REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2006

HAU'ULA COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Dee Dee Letts called the meeting to order at p.m. with members present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathryn Heath, Zenobia Iese, Norman Kaluahiokalani, Dee Dee Letts, Creighton Mattoon, Warren Soh, Les Steward.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara Kahana (excused), Patrick Macy (excused).

GUESTS: Sherry Martinez, Trisha Mozo, Hoku Jenkins, Katherine Folasa (Donovan Dela Cruz’s Office), Blake McElheny (Hauula Fire Station), James Nakatani (Rep. Ed Case’s Office), Judy Fomin (Rep. Magaoay’s Office), Theresa Watt (45^th Sustainment Bridage-US Army), Fran Corcoran (Kahuku Library), Gerry Meade (KCHWC), Sylvia Pelizza (USFWS-Oahu NWRC), Barry Usagawa (BWS), Choon James, Margaret Primacio, Vanessa Matautia (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

Recognition of Board Member Don Hurlbut’s passing – Chair Letts asked Board members if they had any remarks about the passing  of Don Hurlbut:

1.      Soh commented that Hurlbut will be sorely missed in the community and will be a gap that will be hard to fill.

2.      Iese presented a Hawaiian Oli in Hurlbut’s honor.

3.      Mattoon commented that he had known Hurlbut for many years and there were many instances where they were at odds regarding different issues.  Hurlbut was able to see past the differences and remain friends and he will miss him.

4.      Kaluahiokalani commented that Kahuku had lost a good ally and as an ex-police officer, Hurlbut knew the law.

5.      Heath commented that she had not known Hurlbut for very long but knew that he was a straight spoken man and that she respected that about him.

6.      Letts commented that Hurlbut practiced the saying “everyone is entitled to his/her opinion” and that he was not shy in voicing his.  He will be sorely missed by the Board and the community. 

7.      At this time, Chair Letts declared the Board seat open as required by the Neighborhood Plan and asked that any interested parties contact the Neighborhood Commission or herself in writing and be present at the next Board meeting in November.

Approval of September 14, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes – The following amendments were offered:

·         Page 2, under HPD questions, #1, include at end of sentence “beats”, #2, replace “Kualoa Point Beach” with “Kalae Oio”.

·         Page 4, under Governor’s Report, #4, replace “P bridge” with “Kokololio Bridge”.

·         Page 5, under DOE Report questions, #3, replace “Kaawa” with “Kaaawa”, #4, and include “Native” before“Hawaiian Education act”.

·         Page 5, under BWS report #4; replace “take” with “tank”.

·         Page 6, under Rep. Case report #2; replace “Hawaii” with “Hawaiian”.

·         Page 6, under KWMP update; include “Jr. Primacio” as the Resident.

·         Page 6, under KPC update; replace “Dawn Warren” with “Margaret Primacio”.

·         Page 7, under Turtle Bay Update, #4, it should read, “Dee Dee Herron announced that October 25 at 5:00 p.m., the Defend Oahu Coalition…”

·         Page 8, under Westwind Works presentation, first sentence should read “Avery reported that the proposed wind farm in Kahuku will be a $100 million project”.

·         Page 9, under presentation questions, #3 should read “Mattoon recommended that before construction begins, a blessing should happen for any bridge…”; #1 should read “Kaluahiokalani”.

·         Page 9, motion should read “A motion by Mattoon and seconded by Heath…”

Iese moved and seconded by Heath to approve the September 14, 2006 minutes as corrected, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The board was on recess in August so there were no minutes for approval for this month.

TREASURER'S REPORT: The operating account during the month of September had current expenses of $49.95 leaving a remaining balance of $1,364.38. The publicity account had an increase of $150.00 leaving a balance of $1,231.00 and the refreshment account had no change with a balance of $120.00. The total operating/publicity account has the remaining balance of $2595.38.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Firefighter Blake McElheny from Engine 15 Hauula Fire Station highlighted the following:

1.      Ka`a`awa fire station Engine 21 for the month of September had 3 fire calls, 5 medical related calls and 3 search and rescue calls with 4 miscellaneous calls.

2.      Hau`ula fire station Engine 15 for the month of September had 2 brush fires, 1 rubbish fire, 1 vehicle fire and 3 fire related calls.  22 medical calls and 4 miscellaneous calls.

3.      Kahuku fire station Engine 13 for the month of September had 1 structure fire, 2 brush fires, 4 rubbish fires, 20 medical emergencies with 5 miscellaneous calls.

4.      Fire safety tip: Halloween costume and trick-or-treating tips in order to keep children safe.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1.      Steward questioned what the structure fire that was responded to by Kahuku Engine 13.  McElheny referred this question to Captain Kealoha who responded that they receive the statistical information without any further information but he would follow up.

2.      Iese questioned if there were any medical calls due to the vog that was in the area for several days.  Capt. Kealoha commented that Engine 15 responded to the most medical emergencies and many calls required oxygen.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – No report.

Mayor's Representative – Patrick Kubota was unable to attend the meeting. He did send a Mayor’s report and Chair Letts read the following report:

1.      The Ka`a`awa Beach Park comfort station structure is under construction. It is  anticipated that substantial completion of the building will be done by the end of this year.

2.      Hau`ula Community Recreation Center has had the roof completed, the exterior doors have been installed, and finish carpentry is nearly complete. Painting, flooring, finished plumbing and electrical fixtures need to be completed and it is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.

3.      Hau`ula Beach Park had its redesigned sign installed.

4.      Kaluanui Beach Park clean up which a member of the Board requested be looked into -   the Department of Parks and Recreation is open to working with the community on a project to clear the area. Further information was given to Mattoon for follow-up.

5.      Mr. Ernest Golden’s question regarding the change of his voting area was due to the 2001 reapportionment that did not take effect until recently. Mr. Golden now lives in polling District 47-01 where the place of voting is Hau`ula Elementary School.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.      Iese sent a message of thanks for the Sunset at Kualoa Beach Park.

2.      Mattoon questioned the status of the Koolauloa Sustainable Communities Plan. It was supposed to be reviewed every five years but two years ago was the five year mark and no revision was in the works.

Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz – Katherine Folasa circulated a report and highlighted the following:

1.      Charter amendments with two questions pertaining to the City Council.  The first question asked voters whether or not they would like to do away with City Council staggered term limits.  The second question asked voters which version of term limits they would like for City Council.

2.      Folasa responded to several questions from last month’s meeting:

a.      Kahuku Elementary School playground equipment

b.      Bathrooms for the community park

c.      Cars parked in Ka`a`awa and people sleeping in the cars are considered illegal camping.

3.      Hau`ula Park play court current Hau`ula E.S.

4.      Bus shelters for the Koolauloa district.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.      Steward commented that there was currently only one bus shelter.

2.      Heath commented that the design of the shelters did not provide shelter during inclement weather. She asked that the design be looked at and redone so that the shelters were more functional in reainy and inclement weather.

3.      Chair Letts thanked Katherine and City Council Chair Donovan Dela Cruz for their work on the Skate Park and being so vigilant.

4.      Dee Dee Herron commented that the city issue sustainable community parks plan was reviewed two years ago.

5.      Choon James asked if the sustainable communities plan was a public document and was told that it was.

6.      Iese asked whether there would be a transit meeting in the area.

Governor’s Representative – No representative was present.

Representative Colleen Meyer – No representative was present.

Representative Michael Magaoay – Judy Fomin gave the following report: District 46 is not apart of Rep. Meyer’s area but rather under Rep. Magaoay’s jurisdiction.

Department of Education (DOE) – No representative was present.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Barry Usagawa distributed a report and provided the following information:

No main breaks. Water usage for the week of October 4 was 160 million gallon per day The Board of Water Supply wants to remind residents about their ongoing plan for safety and security at the facilities. Recently, there was vandalism at a nearby facility and 911 was called by attentive residents. They ask that the public remains diligent in keeping watch over the facilities and to report any suspicious activities.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.      Iese commented that at the Water pump station near her home, the water pump lights were broken and graffiti could be seen on the building.

2.      Heath had a question regarding septic tanks and permissible hook ups for service. Usugawa commented that the State Department of Health regulates septic tank rules. Heath commented that development is being allowed to be done without the infrastructure and questioned if government officials are using good judgment when allowing development unchecked.

United State Army – Captain Watt from the 25^th Sustained updated the Board that there are currently 25,000 Hawai`i based soldiers in Iraq.  The current deployment is for 12 months under the command of Colonel Tim Ryan. The U.S. Army is still active in the community and continues to do service projects with the schools.

Congressman Ed Case – Jimmy Nakatani reported the following: A federal grant was successfully done for the Waste Water Treatment Facility in Laie and is included in the 2007 budget for waste water. Nakatani expressed his gratitude to the Board and the community as his office will be closing up in the middle of December. He asked that if there were any questions that the Rep. Case’s office could help until then, please call. Chair Letts thanked him for his work and they wished him the best of luck.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Ko’olauloa Watershed Management Plan (KWMP) Update – Barry Usagawa reported the following: The notice for the Working Group Meeting on Saturday October 21, 2006 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Hauula Community Center.  The plan is available online and in hard copy at Kahuku library. There is more time for review and comment on the plan and Usagawa thanked the community and hopefully the Board will support the plan.

Questions, comments and concerns:

Mattoon commented that he will be attending that October 21 meeting and there are several points which he and others will be bringing up at this particular meeting.

Kahuku Plantation Camps Update - Mattoon reported the following information:

1. According to City Council Chair’s Office, Continental Pacific would sell lots at an average price of $75,000 if KVA would support the development of 18 luxury homes along the shoreline in order to offset the home prices.  Several other sites would be turned over to the community with the City maintaining operations of the golf course.  The Council Chair’s resolution to condemn the property did not pass because the Mayor indicated he would not support the action. KVA will hold a meeting on October 17 to discuss and vote on the offer.   The owners would be willing to sell the beach front to a State conservation group such as Trust for Public Land or to OHA but no sale price information was available.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1.      Chair Letts questioned where the proposed 18 luxury homes would be located and Margaret Primacio reported that the homes would be located fronting the 7^th fairway between the ocean front and golf course. Primacio is concerned because of burial grounds within the sand dunes. 77 families would be affected by the sale and commented that Continental Pacific but there has been no hard copy draft of the project – and nothing has been provided to the community in writing that would hold the owner to any of his representations to the community.

2.      Sherry Martinez commented that there is a vote being taken by the residents on whether they will move forward with plans or reject working with the new owner, Continental Pacific. No concrete plans have been made because Continental Pacific will only continue with the backing of the community. She commented that many of the residents want to work with the new developer because they understand that the deal put in front of them is for the betterment of the entire community. Martinez also reported that the Mayor was in support of the development by the new owner and would  provide necessary permits in order to move the project towards completion.  It was pointed out by the Board that the Mayor can not guarantee permits as the City Council is involved.

3.      Heath questioned how residents could make a valid decision without a hard copy to review and something that would bind the owner to their verbal promises. Martinez reported that there have been copies of a statement provided to the village residents. 

A motion was made by Heath and seconded by Iese to have the Ceighborhood Commission Office contact Continental Pacific and request that they come and address the Board. The Board passed the motion without objection. 9-0-0.

4.      Mattoon questioned what the zoning in the area was and Martinez reported that it was zoned P-1. Mattoon commented that the zoning must be changed by the City Council no the Mayor before any development can take place.

5.      Heath questioned what agency deals with the preservation of native Hawaiian remains – it was pointed out that the kulaeana for this area rest with the Burial council. Chair Letts commented that the Department of Planning and Permitting is required to do an Environmental Impact study that includes a cultural study before any permit is approved. Heath questioned how the Mayor could promise permits and asked that the Mayor’s representative check into these remarks.

6.      Iese questioned if a 5,000 sq. ft. lot would be sold for $75,000, what would happen if current resident lots were larger or smaller than the fixed rate. Martinez reported that the $75,000 is the median and the prices would be on a sliding scale.

Turtle Bay Update – Mattoon reported that the Kuilima resort gained permits for the subdivision development.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1. Margaret Primacio reported that DPP gave a tentative approval on September 29 for one year with a list of conditions that must be met in the aforementioned time limit.

2. Choon questioned why the City will not stand up for the people and wonders who will stand up for the residents of Ko`olau Loa.  She commented that the City has ignored the community's support for reevaluating the development plan from twenty years ago.

Hau`ula Skate Park – Chair Letts noted that the City allowed the money to lapse as the current amount was not sufficient to deal with the unstable soil conditions at the site.  She also reported that Council Chair Dela Cruz was working with the Parks Department to place in next year’s budget money for active play courts at this site.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Fran from the Kahuku library highlighted the different events including donations by HECO and the HECO employees association to fix the damage that was done when the doors were smashed. She also highlighted Halloween festivities, and a Taste of our Neighbors homelands program - the next scheduled event would be in November and highlight the Samoan culture.

2. Choon questioned the actions of the Director of DPP and his inactive participation to speak against the Kuilima project although he has gone on record to oppose several other projects.  She commented that the City Council should step up to the plate and support the residents in finding a solution to this problem.

3. Gerry Meade from the The Ko'olauloa Community Health & Wellness Center stated that the Center has had several changes to its staff but otherwise no problems to report.

4. Trisha Mozo introduced herself to the Board and announced Windward Foster Family Support Service – Kokua Ohana, an organization that provides support to Foster families.  She also requested if community members would like to help and become a Foster parent to contact her.  Chair Letts commented that if the organization would like help in distributing information they could forward a flyer or information sheet  to the Neighborhood Assistant for dispersal with the Board mail outs.

5.  Iese reported that the Hau`ula Charter public school is doing well and wanted to inform the Board as well as thank them for all of the support.

6. Chair Letts reminded Board members and guests that if they had lists of streams in their subdistricts that they would like to see on a regular maintenance schedule with the City to turn them in to Katherine Folasa.

8. Heath commented that a maintenance schedule is a proactive measure and private owners should be contacted as well.  Heath also commented on the Mayor's flyer regarding Opala and asked that he be reminded that littering into our streams is also a very big issue that must be addressed.  Martinez commented that Oahu Civil Defense may have a comprehensive listing of streams and streambed areas that would be helpful to the Boards search.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. A letter from Neighborhood Commission Executive Secretary Joan Manke regarding increased funding for the Board publicity fund. 

2. A letter from Iese regarding her resignation from the Board immediately.  Chair Letts commented that the Board will miss her presence but she wished her luck in her future endeavors.  The Board then declared the seat vacant and asked interested individuals to submit their interest in writing and come to the November Board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: no new business to report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1.      CIP/Public Works

2.      Cultural Affairs – Steward. No report

3.      Education – Macy. No report

4.      Health/Human Services – Soh.

5.      Housing – Elkington; no report could be given.

6.      Parks & Recreation – Kaluahiokalani

7.      Planning and Land Use – Mattoon gave his report during the KVA report.

8.      Public Information – Letts commented that suggestions on spending the publicity account would be taken.

9.      Public Safety – Iese. No report

10. Transportation – Hurlbut. No report

11. Water – Kahana – Kahana. No report.

 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Submitted by:

Vanessa Matautia

Neighborhood Commission Office