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KAHALU'U NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

      REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008

KEY PROJECT

CALL TO ORDER - Vice Chair David Henkin called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. A quorum was present.  Chair Amy Luersen will be attending the Board meeting late.

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT - Richard Garcia, David Henkin, Keala Naluai, Jean-Paul Renoir, Ned Busch, Rocky Kaluhiwa, Ken Levasseur, Keliko Hoe, Kurt Mench, Elwin Spray, Rich Vermeesch, Mark Valencia and Amy Luersen.  

MEMBERS ABSENT: Daniel Bender and Gregory Geboski.  

GUESTS - (Governor Linda Lingle’s representative), Ernie Martin (Mayor Mufi Hanneman’s representative), Roosevelt Freeman & Lesle Chow (Representative Colleen Meyer’s Office), Kim Ribellia (Councilmember Donovan DelaCruz’s Office), Firefighter Doug Silva (Hawaii Fire Department), Lt. John Vines (Honolulu Police Department), Barry Usagawa (Board of Water Supply), Arwen Chisholm (Marine Corps Base Hawaii), Art Machado (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council), Steve Paty (Tropical Farms), Tod Gruden, Daniel Bishop, and Mary Chanel-Benjamin (Neighborhood Commission Office).

FILLING OF ONE VACANCY IN SUB-DISTRICT 4 –

Chair Henkin asked if anyone in the audience was interested in filling the vacancy in Sub-District 4. Mark Valencia expressed interest in filling the vacancy. He stated he lived at 47-511 Hio Place. No one else expressed interest. Chair Henkin asked M. Valencia to share with the Board and the public why he would like to be on the Board. M. Valencia said he has lived in Hawaii for 30 years; he is a 1972 graduate of the University of Hawaii with a PHD in Oceanography and worked on Coconut Island before retiring in 2004. He has been a member of the Peace Corps, HGEA and Co-founder of Center of the Union. He currently does mostly consultant work and travels with his family. Hawaii has been good to him and he wants to give back in a way he can benefit others. Chair Henkin asked if there were any particular issue in the community he was currently concerned with. M. Valencia said he receives Board minutes and thought the major issue in the community was “conservation”. Levasseur moved and Busch seconded the nomination of M. Valencia to fill vacancy in Sub-District 4. The Board unanimously voted 12-0-0 to appoint M. Valencia to fill vacancy. Neighborhood Assistant M. Chanel-Benjamin administered the Oath of Office and M. Valencia took his seat on the Board.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS –

1) Naluai said it looked as if a developer was currently threatening Waiahole Valley with more development projects.

2) Steve Paty introduced himself from Tropical Farms. He is here to answer any questions regarding Tropical Farms since he was not available in January when he was on the agenda. He asked the Board to contact him if any further information is needed or questions regarding his agribusiness farm.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Chair Henkin said the Board could not discuss Tropical Farm further since it is not on agenda this month. 

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) –

Firefighter Doug Silva reported: 1) there were 32 medical emergencies and 8 fires. 2) Fire Safety Tip: Fire, building, and U.S. postal codes and City ordinances state that property owners shall place their house numbers in such a

manner so it is legible and readily visible from the street. This will assist the HFD and other first responders in locating your house quickly in the event of an emergency.   

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT Beats No. 471 & 472 (HPD) – Lt. Vines reported statistics for last month included:

1) 43 arguments, 2 simple assaults, 3 burglaries, 3 auto theft recovery, 2 drugs and narcotics, 3 driving under the influence (DUI), 8 family offenses, 7 family arguments, 3 graffiti, 1 identification thefts, 6 motor vehicle thefts, 0 rape, 0 robberies, 9 thefts, 1 threats, 19 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV).

2) Two fifteen-year olds were arrested on December 26, and charged with UEMV when they stole a vehicle with keys left inside near the country market.

3) Two other arrests were made for breaking and entering vechicles on Uilele Street and Uiliki Street.

4) January 4 on the 300 block of Waiki Road, three arrests were made at a family argument. Two were pepper sprayed and one was tasered. He also thanked the community for alerting HPD as it assisted in keeping control on crime.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Kaluhiwa asked HPD to please keep an eye out for trash dumping in Waihole Valley as she noticed the trash is back and the parked van (homeless) is also in the vicinity. Lt. Vines said he noticed it also and will patrol and keep an eye out again.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Barry Usagawa reported:

1) There were two water main breaks on Okana Road, January 9 and 16.

2) BWS would like to report background information on main breaks since the community have experienced so many. Water main breaks are an unfortunate but unavoidable factor in the water utility industry. No water utility is free of main breaks, but the BWS works diligently to reduce the amount of breaks that happen every year. In fact, the BWS has seen a continual decrease in the amount of breaks on Oahu since the 1990’s and the BWS remains committed to continuing this positive trend. We prepared a handout of information that provided you with information about why main breaks happen, what BWS does to prevent breaks, and what our crews do in the event of a main break.

3) The BWS kicked off the 2008 Water Conservation Week Poster Contest for all Oahu students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Deadline for poster entries is Thursday, March 13. Contest details can be found on our website at www.boardofwatersupply.com or by calling our Communications Office at 748-5041. for the size of load you are using. When washing dishes by hand, fill on sink or basin with soapy water, quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Levasseur asked BWS why water pressure was low on Sunday between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. on Ahaolelo Road.  B. Usagawa said they were working on a main break as he reported which affected some neighboring streets.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) - A. Chisholm reported:

1) VX-9 Training; Navy F-18 Super Hornets will continue to train aboard MCBH through February 17. Noise control are being addressed by Marine Corps Air Facility by limiting flight and maintenance times to 7 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. also, Navy P-3 “Orion’s” will be conduction submarine training from February 14-26. Operations included early morning flights as well as 24 hour operations.

2) U.S. Postal flat rate box services to APO and FPO military addresses will be discounted as of March 3. The boxes are free however, $12.95 will be the regular cost and $10.95 for APO and FPO addresses with the discount. Boxes are available online beginning February 20 at www.usps.com/supplies or by calling 800-610-8734

3) Deployments; 3rd. Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment returns from Iraq this month. 2nd. Battalion, 3rd. Marine deploy this month. VP-47 and HMH-463 are currently deployed to Iraq.

4) Commissary will be temporarily closed February 25 and 26 for final phase renovation. It will reopen February 27.

5) Prisoners of War coordinated participation of The Wounded Warrior Company to be recognized in a presentation ceremony at the Aloha Stadium during the Great Aloha Run on February 18.

6) The 14^th Annual Swamp Romp will be held February 23 with a grueling five-mile course and 6-man teamed must cross the finish line together. Registration is $120.00 per six-person team and is open to the public.

7) The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Band and color guard will participate in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Honolulu.

8) 60 Marine Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets (JROTC) from Castle High School including their instructors and chaperones will conduct the program’s annual Spring Camp at MCBH at Kaneohe Bay during March 17 through 19.

 9)  MCBH will host 25 Navy JROTC cadets and chaperones from White Cloud High School, Michigan during March 27 to April 3.

Questions and concerns followed:  There were none.

Kaneohe Bay Regional Council (KBRC) - A. Machado reported:

1) At the December 2 meeting a decision was made to limit commercial operators use during the weekends and allow the community this time to enjoy the bay.

2) April 2 is the next scheduled meeting at Windward Community College at 7:00 p.m.

3) He suggested task force readopt bay rules to enforce current rules at the bay. He said the rules set forth have had little reinforcement since HPD is shorthanded in the district. The meeting is open to the public.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Kaluhiwa said Senate Bill 3225, ornamental aquarium fish collecting, had an overwhelming 185 testimonies to support limiting aquarium fish “baggies” taken out of the State. Currently, State has no limit and she asked to add this issue on the next agenda. She said she noticed the traffic and operators have increased visits at the bay.

APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 14, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES –  

Without opposition Chair Henkin moved the minute approvals out of order until Luersen arrived.

TREASURER’S REPORT - Bender reported:

1) The operation account balance was $842.19; the publicity account balance was $993.00while the refreshment account balance was $993.00.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS -

A) Bicycle Safety Resolution: Chair Henkin said time was needed to read the resolution instead he can place it on the next agenda; however the Board can hear questions. Spray suggested the transportation committee should review and comment; he believed the resolution will not be suitable for Kahalu’u since Kahekili Highway still had some lane expansion issues to resolve.                                                      

 B) Kahalu’u Community Master Plan: Mench asked if once City Council adopts the master plan, will it activate the five-year wait period? K. Ribellia said the Board can always request amendments prior to five years. Kaluhiwa suggested waiting until further information is gathered. Chair Henkin said some capital improvement projects have been accepted into master plans usually two years into adoption. A. Machado asked if any Board member were on the master plan committee. He said he is on the Kaneohe committee and they have just approved their master plan. Chair Henkin suggested forming a Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) to cover this issue and it needed to be on the next agenda.

C) Position on Genetically Engineered Organism (GMO) crops in the Community: D. Bishop came as an advocate for respect of the taro plant. He is of Hawaiian ancestry and asked everyone to support Senate Bill 958 regarding GMOs. He suggested contacting Big Island County politicians to support this bill. He went on to say, taro as a food has no known allergies versus other such food products used for medical purposes. He said some large commercial taro farms which used organic products resulted in decreased production, rotted taro and soil contamination. He said farmers throughout Polynesia shared taro cuttings which resulted in some major crop devastation as it happened in the South Pacific islands of Upolu and Tutuila (Samoa Islands). Because the practice of sharing cuttings is still in existence, this someday will destroy all taro and other crops. He said GMO taro have ruined crop farms due to extremely difficult detection of genetically engineered products not labeled. Once taro has been inserted with GMO, the crop is subjected to the new bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatment and consumers become affected. These taros are not labeled as GMO treated once it hits the market. GMOs often look exactly like

non-GMOs and can hybridize easily, overtime, the contamination of natural seed stocks have proven unpreventable. He knows of one local poi company currently imports frozen taro to produce quality edible poi. Many countries and markets refuse to allow the entry and sale of GMOs, including Japan and a number of European countries. After a 2001 scientific test study, Japan banned papayas from Hawaii. Studies in Japan showed birds and bees had a major part in spreading diseases and destroying other crops. He said this bill imposes a 10-year moratorium on developing, testing, cultivating and raising GMO taro; however, the community must be educated now. GMO of taro will not protect it, and the environment will become an enemy and experience decline in crops, presence of other pests, poor soil health, high water temperatures and drought cycles. Currently, State Department of Agriculture banned import of raw taro to protect Hawaii’s crops. Taro has been in existence for years and enjoyed by the Polynesians. GMO tests could destroy taro for the future of Hawaiians and throughout Polynesia.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Garcia felt the study may have great impact on other food sources as in the past, corn and rice. He said usually in research, there is limited isolation contamination.
• Levasseur said Monsanto should finance the study and said in 10 years the potential for diseases will spread.
• Kaluhiwa she opposed the GMO testing and shared in 1982 she supported warnings against University of Hawaii researches that wiped out some indigenous resources.
• Kaluhiwa moved to support Senate Bill 958 and oppose GMO testing. Hoe seconded the motion. (7-2-4). The motion failed.  Eight votes were needed to carry the motion. (7 ayes: Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, Levasseur, Mench, Naluai and Vermeesch; 2 nays: Garcia and Spray; 3 abstentions: Renoir and Valencia).
• Luersen arrived during this discussion.
• Renior asked the Board to not take a position on GMO since he felt the Board cannot make a statewide decision.
• Spray agreed with Renior and said Monsato will continue its’ research whether UH continues theirs or not. He also said big corporations have the funding to continue research and tests.
• Levasseur moved to oppose GMO testing. There was no second to the motion.
• Hoe said research will continue in spite of GMO oppositions, however, GMO research will continue to raise funds and push forward. He questioned why Monsanto on Moloka’i is lobbying for GMO testing to be done here on Oahu. 
• Mench said seaweed research on Coconut Island resulted in environmental damages to the reefs. He said GMO already has had some negative impact on farmers and must be limited.
• Garcia said research increases food production and capitalism drives things, good or bad not only for the United States but worldwide.
• Henkin relinquished the Chair to Luersen.
• Henkin said that taro is one of the few products that those with food allergies can eat and should not be genetically modified.
• Henkin further noted that while the neighborhood board is only advisory, with the number of taro farmers in our community, we should take a position on this issue.
• LeVassuer moved the Kahalu’u Neighborhood Board opposed GMO taro. Mench seconded. (11-2-0) The motion passed. (There were 11 ayes: Busch, Henkin, Hoe, Kaluhiwa, Levasseur, Mench, Naluai, Spray, Vermeesch, Luersen and Valencia. There were 2 nays: Garcia and Renoir)

MAYOR MUFI HANNEMANN’S REPRESENTATIVE – E. Martin replaced Nishimura as Mayor’s representative for this Board. He reported:

Kahalu’u Regional Park – Park was inspected by Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and Contractor on February 8 and was in fair shape after the heavy rains. The exception is a 1-acre area, which has been hydro-mulched three times only to be washed out by rains. The drain system appeared to be working as designed. There was no standing water on the entire field. The plan was to let the field dry off for about 2-4 weeks, and see if the problem 1-acre section needs to be hydro-mulched again. In the mean time the field was being mowed and fertilized. In April 2008, all dead trees will be removed and the field will be treated with herbicides to kill off any weeds. Damaged sprinkler heads will be repaired and the graffiti on the exterior of the comfort station building will be cleaned. Weather permitting; the playfields should be available in June 2008.

Kualoa Regional Park – Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) had no information about the installation or removal of Kualoa Ranch sewage signs and deferred to the State Department of Health (DOH) to determine if the

near shore waters were safe for swimming. The contact person at DOH regarding this issue is Watson Okubo, Clean Water Branch Chief at 586-4309.

Laenani Park – In accordance with DOH regulations the abandoned cesspool was filled in. The cesspool was abandoned after the restrooms were connected to the City sewer system.

Bus Service – The Department of Transportation Services agreed the 24-hour service would be nice to have, however, due to budget constraints and resources being committed to other service areas, there were no plans for 24-hour service in this area for the foreseeable future.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Naluai stressed the need for the 24-hour bus service in the district.
• Kaluhiwa said Kahalu’u had more ridership compared to the district currently receiving the extended bus route. She also said Windward Mall is open until 11:00 p.m. and both mall customers and employees are depending on the bus as means of transportation at this late hour.
• A. Machado said if not 24 hour service, consider extending bus hours until midnight or 1:00 a.m.
• Mench asked why the City doesn’t install a permanent bathroom at Kahalu’u Regional Park where tour buses make the first stop to view the bay. A portable has been at the site for about six years now.
• Levasseur said trees near the Hygenic Store and the pond needed trimming since they block driving view on Kamehameha Highway.

GOVERNOR LINDA LINGLE’S REPRESENTATIVE – Scott Ishikawa reported:

1) The Honolulu Airport facility is undergoing solar power installments to become more energy efficient.

2) The Kahekili Highway widening will be considered covered under the 1990 Environmental Impact Study (EIS).     Department of Transportation will be re-evaluating the EIS cost of $500,000.00.

3) Department of Transportation continued to repair the major potholes throughout the district. 4) Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) completed a cesspool closure left from an old bathroom near the beach park.

5) DLNR has been taking weekly inventory of illegal dumping of the harbor moorings and boats.

6) A party boat reported was not found, therefore, please call and report if seen again.

7) The trash bins at the parks has been hard to enforce on a full time basis since they are not locked.

8) Design of the East Huiwa Street contra flow has been completed.

9) Kahekili Highway landscaping, re-striping and planters also have been completed and commends Chris Dacus, architect for the native plant project.

Questions and concerns followed:

·         Levasseur wanted to be sure Department of Transportation allowed room to turn and merge from W. Hui Iwa Street onto the main road.

·         Spray asked Department of Transportation to also evaluate the left turn from W. Huiwa Street since the traffic light only allows three minute contributing to traffic. He also said Kahekili Highway will become a six lane highway and the need for asphalt re-enforcement will be high since the shoulder lane has to remain open. He also added the Hygenic store property has been overloaded with vendors during the weekends.

·         A. Machado said the new Hygenic Store owners are being paid rent from these vendors.

·         Chair Luersen asked Department if Transportation was doing a reevaluation or a supplemental EIS. She requested that Department of Transportation inform the Board on the public input process and timing for the EIS.

·         Naluai raised a question about the grading on Waihe’e Place. She said it looks as if the grading is outside of the permitted area and wastewater is of a pollution concern.

·         Luersen read an October 2007 letter received from Rick Towill concerning the grading project he is currently working on without a Conservation District Use Application permit (CDUA). Henkin asked if Chair Luersen wanted to form a PIG for this issue. Chair Luersen wanted to wait for a DLNR report since she felt this is the jurisdiction of the State.  

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MAZIE HIRONO – No representative present. No report available.

COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ – K. Ribellia reported:

1) The City Council’s January 23 meeting for fixed guide-way rail system resulted in a 6 to 3 vote approving the selected fixed guide-way technology and by doing so, rendered a disservice to the taxpayers of Honolulu. The City

Council will not have the opportunity to ask questions about the whole process or be able to provide status reports to our communities while the selection process and evaluation take place.

2) Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz along with Councilmember Ann Kobayashi introduced an agriculture package to alleviate pressure on Oahu’s shrinking and threatened agriculture industry. The legislation provide solutions to address critical land use issues facing agricultural land and provides more resources for the city to deal with agricultural use complaints.

3) Resolution 07-330 and 07-379 are resolutions initiating amendments to the City Charter relating to Neighborhood Boards proposing term limits.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Spray asked if funding resources for the Bicycle Resolution will come from the City or State as it seems some narrow streets will need some clearance to allow for this resolution.  She will have to refer the question to the committee.
• Chair Luersen stated that the NB Task Force recommended five, two year term limit for each member, or a total of 10 consecutive years.

SENATOR CLAYTON HEE – J. Personius reported:

1) Capital Improvement Project (CIP) requests have not been completed; however, requests will be appropriated and reported as soon as possible.

2) The Turtle Bay bill has proposed to acquire undeveloped land through condemnation and the legislature has amended it to give the Governor flexibility during negotiations.  

3) The Senate Bill on ornamental aquarium fishes received overwhelming testimonies in favor of limiting captures. A council would be set up on Maui and Oahu to mandate the issue being Kona, Hawaii already has one in place which has proven successful.

Questions and concerns followed:

• Kaluhiwa said what works in Kona may not work on Oahu. She also has witnessed the removal of coral as people collected during the night and return in the morning to pick them up.
• Spray said HPD should place enforcement at the bay since Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Department of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Division has not yet assigned anyone to fill the position needed to enforce the laws at the bay.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES –

November 14, 2007 meeting minutes’ additions are as followed –

COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ’S REPRESENTATIVE – Jacce Mikulanec reports the following:

1) The following initiatives are planned or in progress: A) Road improvements, including a crosswalk request, pothole repairs, and bank stabilization; B) Replacement of emergency sirens, with approximately 35 being given priority; C) An extensive environmental package, including provisions that would encourage more environmental packaging, encourage “green” roofs, give tax breaks for solar water heating, expand community gardens, and limit city water use.

2) Board member Kaluhiwa and Ko’olaupoko Civic Club were congratulated.

Questions and concerns followed:

Bender asked how capital improvement recommendations made previously by the Board were faring. J. Mikulanec said that the three Board recommendations from the October meeting (access bypass/Pulama Road, Waihee Road improvements from Kahalu’u Master Plan, Kahalu’u Master Plan transportation issues) were submitted for comments and quotes on cost. Information will be sent to the Board when returned.

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

Water and Environment: Henkin reported that there is a Tuesday, December 4 meeting of the Permitted Interaction Group scheduled for 10:00 a.m. with representatives of the DLNR, Parks and Recreation, and Transportation invited.

DECISION ON DECEMBER RECESS –

Bender moved, Lavasseur seconded, that the Board recess in December and meet next in January. Chair Luersen reported that the motion passed 9-0-1. Aye: Bender, Lavasseur, Kaluhiwa, Spray, Luersen, Busch, Geboski, Renoir. Abstain: Naluai.

ANNOUNCEMENTS –

Chair Luersen asked for announcements. Naluai announced that the Windward Community Holiday Festival is to be held December 21, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. It is sponsored by the Windward Homeless Coalition and Community Works in 96744.

Meeting adjourned.

January 9, 2008 regular meeting minute corrections are as followed –

Page 1: page heading replace “Januaray” with “January”.

Page 1: HPD report No. 3 replace “drowning” with “robbery”.

Page 3: ninth line under “Tropical Farms” strike out “however, other small vendors have complied with correct permits and feels an environmental study is needed at the state level since tour buses making stops at this location have contributed to traffic with limited sight-distance”. Strike out 11^th line sentence starting with “He also adds” replace with “He also stated that the environmental assessment does not provide adequate analysis to support the finding of no significant impact and failed to analyze a ‘no action’ alternative. Strike out 12^th line sentence “He feels other business will follow and would like to add to the motion that this is a poor way of carrying out community planning”. Last paragraph; replace “Henkin moved” with “Gebowski moved”.  Replace “example” with “way”. Insert “Naluai voted in favor of the motion” strike “Naluai from oppose vote”.

Page 4: first line, replace the motion with “The Kahalu’u Neighborhood Board No. 29 opposes the after-the-fact permit for Tropical Farms at Kualoa because the environmental assessment fails adequately to assess impacts on local farmers, historic and cultural sites, traffic safety, and the rural character of its surroundings and fails to analyze any alternatives, including but not limited to a true ‘no action’ alternative”. Replace “from Kahekili Highway to Haiku” with “of Kahekili Highway to Haiku”. Replace “6foot deep pothole” with “6foot long pothole”.

Page 5: In Updates from the Chair paragraph, delete “Group 70”.

REPRESENTATIVE COLLEEN MEYER –

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

UPDATES FROM THE CHAIR –

PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUP (PIG) –  

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next regular Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled at Key Project, 47-200 Waihe’e Road on March 12, 2008.

ADJOURNMENT –

NA, M. Chanel-Benjamin left the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Recording ended at 10:00 p.m.  

Submitted by Mary Chanel-Benjamin, NA

Approved by Chair Luersen