WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

WAIALAE KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 03

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2006

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Lester Fukuda called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., a quorum was present with five (5) members.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Michael Troy, Kelley Roberson, Lucinda Pyles (7:05 p.m.), Lester Fukuda, Gerri Digmond, Sylvia Himeda, Richard Turbin (7:09 p.m.).

GUESTS: Stan Fichtman (Councilmember Djou’s Office staff), Sgt. Glenn Maekawa, Officer Mark Ross and Det. Tim Walsh (Honolulu Police Department – District 7), Lance Tom, Mary O’Brien-Ichihara, Leo Hurd, Senator Sam Slom, Heidi Byrne (Hawaii Literacy), Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College), Clark Hatch, Representative Barbara Marumoto, Laurie Kauhane, Representative Lyla Berg, Keith Shido (Board of Water Supply), Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Everyone introduced themselves.

HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – No representative present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Glenn Maekawa reported: 1) District 7’s statistics report available for review at the sign-in table. 2) HPD’s Power Watch issued 13 liquor citations and two (2) dogs in the park citations.

Pyles raised concern of a vehicle obstruction on an unpaved walkway along Kahala and Kealaolu Avenues. The officer indicated if the vehicle is obstructing clear pedestrian passage (even unpaved walkway), and causing the pedestrian to step into the street, call 911 and the police will cite the vehicle.

Loud moped mufflers - Sgt. Maekawa reported that the Motor Vehicle Control (MVC) – Recon Section indicated they could refuse to issue a recon permit if a muffler is too loud. Also, that there are no set measurable guidelines or a decibel meter to measure the level. Sgt. Maekawa read definitions of (3) Revised Ordinances of Honolulu and (1) Hawaii Revised Statues – all relating to mufflers:

·         Sec. 15-2.12 – relating to mufflers, which is a device designed or constructed for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas and reducing exhaust noise from the motor of a motor vehicle.

·         Sec. 15-2.13 – relating to noise, excessive or unusual, would necessarily result from the operation of a motor when reduced to the minimum by a muffler.

·         Sec. 15-19.28 – relating to mufflers, noise-controlling devices, which reads that no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway or street unless such motor vehicle is equipped, at all times, with a muffler. The term “excessive or unusual noise,” as used in this section, means noise in excess of the usual noise, which would necessarily result from the operation of a motor with a muffler.

·         291-24 – relating to motorcycles and mopeds, noisy mufflers; penalty. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle or a moped in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such motorcycle or moped above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the motorcycle or moped except a motorcycle or moped that: 1) has three wheels; 2) is powered by an electric motor; 3) has a full body enclose cab; and 4) has a seat belt assembly or child restraint system for the driver and passenger.

Pyles (7:05 p.m.) and Turbin (7:09 p.m.) arrived during the above portion of the meeting (7 members present).

Concerns followed: 1) Not setting noise guidelines or having a decibel meter to measure the level of noise are good points Troy raised, but the definitions Sgt. Maekawa read is quite subjective. 2) These matters go to court and get thrown out because there is no measurable standard of which a violation has occurred is a major concern. 3) It is becoming a quality of life issue for area residents because loud motorcycles/mopeds frequently and regularly travel the Kahala Avenue route. 4) Is removal of the dampener is a violation; Maekawa indicated that it would increase the sound.

Comments followed: 1) Sometimes more modifications are done after the owner has been issued the recon permit; and if this were the case, officers’ would have to rely on their judgment whether there is a violation. 2) Turbin asked Councilmember Djou’s office to look into laws regarding loud mufflers.

Criminal Investigation Division (CID) - Det. Tim Walsh reported: 1) an increase of UEMV’s during the holidays; and efforts to secure identity information against burglary and theft. 2) An increase of commercial burglaries in the Kaimuki, Waialae and Kapahulu areas during the hours of 23:15 to 04:14. 4) The three strikes bill is a great idea, but a suggestion was to include something about property crimes. 5) Continue your efforts to lock the doors of your home and cars. 

REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS:

Mayor’s Representative – Lavern Higa reported: 1) DPP inspector, Steven Cheung would be calling Pyles regarding the shoreline inspection; Pyles received no information yet. 2) The contractor completed the repairs on the wall at the Waialae Beach Park canal; remaining work - landscaping and the landscape maintenance. The outdoor shower ponding is being investigated by DDC. Options - to relocate the showers closer to the beach; or b) reopen the indoor showers and close the exterior showers. DDC will be discussing these options with DPR. An immediate solution is to enclose the outdoor shower. 3) DPR will have to get back on the naupaka issue on Diamond Head Road. 4) Poor condition of Wiliwili trees on Hunakai median is attributed to Gall Wasp infestation and has afflicted Wiliwili trees throughout the State. The State Department of Agriculture is working to find a solution.  Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) - Hunakai trees show signs of life and will continue to monitor the health of the trees (Clark Leavitt, Park Grounds Improvement Supervisor, DUF at 971-7156).

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. L. Pyles – prior environmental health issues with the showers.  Outdoor shower installed with no provision for drainage; safety concern of parents when young children are using the indoor shower. Nothing happened in 3 – 4 years and improvements on the Koko Head side of the park are being held up (urgency to move it along). 

2.   Honolulu Marathon event and traffic planning was good; exception of the early (6 a.m.) flying helicopters.

3.   Turbin suggested:  City’s Corporation Counsel look at laws regarding loud mufflers and make it a violation; green waste is not always picked up on the third Thursday along Kahala Avenue. Higa to check.

4.   Digmon requested: copy of unilateral agreement (approval for the “No Parking” sign on Malia Street).  Kahala Nui facility erected “No Parking” signs, want DTS to address this matter once and for all. Resident Tom shared the same concerns; residents and park users are now left without parking on Malia Street.

5.   Pyles: overgrown branches on beach access of Hunakai Street; call Clark Leavitt at 971-7156; inability to acquire public information regarding violations, etc. (information about 10 – 15 properties investigated and cited for various violations). 

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Keith Shido: 1) One 8-inch main break at Ahapii Place due to puncture and corrosion. 2) General Water Announcements: January 3, Clifford P. Lum new Manager and Chief Engineer, BWS; Water Savings tip: Limiting shower time to five minutes, replace old shower head with water saving one saves 20 gallons of water per shower!

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.    Troy: BWS needs to practice better landscaping management of tank areas on Halekoa Drive; pictures were sent of the overgrown condition to Devon Nekoba, Customer Relations.   

Councilmember Charles Djou – Stan Fichtman: funding obtained last budget session for Koko Head side of park; CIP Quarterly Status Report.  Proposal for Real Property Tax relief, limiting the amount of property taxes to no more than the greater of 10% per year or one-and-a-half times of inflation, hearing January 26 at 10 a.m.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.   Digmon: tried the ordeal of appealing property taxes and the process of the appeal system, it is unfortunate and the Councilmember understands.  Also a problem, is hearing locations and times (evening meetings in the communities preferred).

2.       Street conditions and potholes: Fichtman - CIP project to reconstruct Kilauea Avenue from Malia to 18^th Avenue, and that the Pothole Patrol will systematically be doing area by area. Mention of 6-inch deep pothole at entrance to Wailupe Beach Park; Fichtman to call.

Turbin left at 8 p.m. (6 members present).

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:

Approval of the November 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes – The following corrections were:

·         Page 3, Residents’ Concern - Sirens Late At Night, should read, “…why do the rescue trucks enroute to Kahala Nui Senior Center on Malia Street …”;

·         Page 3, Governor’s Representative - first paragraph should read, “L. Pyles referred to before and after pictures of 2003 alterations of the Weldon shoreline area given to DPP, which gave clear reference points. An enormous amount of sand appears to have been rearranged and created a built up plateau fronting the shoreline of the property.” Last sentence of the same paragraph should read, “…the question is how do you restore the graded sand back to its original state.”

·         Page 4, Waialae Beach Park and Kahala Beach Vegetation Encroachment Update, first sentence should read, “L. Pyles noted a wording discrepancy between the Hawaii Administrative Rules and the Hawaii Revised Statutes regarding certified shoreline.”

Digmond moved, Troy seconded to approve the November 17, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes, as amended. The motion carried by unanimous consent.

Treasurer’s Report – L. Pyles reported: 1) November 30, 2005: Operating Account expense was $28.92; leaving a closing balance to-date of $1,279.43. No expenses in the Publicity and Refreshment Accounts; closing balances were: $936.00 (Publicity) and $120.00 (Refreshment). 2) December 31, 2005: Operating Account expense was $25.07, leaving a closing balance to-date of $1,354.36. No expenses in the Publicity and Refreshment accounts for December 2005; closing balances remain the same as the previous month. Roberson moved, Troy seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report ending November and December 2005, subject to audit. The motion carried by unanimous consent.    

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Kahala Community Association Report – No representative present; no report.

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Governor’s Representative – Mark Anderson: by April 2 - 85% of Hawaii will be using gasoline containing 10% ethanol. This encourages Hawaii’s agriculture to grow crops that can be turned into ethanol.  Governor’s State of the State Address coming up: Energy comprehensive package addressing transportation, full environmental, conservation incentives, and a standard of renewable resources.

Anderson briefed on Weldon shoreline issue: river dredging and relocation of the sand; latest issue is grading, mauka of the shoreline, which was done without a permit, and questionable whether beach sand was used to level out and buildup the Weldon property. Recommended that state and city officials engage in dialogue because the vegetation is causing accelerated erosion and a migration of the shoreline. The problem is island wide, the community is frustrated and everyone agreed that the city and state address the matter.

Digmond left at 8:30 p.m. (5 members present).

Representative Barbara Marumoto – First priority is preventing school budget cuts; second priority is real property tax relief (a petition for lower taxes is included with her report); concern regarding commercial use of the crater (April 1^st concert with the Hawaii International Music Conference) and the possibility of fire in the crater.

Representative Lyla Berg – to introduce legislation: why property taxes go up; supporting local food production versus importation; energy cost; use of land for golf courses and gated communities; attended Flemming Leadership Institute Training Program sponsored by the Center for Policy Alternatives (Berg selected as Flemming Fellow).

Senator Sam Slom – Supports Law Enforcement Coalition package; agrees with three strikes; priority to repeal the gas cap and the bottle bill; thirteen out of 25 Senators and the House are up for election; urges everyone to get involved in the legislative session. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

OMPO Traffic – Fukuda: Oahu Regional Transportation Plan meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 15 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Schedule 4:30 p.m. Contact Fukuda if Board members intend to go to the meeting; keep in mind the rules of the Sunshine Law regarding more than two members at a meeting.

There were no other Committee Reports.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Kahala Nui Senior Living Community Center Project Update – No update.

Weldon Fence Issue Update – Updated earlier in the meeting.

Waialae Beach Park and Kahala Beach Vegetation Encroachment Update – Updated earlier in the meeting.

Dogs on the Beach Signage Task Force Report – Fukuda reported a letter from Hatch indicated they are still looking into the matter. Hatch was present earlier.

NEW BUSINESS:

Hawaii Literacy – Heidi Byrne was present earlier, but left the meeting.

Kapiolani Community College, CIP Program – Carol Hoshiko, Dean of Culinary Arts, Hospitality Education and College Advancement at University of Hawaii’s - Kapiolani Community College: KCC has a 55-year lease for the former Officers Club (Cannon Club) property (F-1) from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources; a proposal for $20 million project (appropriated State funds and seeking federal and private funding) to develop the new facility; similar in size to the former club, which has been demolished because of fire damage; facility includes classrooms, laboratories, instructional kitchens, an auditorium and a restaurant; Groundbreaking is years away; as they move through the permitting process they will return to NHB for support. Project requires: Plan Review Use, Special Management Area Permit, Diamond Head Scenic Design District Permit, and environmental assessment.

Students did a parking survey and came up with some ideas and solutions.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 – regarding the Sunshine Law and How it Applies to Neighborhood Boards; Department of Transportation regarding traffic signals at the intersection of Diamond Head Road and 18^th Avenue. 

ADJOURNMENT: Without any objections, the meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

Submitted by

Marie Richardson,

Neighborhood Assistant