re-zoning of the beach areas directly south of Laie Point, commonly know as "Clissolds Beach", and also the parcel across the Laie Inn for "RESIDENTIAL" to "RESORT"" and also "the designation of the Laie Point peninsula which is zoned "PRESERVATION" to "PARK".

Bird also presented a LPCA letter explaining that the LPCA had requested a resolution similar to Resolution 05-132 but that the version of the resolution now in circulation is different from the LPCA's intent, and therefore the resolution should not be acted upon as currently written.  The letter references a 1992 commitment to sewer "all homes in the existing community desiring connection" and believes that the commitment should include Laie Point.

James explained that former City Environmental Services Director Tim Steinberg committed that the sewering project improvement district would include the Laie Point residences; a commitment James said is not being honored.  James also pointed that plant operator Hawaii Resources Incorporated (HRI) says there are no HRI funds for the Laie Point segment, but that the rest of La'ie will have free hookups and that HRI has announced plans to build a $30 million hotel. 

Chair Letts noted the absence of a quorum and advised she would report the concerns presented at the meeting to Councilmember Dela Cruz.

Update on Resolutions 60 and 61:  Ralph Makaiau reported that the general Kahuku community has revisited Resolutions 05-060 and 05-061 and are recommending to Councilmember Dela Cruz that the intent of the two resolutions, which is to retain open space in the general Kahuku area, would be better served by not having the resolutions adopted.  The resolutions would place land into preservation, removing it from agriculture designation; Makaiau explained that the retention of the Ag designation would afford more protection.

Native Hawaiian Foster Care:  Mehana Young reported on child foster care and asked for community members to consider becoming foster parents.  She commented that she would be explaining her program at other community meetings.  She added that the age group covered was newborn to 18 years of age.  Chair Letts encouraged the community to recommend the program to others.

Correspondence:  Chair Letts reported no additional correspondence.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Chair Letts asked for committee reports, but there were no additional reports for the following:  CIP/Public Works, Cultural Affairs, Education, Health/Human Services, Housing, Parks & Recreation (including Malaekahana State Park), Planning & Land Use (including Malaekahana State Park and South Punalu'u Bridge), Public Information, Public Safety and Water.

Transportation Committee:  Hurlbut noted that the issue of a utility pole at the Kahuku Bridge in front of a guardrail would be reviewed by the Hawaiian Electric Company.

Community Reports: Chair Letts reported that the Kaaawa Community meeting was cancelled.

Public Input: 

Anthony suggested that the community and the State Department of Transportation should discuss that the bridge-improvement construction project planning needs to take into account the coming wet season as well as the multiple sites which all will combine to cause unnecessary traffic congestion.  Chair Letts said that the Board would discuss coordination issues and concerns with the DOT.

Anthony also suggested that the La'ie Point sewage issue be discussed by the Board with the Hawaii Reserves.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Chair Letts announced that a letter was sent on July 4, 2005 regarding the Development Plan Review.

ADJOURNMENT:  Without objection, Chair Letts adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

Submitted by Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office staff.