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KOOLAULOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2007

HAU'ULA COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Dee Dee Letts called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with eight members present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Elkington, Kathryn Heath, Barbara Kahana, Dee Dee Letts, Patrick Macy, Creighton Mattoon, Warren Soh, Les Steward.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Norman Kaluhiokalani, Subdistrict 1-vacant, Subdistrict 3-vacant.

GUESTS: Angel Ramos, Steve Daugherty, Verna Ulii, Sherry Martinez, Junior Primacio, Joshua K. Primacio, Ella Siroskey (Kahuku Hospital),  Jim Leonardi, S. Cadiz (KCHWC), Gerry Meade (KCHWC), Fran Corcoran (Kahuku Library), Captain Ron Johnson (HFD), Donna Lindsey (DOE), Fisiipeau Drummondo (WHC), Kay Kroehler, John Errett, Charlene Silva,  Oris J. Terry,  Ernest Golden, Fred Mencher, Harold Silva, Leslie Chow (Rep. Meyer’s Office), Margaret Primacio, Dr. Jim Anthony, Choon James, Jacce Mikulanec (Councilmember Dela Cruz Office), Judy Fomin (Rep. Magaoay’s Office), Barry Usagawa (BWS), Roosevelt Freeman (Rep. Meyer’s Office) , Lt. R. Robinson (HPD), Capt. R. Johnson (HFD), Patrick Kubota (Mayor’s Representative), Ben Henderson (Governor’s Representative), Vanessa Matautia (NCO staff).

Filling of Vacancy – Subdistrict 3 (Hau`ula) – No interested parties were available.

Filling of Vacancy – Subdistrict 1 (Kahuku) – Interested parties included: Jim Leonardi, Junior Primacio and Margaret Primacio.  Chair Letts asked if any of the parties had additional information.  Jim Leonardi stated that his previous military career allowed him greater insight as far as leadership and working within a group.

The Board voted yea on Leonardi (2), J. Primacio (2), and M. Primacio (3). 

No candidate garnered the necessary quorum votes to be appointed to the seat.  Chair Letts thanked the interested parties and hoped that they would come back to the next Board meeting.

Approval of January 11, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes – Mattoon moved to approve the minutes was seconded by Steward.  The Board voted without objection to approve the minutes with the following amendments:

·         Page 1, The date should read “2007” instead of “2006”

·         Page 5, QCC #1, should read “Virginia Basheer”

·         Page 5, under Governor’s Rep, “Al Henderson” should read “Ben Henderson”

Chair Letts read February 2007 report.

Stephany Vaioleti was asked to take notes of the meeting.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Vice Chair Steward read the following report for the month of February 2007:  The previous operating and publicity account held a balance of $2,751.00 with a total of $70.74 incurred in monthly expenses leaving a remaining balance of $2,287.85.  The refreshment account had no change with a balance of $120.00.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Ron Johnson gave the following report:

1.      Statistics for February 2007:  Kahuku Company had two brush fires, two rubbish fire and 22 medical emergencies with one of those being a pedestrian.  Hauula Company had one structure and five rubbish fires with 26 medical emergencies and one search and rescue.  The only major incident was a Kayaker in distress with five companies attending.  Kaaawa Company had two rubbish and two vehicle fires.  There were eight medical emergencies, two search and rescues and one miscellaneous call.  One incident had five companies answer but no information was provided.  

2.      Fire Safety Tip:  Brush fires cause great damage in our communities and use resources that could be better utilized elsewhere.  Now is the time to prepare for brush fire season.  Be responsible and extinguish fires properly.  Even small sources of fire, such as cigarettes and charcoal, can cause immense destruction.  Formulate plans and communicate with family members and neighbors to create a safer community.  Report and remove hazards.  Maintain a 30-foot wide firebreak by clearing vegetation surround all structures. 

For further information on creating a safe space around your home, street, or community, contact Denise Laitinen of Firewise Communities at (808) 281-3497 or go to www.firewise.org.

Questions, comments and concerns:  Fran Corcoran thanked HFD for helping her mother when she had a stroke recently - because of their fast response the stroke did not leave any lasting effects. 

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. R. Robinson gave the following report:

1.      Reported the monthly statistics from February 2007.  There was one aggravated assault, 11 burglaries, 20 hazardous drivers, seven property damages, 64 miscellaneous calls, 30 motor vehicle accidents, 39 noise complaints, 19 thefts, 24 traffic stops and nine unauthorized entries into motor vehicles. 

Questions, comments and concerns:

1.      Kahana questioned what the Board could do to help support the efforts of the HPD in bringing additional police officers into the area.  Lt. Robinson thanked the Board for its past support and stated that continued support at the Council and Mayoral level would be helpful.

2.      Joshua Primacio questioned the status of drinking at Malaekahana Beach Park and that those who once drank near the credit union had moved to the Beach Park due to the crack down at the Credit Union.  Lt. Robinson concurred and that it seems once they have been pushed from one spot they would move to the next.  HPD will follow up on this area. 

3.      Sherry Martinez commented that they have had problems with kava drinkers and graffiti near the Kahuku Hospital and Food pantry.  A resident also commented that the area behind Kekela wall is also a spot where drinkers congregate.  HPD reminded those present that drinking Kava is not illegal.

Mayor's Representative – Patrick Kubota, Deputy Director of Budget and Fiscal Services, gave the following report:

1.      Mayor Hannemann sends his greetings and Kubota reported that the Mayor recently submitted his 2008 City budget to the City Council.  Calling for a “no-frills budget provides significant tax relief and continues our efforts to get the City’s sewers and roads back up to snuff.”

2.      update regarding questions from previous meetings:

a.      Ka`a`awa Beach Park – The building is nearly complete.  Continue to work on the septic tank.  Completion is scheduled for late April 2007.

b.      Hau’ula Community Recreation Center - The project is now completed and the Department of Parks and Recreation has moved back into the building.  Some additional change work orders are underway such as adding security grilles and security lighting to the building exterior.

c.      City and County’s name – In 1905, the Territorial Legislature passed a law that formed the basis of modern government in Hawaii.  The County of Oahu began operating on July 1, 1905, and two years later was renamed the City and County of Honolulu.  To change the City’s name will require a Charter amendment, a petition by 10% of registered voters or the City Council to pass resolution with six of nine members in favor of the change.

d.      Regarding the overgrown tract of land near Kahuku Hospital – The Department of Planning and Permitting’s inspector visited the area and noted some bougainvilleas on the lot overhanging the privately owned Hospital Road.  The inspector would like a more definite location of the tract of land to further assess the rubbish pile.

e.      Additional Police Officers in area – Per HPD, they currently have five beats in this area, four of which are funded.  These beats are normally staffed with a minimum of one sergeant and three officers.  Whenever staffing allows, an additional officer is assigned to the area.  Through the budgetary process, HPD has requested an additional beat for the area, along with six additional officers to staff it.

f.        Hiring of Private Company to help clean streams – Per the Department of Facilities Maintenance, they maintain streams under the City’s jurisdiction with City staff, but lack financial resources to hire a private company to assist with the cleaning.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.      Chair Letts questioned when the schedule for stream cleaning would be available and Kubota promised to follow-up at the next Board meeting.

2.      Kahana stated that the intent of the request regarding a change of “City & County of Honolulu” was to not be “the City & County of Oahu” but only shorten the name to “County of Oahu”.

3.      Heath thanked them for completing the Hauula Recreation Center but questioned what happened to a play court for the youth of Hauula.  The play court was added to the plans when the skateboard park money lapsed due to soil conditions at the proposed site.  Chair Letts stated that she attended a meeting at Councilman Dela Cruz’s office where the parks department and other administrative agencies were present.  At this meeting there was an agreement that adding a play court would be pursued.  Jacce from Councilman Dela Cruz’s office stated that they are optimistic about getting funding for the play court back in the budget.

4.      Macy questioned if the play court that was taken away next to Kahuku Elementary School would be replaced.  It was used by the Elementary School for students during school.

5.      Wayne Panoke questioned about the closed status of Kualoa Beach Park and whether there were possible other sources of leeching.  Kubota confirmed that it was possible because city crews had pumped everything out of the holding tanks.  Panoke also raised the point if animal feces were found and a possible source would be Kualoa ranch.  His final question was if there was a plan in place and if it was funded and Kubota answered that there are plans in place to reopen Kualoa Beach Park and that there was a $2.6 million budget for this.  These concerns should be brought to the Kahalu`u Neighborhood Board as Kualoa Beach Park is not in Ko`olauloa’s district.

6.      Choon raised questions about the upcoming Neighborhood Board elections and the process of voting electronically.

7.      Heath commented about the trees removed from Kualoa Beach Park and how bare the park looked.  Kubota confirmed that most of the trees from Kualoa Beach Park were removed due to disease.  Heath further commented that the vast majority of the North Shore/Ko`olauloa region was opposed to the turtle Bay expansion project and asked why the Mayor who has also indicated opposition was not doing anything.  Kubota responded that legally the administration did not see any option but to grant the permits.

City Council Representative – Jacce Mikulanec, senior advisor from City Council member Donovan Dela Cruz’ office gave the following report:

1.      Mass Transit – Several important votes have been taken by the City Council in the City’s plans to further the transit program.

2.      Updates regarding Hau’ula flooding – The Department of Facility Maintenance along with Senator Hee, Rep. Magaoay and other state responsible parties met to talk about the flooding issue in Hau’ula.

3.      RISR updates:  A RISR was sent in for the broken bathroom fixtures at Hau’ula Beach Park.  RISRs were also updated on abandoned vehicles, dead trees at Hau’ula Beach Park, proposed bus shelter and the long awaited stream schedule.  Councilmember Dela Cruz requested $1.6 million for the Kualoa Park wastewater project and the newly created Department of Emergency Management was contacted about the missing siren in Ka`a`awa.  They currently have a location selected and are in the process of receiving approval to replace the siren.

Questions, comments and requests:

1.      Steward questioned on the status of bus shelter and Mikulanec did not have any information but would provide follow up information at a next board meeting.

2.      Steve Dorry thanked Mikulanec and the Councilmember’s office for their quick response regarding the flooding situation for Hau’ula streams and the rest of Ko`olauloa.

3.      Choon questioned about the stack of the petitions that were submitted by the Defend Oahu Coalition concerning the proposed hotel plans for Turtle Bay and requested that the Councilmember respond.

4.      Dr. Jim Anthony questioned the status of the Resolution Councilmember Dela Cruz introduced last year to begin eminent domain proceedings in acquiring the Kahuku golf course and shoreline.  Chair Letts commented that the Mayor had made it very clear that he would veto any bill that would use eminent domain in this area.  Mikulanec commented that they had just discussed this earlier within his office and that he would have follow up information at the next meeting. 

Governor’s Representative – Bill Henderson gave the following report:

1.      Kahuku Hospital: Several bills are moving through the legislature –

a.      HB 1378 (Administration)/ SB 1260 (Hee): Making an emergency appropriation grant of $950,000 to Kahuku Hospital to support its administrative and operating costs – Both measures crossed over;

b.      SB 952 (Hee): Acquisition of Kahuku Hospital by the Hawaii Health system – Passed the Senate, transmitted to the House;

2.      Punalu`u, Hau’ula and Ka`a`awa Flooding Problems:  The Department of Transportation Responded – There is no easy solution.  State is responsible for the bridge and ten feet on either side; the city has the ocean side.  The problems are generally at the mouth, where the high tide causes sand to build up, causing a clog to occur; their bridge crew is responsible for 400 bridges, and is in the Punalu`u area once a week.  They don’t have the manpower to clear the sand after each high tide.  They spend 25% of their time on stream cleaning and responding to emergency situations.  DOT will continue to do what it can within the resources it has available.

Representative Michael Magaoay – Judy Fomin gave the following report

1.      Helicopter nuisance with U.S. Marines.  Fomin reported that they may be running exercises but stated that residents could get enough information quickly to her; she would be in contact with the U.S. Marines about the timing and area of their over flights.

Questions, comments and concerns:

1.      Choon requested that the Representative birddog SB 851 requiring any future development to be setback 750 ft on all Hawaiian coastlines.

2.      Dr. Jim Anthony asked two questions: a) if the Board of Water supply took into account the effect of taking ground water and the impact it has on the level of water in the area as a whole.  b) Questioned if a certificate of public convenience was ever produced.  Dr. Anthony further commented that there is a great need in the area for the restoration of area streams.

Representative Colleen Meyer – Roosevelt Freeman gave the following report: Freeman reported that in Rep. Meyer’s newsletter there are highlights concerning Hau’ula Elementary School participating with Hawaii opera.

Department of Education (DOE) – Donna Lindsey reported the following:  Hau’ula Elementary School is out of restructuring.  They are currently working on the opera Madame Butterfly with the Hawai`i Opera Theater.  The Kahuku complex has done very well in academic and athletic fields with wrestling state titles, History Day competition, Media Day competitions all happening within the last several months.  Kahuku High School recently underwent its three year accreditation and they received great reviews for the faculty and staff.  Lindsey reported that Hau’ula Schools are asking residents to come and view for themselves the great changes that have been made.  Tutoring for students came from $2.5 million grant and currently there are over 800 students participating within the tutoring program, which more than exceeds goals that were set previously.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) & Koolauloa Watershed Management Plan (KWMP) Update – Barry Usagawa gave the following report: There were no main breaks and commented on the 2007 Water Conservation Poster Contest with the theme as “Conserving water starts with me”.  All Oahu students Kindergarten through sixth grade are encouraged to enter with a deadline of March 13.

He stated that the Draft Watershed Management Plan was still being worked on and he hoped it would be circulated to the community soon.

U.S. Marines – No representative was available for comment.

Congressman Mazie Hirono – No representative was available for comment.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Continental Pacific: Eric Morrison.  Chair Letts reported that Morrison had contacted the Neighborhood Commission Office to request that his presentation be postponed until the following month.  He did not inform the Chair or the Commission of his desire to postpone until after the agenda had already been published. Chair Letts informed him that she would make his apologies to the Board but that it would remain an agenda item.  She asked that Mattoon, as Land & Use Committee Chair, proceed with his status report on the project.  Discussion would then be allowed among Board members and meeting attendees on the project as it was properly noticed and people had come in good faith to discuss the issue.

Discussion:

1.      Margaret Primacio stated that the Board had heard enough information in order to make a decision and pass a motion tonight supporting the community in its fight against shoreline development.

2.      Dr. Jim Anthony reported the 1440 acres that was bought by Continental Pacific from James Campbell was for a mere $10 million.  Anthony stated that the Kahuku Village Association foolishly supported the plan that was presented by Continental Pacific which would include 18 luxury lots on the shoreline.  He believed that Continental Pacific should be forthright in disclosing information regarding the process.  Anthony reported that a member of the Kahuku Village Association Board is currently in negotiations with Continental Pacific to buy 11 acres of land and likened this to insider trading.  There were reports of past offers by owners for KVA phase V residents to buy their homes but that it was sabotaged from within. 

3.      Jim Leonardi commented that accusations such as these were detrimental to the entire community and that if there was a factual basis for them then they should be made public with names disclosed so that the truth could be determined.

4.      Joe Pickard commented that the 201 (H) permit needed only to go before the City Council in order to be processed.  Pickard also stated that there are alternatives to the CP plan but believed that they have been ignored due to payoffs.

5.      Sherry Martinez commented that the residents of KVA took the offer because they have lived there for so long, there is no other place to call home.  They were given the opportunities to buy there home and the word was spread about the discussions and conditions of the offer.  She stated that there should be no reason that anyone directly affected by the sale would be uneducated about the offer.  Martinez requested that the Board not make a motion tonight until the KVA Board can come before the Board and testify.

6.      Chair Letts reported that there are approximately a136 subdivided residential lots shown on the Continental Pacific map but KVA phase V has only 75 lots.  What is the proposal for the excess lots?  The 18 shoreline lots noted on the map are on the Sand dune area building on dunes is poor from an ecological standpoint as well as a cultural standpoint as it is likely iwi Kupuna will be found. 

7.      Wayne Panoke commented that although the residents were offered $75,000 each for the 75 lots of Phase V, no written deal has been finalized in writing.  It is within the interests of the entire Ko`olauloa community that these developments not go through because the shoreline does not belong to KVA phase v and they do not have the right to trade it away.  Panoke reiterated that the shoreline is the public domain and that it was shibai that both KVA and CP were not in attendance at the meeting.

8.      A resident commented that with the development of 18 luxury home lots on the coastline, the owners would be rich people.  With further development of middle income and low income housing, he stated that Kahuku would be like a city and that was not his vision for his beloved Kahuku.

9.      Heath commented that there was a proposed 20 acre ranch parcel located where a nature preserve is currently located.

10.  Mattoon commented that this discussion should not be taken up until a revised version of the Ko`olauloa sustainable communities plan is completed.  The City is five years behind in its commitment to the community to provide a review where these issues can be addressed – yet it still allows large scale developments that are not in keeping with the sustainable community plan to proceed.  The bigger picture of the area should be taken into consideration and trying to make policy by granting separate developments without a plan for the entire area is at best irresponsible and at worst a taking by the City Administration of community rights to have a say in their community.

11.  Dr. Jim Anthony spoke about the Kahuku land use and believed that development in the area should not be piecemealed together by the several landowners.  Kahuku will suffer and a better plan is needed.  The shoreline should not be negotiated as it is apart of everyone’s home and also a burial place for iwi.

12.  Kahana commented that a plan is needed but that politics played a factor because many things are in motion right now.  She stated that all of the information is still required.

13.  Soh commented that this issue is just the beginning because other Trusts will begin to be sold off and questioned what will happen then.  Kahuku once had one land owner and now there are seven he warned that what we do now will affect these Trusts that are coming into situations like KVA.

14.  Heath commented that she supported the community’s request not to develop the shoreline but also commented that it should be taken up throughout the entire state.  She commented that money changes everything and questioned how they, as Board members, could help to slow the process down.

15.  Chair Letts commented on the 201 (H) permit that Continental Pacific is requesting and that she had spoken with officials from the Hawaii Housing Authority.  From her discussion with officials at the agency the intent of 201(h) is to assist in the development of affordable housing, not to expedite the development of luxury beach front homes.  CP has not filed a formal request as far as she knows but has indicated that they will include the luxury housing in the request.  The sand dunes are most likely burial sites of iwi Kupuna which would bring in the burial councils.

16.  Kahana commented that people should keep the focus on legislation regarding the preservation of our Hawaii shoreline.  Our elected officials should also be diligent of informing the community regarding pertinent legislation as this community strongly objects to any further shoreline development.

17.  A resident commented on the ten point plan and questioned if it addressed any traffic concerns.  It does not.

18.  Elkington questioned what the difference between beach fronts versus ocean front was.  He stated that as far as he was concerned, he needed further information to understand and clarify several issues.

Kahana made a motion that the Ko`olauloa Neighborhood Board #28 support the communities need for affordable housing but also its request to preserve and protect Ko`olauloa shoreline from further development.  Heath seconded.

19.  Mattoon commented that the health Aha for the area in April 27 and 28 will discuss many of these issues including the impact of land use on the physical, mental and spiritual health of the residents of the area. Mattoon stated that this group would be more than in agreement that land use was a direct tie to the well being of the community and that they would support the motion.

20.  Macy believed that the motion was the politically safe thing to do because it is appeasing to several groups who were present at this meeting.  He believed that there was very little input that wasn’t emotional which he believed should not be the reason in passing such a motion.

21.  Elkington commented that he could support the motion as he it addressed both concerns and was a start to try to address these issues.

22.  Barbara commented that the emotions about this project are warranted because this precious place was home.

The Board voted 6 yea 0 nays 2 abstain (Steward, Macy).  The motion passed with the required quorum vote.

NEW BUSINESS:

Kahuku Hospital - Ella Siroskey gave a report regarding updates about the area Hospital:

1.      Kahuku Hospital 24/7:  Since the first announcements in mid-November and subsequent changes to reorganization/bankruptcy filing plans, Kahuku Hospital continues to remain open without any disruption to services.

2.      Current Leader:  Interim administrator Stephany Vaioleti and Interim Chief Financial Officer Andy Rice were hired in January 2007 and are happy to be here and ready to take on the challenge. 

3.      Board of directors: Kahuku Hospital’s two major bills

a.      $950,000 emergency appropriation: SB 1260 passed the Senate floor today and will now cross over to the House for approval, and

b.      An affiliation with the Hawaii Health systems Corporation (HHSC) has passed the Senate Ways & Means Committee and House Finance Committee hearings.

c.      A mahalo to everyone for their continuing personal support via physical presence, and/or written and oral testimonies.

4.      Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing:  The application for Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing was complete on February 23, 2007.  Our financial proceedings are now under the close scrutiny of the bankruptcy court.

5.      HHSC:  Hawaii Health System Corporation is starting to gather information on Kahuku Hospital’s data systems, facilities, and finances.

6.      Operations:  Hospital staffs are in the process of working with each department to make it the most efficient and effective department it can be.

7.      Public Relations:  A communication/public relations plan has been developed by employees and initiated February 2007.  Apart of this plan is to attend all community association meetings.

PUBLIC INPUT (3-minute limit per speaker)

1.      Fran Corcoran from the Kahuku Library gave updates regarding March Schedule for the library and their requests of a used vehicle to use for a book-mobile and a large volume copier machine.

2.      Chair Letts read a letter from the Neighborhood Commission Task Force.

Heath motioned to defer COMMITTEE REPORTS until the next Board meeting and was seconded by Kahana with no objections.

ADJOURNMENT:   Mattoon moved for adjournment and was seconded by Steward at 9:15 p.m.

Reviewed by:

Chair Dee Dee Letts

Submitted by:

Vanessa Matautia

Neighborhood Commission Office