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http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb3/06/03_2006_06Min.pdf 
WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2006
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fukuda called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was present with five (5) members.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Turbin, Lester Fukuda, Kelley Roberson, Lucinda Pyles, and Sylvia Himeda.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gerri Digmon, Michael Troy, and Stan Fichtman.
GUESTS: Noah Hough, Capt. Tim Turgeon (Kaimuki Fire Station); Sgt. Glenn Maekawa, Lt. Abner DeLima, Officer R. Manning, Officer C. Hightrol, Officer S. Foreman (Honolulu Police Department), Laverne Higa (Mayor’s Representative), Kamuela McCormick, Councilmember Charles Djou and Francisco Figueiredo (Office staff), Maria Hura, Representative Barbara Marumoto, Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Senator Sam Slom, Nolan Kido, and Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Those present introduced themselves.
HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Tim Turgeon (Kaimuki Station) reported:
§ Total of 123 responses: Fires - 3 structures, 1 rubbish and 1 vehicle; emergencies - 88 medical and 30 miscellaneous. There were no major or unusual incidents.
§ Fire Safety Tip: a) brush fire season is here, so remember to maintain a 30-foot wide clearing in between any structure and vegetation. Recent rains may have overgrown vegetation in some breaks. b) With Independence Day around the corner, consider leaving fireworks to the professionals and enjoy one of the many fireworks displays around town. If you use fireworks, follow all warnings and instructions. Young children should never be given fireworks. Older children should only use fireworks under the direct supervision of an adult. Have a happy and safe Independence Day celebration!
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Abner DeLima (District 7) reported:
§ Available was a written report of crime statistics. Overall, statistics were down in May, compared to April.
§ Available was information on the new law relating to pedestrians’ right of way in crosswalks.
§ Power watch statistics for May 2006: arrests - 9 misdemeanors and 31 warrants; citations issued – 40 prohibitions (liquor), 4 dog in park, 1 camping, 195 moving, and 35 parking.
Questions, answers and comments:
1. Concerns about kids hanging out at Ainakoa Park about 3:00 to 4:00 a.m., Hura asked the possibility for an officer to swing by and see what they are doing. Lt. DeLima will have someone check it out.
2. On the way to tonight’s meeting, Roberson noticed an officer writing a parking ticket for a car parked at the bus stop on Malia Street. Capt. Green responded that the vehicle would be towed.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Election of Chair – Turbin nominated Lester Fukuda. Himeda moved, Turbin seconded to close nominations. Fukuda was elected by acclamation.
Election of Vice Chair – Turbin nominated Lucinda Pyles. Himeda moved, Roberson seconded to close nominations. Pyles was elected by acclamation.
Election of Secretary – Turbin nominated Sylvia Himeda, Himeda declined the nomination. Pyles nominated Kelley Roberson. Turbin moved, Roberson seconded to close nominations. Roberson was elected by acclamation.
Election of Treasurer – Stan Fichtman was nominated. Himeda moved, Roberson seconded to close nominations. Fichtman was elected by acclamation.
Chair Fukuda: inquired about a recess in August and December of 2006; also regular Board meeting date, time and location designation to remain the same. There were no objections.
Turbin moved, Roberson seconded to recess in August and December 2006. The motion carried by unanimous consent, 5-0-0.
Turbin moved, Himeda seconded that the Board meet at 7:00 p.m., third Thursday of the month at Wesley United Methodist Church (1350 Hunakai Street). The motion carried by unanimous consent, 5-0-0.
Congratulations were in order for the new 2006 – 2007 NHB officers.
CITY REPORTS:
Mayor’s Rep - Laverne Higa:
§ Unsafe steel rail at Wahinekoa Place – the City will be installing a chain link fence to replace the steel railing.
§ Ainakoa Beach Park – no response yet; working on getting a response for next month.
§ Waialae Beach Park’s improvements – $35,000 funding has lapsed.
§ Request for no parking from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Malia Street - Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will forward this inquiry to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) for further investigation.
§ 40-foot setback at the driveways for Kahala Nui Center – the four-feet parking restriction adjacent to all driveways is in the City’s Traffic Code, and typical for residential uses and older developed areas. The 40-foot area at the driveways for Kahala Nui was designated as “no parking” to provide for sight distance and to facilitate turning movements into and out of the driveways due to the anticipated higher use of the driveways.
§ Hunakai drainage issue – due to an insurance claim filed, the City is unable to comment at this time.
§ Seawall issue at Kaalawai Place – an application has been submitted for the repair on an existing seawall at the end of Kaalawai Place. DPP is reviewing the application.
§ Regarding the letters sent out by the Board in April, the Department of Design and Construction is looking into the matter.
Questions and comments:
1. Pyles shared concerns with the City’s policy of compliance. Her concern is that there is no discouragement, no risk, no consequence or enforcement when individuals build/erects anything without a permit.
2. Pyles commented that receiving notices of City Council meeting agendas is too late if the Board wanted to respond. Higa noted that Council agendas are posted on the website, as well.
The agenda was taken out of order.
BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:
Approval of the May 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes – Corrections were:
§ Page 2, Treasurer’s Report, item 1, delete the word “an”;
§ Page 3, FEMA Update, second sentence, delete the word “and”; next paragraph, delete “Regarding the deadline…on the State”; begin the paragraph with the next phrase, “The deadline for registering…”.
§ Page 3, Senator Slom, item 1, under Questions and comments, delete “expand it” and insert “expanded”.
Roberson moved, Himeda seconded to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 18, 2006, as amended. The motion carried by unanimous consent.
Treasurer’s Report – Pyles reported for May 2006 the Operating Account balance is $1,165.26, Publicity Account balance is $936.00; and Refreshment Account balance is $120.00. Roberson moved, Himeda seconded to file the Treasurer’s Report ending May 31, 2006. The motion carried unanimously.
Board of Water Supply - Lorna Heller:
§ No main breaks in May.
§ General Water Announcements: a) Be a part of the conservation effort. In partnership with BWS, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the University of Hawaii; the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services and the Big Island and Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Councils have created the Hawaii Backyard Conservation Handbook. A 20-page color pamphlet available consisting a wealth of knowledge to use in your home, including conservation methods, utilizing native plants and xeriscaping your yard layout, information about managing pests and weeds, managing practices and nutrients in the soil; and becoming more “eco-friendly” in your life. If you wish to have more pamphlets, visit BWS or call the NRCS Office at 438-8600 ext. 3. b) Did You Know? Washing one car can use up to 150 gallons or more of water! Use of a trigger nozzle can save 100 gallons of water, almost ten small fish tanks! c) Also, distributed was the “Ka Wai Ola Water for Life” handout explaining facts about the Board of Water Supply’s rate changes.
Chair Fukuda entertained taking the agenda out of order to agenda item 9.3 – Neighborhood of Excellence
Neighborhood of Excellence – Fukuda talked about an effort to get a working group together to go over the Neighborhood of Excellence plan. This plan envisions this neighborhood remain predominately residential, and while advocating policies that will revitalize and maintain characteristics that make this neighborhood a desirable place to live. Fukuda and Roberson are looking for interested persons to join and be involved.
Comments followed: Turbin felt the idea is good. Pyles commented on being involved with the Primary Urban Core Development Plan process in 1997.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: None.
REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Representative Barbara Marumoto – distributed monthly report and highlighted on:
§ Students of Lili’uokalani School, duct-taped Principal James Toyooka to the wall in celebration of raising over $1000 in pennies for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
§ Elected officials are on alert to go into Special Session July 11 for any Legislative overrides.
§ Four proposed constitutional amendments will be on the November ballots regarding the following: repeal the mandatory retirement age of 70 years for all state justices; b) establish a Salary Commission to recommend salaries; allow the Legislature to define what constitutes a continuing course of conduct in a sexual assault crime against minors younger than fourteen years of age; and d) authorize the use of special purpose revenue bonds for agricultural enterprises that serve important agricultural lands.
§ White House initiative program at Kapiolani Community College.
Questions and comments:
1. Marumoto would be voting favorably on all four of the constitutional amendments.
2. The Legislature currently makes recommendations on salaries for everyone except themselves.
The agenda was taken out of order to Councilmember Charles Djou.
Councilmember Charles Djou – distributed his monthly report and highlighted on:
· The Board’s ability to weigh-in on Council agendas items – that as individuals, Board members could also log on to: http://www.honolulu.gov/council to give testimony on any Council agenda items.
· Council passed the largest budget in Honolulu’s history, $2.1 billion with nearly 20% dedicated to debt service.
· A special meeting will be held on June 22 on a resolution expressing support to defray the administrative costs associated with the funding for the mass transit systems.
· Working on a requirement for Emergency Medical Services personnel to be subject to random drug tests as are members of the police and fire departments.
Pyles shared the following concerns: a) hearing tonight under the Mayor’s report that the $35,000 funding for the Waialae Beach Park improvement has lapsed; and b) that the Board has yet to receive any responses to the letters sent regarding this matter. She would like to know, “who makes the decision?”
Senator Sam Slom – distributed his monthly report and gave the following updates:
· Governor signed into law more than 185 bills; three became law without her signature, and five have been vetoed.
· The cigarette tax bill contains a technical flaw. The mechanism to enable this is not in the bill; as a result, revenues from the cigarette tax will continue to flow into the State’s General fund.
· In Washington D.C., Governor Lingle lobbied favoring the Akaka Bill; and Senator Slom lobbied against the Akaka bill. He has always supported native Hawaiian rights, but questioned the lack for open discussion regarding the Akaka bill.
· Deadline for filing candidate application is July 25, 2006.
Representatives for Governor Lingle and Representative Berg were not present. However, Berg’s report was available for review.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
OMPO Traffic – Committee meeting on Wednesday.
Land Use & Zoning – None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Agenda items were updated under the Mayor’s report.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division Issues Forum on Friday, June 30, 2006, from 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the State Capitol Auditorium.
2. Correspondence received: a) DPP regarding the Kahala Mall Flood Mitigation Measure; b) DPR regarding the funding for Waialae Beach Park improvements; c) State DOT regarding the landscaping along Diamond Head Road; d) DPP regarding the seawall construction/modification without a permit on Kaalawai Place.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Submitted by
Marie Richardson
Neighborhood Assistant