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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Turbin, Lester Fukuda, Kelley Roberson, Sylvia Himeda, Stan Fichtman.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Gerri Digmon, Michael Troy, Lucinda Pyles.

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Tanya Goo, Leo Hura; Evanita Midkiff, Tai Hong, and Elizabeth Reilly (Livable Hawaii Kai Hui), Capt. Ernest Akana, Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Jeannine Johnson and Sherry Spangler (Kuliouou/Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board No. 2), Officer Steven Mau, Lt. Andrew Tsukano (Honolulu Police Department), Councilmember Charles Djou, Senator Sam Slom, Lauri Kauhane, Joan Shinn (Representative Marumoto’s Office staff), Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).  

HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Ernest Akana reported:

·         2 structure and 2 rubbish fires; 74 medical and 2 miscellaneous calls for service.

·         Fire Safety Tip – Take the time to childproof your home, especially since keiki are on summer vacation. Check for potentially dangerous situations, i.e., electrical shock, accidental falls, or poisoning from medications, cleaning fluids, and houseplants. Keep matches and lighters in a safe place and out of reach of small children.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       Over all fire responses in the Waialae Kahala district during 4^th of July were alright.

2.       Fire breaks should be at least 30 feet from your property / dwelling.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Officer Steven Mau reported the:

·         Statistics for June included: Beat 759 – 1 burglary, 2 theft, 0 UEMV; Beat 760 – 4 burglary, 1 theft, 8 UEMV; Beat 761 – 4 burglary, 2 theft, 6 UEMV; Beat 766 – 1 burglary, 0 theft, 1 UEMV; and Beat 768 – 1 burglary, 0 theft and 2 UEMV.

·         Narcotics/Vice Division Statistics had: 7 new complaints and closed 12 prior complaints.

·         District 7 personnel assigned to the Hawaii Airport Task Force seized approximately U.S. $7,000 June.

·         Safety Tip included a 21 Step Home Security Checklist.

• Power Watch ATV (all terrain vehicle) Detail reported: 5 misdemeanor arrests, 15 warrant arrests, issued 14 liquor law violations, 2 dogs in the park, 115 moving citations and 25 parking citations. 

Questions and answers followed:

1.       Turbin - Honolulu Advertiser reporter called and was extremely upset about the drag racing within the Waialae/Kahala areas; especially on the weekends on Kilauea Avenue. Officers agreed that it is a common occurrence that usually picks up when school is out on vacation, but night watch officers are aware and are monitoring the situation.

2.       Roberson noticed over the years a cycle of car break-ins in Beats 760 (Diamond Head Lookouts) and 761 (Waialae Golf Course), and asked whether that had to do with one or two individuals. Although in Beat 760, which is a main thoroughfare, trends have gone down according to Lt. Tsukano, but added that traditionally property crimes are up during the summer break and may be due to a combination of things. Property crimes dropped in May as well.   

REPORT FROM CITY REPRESENTATIVES:

Mayor’s Representative - Laverne Higa reported:

·         Ainakoa Community Park - irrigation system is on automatic timer (6 days a week/ late evenings to early mornings), and has been operational since repaired in April 2006. The park is fertilized once a year or more as necessary by Maintenance Support Services (Chemical Treatment Crew); and the two functional drinking fountains at this park site are sufficient for this park. There are no plans at this time to replace the older drinking fountain.

·         Ainakoa Community Park – on-site inspection was conducted on July 18, 2006; the turf is in satisfactory condition and is in no need of fertilizer at this time. The park site has no resident groundskeeper and is maintained by the Section’s roving crew. The field lining for play or games are done by the leagues. DPR does not have sufficient staffing to line or prep fields for ball games. During the investigation there was no evidence of any leaks or saturated areas. The irrigation is in operation and set to go on every evening. The low area at the home plate is satisfactory and playable, however, the roving crew will top dress the area to eliminate the low spot the complainant is mentioning.

·         Budget approved projects for Waialae/Kahala District – a) Kahala Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation - $1,000 (planning) and $150,000 (design); b) Kahala Wastewater Pump Station modification - $200,000 (planning) and $1,000 for (design); c) Kuilei Cliffs Community Park - $20,000 (planning, erosion control and parkway improvements).  

Questions and answers followed:

1.       The bus stop on Malia Street was removed and Tom asked that the shelter be removed as well.

Board of Water Supply - Lorna Heller reported:

·         No main breaks in June.

·         General Water Announcements: a) the 18^th Annual Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House & Unthirsty Plan Sale, Saturday, August 5^th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; for FREE: continuous garden tours, xeriscape plants on sale, xeriscape gardening workshops, parking at Iwaena and Iwaina Streets, and shuttles on Iwaena Street from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information call 748-5041.

·         Additional topics included: a) the 2006 Annual Water Quality Report distributed on July 1. Contact 748-5370 for a copy or for information, log on: www.hbws.org; b) bill stuffer distribution beginning July 15 - of the upcoming water rate increase; new rates to take effect on October 1, 2006; and c) Kapiolani Boulevard Water & Sewer System Improvements – construction work is slated to begin in a few months. Community Building and Communications, Inc. will handle all public inquires. Log on www.kapiolaniwatersewer.org, or call 587-8031 for information.

Questions and answers followed:

1.       Water rate sheet - mailed to Board’s mail list along with the “August Recess Notice”.

2.       For those who haven’t been to the Halawa Xeriscape Garden - it’s worth the trip. Heller reminded everyone that event on Saturday, August 5, 2006 is FREE; except for the food and plants for sale.     

Councilmember Charles Djou - Councilmember Djou reported on:

·         Real property tax bill – average homeowner assessment will reflect a 28% increase; also, a benefit for persons on military deployment to defer paying their property taxes for six months following their return.

• Trash – pushing for mandatory curbside recycling, which he hopes the Administration would be able to find the funding for the recycling program like they found funding to pay the State to collect the increase in the general excise tax to fund the mass transit system.

·         Compliments to Senator Slom and Representative Marumoto for working with Lavern Higa (DFM) and Lester Chang (DPR) on the sprinkler system along Kilauea Avenue fronting Kahala Mall.

·         An early warning - tentative discussion to look at a comprehensive route scheduling to rework the bus route structure; no discussion of dropping any routes.

Comments and concerns followed:

1.       Councilmember was asked to keep the Board updated once there’s a better feel about the route scheduling. Djou acknowledged; the back ground was due to the rising fuel costs and bus locations.

2.       A comment was looking at more buses from Kahala Avenue to Kapiolani Community College (KCC); and from Kahala Mall to KCC. Djou would like to see more buses going to more locations.

3.       An issue regarded the idea of mass transit going out to Hawaii Kai. Spangler maintained it is a residential corridor and will not happen. Djou noted that right at this stage, its gone no further than a discussion. There’s no reason right now to be up in arms, but should a change occur, of course it’ll have to be worked out and he’ll be sure that it comes before the Board in ample time.

4.       A concern was that the route schedule change would not reach much of the older area residents. Djou stated if a change should occur, it is his word that there will be representatives from the bus company to come here for a presentation.

5.       Every day coming off the freeway (Hawaii Kai bound) in rush hour traffic, Shinn sees buses that are “not in service”. She’s concerned with today’s fuel costs and asked what happened with taking the driver and dropping them off at transfer locations like before; and who do you complain to? Djou said Oahu Transit Service (OTS) operates TheBus through a private contract, and T.J. Hannemann is the contact person in Customer Relations. Djou was asked to check into the matter.

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:

Approval of the June 15, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes – Corrections are:

·         Page 1, Fire Safety Tip, second sentence of item (a), should read, “Recent rains may have caused…”;

·         Page 2, under Mayor’s Report second bullet, delete Beach, and insert Community; same page, fourth bullet, delete a.m., insert p.m.;

·         Page 3, Representative Marumoto, third bullet, should read, “…recommend salaries; c) allow the…”; 

·         Page 3, Councilmember Djou, delete highlighted on; insert commented on.

Fichtman moved, Turbin seconded to approve the June 15, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion carried by unanimous consent.  

Treasurer’s Report – Fichtman reported for June 2006 (end of the fiscal year): 1) Operating Account balance is $1,134.58; expenditure totaled $30.68; 2) Publicity Account balance is $936.00; no expenditure; 3) Refreshment Account balance is $120.00; no expenditure. Roberson noted for the record, that the Board applaud themselves for not spending all the money. Roberson moved, Fichtman seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report for filing. The motion carried by unanimous consent.

Board member Turbin would be leaving early tonight, so Chair Fukuda entertained taking the agenda out of order before loosing quorum to item 8.3 Waialae/Kahala/East Diamond Head - Neighborhood of Excellence Update; there were no objections.

Waialae/Kahala/East Diamond Head - Neighborhood of Excellence Update – Fichtman moved, Roberson seconded to send a letter to the Mayor to expedite the permitting process for Kahala Mall to maintain the grassy strip between the sidewalk and Kilauea Avenue. Discussion followed: Senator Slom briefed everyone about the old sprinkler system along the grassy strip on the Koko Head boundary between the sidewalk and Kilauea Avenue at Kahala Mall; and proposed a draft letter to the Mayor to expedite the permit process to recognize Kahala Mall (who is willing to maintain the grassy area); and to give them immunity from liability issues. The motion carried by unanimous consent. Senator Slom will send the letter to the Mayor.

Senator Slom congratulated Turbin on the official new name of the lawyer’s association - American Association of Justice (AAJ).   

Board member Turbin left the meeting at 8:15 p.m., lacking a quorum with only four (4) members present; the Board will continue receiving reports only from Elected Officials, Committees and Board announcements.    

RESIDENTS’ CONCERN: Deferred due to a lack of quorum.

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Governor’s Representative – No representative present, no report.

Representative Barbara Marumoto – Joan Shinn distributed the monthly newsletter and highlighted on:

·         Kahala’s beautification to landscape areas along Waialae Avenue and Kalanianaole Highway (status report available); Governor Lingle vetoed 27 measures (veto list available); comments for more needed parking in Kaimuki (Marumoto’s comment letter also available).

·         Public school year starts next week - first time for all public schools will have the same year round schedule. Beware of our keiki and drive carefully!

·         Representative will attend the American Legislative Exchange Council in San Francisco from July 18 – 23.

Representative Lyla Berg – distributed her monthly newsletter and:

·         East Honolulu’s community meeting, Monday, August 28 from 7 – 9 p.m., Kahala Elementary.

·         Legislation that affects high school aged persons: the dangers associated with underage drinking and driving; and recognizing smoking as a danger to all.

·         Update: collaborative efforts of early childhood education session; initiation of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force - event scheduled for Saturday, August 26, Dole Ballrooms; and a fundraising event to raise awareness to support advocacy efforts to protect open space in East Honolulu.   

Senator Sam Slom – distributed his monthly report and commented on:

·         School construction projects for Wilson Elementary, Kalani High School and Kahala Elementary Schools have been approved and are moving ahead.

·         No special legislative session this year. 

·         Dedication of the new Waialae Kahala bicycle facility at KCC on Wednesday, July 26, at 9:30 a.m.

·         Public presentation (Parsons Brinckeroff’s, senior engineer Lawrence Spurgeon) final rail cost is already in excess of $4 billion.

·         Town meeting heard by over 300 people at Kaiser High School went well.

·         Kahala Mall Theaters will be reopening in late October or early November.

·         Attorney General’s Office will be pursuing and charging sex offenders that have not re-registered.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

OMPO Traffic Update – Fukuda reported in the Board member’s packet is the OMPO Transportation Project list for 2008 – 2011. Any comments can be sent directly to OMPO. 

Land Use & Zoning – City Council actions or pending hearings – No report.

Neighborhood of Excellence Update – Roberson had nothing new to report, except that Marumoto is doing a great job with Kahala Mall improvements.  

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NB #3 mail or City Council notices – Deferred.

No meeting in August; next meeting is September 21, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting ended at 8:50 p.m.

Submitted by

Marie Richardson

Neighborhood Assistant