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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
CALLED TO ORDER: Chair Lester Fukuda called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; quorum present with five (5) members.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lester Fukuda, Kelley Roberson, Gerri Digmon, Michael Troy, Lucinda Pyles (7:04 p.m.), Sylvia Himeda.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Turbin.
GUESTS: Melvin Ah Ching (Senator Slom’s Office staff), Karen Tsukiyama (Representative Marumoto’s Office staff), Roberta Choy (King Lunalilo Adult Care Center), Ian Walters, Mark Anderson (Governor’s Representative), Chris Dacus (State Department of Transportation), Leo Hura; Lt. Abner De Lima, Sgt. K Ciparra, Officer Nathan Suzuki (Honolulu Police Department), Capt. M. Tosaki (Honolulu Fire Department), Lauri Kauhane, Representative Lyla Berg, Brandon Low, Clifton Ching Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Everyone introduced themselves.
HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Tosaki reported 1 brush and 3 rubbish fires; 81 medical and 11 miscellaneous emergencies. 2) Safety Tip: Every home should have a working smoke detector installed near each sleeping area and on every level. Since cooking vapors and steam can set off a smoke detector, the detector should be located away from the kitchen or bathroom. Wall-mounted detectors should be positioned 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from air vents. The following results are from a survey conducted of 80,000 elementary school students in which almost 48,000 responded: 87% of the homes had smoke detectors and 2% were not certain whether one existed. Of the 87%, 67% of the families tested their detector that month and only 71% of the smoke detectors were operational. Response to Roberson, Capt. Tosaki noted there’s no need for any equipment at his station. There were no other questions.
Pyles arrived during this portion of the meeting. (6 members present)
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Officer Suzuki reported:
· Statistics total for January included: 13 burglaries, 18 thefts, and 19 UEMV’s.
· Narcotics - New Complaints: 3 Kaimuki, 2 University, 2 Palolo, and 1 Hawaii Kai; Closed Complaints: McCully area 6, Kaimuki area – 3, and University area – 1; routine investigations continue.
· Report included: a Beat map and a Burglary Prevention Checklist.
· HPD’s Power Watch Unit issued 8 citations prohibition of liquor; and 1 citation for dog without a leash.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Digmon: concern of neighbors on Wahinekoa and Alakoa streets of cars and homes broken into about 3 – 4 a.m. Neighbors feel they know whom it is and are asking for more patrols in the area. The officer will pass the information on to the night watch. Also, Assets School buses are dropping students in the middle of Malia Street because of the “no parking” signs there.
REPORT FROM MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVES:
Mayor’s Representative – Higa was off island. Chair Fukuda reported:
· Kahala Nui Senior Center – a) A project engineer from Wilson Okamoto and Association is reassessing the extent of the current parking restrictions along Malia Street. Revised traffic signing plans will be submitted for the City’s review. b) Call HPD regarding any traffic violation or illegally parked vehicles fronting Kahala Nui Senior Center. c) Department of Planning and Permitting is unaware of any unilateral agreement (UA) condition relating to signage. UA conditions are typically associated with a zone change.
· Waialae Beach Park Canal – Department Design and Construction is still discussing options with Department of Parks and Recreation.
· Naupaka on Diamond Head Road – is being maintained by a volunteer organization.
· Honolulu Marathon – the helicopter flying was not part of the event. Personnel working the event observed a News8 helicopter from about 5:45 a.m. Department of Transportation Services informed the marathon organizers of the complaint.
· Green waste pickup – if not collected on schedule, please leave it for one more day. If not collected by the second day, please call the Honolulu Collection Yard at 832-7840.
· Halekoa Drive Illegal Construction – Site inspection on 9/6/05 showed repair work being done on garage roof; only broken monier tiles being replaced; no permit required. Site inspection on September 20, 2005 – no work currently, however, research reveals no permit issued for roof over wooden deck. Building permit issued on December 27, 1972 for inclinator and completed September 1, 1979. Site inspection on September 29, 2005 showed no construction in progress, although a makeshift roof was built over an existing deck without a building permit.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – No representative present, report available. Chair Fukuda highlighted on:
· One main break in January on Maluhia Street; 6-inch cast iron main, 52 years old.
· General Water Announcements: a) 2006 Water Conservation Week Poster Contest for Oahu students (K – 6th grade); deadline Thursday, March 9. Call 748-5041 for more details. b) March 5 – 11 is Detect-A-Leak Week on Oahu. Check for leaks at home and work; flyers and leak detection dye tablets for toilets will be available at BWS – Beretania Street, various hardware stores and all satellite city halls. Fill out the entry forms for a free water audit. c) Water Saving Tip: Turning off your water as you brush your teeth can use as much as four gallons each time!
Councilmember Charles Djou – No representative present. Chair Fukuda reported:
· A resolution urging the legislature to impound cars caught racing on public roads; was passed out of committee.
· Continuing developments of bills aimed to reduce the real property tax burden.
· Answers to previous questions: a) automobiles and modifications to automobiles are under the state’s jurisdiction. b) The potholes at the entrance to Wailupe Beach Park were filled on February 10. c) Pedestrian accidents on Hunakai Street near American Savings are being looked at. d) Resurfacing project on Kilauea Avenue from Malia to 18th Avenue scheduled to be awarded by June 2006.
BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:
Approval of the January 19, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes – Troy moved, Pyles seconded to accept the January 19, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes, as circulated. The motion carried by unanimous consent.
Treasurer’s Report – Pyles reported: 1) January 2006 – Operating Account incurred expenses of $29.89, leaving a closing balance to-date of $1,324.47. Both Publicity and Refreshment accounts reflected no expenses, leaving the balances to-date at: $936 (Publicity) and $120.00 (Refreshment). Without any objections, the Treasurer’s Report of January 2006 was file, subject to audit.
RESIDENTS CONCERNS’:
Kahala Community Association Report – No report.
Piped Railing Wall – Clifton Ching is concerned about the unsafe condition that exists with a fence and retaining wall originally built by the City and part of the subdivision built in the 1950’s. There is quite a drop from the fence/railing to Ching’s property, as much as 16-feet in some areas; and approximately 33-inches high from the wall to the top of the fence. There is nothing that would prevent someone from falling through the fence. Ching was asked to put his request in writing for submittal to Higa, Mayor’s representative.
REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor’s Representative – Mark Andersen reported:
· Plan to redo laws and rules of beach encroachment areas - DLNR will be conducting workshops to establish an integrated shoreline policy thriving toward common goals in permit applications and enforcements. Statewide meetings are scheduled for next month.
· Permitted Surf Events – Non-participants of the event refusing to surf outside of the event area should be reported directly to the Chairperson’s Office (DLNR Jeannie at 587-0401 for investigation) with the event date, time and location.
· Nighttime spear fishing is illegal. Report activities to the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement Hotline at 587-0077 (description of vehicle license plates would be helpful).
Pyles said the entrance coming into Kahala there are areas below the freeway where vegetation plantings are now dead; and would like the area from Block Buster back towards Times Super Market (sidewalk side is weeds and the street side is dirt). Pyles suggested putting something more sun tolerant coming down the off ramp.
Chris Dacus with the State Department of Transportation, Landscape Architect, gave input regarding the poor growth of the vegetation below the freeway. To address that issue, they would be planting more pothos ivy; and prune down the hibiscus on one island, where it is blocking the sign. Dacus, however, was not aware of the area from Block Buster toward Times Super Market, but they would look at too; he would also, get back regarding the makai side of the underpass.
Representative Barbara Marumoto – Karen Tsukiyama distributed the monthly report, Capital Improvement Projects listing, and the Legislators Directory; also, Marumoto received the Princess Award of the Women Lawyers. Contact the office directly with any concerns.
Representative Lyla Berg – Representative Berg highlighted on:
· Calendar of Events: Thursday, February 23, Sustainability Task Force Meeting, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Capitol Auditorium; Friday, March 3, School Community Councils Forum, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Japanese Cultural Center; Wednesday, March 29, Lawmaker’s Listen, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Kalani High School Cafeteria.
· HB 2942 HD1, relating to the feral pig population; the most damaging invasive species in Hawaii.
· HB 2114 HD1, relating to graffiti; consequences for graffiti vandals.
· She introduced a bill exempting neighborhood boards from the Sunshine Law.
Digmon commented that residents wanting to give testimony at a legislative meeting were cut short and she hopes it doesn’t happen again. Berg indicated it wasn’t meant to be.
Senator Sam Slom – Melvin Ah Ching reported:
· One third of the session is over and only six bills passed out of the Senate.
· A widespread of support for the gas cap repeal in the House, but still faces a stiffer resistance in the Senate; Senator continues to oppose the bottle tax.
· Senator introduced a bill to exempt neighborhood boards from the Sunshine Law
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
OMPO Traffic – Fukuda noted the OMPO meeting was last night.
Vision Team & CIP Report – No report.
Land Use & Zoning Report – No update.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Kahala Nui Senior Living Community Center Project Update – Addressed earlier.
Weldon Fence Issue Update – Pyles stated the appeal was withdrawn.
Waialae Beach Park Update – Addressed earlier.
Dogs on the Beach Signage Task Force Report – Fukuda reported that Hatch/Walters met with DLNR and are still waiting for feedback on their recommendations. Walters indicated the recommendation is simply, “dogs must be leashed.”
Kahala Beach Vegetation Encroachment Update – No report.
NEW BUSINESS:
Hawaii Literacy – Presentation by Heidi Byrne postponed to March 16th.
Sunshine Law and Impact to NHB – Chair Fukuda indicated legislation measures are being introduced to exclude the Neighborhood Board from the Sunshine Law. A suggestion was entertained for this Board to go on record in support of this effort. Roberson moved, Troy seconded writing a letter supporting both bills in the Senate (SB 2876 and HB 2218) House exempting neighborhood boards from the Sunshine Law. The motion carried by unanimous consent.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· Roberta Choy, of Lunalilo Home Adult Care Center (LACC), announced starting next month, LACC open on Saturdays offering adult and respite care, and Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Brochures were available at the sign-in table. They are looking for interested people to participate in the Annual Golf Fundraiser. For more information call 395-1000. Digmon said they also have a great annual luau.
ADJOURNMENT: Troy moved, Roberson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
Submitted,
Marie Richardson,
Neighborhood Assistant