Printable version (copy and paste into browser):
http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb29/07/29200710Min.PDF
KAHALU'U NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007
KEY PROJECT
CALL TO ORDER – Board Vice Chair David Henkin called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT – Daniel Bender, Gregory Geboski, David Henkin, Keliko Hoe, Rocky Kaluhiwa, Kenneth LeVasseur, Kurt Mench, D. Keala Naluai, Jean-Paul Renoir, Elwin Spray, Richard Vermeesch.
MEMBERS ABSENT – Ned Busch, Richard Garcia, Amy Luersen, Wayne Panoke.
GUESTS – Mahealani Cypher, Shirley Samuelson, Senator Clayton Hee, Laura Thielen (Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources – DLNR), Craig Nishimura (Mayor’s Representative – Deputy Director, Department of Design and Construction – DDC), Todd Group, Reed Matsuura (Councilmember DelaCruz), Gary Moniz (DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement -- DOCARE), Jerry Kaluhiwa, Lt. Binford Strickland (Marine Corps Base Hawaii – MCBH; U.S. Marine Corps – USMC); Gary Moniz, Guy Chang and Robert Fernandez (DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement – DOCARE); Barry Usagawa (Board of Water Supply – BWS), James Ward, Kekoa Kaluwie, Lt. John Vines (Honolulu Police Department – HPD District 4-Kaneohe), Kenneth Mathew T. K. Kulealwo-Hac, Art Machado Jr. (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council), Captain Jimon You Jr. (Honolulu Fire Department – HFD), Scott Ishikawa (Department of Transportation – DOT).
Welcome – Board Vice Chair Henkin welcomed the community and explained that due to Chair Luersen’s mainland trip, he would be serving as the meeting’s presiding chairperson. Eight Board members were present (Bender, Geboski, Henkin, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Naluai, Spray, Vermeesch).
Community Concerns – Chair Henkin asked if there were any community concerns not shown on the agenda, with the following being presented:
Woods at Ahuimanu – Shirley Samuelson identified herself as an Ahuimanu-area resident with concerns over the proposed development “Woods at Ahuimanu” and asked for the item to be on a future agenda. She provided a letter to the Board explaining the background of the subdivision plan presented by Peter Aiello to the Board in October 2005 for the building of 46 homes along Kahaluu Stream in the upper valley, as well as subsequent issues which include recommendations from the State Department of Health (DOH) (including copies of a DOH April 2007 letter). She asked that the Board recommend closer consideration of water issues, including the impacts of the needed bridge and the cumulative house lot constructions, as well as the Board questioning the continued granting of extensions of Aiello’s permits. Chair Henkin reported the need to give notice in order for the Board to hear from both sides of a concern and said that item would be added to the next agenda, asking that Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Mench review the material.
Communication from Neighborhood Commission
Century Bike Ride – Todd Group asked for the Board to review the recent Century Bike Ride, explaining that there were traffic problems that needed attention, and noted that the next event would not be until September 2008.
INFORMATIONAL SESSION
Members Mench and Hoe arrived at 7:15 p.m.; ten Board members present.
When selecting Halloween costumes, ensure they are flame-resistant, made of lightweight fabric, brightly colored, and clearly visible to motorists. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape. Keep the length of costumes short to prevent tripping. A natural mask of cosmetics is better than a mask that may restrict breathing or obscure vision. Children should carry flashlights to light their way.
The Honolulu Fire Department would like to remind the community that the HFD provides assistance to the Honolulu Emergency Services Department (HESD) by responding cooperatively when the need for emergency care arises. Due to the HFD’s 42 fire station and the HESD’s ambulance units, we are able to provide quality patient care and protect the citizens of the City and
Machado discussed a statement made at a Board meeting at the beginning of 2007 where a community member was reported to have saved a life at a fire and the recommendation to the HFD at the Board meeting was for an HFD commendation, asking about a follow up; LeVasseur said that the HFD had reported at a subsequent meeting that they had made a commendation. Machado advocated the placing of HFD commendations in the newspaper, commending the life saving action (by Mr. Williams) near
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lieutenant John Vines introduced himself from the Kaneohe HPD Station, distributed area crime activity statistics (Sector 3) for the past month and highlighted reports of one aggravated assault, sixty-five alarm calls, 155 arguments, twenty-six burglaries, 101 dropped calls, nine driving-under-the-influence events, thirteen family neglect cases, thirty-four family arguments, seven graffiti incidents, 219 service calls, thirteen motor vehicle thefts, 118 motor vehicle accidents, twenty-seven property damage cases, four rapes, one sex assault, fifty thefts, eleven threats and forty-four unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle, with a total of 1957 recorded events. Vines reported car break-ins at the Pali Golf Course, reporting that a sting had been set up there. Vines attributed recent car break-ins to teenagers who were hitting schools, bus stops, beach sites and shops, warning that, with the holidays, there is an increase as more valuable items tend to be in cars and stressing that items should be stored out of sight before you park, because thieves are watching for potential victims and are noticing people placing items in trunks. Bender asked about retirements and new officers, inquiring about HPD manpower levels; Vines reported that there are always retirements and new officers and saying he was not sure of the current status of personnel. Naluai asked which beat numbers covered Kahaluu; Vines referred to a map provided with the statistic report, saying beat numbers 471 and 472 covered Kahaluu (471: Ahuimanu-“Old Kam”-Kahaluu and 472: Kahaluu-Waiahole-Waikane-Kualoa). Naluai asked about dropped calls, with Vines explaining that most were attributable to kids at shopping center pay phones. Mench asked about rape incidents, with Vines reporting that the occurrences were individual as opposed to serial or caused-by-a-stranger type. Kaluhiwa reported several occurrences of roadside fence cutting in the Heeia area, explaining that the site is then used to drop cars and for sleeping in the vehicles, reporting that there are currently two regular vans and one truck that frequent the pier area for sleeping. LeVasseur reported that there is regular parking on the side of the road at King Intermediate School after 6 p.m., with youth (and others) running out onto the roadway; Vines said he would follow up. Chair Henkin thanked Vines for attending and for the report.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Barry Usagawa reported no recent area water main breaks. He also reminded Board members about the upcoming BWS information session for all Oahu neighborhood Board Members, set for Saturday morning, October 27, at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden, where topics to be covered include the history of water on Oahu, watershed management and how construction projects are done. He also reported a water tip:
October is “Make A Difference Month,” and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply would like to encourage everyone to “make a difference” by helping to preserve and protect our precious water resources. There are very simple ways you can do this:
1. Don’t let the faucet run and run.
2. Take shorter showers.
3. Put a nozzle on your garden hose.
4. Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures.
5. Water your lawns just 2-3 times a week and don’t water between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
6. Grow plants that match your home’s climate conditions. For recommendations, check out the Oahu Planting Guide on www.boardofwatersupply.com.
7. Check for leaks in plumbing and toilets.
As many of you may have seen in the news, a man was recently sentenced to five years in prison for stealing copper from a BWS facility. BWS was able to prosecute this thief, thanks to the help of a surrounding resident who witnessed the thief in action and called 911. If you see any sort of suspicious activity – illegal dumping, vandalism, theft, etc. - please contact 911 immediately and report the activity to police. These criminal acts not only impact our facilities, but as ratepayers, it cost you money.
Usagawa also reported that the State (DLNR) Water Commission was circulating a draft of an update to the State Water Resource Protection Plan (Oahu), with a public hearing to be held on December 17, 2007 (Kalanimoku Building) at 6 p.m. (and the deadline to submit testimony of January 11, 2008). Chair Henkin thanked Usagawa for his report.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) – Lt. Binford Strickland reported the MCBH arrival of the Blue Angels and repeated the schedule for the upcoming weekend’s Blues on the Bay, with the Blue Angels generally in the air between noon and 4 p.m. on Thursday, mid-afternoon on Friday, and two shows on Saturday and Sunday (with the F-18s at the end of the shows), reporting show details on the web or by calling his office. He reported a noon October 16, 2007 Civ-Mil meeting. Chair Henkin asked about the map of the general flight routes for MCBH which Strickland had said he would bring to this meeting, with Strickland saying he would e-mail the material; Geboski expressed disappointment that the FAA flight pattern map was not available as promised, since the community was concerned about noise along the routes the Blue Angels would follow, which Strickland had said would be within the permanent FAA flight paths. Strickland explained that the web site would have water restrictions, with Mench asking for a general description; Strickland described water restrictions as the boxed end of the flight line extended (leaving the channel open), advising Chair Henkin that the map would be printed in the paper [DOCARE shared a map of the Bay closure]. Naluai asked if the flight path was a military confidential pattern with Strickland saying that he did not know if it was a national security issue but that he would check. Kaluhiwa expressed concern about a flat party boat (on pontoons) using a heavy ball as an anchor, which causes damage to the Bay floor or reef; Strickland said he would inquire if it was known to the Base marina. Chair Henkin commented on a loud noise heard at 9 p.m. on Monday night, which was discussed by Strickland as likely being the arrival of a C-5 Galaxy Blue Angels assist plane. Machado said the Base commanding officer had said full details of the Bay water restrictions would be run in the papers. Chair Henkin thanked Strickland for the report.
Kaneohe Bay Regional Council (KBRC) – Art Machado reported a KBRC meeting on October 3, 2007, attended by thirty to fifty people, and commented that several concerns were discussed: the different user zones to be designated in the Bay, commercial use in the area adjacent to the Kualoa Ranch lands, and the Kaneohe Sand Bar issue – which will be discussed by the Board later. Kaluhiwa asked about the Kualoa Ranch issue, with Machado saying that issue to the KBRC is a request for more commercial dive time, which is currently prohibited on only Sunday (which allows for recreational diving then). Kaluhiwa noted that the community originally was supposed to have two days without commercial activity, saying that the Board should take a position opposing further expansion of commercial use. Machado explained that the position taken by Kualoa’s Morgan is that the Kualoa dive operations are outside of the Bay area proper. Machado also announced that the Sand Bar issue would be on the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board agenda at the next Thursday night’s meeting and that the next KBRC meeting would be January 9, 2008. Kaluhiwa asked that “commercial diving in the Kualoa area” be on the next Board agenda for a Board position; Chair Henkin agreed it should be on a future Board agenda. Chair Henkin thanked Machado for his report.
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2007— Chair Henkin asked to defer consideration of Minutes to later in the agenda; there were no objections.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Bender announced a Board Operating Fund balance of $2302.
PRESENTATIONS
Ahuimanu Gardens – James Ward said he was present from the Ahuimanu Gardens homeowners association with a request to the City to paint parts of the curbing red and a posting of those sections as “no parking” to allow for curb-side rubbish pickup and curb-side postal delivery. He explained that previously the association had painted the curbing, but that the City had cited the association, saying the painting need to be removed and reported that the process for establishing limited parking areas first involved neighborhood board recommendation prior to City approval. He circulated a drawing, saying the intent is for 12-foot sections, back from the driveway cuts, to be no-parking based on the morning pickup times and postal deliveries. Bender moved and Kaluhiwa seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board agree with the request from the Ahuimanau Gardens homeowners association for a Board recommendation of limited parking posting in the 12-foot sections next to the driveway entrances to allow for rubbish and postal pickup and delivery. Member Renoir arrived at 7:55 p.m.; eleven Board members present. Vermeesch asked how many sites were involved; Ward said there were eleven cul-de-sacs. Spray asked about cost for the signage and painting; Bender said it would be borne by the City. Chair Henkin asked for a vote, and declared the motion passed unanimously 11-0-0.
Update on incident at Ahu O Laka on September 3rd – DLNR Chairperson Laura Thielen was present, explaining that she was seeking community discussion on the rules that should be adopted for the Kaneohe Bay and for the Sand Bar and to determine what can and what can not be enforced. She was accompanied by Gary Moniz (State DOCARE Administrator), Robert Fernandez (DOCARE Oahu Branch Chief) and Guy Chang (DOCARE Oahu Supervisor). She explained that the State has rules for many areas, but most specify they are for locations which would not apply at the Sand Bar; she explained that City rules are similar. She reported City ordinances against drinking in many places but that the Sand Bar is not a City park or sidewalk; the DLNR has administrative rules dealing with State parks and State hiking trails and neither applies to the Sand Bar. She explained that certain general rules apply, such as the operator of a boat not being drunk (same as a car) or minors not drinking, but there is nothing (legally) wrong with a boat operator having an open container of beer or with those below drinking age operating the boat. Thielen asked for recommendations, saying that the option of asking DOCARE – with 42 officers – to match the responsibilities of the 2500 HPD officers is unrealistic. She said she could not discuss the September 3, 2007 incident, because it is under investigation and is likely to be referred to the City for prosecution. Bender asked if legislative action were necessary, with Thielen saying she was looking for suggestions on administrative rules, with Bender asking for an explanation of the difference; Thielen said the department could proceed by adopting administrative rules rather than awaiting legislative action. Thielen said that she understands that the community sentiment may have changed since rules were previously proposed and said that perhaps the public would now support adoption of new rules. Machado said that his perception was that 90% of those at the past three community meetings were not endorsing new rules but rather wanted enforcement, although he suggested rules for holidays, such as time limits and limiting the number of boats. Geboski said that Thielen was not saying rules were not being enforced but that rules needed to written, with Thielen saying she was asking which rules are necessary. LeVasseur noted the need will still be for enforcement and asked about funding; Thielen said that the funds are through the legislature which also has a limitation (line item) on the number of personnel, stressing that there is no desire to grow towards the 2500 size of the HPD. Vermeesch offered congratulations to Thielen on her appointment as the new DLNR director and asked if more DOCARE could be placed on the Sand Bar for holidays; Thielen said that six DOCARE personnel were in the vicinity of the Sand Bar and that they reacted quickly to the fight. Naluai asked about City ownership in the Bay being public lands where public laws apply, with Thielen saying that most rules do not apply because the existing rules are specific to locations; Thielen said the site was State land in the City and County of Honolulu, with no specific rule saying “no drinking in a public place.” An audience comment was that there are no rules about drinking or concerts; Thielen said if it’s a commercial activity then a permit is currently required. Mench noted laws exist for issues like “aggravated assault” and said he felt those laws should be enforced rather than creating new rules; Thielen said she was hearing all sides. Chair Henkin suggested presence by way of ‘ambassadors’ with Thielen saying the DLNR was reluctant to start that type of program without training and ability to provide back-up. Bender drew a parallel with City Liquor Commission agents, saying that they call HPD when the situation is beyond their control, with Thielen noting that the HPD is not specifically equipped to provide marine response. Bender pointed to the liquor consumption aspect, suggesting liquor derived funds could be secured; Moniz said DOCARE works with HPD but HPD has concerns regarding marine equipment and training, with Bender stressing that HPD is the back-up for the fifty City liquor control agents. LeVasseur asked if part of the concern was a management issue, commenting that on a three-day weekend a presence was needed, stressing that a nautical police presence could be created, even through static items such as a coned off area for the DOCARE boats to be landed. LeVasseur commented on the lack of factual items being discussed, referring to past events being reported on without facts. Kaluhiwa reported on past events, citing two past concerts where necks were broken and another past concert where there was a fight on the reef, including general drinking in vehicles on the shore, and expressed concern that legislative funds had been obtained for enforcement but seem to be gone. Kaluhiwa commented that the community has been supportive of DLNR enforcement, including encouraging the establishment of a physical office in the community, and expressed concern that Governor Lingle had vetoed a DLNR bill. Thielen reported that the legislative funds referred to are still present, with additional officers authorized and funded but not yet hired. Kaluhiwa also commented on the need for enforcement during night hours. Thielen asked for suggested rules, with Kaluhiwa commenting that attention needs to given to the Sand Bar, which is not the family recreation area as in the past but now a site for drinking and topless-ness. Machado stressed that the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board has action on its agenda. Geboski referred to authorized positions and asked about the State-freeze on hiring, with Thielen saying there was no freeze in effect and the positions were to be filled November 1st.
Bender moved and LeVasseur seconded for the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board to recommend support of a task force of DLNR DOCARE officers working in conjunction with HPD and the City’s Liquor Commission Liquor Fund to address issues experienced on 3-day weekends with egregious violations of laws that are already in existence. Naluai and LeVasseur stressed that presence was needed on the island, with Bender referencing to the HPD providing backup and Mench stressing that the need is only for once or twice a year. Bender stressed that the task force working on weekends could bring the resources (and presence) of all the agencies together. Mench asked for Fernandez to comment, who stressed that the agencies are working together now, with water issues being backed-up by the U.S. Coast Guard, and that the weekend Sand Bar issue is of long-standing, referring to his participation (as a Board member) with the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board thirty years before. Fernandez reported that HPD is frequently involved with alcohol arrests at Heeia Pier but agreed that there is always a need for more presence and more manpower but stressed that alcohol use in parks is hidden but on the Sand Bar - where there are no rules - alcohol use is blatant. Fernandez also reported that those who were involved in the assault – the victims – know the assaulters but that they are not going to testify against them, explaining that there are no rules out there and the DOCARE officers are more like bouncers at a party, and saying its better to say no drinking out there. Thielen stressed that DLNR DOCARE is set up to be a presence in natural areas like forests, not general law enforcement (including marijuana enforcement). Bender raised a point of order that a motion was before the Board, which would normally restrict general commenting; Chair Henkin agreed with the point of order but said he was allowing input from the primary agency. LeVasseur asked about actual agents on the island, with Fernandez saying that six DOCARE were on the island, with the Coast Guard having been there but were away at the time of the fight. Mench said the problems are not really for DOCARE to address, with Geboski saying that part of the question should be if the state should be trying to address these problems and LeVasseur advocating support for the motion, saying that more agencies being brought in will deepen the likelihood that a solution can be achieved and stressing the need for creative presence. Chair Henkin ask for a vote on the motion, announcing it was agreed to 10-0-1. Aye: Bender, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, LeVasseur, Naluai, Renoir, Spray, Vermeesch. Abstain: Mench.
Chair Henkin asked if there were other issues that should be addressed, with an audience comment from Kekoa Kaluwie that consideration be given to limiting use as a crowd control measure and asked about the hiring of HPD officers for off-duty assignment, with Thielen explaining that she could not with regular funds but that a donations to a special fund might be used. Geboski volunteered to attend the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board meeting to convey Kahaluu concerns and hear the concerns there. LeVasseur moved and Bender seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board request the Legislature and the Department to support the DLNR Windward regional operation by providing equipment, manpower and funds to setup a Kaneohe-based Windward Regional Office to address the evolving circumstances of Ahu O Laka. Vermeesch suggested the motion be amended to substitute “Kaneohe Bay” for “Ahu O Laka,” which Chair Henkin announced was agreed to unanimously 11-0-0. Chair Henkin called for a vote on the amended motion and announced it passed unanimously 11-0-0.
Geboski moved that the DLNR extend State Park Administrative Rules to cover Ahu O Laka. Chair Henkin and others asked about the scope of rules refereed to, with the general discussion being that all rules would be applicable, except for obvious ones like “car parking.” Hoe seconded the motion. Chair Henkin restated the motion for “all relevant State Park Administrative rules including drinking and camping.” Vermeesch asked about camping issues, expressing concern that overnight boat anchorage would be prohibited, with Thielen saying that the current overnight camping definitions would be brought in. Kaluhiwa stressed the need to support what was best for the community, including providing safety for all. Spray expressed concern that too many rules were being proposed to be brought in; that a better way would be to list only those to be adopted, using as an example that this motion would bring in the current definitions such as the use of fishing tarps being defined as prohibited “overnight camping.” Geboski said he wished to amend the motion to substitute the provision for the passage of an administrative rule banning drinking. Bender said he would second the motion, although he was not sure of the legality of rule. Mench said that the vessel is considered to be private property so it would not answer the concern, with Geboski disagreeing. Naluai said she disagreed with Mench and Bender and that if the drinking were confined to the boat that part of the concern would be answered. Hoe asked about limits of jurisdiction, asking about 3-foot depth or anchorage concerns, with Thielen reporting that she would have the agency attorneys draft the language, reporting that the land is tidal and that a boating rule might be possible. Jerry Kaluhiwa pointed out that the property is ceded lands, with boats at Heeia Pier paying for use of the anchorage and that there should be a way to address the legality. LeVasseur said he felt the motion was pre-mature and suggested the need to communicate that the failure by the boaters to police themselves would result in a shut down of the site. Chair Henkin asked for a vote, and announced that the motion failed to achieve the required eight-vote majority 7-2-2. Aye: Bender, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, Naluai, Spray. Nay: Mench, Renoir. Abstain: LeVasseur, Vermeesch. Chair Henkin thanked Chairperson Thielen and her staff for their report.
Bus service increase to 24 hours for Kahaluu – Craig Nishimura (Mayor’s Representative – Deputy Director, Department of Design and Construction – DDC) reported the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will consider an increase in Kahaluu bus service (the current service ends at midnight) to twenty-four hour service, but will need to determine the viability of the extended coverage. Kaluhiwa stressed that the need for Kahaluu is greater than for Waianae where there already is 24-hour service. Nishimura asked if the intent was for Kahaluu service or for the circle island route, explaining that limiting the coverage might increase the likelihood of the service being provided. LeVasseur, Kaluhiwa, Machado and Naluai suggested the circle island route, with Bender saying DTS could be asked to make a presentation on the issue. Geboski moved and Kaluhiwa seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board request the #55 route (circle island) bus be run hourly on a 24 hours basis. Comments were made by LeVasseur that the issue should be as broad as possible with Geboski and Kaluhiwa saying that the more precise hourly request for both directions should be specified. Chair Henkin asked for a vote and announced the motion passed 9-1-0 (with Renoir out of the room during the vote). Aye: Bender, Geboski, Henkin, Hoe, LeVasseur, Kaluhiwa, Naluai, Spray, Vermeesch. Nay: Mench.
Waihe`e Marsh Permitted Interaction Group - Recommendations and Conceptual Plan – Chair Henkin reported meetings of the Marsh PIGroup and LeVasseur reviewed the concept developed by the members, being a beautification, education and protection project for Waihee Marsh (makai side of Kamehameha Highway below Waihee Road). The edge adjacent to the roadway would be planted with a dense naupaka hedge (protecting the marsh and birdlife, but low enough to not block the view plane), a smoothing of the mound adjacent to the canoe launch (including a wheelchair/walking ramp to the crest) and developing the mound into a educational/viewing area (planting a hedge to define the viewing area, placement of a slanted educational diagram, and planting milo trees on the back side of the mound). LeVasseur moved and Spray seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board support the development of the Waihee Marsh area by the placement of a low naupaka hedge around the edge of the marsh (1225 liner feet). Chair Henkin asked for a vote on the motion and, without objections, declared it passed unanimously 11-0-0. Bender left at 9:30 p.m.; ten members present. Nishimura asked who was working with the Board on this project; LeVasseur reported that Parks Director Lester Chang had designated Windward Parks Supervisor Wil Ho to be the contact. Chair Henkin thanked LeVasseur for his report.
Prioritization of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for Kahalu`u Neighborhood Board Area –
Chair Henkin and Reed Matsuura, from Councilmember Dela Cruz’s
1. Waihee Road intersection – makai side improvements
2. Access bypass – 18 foot widening and easement for Pulama Road – improvements
3. Bridge repair / replacement (Ahilama, Waikane-side of the fire station, located on a private road)
4. Waihee Road improvements from Kahaluu Master Plan
5. Kahaluu Regional Park parking improvements
6. Kahaluu Master Plan issues on transportation (including bicycles)
7. Endangered children plan (to be located within the Kahaluu Regional Park)
LeVasseur moved and Mench seconded that the Board prioritize the CIP projects, exclusive of number 5. Levasseur stressed that the environmental concerns mentioned about the Waihee Road intersection improvements (requiring a reconfiguring of the marsh profile) were manageable. After discussion, the prioritizing was agreed to be for items #2, #4 and #6. LeVasseur moved and Geboski seconded that the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board submit the following items as CIP recommended items:
1. Access bypass (18-foot widening and easement for Pulama Road/improvements).
3. Kahaluu Master Plan issues on transportation (including off- and on-road bicycle paths and sidewalk areas).
Chair Henkin announced that the motion to prioritize the three CIP projects (access road, Waihee Road, and transportation issues) as Board CIP recommendations had passed unanimously 10-0-0. Matsuura asked for a letter of transmittal from the Board.
Request for Support for Windward Community Holiday Festival – Naluai distributed an informational sheet on a planned December 21, 2007 Windward Community Holiday Festival to be held at the
REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
Mayor’s Representative – Craig Nishimura represented Mayor Hannemann and reported on issues brought up at the prior meeting, the first being the previously discussed bus issue and the second about the need for more bike lanes, reporting the City is updating in FY2008 the Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan which will cover City roadways and that the consultant will be coming out to communities. Nishimura also said that since Kahekili Highway is a state roadway that the issue of bikeways there is a problem. Nishimura also gave a status report on the Kahaluu Regional Park, saying that the field work is a little ahead of the current schedule, with the drainage pipe being installed and the contractor ready to mulch the field (which is awaiting a few dry days since the ground now is very wet). Nishimura asked about the drainage issue, with Naluai saying that the area built up by the contractor (under the tree between the KEY Project parking lot and the park’s parking lot) had crusted with mold, similar to what she had previously observed covering the entire playing field, and asked why it was that way, since the reason the entire field was being done was to get rid of the drainage problem. Chair Henkin asked Nishimura to follow up, with Nishimura saying he would contact a consultant, and Chair Henkin asking that Naluai and LeVasseur meet with the consultant, if needed. Kaluhiwa reported on the excellence of the Kualoa Regional Park, commending the staff for the facility and for the programs. Spray asked for an anticipated date for field use at Kahaluu Regional Park, along with an identification of the office (Kaneohe or Kualoa) that would be responsible for developing scheduling, with Nishimura reporting that the construction completion would be in April and that the handoff to Parks was under discussion, including exploring an adopt-the-park project; Chair Henkin asked for dates for the initial field use to be reported. Chair Henkin thanked Nishimura for his report.
Governor’s Representative – Scott Ishikawa was present from the State Department of Transportation (DOT) to represent Governor Lingle and reported on transportation issues, including:
1. Kahekili landscaping – final meeting set with contractor Iida Contracting.
2. Kahekili/Hygienic intersection area construction to start after Thanksgiving.
3. Likelike restriping being finished.
4. Likelike Tunnel tiles will be repaired as result of a recent morning tunnel accident.
5. H-3 will not be permitted to used for parking to view the Blue Angels air show, including closure of the overlook near the MCBH.
LeVasseur asked for State representatives from DOT and DLNR to meet with the Board’s Waihee Marsh PIGroup to discuss planting of a naupaka hedge and other issues relating to the site; Ishikawa asked LeVasseur to e-mail him the specifics and he would forward. Kaluhiwa thanked Ishikawa for replacement of the pilings in the area near the Long Bridge. Kaluhiwa also reported that homeless are involved in aggressive trimming of the milo trees at the pier, as well as other trees along the roadway. Chair Henkin thanked Ishikawa for his report.
U.S. Congress Representative Mazie Hirono – No representative was present.
Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Reed Matsuura represented Councilmember Dela Cruz, distributed a monthly community report, and reported continuing to follow up on community issues:
1. Mapumapu Road area bridge replacement (DTS asked to comment)
2. Mapumapu material (removed)
3. Ioio Loop flooding (investigating)
4. Waihee Place piggery (dealt with)
5. Pulama Road bypass (request to DTS for comment)
6. Circle Island Bus (request to DTS to comment)
7. Lagoon erosion (request to City to comment)
8. Undercutting of roadway at Ahilama and Mapele (request to City to comment)
Matsuura distributed a community newsletter. He reported that affordable housing issues are being addressed with proposed legislation, with Council concerns being discussed including that the requested phrase for “in perpetuity” is a phrase attorneys are not comfortable with and other suggestions are for time periods between 10 years and 35 years to be considered. Matsuura also referred to a planned survey of emergency sirens and thanked students who participated in the graffiti busting program at Kahaluu Elementary School. Chair Henkin thanked Matsuura for his report.
Senator Clayton Hee – Senator Hee reported reservations on the issues discussed for the anticipated special session of the legislature. He said he was not inclined to support the Senate calling itself back in, saying that the Governor should make the call. Mench asked if there was a cost to hold a special session, with Hee agreeing that there would be. Hee said there is a lot of discussion on the ferry with Hee making the added comment that there would also be confirmation issues in a special session. Chair Henkin thanked Hee for his report.
Representative Colleen Meyer – No representative was present.
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2007— Chair Henkin noted the deferred item of approval of the minutes and asked if there were any important items to correct. Naluai moved to defer approval of the minutes. Chair Henkin noted that there is actually no need for action to approve minutes but only to have the minutes. Naluai suggested deferral since the agenda wording had “approval.” The following corrections were proposed:
- Page 3, correct spelling to “Ahu O Laka.”
- Page 5, water restriction area for the MCBH Blue Angels is 500 “yards,” not 500 “feet.”
- Page 6, correct phrase to “Naluai asked if the Bay turning red is from run-off ...”
- Page 8, correct items #4 and #7 to delete “a site within” to “the farthest end in the back part”
- Page 8, correct third sentence from the bottom, deleting phrase after word “objected.”
- Page 8, correct second sentence from the bottom, deleting word “an” and replacing word “no” into the phrase “if there is no objection …”
On the top of page 4, the second item was noted as incomplete, with Chair Henkin having the complete text in his copy and Spray saying that the completed phrases are shown in the web version of the minutes.
Chair Henkin noted that approval of the minutes was not necessary but asked for a vote by acclimation for approval of the corrected minutes; there were no objections to the approval of the corrected minutes 10-0-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Chair Henkin asked for announcements:
- Spray volunteered to serve as an alternate to Busch (on the Civ-Mil Council), with Chair Henkin saying he had no objections.
- KEY Project will be having two fundraising events, a Saturday dinner/entertainment luau and the annual turkey imu tickets.
- Kahaluu Elementary School would be baking shortbread cookies this weekend for sale as a fundraising project.
- Waikane Restoration Advisory Board meeting has been rescheduled to December 5, 2007.
- Naluai reported that she has been informed that there is no Kualoa Park Master Plan.
ADJOURNMENT – Without objections, Chair Henkin adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Submitted by Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office staff