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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, April 19, 2007

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER: Acting Chair Kelley Roberson called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.; a quorum was present with five (5) members. 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Gerri Digmon, Stan Fichtman, Sylvia Himeda, Leo Hura, Julia Kane (new appointed), Kelley Roberson, Richard Turbin.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Lester Fukuda, Lucinda Pyles.

GUESTS: Kendys Fukuda and Mike Choy (HECO), Kamuela McCormick, Lauri Kauhane, Sgt. Howard Ishida and Sgt. Lloyd Dabaluz (Honolulu Police Department), Lance Tom, Joan Shinn (Representative Marumoto’s Office staff), Capt. Tim Turgeon (Honolulu Fire Department), Senator Sam Slom, Lorna Heller, Representative Lyla Berg, and Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Everyone present introduced themselves.     

FILLING OF VACANCY – Acting Chair Roberson opened the floor for nominations.

Digmon nominated Julia Kane to fill the Sub District 2 vacancy. Kane gave a brief background, a resident since 2003 and working part-time as an attorney specializing in real estate. Since there were no other nominations; it was moved and seconded by Himeda and Digmon to close the nominations.  Julia Kane was elected by acclamation. Neighborhood Assistant Richardson administered the Oath of Office to Kane; congratulations followed and she was asked to take her seat with the Board (6 members are now present).

Turbin arrived at 7:16 p.m. (7 members present)

HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Turgeon reported:

·         1 structure, 1 rubbish, 2 vehicle fires, 79 medical, 7 search/rescue and 13 miscellaneous emergencies; no major or unusual incidents were reported.

·         Fire Safety Tip: Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and the second major cause of death among older adults. If you are cooking and must leave the kitchen for a few minutes, turn off the stove. Keep a fire extinguisher (with a minimum rating of 2A10BC) in or near your kitchen and learn how to use it. Inspect the fire extinguisher regularly to ensure it has not expired. When handling a grease fire, use a pot cover over to put it out.

Response to questions followed:  

1.       The number of medicals calls reported usually runs about 75% or 70 to 90 calls per month. Keep in mind that there are a number of care homes in the area who are regular callers for medical emergencies.

2.       There are a number of things that can trigger a smoke detector; dust and humidity in the air can also set off a smoke detector. Detectors should be tested once a month and batteries changed once a year.

3.       Smoke detectors should be mounted or in a bracket at all times and not in the immediate vicinity of the stove.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Ishida distributed the monthly crime statistic report, announced the Community Policing Officer will be attending the next Board meeting, and apologized but are short on officers tonight.    

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       A comment that the speed monitoring device on Malia Street is working out.

2.       A safety concern and hazard on Malia Street during the morning and after school hours when Assets School students are being dropped; there are no crosswalk or crossing guards available.  

3.       HPD is being asked to increase patrol in the vicinity of Kahala Recreation Center by Kahala Elementary School during late night hours; young kids are partying.

4.       Crimes in Beats 759 and 760 fluctuate being in the vicinity of the Kahala Mall area. Sgt. Ishida will have CID (Crime Investigation Division) report on the thefts in Beat 768.  

REPORT FROM MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVES:

Mayor’s Representative – Laverne Higa reported:

·         The Mayor’s Community meeting on “recycling” on April 24, at Kaiser High School, 7 to 9 p.m.; handouts were available at the sign-in table.   

·         Bus Shelter at Malia Street and Ainakoa Drive - DTS reported that the sidewalk area cannot accommodate a larger bus shelter located at Malia and Ainakoa.

·         Bus Service between 16^th Avenue and Kahala Mall is based on current ridership numbers. DTS determined service in that area is adequate. A bus does every 10-minute along Route 1most of the day and every 30-minute after 6:30 p.m.

·         Kawamoto Properties – at 4744 Kahala Avenue an active Notice of Violation (NOV) was in place for not having the required pool enclosure and was referred for the issuance of a Notice of Order (NOO) to include assessment of civil fines. All other NOV/NOO issued on this property has been resolved. The property at 4758 Kahala Avenue, since November 2005, was issued six NOVs for various violations; all NOV/NOO have been corrected and the files have been closed.

·         The intersection of Malia Street and Alakoa Street was identified on the City’s Curb Ramp Transition Plan. Installation is required to comply with ADA Consent Decree imposed on the City. HRS, Chapter 291 C (statewide traffic code), defines a crosswalk as part of a roadway at an intersection; crosswalks can be marked or unmarked. Any request to change this intersection from an unmarked to a marked crosswalk should contact DTS.

·         DTS is still looking at the steep embankment concern on Black Point Road where it meets Kahala Avenue. 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       Representative Marumoto’s office received requests for a bigger bus shelter fronting Kahala Nui.

2.       Comments noted the on-street parking and bus stop on Malia Street was never an issue, but only that residents wanted the parking in front of the Kahala Nui facility restored. Higa suggested putting the matter into committee to address the matter. A brief discussion talked about a resolution and attendance of a DTS rep at a future meeting. Higa was asked to research the matter.   

3.       Residents asked when the ambulance and fire trucks respond to calls at the Kahala Nui Senior facility that sirens are turned down entering the residential area. What is the policy?    

Board of Water Supply – Lorna Heller reported:

·         No main breaks were reported in March.

·         General Water Announcement regarded the annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) soon to be mailed out, will address your specific service address. For more information: www.boardofwatersupply.com.

·         Water Savings Tips: a) Take advantage of the $100 rebate for replacing your old toilet with a new low-flow one! b) Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually. c) For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink and help eliminate water overflow.

Councilmember Charles Djou – Stan Fichtman distributed the Councilmember’s report and highlighted on:

·         Bus stop removals are going to happen. DTS / TheBus Company, at later date, will investigate which to reinstall. Let the Council member’s office know if the Board wishes to submit a request. Requests were submitted for locations at Kilauea and Pueo (freeway exit); the request for Pueo received a “no” response.     

·         CD1’s for the budget have been submitted and some already approved; Councilmember Djou cut somewhere in the range of $100 million.

·         Some thoughts on recycling regarded whether the curbside collection be shipped off to the mainland to be re-recycled; or transferred H-Power and Waimanalo Gulch. If interested, the community recycling meeting is April 24 at Kaiser High School.  

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:  

Approval of the March 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes – Turbin moved, Fichtman seconded to approve the minutes of March 15, 2007, as circulated. The motion carried by unanimous consent, 7-0-0. Aye: Digmon, Fichtman, Himeda, Hura, Kane, Roberson, Turbin.

Treasurer’s Report – Fichtman reported for April 2007: total expense was $29.63, in the Operating/Publicity Account, leaving a balance to-date of $2,223.01. The Refreshment Account reflected no expense, leaving the balance to-date of $120.00. Hearing no objections, the Treasurer’s Report was accepted for filing.  

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

McCormick noted that the traffic backup on Kilauea Avenue can be avoided during marathon events if on the day of the event, parking is prohibited on the makai side of Malia Street, allowing for two lanes and a better flow of traffic traversing east on Malia to Ainakoa; a cone blocked a lane on Malia Street. Suggestions regarded raising the matter again to HPD and the marathon promoters.

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Governor’s Representative – No representative present; no report available.

Representative Barbara Marumoto – Joan Shinn distributed the Representative’s report and highlighted on:

·         The Kaimuki parking improvements to begin in May; and the project may take one year to complete.

·         Marumoto’s Mid-term 2007 Survey results were attached to her report.

·         Community recycling clean-up on Saturday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Maunalua Bay boat ramp. 

Senator Sam Slom – Senator Slom distributed his monthly report and noted that the Legislature will be adjourning on schedule on May 3 and highlighted: 

·         The Governor has a 45-day window after bills from last Friday were vetoed, whether to come back to a special session.   

·         A decision on Peter Young’s nomination will be presented to the full Senate for a floor vote next week. Other confirmations included: Lawrence Reifurth, Director of Commerce & Consumer Affairs; Lillian Koller, Director of Human Services; Iwalani White, Director of Public Safety, Attorney General Mark Bennett, and Ted Liu, Director of Business, Economic Development &Tourism.

·         More than 60 Hawaii based servicemen were honored in a joint session of the State Senate & House.

Representative Lyla Berg – distributed her report and highlighted on:

·         Thanks to those who participated in Economic Forums on Sustainability; and featured the Family and Individual Self Sufficiency pamphlet for review.

·         Items of public interest included: bills relating to recycling, major components of recyclable material, and the do’s and don’ts for plastic bottle and plastic bag recycling.  

TASK FORCE / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Neighborhood of Excellence Task Force Update – Roberson announced scheduling a meeting the week of May 7 – 11; topics of discussion are traffic issues and the East Honolulu Development Plan (EHDP). He asked board members assistance to find community members to participate in discussion. The board has yet to receive a positive report regarding consideration for inclusion in the EHDP.

Turbin attended the Kahala Community Association meeting and reported there was a disparity of opinions relating to the Kawamoto properties and the homeless Hawaiian families moving in; and generally, the report was positive.   

OLD OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Waialae Beach Park (WBP) – Fichtman reported WBP is not in the City’s budget. The Councilmember is still working with the department and a possible proviso; problems are the drainage. Fichtman asked if the Board would be willing to pass a resolution.

Kahala Beach area (Vegetation Encroachments/Seawall Variances) – A presentation by Samuel Lemmo of the Department of Land and Natural Resources at the May 17 Board meeting. A brief discussion focused on vegetation, seawall encroachments and establishing a position.

State DOT Landscaping Plan for Waialae/Kahala area (SDOT projects, Chris Dacus) – No update.

Ainakoa Community Park Update (on City maintenance) – The water fountain issue was resolved; this agenda item will be removed.  

East Honolulu Development Plan – Discussion on including NHB#3 – Discussion earlier.

Muffler Citations, Chronic Noise Violations and Complaints – Leo Hura reported that this is a growing issue. At a previous meeting, there was a request to HPD for monthly statistic reports regarding moped muffler violations and complaints; a comment regarded the added moped traffic possibly being associated with undesirable activity. 

NEW BUSINESS: None.

HECO Vegetation Management System – Kendys Fukuda, Community Relations and Mike Choy, Supervisor in charge in Vegetation Management, were present to talk about concerns in the Kahala area and asking the Board’s support to address these issues. HECO operates a program to do regular maintenance on the roadside and the right-of-ways easements. However, in this particular area, HECO requires access to private properties in order to do the trimming; done on a 12 – 15 month cycle. The program is designed to ensure that HECO provides safe and reliable service by clearing the space around the conductors and keep regularly trimmed (picture were circulated).

In the Kahala area, when Bishop Estate originally developed these house lots, were granted the utility easement at several back lots. Fifty years ago, these easements were granted to HECO in perpetual right-of-easement to construct, rebuild, etc., to repair, maintain and operating, the poles and wire lines in these areas; including the right to trim any tree or trees in the way of the said poles; and access the property to do this. More and more nowadays, HECO is confronted with homeowner’s who have encroached into the easement access, denying HECO’s access, walled, gated or hedged off. HECO is asking the Board to understand HECO’s desire to maintain these areas for safe and reliable operating service; and while trying to balance the understanding of the homeowner’s desire to privacy.  

Discussion followed focusing on the Board’s understanding and getting the word, talking to your neighbors, information booth at Kahala Mall, etc.; security and privacy issues, encroachment issues, properties exchanging hands, etc.; and HECO right by law to access these easements.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Acting Chair Roberson announced:

·         A Kuana Street resident called the City’s Office of Information and Complaints (OIC) and the NCO to report incidents of homes being “egged” between the hours of 2 – 3 a.m.; the resident reported that OIC and a report has been filed with HPD.

ADJOURNMENT: There were no other Board business; the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Submitted by,

Marie Richardson

Neighborhood Assistant