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KAHALU'U NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2007
KEY PROJECT
CALL TO ORDER – Temporary Chair Ned Busch called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with a quorum of thirteen members present.
MEMBERS PRESENT – Daniel Bender, Ned Busch, Richard Garcia, Gregory Geboski, David Henkin, Kelikokauaikekai Hoe, Rocky Kaluhiwa, Kenneth LeVasseur,
GUESTS – Rev. Robert Nakata, Rick Towill, Representative Colleen Meyer, Doug Goodman (HCAP, Windward Homeless Coalition), Peter Field, Karen Field, Art Machado Jr. (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council – KBRC), Craig Nishimura (Mayor’s Representative – Deputy Director, Department of Design and Construction – DDC), Lt. Binford Strickland (U.S. Marines), Captain Doug Silva (Honolulu Fire Department – HFD); Lt. Richard Robinson and Lt. Dave Eber (Honolulu Police Department – HPD District 4-Kaneohe); Barry Usagawa (Board of Water Supply), Jacce Mikulanec (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz Office staff), Elwin Spray (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
WELCOME – Temporary Chair Busch welcomed the community and Board members, recognized that all Board members present had been sworn in, and announced the first item of business was the election of the Board chair.
ANNUAL ELECTION OF CHAIR (FOR TERM ENDING MAY 31, 2008) – Temporary Chair Busch invited nominations for Board chair: Naluai nominated Busch (who declined), Kaluhiwa nominated Luersen, Naluai nominated Henkin (who declined). Kaluhiwa moved and Panoke seconded that the nominations for Board chairperson be closed (with the single nomination of Luersen as Chair); Temporary Chair Busch announced the motion to close nominations passed. Temporary Chair Busch called for a vote on the nomination of
FILLING OF VACANCY, SUB-DISTRICT 5 (TEMPLE VALLEY) – Chair Luersen assumed the meeting’s chair and announced a Board vacancy for Sub-District 5 for the remainder of the two-year term until May 31, 2009, and asked if there were any members of the audience interested in volunteering. There were no volunteers from the audience. Kaluhiwa nominated Spray. Chair Luersen asked if Spray lived in Sub-District 5, to which he agreed that he did and asked if there was a conflict with serving as the Neighborhood Commission Office staff recorder, to which he replied that he didn’t think so. He further stated that he would not vote if there was a conflict. Chair Luersen asked for a vote, and announced a unanimous vote for Spray to fill the vacant Board Sub-District 5 seat, 13-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Vermeesch. Spray signed a copy of the Neighborhood Commission Board Member oath-of-office. Fourteen Board members were present.
INFORMATIONAL SESSION
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Doug Silva was present and reported monthly emergency statistics and a fire safety tip for the month of May, 2007. He reported no major incidents, eleven fires and forty emergency responses and offered a fire safety tip:
With brush fire season upon us, remember to maintain a 30-foot wide clearing in between any structure and vegetation. Recent rains may have overgrown vegetation in some breaks.
Independence Day is just around the corner, so consider leaving fireworks to the professionals and enjoy one of the many fireworks displays around town. If you use fireworks, follow warnings and instructions. Young children should never be given fireworks. Older children should only use fireworks under the direct supervision of an adult. Have a happy and safe Independence Day celebration.
For more information regarding fire prevention contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 723-7161 or 723-7162.
He was available for questions. Chair Luersen thanked Silva for his report.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lieutenant Richard Robinson introduced himself and Lt. Dave Eber from the Kaneohe HPD Station, distributed area crime statistics for the past month and reported that a crime reduction unit is continuing to monitor the Waikane Valley, where past community concerns had been reported. He was available for questions. Chair Luersen thanked Robinson and Eber for attending and for their report.
Mench arrived at 7:20 p.m.; fifteen members present.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Barry Usagawa reported one area main break at 49-661 Kamehameha Highway (6-inch main). He reported that water consumption is at the five-year average. He explained that low rainfall is affecting agriculture but that groundwater levels are sufficient to cover the summer months. BWS is collecting data on all of its projects using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Using GPS allows lines, meters and hydrants to be precisely located, which is an advantage when the pipes have been buried. He explained that its an example of the way BWS has spent millions of dollars annually to proactively help insure reliability in water service and to effectively minimize water loss and service disruptions. He offered Water Saving Tips: 1) When installing a drip irrigation system, don’t exceed 200 feet of poly tubing from the valve to end cap and don’t exceed a total flow of 200 gallons per hour per valve, and 2) We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks. Chair Luersen thanked Usagawa for his report.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) – Chair Luersen noted the usual representative was not present. Henkin reported the previously discussed establishment of a Waikane/Waiahole-area military restoration advisory board had not been determined. Spray reported the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office representative Sarah Fry has transferred to the Navy’s Pearl Harbor Base, would be attending the town meetings and that a new representative had been assigned to future Kahaluu meetings.
Kaneohe Bay Regional Council (KBRC) – Art Machado, newly-appointed member of the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council, reported that his first meeting would be on July 11, 2007, which is the Board’s next meeting date, and that he would report on that meeting at the Board’s next meeting. Kaluhiwa asked about issues to be addressed at the Council meeting, noting active community concerns for Bay issues; Machado said he would have Kaluhiwa’s name added to the agenda mailing list and invited others to contact him if they wished to also be added. Machado agreed that several recreation and Bay use issues were on the July agenda; Luersen asked if that included action on the Bay use rules, which Machado agreed were on the July agenda. Vermeesch asked about emailed communication; Machado will follow up. Panoke asked about agency affiliation, to which Chair Luersen explained that the Council was staffed by the Boating Division of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), with the regular meetings generally planned for the first Wednesday of the quarter.
ANNUAL ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS (FOR TERM ENDING MAY 31, 2008):
Chair Luersen asked for nominations for Board Vice-chair: Bender nominated Henkin. Panoke moved and Geboski seconded to close nominations. Chair Luersen announced that the motion to close nominations passed. Chair Luersen called for a vote on the nomination of David Henkin for Vice-chair, which passed, 13-0-2. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Panoke, Renoir, Vermeesch. Abstain: Henkin, Naluai.
Chair Luersen asked for nominations for Board Secretary: Kaluhiwa nominated Garcia (who declined), Kaluhiwa nominated Bender (who declined), and Vermeesch nominated Geboski. Chair Luersen called for a vote on the nomination of Greg Geboski, which passed unanimously, 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Chair Luersen asked for nominations for Board Treasurer: Geboski nominated Bender. Kaluhiwa moved and Panoke seconded to close nominations. Chair Luersen announced that the motion to close nominations passed. Chair Luersen called for a vote on the nomination of Daniel Bender, which passed, 13-0-2. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Panoke, Renoir, Vermeesch. Abstain: Henkin, Naluai.
Pre-established Specific Day of the Month for Regular Board Meeting (Date/Time/Place) – Chair Luersen asked for a motion to designate a pre-established specific day of the month for regular Board meetings. Vermeesch moved to designate the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board as meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Bender reported the Board’s prior intent to have City agencies reporting as close as possible to 7:00 p.m., thus enabling public safety personnel to be back on the road. Geboski noted that a quorum would be required to start the meeting, with Chair Luersen agreeing that eight members being present was required to start a meeting, and Kaluhiwa saying that the meeting shouldn’t be starting late. Henkin said he disagreed with the concept of not proceeding with the meeting at 7 p.m. even if there was not a quorum present, explaining that the meeting was for the community to receive information. Busch pointed out that the question was what time works for everyone, asking if everyone could generally make a 7:00 p.m. meeting; Vermeesch withdrew the previous motion. Henkin moved, seconded by Vermeesch, to designate the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board as meeting at the KEY project on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Chair Luersen announced the motion passed unanimously, 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Future Board Recess – Chair Luersen asked about possible recesses, noting that past recesses had been taken in the months of August and December. Vermeesch moved for Board recesses in August and in December. Busch noted that Henkin had mentioned a possible conflict next month, with Henkin expanding that Board members had expressed interest in the Kaneohe Bay Council meeting, which was the same night in July as the Board meeting and suggested that July rather than August might be better. Naluai noted that the schools were out in July and that a recess then might be appropriate. Bender expressed concern that the missing of a meeting might mean that the Board might not comment on Board issues, including Liquor Commission license applications. Chair Luersen asked for general Board preference, perceived that the consensus was for July and suggested a modification of the motion for recess to July and December. Vermeesch moved and Naluai seconded to amend the motion for Board recesses in July and December; Chair Luersen announced there was no objection and that July/December recess amendment passed unanimously, 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch. Chair Luersen asked for the vote on the designation of July and December as recess months for the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board and announced the motion passed unanimously, 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Board Expenditures – Chair Luersen announced that the Board needed to approve all expenditures over $25, that the Chair has the authority to spend up to $25 without Board approval, and that all approved expenditures must be within the Board’s budgeted amounts.
Facility Rental – Chair Luersen noted that the facility use fee for the KEY Project is $65 a month, which includes the monthly regular meeting reservation and the availability of the space for other Board committee meetings. Naluai said that she had asked the Mayor’s representative at the April meeting and the Councilmember’s staff at the May meeting for a report on the ownership of the KEY Project and asked that this issue be deferred until after the Mayor’s report on the ownership issue. Bender said that the KEY Project building was a City building. Chair Luersen said that the discussion was on the facility use fee, but said she would defer the issue to later in the meeting. There was no objection to the deferral of the agenda item 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Refreshments – Chair Luersen asked about the Board’s desire on refreshment authorization. Kaluhiwa moved and Geboski seconded to spend $120 per year on refreshments. Henkin observed that a prior meeting’s discussion had noted the need for receipts to be turned in so that people could be reimbursed for providing the refreshments. He also stated that some boards spend a larger portion of the refreshment amount for holidays, such as in December. Chair Luersen announced the motion passed unanimously, 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Publicity – Chair Luersen proposed that the Board address publicity items such as flyers on an as-needed basis. Panoke asked about the banner agenda item, saying the Board has a banner. Luersen stated that since this is specifically on the agenda later, she would defer discussion of the banners until then.
Establishment of Committee / Appointment of Committee Chairs – Chair Luersen noted that the agenda listing of committees was more than she would propose for the Board. LeVasseur stressed the need to include safety and environmental issues with transportation, explaining that his committee has successfully dealt with issues of transportation, non-traffic safety issues (such as environmental safety), resources, parks and the marsh. Henkin noted that the organization of committees may not be appropriate because of the Office of Information Practices’ Sunshine law guidelines and suggested a discussion on committees. Naluai said she agreed with Henkin and pointed out that the agenda listing of committees included new issues. Chair Luersen said that the Sunshine law did not allow committees the opportunity to meet with more than two Board members present without formal posting of the agendas, that permitted interaction groups might be more appropriate, and suggested that the issues be deferred to the end of the agenda. There was no objection to the deferral of the agenda items until later in the meeting 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) – Chair Luersen recognized Lt. Binford Strickland from MCBH, who reported that Sarah Fry was to be the Navy Pearl Harbor liaison, that Bay Fest was scheduled in a few weeks and that the Blue Angels would be present for a MCBH-based air show. Strickland offered to have the air show director make a presentation at a future meeting and reported that Fry’s replacement was Sergeant Carter, who could be reached directly at 257-8832 or the office number of 257-8840. Panoke asked why the air show would be in
First Assembly of God Presentation – Chair Luersen announced that the First Assembly of God presentation on proposed development would be deferred to the August meeting.
Community Concerns – Chair Luersen asked if there were any community concerns from the audience; there were none.
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 9, 2007-- Chair Luersen asked if there were any correction or additions to the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2007:
- Page 3, in the last paragraph, item 3) needed to be rewritten to reflect its being an emergency by-pass “system” rather than a bypass roadway.
- Page 4, in the last paragraph, Naluai added a number 3) “Spray stated that the City owned the KEY Project building.”
- Page 5, in the first paragraph; delete the last word on line 4 “Spray.”
Chair Luersen said the May Minutes were approved with corrections; there were no objections 15-0-0. Aye: Bender, Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Bender reported the Operating/Publicity Account balance ending May 31, 2007 was $1286.90 and that there were no expenditures in the Refreshment Account, leaving the balance at $120.00. Bender explained that no motion was appropriate and that the report would be filed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Board Banners – Chair Luersen noted that the issue of banners was on the agenda. Spray said that the issue of “who had” the banners had been asked four or five months ago without an answer. Chair Luersen said that the need was to find a place to erect the banner. Naluai said she would locate the banners. Machado said that he and Mench had already discussed that they would locate the banner and would see about the need to modify the wording; Chair Luersen requested someone to volunteer to erect the banner on a regular basis. Vermeesch said that he believed two banners were located in the KEY Project facility. Naluai said she had already volunteered to find the banners. Mench said he volunteered to put up the banners as needed, with Henkin volunteering to support Mench. Mench said he’s placed the banners before. Chair Luersen stressed that if the banners need to be modified she would authorize the funds; Vermeesch volunteered to assist with any modification.
NEW BUSINESS:
New Century Bike Ride – Chair Luersen asked if anyone was present to discuss this issue. Spray said the bike ride was not his issue but that the ride is scheduled for the end of September, with an additional trans-Kahaluu/around-the-island ride the second weekend in September, with both rides generally in Kahaluu before noon on Sunday mornings. Representative Meyers reported that the Century Ride longest leg goes to
Naluai said that there were two items that she had said last month should be on this month’s agenda-- traffic safety on
Windward Homeless Coalition – Doug Goodman was present from the Windward Homeless Coalition (dougg@hcapweb.org 239-5754) to discuss homeless-assistance project plans that had been previously known in the community:
1. The Coalition had been offered funding for a project by the City for an emergency homeless shelter to be located in the Windward Oahu area.
2. The Coalition had scrambled to develop a reasonable project scheme, identifying the Noriko’s site by the Hygienic Store as a possible location, which is why this shelter project has not come to the Board before tonight.
3. The Coalition’s Noriko project had collapsed within three weeks after it had first been conceptualized due to the City’s recasting of the immediately available funds for a different project.
4. The Coalition wants to keep the Board in the loop on any project it is working on, as well as other community groups.
5. The Coalition is no longer pursuing the Noriko’s site but is still considering a shelter on the Windward side.
6. The Coalition will bring any project to the Board before it develops, with Goodman attending future meetings.
Panoke asked about the distribution of the project plans; Goodman explained that he had attempted to e-mail an outline of the plan to members but that he didn’t have everyone’s contact e-mail. Chair Luersen also explained that Board members should not be involved in broadcasting documents to other Board members because it’s considered communications outside of a regular meeting. Goodman elaborated that the planned emergency shelter would have operated for one year from the first of July, housing between 30 to 50 people, and that a number of sites were considered but that Noriko’s was a good choice because it is now being put on the market for sale. Future plans would also be discussed with the Kahalu’u Community Master Planning Committee.
Panoke discussed the locating of the shelter in rural Kahaluu versus urban
REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
Mayor’s Representative – Craig Nishimura, Deputy Director, Department of Design and Construction – DDC, was present to represent Mayor Mufi Hannemann. Nishimura apologized for missing the last meeting and distributed copies of the Mayor’s
- Nishimura reported on grass cutting at the wetlands across from Waihee Road on Kamehameha Highway, explaining that the State’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has said that the area is part of the Kahaluu Regional Park, that DLNR is not aware of nesting but agreed that there should be no cutting where there are nesting birds. Chair Luersen reported a copy of a May 29, 2007 letter from the City (from Laverne Higa, Director, Department of Facility Maintenance - DFM) to Councilmember Dela Cruz, which said that Higa would be responding about the marsh issues after July 6, 2007 which meant the Board should see the answer at the August Board meeting. Nishimura said that his earlier report was from the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) with LeVasseur saying that he has more in his report. Henkin said there was a need for a full plan for the marsh, with LeVasseur saying he will also cover that in his report.
- Nishimura also reported that the general plan for dredging the flood lagoon is once every 15 years, with the last project performed in 1998-1999. LeVasseur reported that large branches and brush have washed down into the lagoon and asked about possible removal; Nishimura reported a study being done regarding lagoon clean-outs, with LeVasseur stressing the desire to clear large items, not to perform dredging, although he recommended the dredging be moved up in light of the major rain storms over recent years. Mench said that the sides of adjacent properties have collapsed into the stream when the periodic dredging has occurred and said that the better course of action is to not dredge. Mench expressed concern about items washing into the lagoon and bay, pointing out that State road areas are generally much clearer of road debris and cuttings than the City roads, pointing to Okana Road as a ‘bad’ example, explaining that the maintenance run-off (such as the dead grasses from routine general applications of weed/brush poisons) goes into the Bay (through the Lagoon).
- Nishimura further reported that the KEY Project building is a City building, with construction plans for re-roofing. Chair Luersen asked if there was anything additional on the KEY Project ownership, either from Nishimura or Jacee Mikulanec (from Dela Cruz’s Office), with Mikulanec saying that his report is similar to Nishimura, with the State having land ownership.
- Panoke asked about the status of the
- LeVasseur requested action on tree trimming of the tunnel of trees between St. John’s-by-the-Sea and the 7-Eleven store on Kamehameha Highway, explaining that the City has called him to tell him the road is owned by the State, but the fact is that the State turned that portion of the roadway over to the City, with the State considering Kahekili Highway as the major roadway and Kamehameha (through that portion of Kahaluu towards Kaneohe) is a residential street. Levassuer asked for Road Maintenance to follow-up before winter rains start.
Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Jacee Mikulanec represented Councilmember Dela Cruz, distributed a monthly community report and highlighted items followed up from prior meetings:
1. Hui Iwa Street median divider project has been funded.
2. Marsh concerns have been addressed in a letter sent to the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) and to the City’s Parks (PRK) department.
3. Hui Io Street is scheduled to be repaved.
4. KEY Project building ownership is by the City, on a lease to KEY until 2029, with the Neighborhood Board paying a facility use fee.
5. Kahaluu Lagoon was last dredged in 1999, is on a fifteen-year cycle, and he will inquire if there are plans to move the next scheduled dredging for a sooner date.
6. Plans were announced plans for a future workshop on real property tax.
7. Invited participation in community recycling with the KEY Project’s Aloha Aina project, referring to flyer distributed at the meeting, and reported Councilmember Dela Cruz will be sending out a postcard reminder of the event dates.
Spray asked for copies of the letters sent and received about the above community issues. Panoke reported a “good job” on the recent Council budget hearing. Machado endorsed the recycling project, explaining its importance as a fundraiser for the KEY Project, as well as the community’s opportunity to have cans and metals recycled. Chair Luersen discussed the Hui Iwa median strip, where the budget will have $230,000 in the Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) budget. LeVasseur thanked Mikulanec and Dela Cruz for their efforts.
U.S. Congress Representative Maize Hirono – No representative was present.
Senator Clayton Hee – No representative was present.
Representative Colleen Meyer – Representative Meyer congratulated recently retired and newly elected Board members, thanking them for their community service. She also reported that the legislative session was over, with 4,000 bills introduced, 328 bills passed, and Governor Lingle still reviewing unsigned bills. She announced tentative plans for a special legislative session to consider action on overriding vetoed legislation. She noted the retirement of Ahuimanu Elementary School principal Anne Marie Duca. Meyer also referred to the KEY Project Aloha Aina Earth Day July 7, 2007 metal recycling event and encouraged general community participation, explaining that last year’s event raised $1800 for KEY and that this year they hope to double that amount. She explained that scrap metal may also be scheduled to be picked up from homes or farms on July 7 by calling volunteers; the pick up service can be called at KEY Project (239-5777) or Rene Mansho (306-1876). Meyer explained that no liquids can be picked up or dropped off. She also announced that she is on two special legislative committees, one an investigative committee on identity theft and one committee on sustainable communities, with a sustainability workshop summit planned for September 22, 2007, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
Mikulanec announced a kava exhibit at Honolulu Hale on June 26, 2007.
Board Meeting Location – Chair Luersen asked Board members to consider the issue of future meetings location. Panoke moved and Bender seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board continues to meet and approve payment of the facility use fee at KEY Project. Naluai asked why the Board, a City organization, was paying for use of a City-owned building. Chair Luersen said that the Board had a budget from the City Council for the Board to cover such fees as building use. Naluai repeated that since the City is the owner, no fee should be charged; LeVasseur, Geboski, Panoke, Kaluhiwa, Bender and Renoir spoke that the use fee was reasonable and proper, covering such items as fans, lights, wear and tear, and the loss of opportunity to have some other user hold a meeting at the location. Chair Luersen and Henkin also explained that committees could be scheduled to use the site. Vermeesch explained that he was a member of the KEY Project Board of Directors and would not vote, with Bender and Spray also reporting themselves as members of the KEY Board of Directors and not voting. Chair Luersen agreed they should not vote and should abstain. Chair Luersen called for a vote and announced that the motion passed 12-0-3. Aye: Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir. Abstain: Bender, Spray, Vermeesch.
Board Committees – Chair Luersen asked for a discussion on Board committees, noting that the Board operates under a State Sunshine law which requires prior notice, minutes and no caucuses even for committee meetings. Sunshine Law limits two members to discussions, provides for the advanced set-up of a permitted interaction group of identified members on a specific issue. Interactions may not be serial discussions and permitted interaction groups (PIG) must report back to the Board with a recommendation for action with the requirement that the Board’s action is to wait until the meeting after the reported meeting before acting on it. Henkin clarified that the process actually allows for one meeting to end and the next to begin as long as both have been properly posted on a single sheet agenda (listed as separate meetings) if that board action is required or timely. Geboski said that the limitations on time may be critical in many instances and suggested combining committees. Bender said issues did not have to go to committees; suggesting both types of groupings be used. Chair Luersen explained that although the titles are for ‘committees’ the practice has been to refer issues more as assignments to one person or a small group to follow up before the next meeting. Her intent is to have a process for distributing the work, proposing that PIGs be also used when appropriate for specific issues. LeVasseur noted that Panoke had previously (several months ago) suggested a PIG for the discussion around contraflow on Kahekili Highway and the Board had formed one to allow work on a community forum on this issue. LeVasseur suggested that the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) representation could be done by PIG rather than by a committee formation. Naluai said a PIG had been formed for the regional park. Panoke moved that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board establish the following committees: 1. Water conservation and resources and environment, 2. Transportation and safety, 3. Parks and recreation, 4. Planning, 5. Preservation of
Discussion on the motion included points: safety was a part of all issues, LeVasseur is volunteering to be committee chair and retain all components of prior committee subjects of transportation, safety, and environment, that the Legislative and Education/Schools should be broken off and formed into separate committees, PIG formation should be case-by-case but committees should be formed, legislation is often not able to be addressed in a timely manner, and legislation and schools were not prior committees and perhaps should not be included.
During discussion, Bender left at 9:25 p.m.; fourteen members present.
Chair Luersen asked for a re-stating of the motion as amended by discussion. Panoke moved and Henkin seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board establishes the following committees: 1. Water conservation, resources and environment; 2. Transportation and safety; 3. Parks and recreation; 4. Planning; 5. Preservation of Hawaii Heritage; and, 6. Legislation, Education issues and Schools.
Chair Luersen called for a vote and announced that the motion passed without objection 14-0-0. Aye: Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Panoke, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Chair Luersen asked for volunteers and appointed the following as committee chairs:
1. Henkin - Water conservation and resources and environment
2. LeVasseur - Transportation and safety
3. Naluai - Parks and recreation
4. Mench - Planning
5. Panoke - Preservation of Hawaii Heritage
6. Geboski - Legislation, Education issues and Schools
Henkin proposed that action be taken at a future meeting to form PIGs on the following issues: Waihee Marsh makai, Homeless shelter, and Transportation issues. Luersen stated that PIG’s must be formed around a particular issue, not general topics. Naluai stated that two PIGs had been formed previously for 1) the Kahaluu Community Master Plan community meetings and 2) the
Panoke left at 9:50 p.m.; thirteen board members present.
Henkin suggested the Board consider following up with the previously-proposed contra-flow issue forum. Busch suggested it be referred to the transportation committee. Spray proposed addressing issues of recognition, explaining that the Board had proposed a recognition program last year, and also designating Board representatives. LeVasseur volunteered to represent the Board on the OMPO CAC and Busch volunteered to serve on the Kaneohe MCBH Mil-Civ Affairs Committee. Geboski moved and Naluai seconded for LeVasseur (OMPO CAC) and Busch (Mil-Civ) to represent the Board; without objection. Chair Luersen announced the representatives authorized 13-0-0. Aye: Busch, Garcia, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Luersen, Mench, Naluai, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch.
Waihee Marsh Makai – LeVasseur reported discussions to make an agreement – entitled a safe-harbor agreement – covering plans for management of the marsh area. LeVasseur said that the meetings with Wil Ho (of City Parks) will result in a baseline and an agreement for the future which will allow the present bird species to thrive. He discussed plans to allow OCCC to be involved in performing immediate maintenance labor at the site. He explained that DLNR will mark off the site, with the options of the site being either a sea (salt) or fresh water marsh, with the agreement amongst the agencies in a year or a year-and-a-half. He reported that, as he had discussed several months ago, both types of marsh have advantages and disadvantages, with the salt water having the problem of “smell.” LeVasseur said that this site is a jewel for the community and needs to be protected. Henkin stated that a “safe harbor” agreement is one option but that there are others and he had some concern with a public entity using this option, originally intended for private landowners. Henkin congratulated LeVasseur on a successful job with the marsh, saying that he is familiar with the safe harbors type of documents. LeVasseur agreed that the issue requires effort and wants to see the concerns continue to be worked on.
Naluai said that she wanted to be added to the agenda in August to report on a letter sent by Executive Secretary Joan Manke to Board members concerning Naluai versus the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board. Chair Luersen asked what it was that Naluai wanted the Board to do so that she could properly list it on the agenda; Naluai said she wanted to report on the letter that was mailed out, which asked for a return letter. Chair Luersen said a return letter was being asked not from the Board, but from Naluai. Naluai said that she needed to report on the issue. Chair Luersen pointed out that the response was not as a Board member but as an individual. Naluai said she wanted to report on what she was sending to the Commission; Chair Luersen offered to mail out the response with the agenda so that the community would understand the issue; Naluai said she didn’t want it mailed to the community, she wished to make a report at the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT – Without objections, Chair Luersen adjourned the meeting at 10:10 p.m.
Submitted by Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office staff