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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2007

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Scotty Anderson, Stan Fichtman, Lester Fukuda, Sylvia Himeda, Kelley Roberson, and Richards Turbin (arrived at 7:05 p.m.).

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Gerri Digmon, Julia Kane, and Lucinda Pyles.

GUESTS:  Hal Barnes (Mayor’s Representative); Officer Anthony Kahapea, Lt. Gary Lumlee, Sgt. Lloyd Dabaluz (Honolulu Police Department); Ben Berg, M.D. (University of Hawaii, Johan A. Burns School of Medicine), Berg (Eagle Scout Candidate), Capt. Mike Tosaki (Honolulu Fire Department), Maurice (student), Virginia Weinman, Senator Sam Slom, Lauri Kauhane, Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Councilmember Charles Djou, Lance Tom, Representative Barbara Marumoto, and Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

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

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD):  Capt. Mike Tosaki (Kaimuki Station) reported:

• 1 structure, 1 rubbish, 1 vehicle fire, 65 medical, 5 search/rescues, and 16 miscellaneous alarms; no major or unusual incidents reported.
• Fire Safety Tip: Take the time to childproof your home, especially since children 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.

Comments followed. Captain Tosaki reported that all five reported search/rescue victims were rescued, and that the Kaimuki Station responded to no other major incidents on the 4th of July. 

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD):  Officer Anthony Kahapea’s (District 4 – East Honolulu) report included the crime trend statistics, UEMVs (unauthorized entry to motor vehicles), narcotics / vice division statistics, and tips on identity theft.

A concern raised was the increase of cars racing on Malia Street and Ainakoa Drive is a growing concern of the residents.  

REPORT FROM CITY AGENCIES:

Mayor’s Representative – Hal Barnes, Mayor’s Special Assistant, standing in for Laverne Higa, reported on:

• The Kahala Nui Senior Center – constant water flow into the Waialae Nui Channel. Resident Tom reported the concern has been resolved as it was a Board of Water Supply leak.
• The Diamond Head Road condition – is included in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and will be going out to bid.
• Waialae Iki Park – the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) submitted CIP requests for repairs of the basketball and volleyball courts. Barnes will determine fiscal year for which the project is budgeted.
• Public Works Project – to establish a website called “drive akamai” (www.driveakamai.org) and hotline (768-3777) to alert drivers about construction and lane closures in the downtown area. The cost to do this project is $40,000.       

Questions followed:

1. Roberson suggested once the “drive akamai” website is up and running perhaps a screen flash warning with information of road conditions, alerts, etc., can be posted on the cable television traffic channel. Barnes also reported on plans to house the Traffic Communications and Emergency Management agencies together in a new building at the current bus transfer location on Alapai Street.
2. A concern regarded dangerous and hazardous condition on Malia and Ainakoa. Accidents and near misses on Malia Street at both ends near the Ainakoa Drive and the Kilauea Avenue. Barnes will call the Department of Transportation Services (DTS). Roberson suggested requesting Councilmember Djou’s office to submit a service request regarding this matter.
3. Turbin asked whether the administration had provided report about illegal demolition of the Kawamoto property. His concern grows because the illegal dumping continues and now signs are posted on the property which could be a violation of the sign ordinance. Barnes will personally check into the signs and with the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) regarding the demolition.
4. Anderson shared growing concerns that immediately after bulky items are picked up more items are being dumped and therefore sit at curbside for three to four weeks at a time. Fichtman noted a RISR (Request for Investigation and Service Report) has been submitted. Barnes will look it up.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller reported:

• On the constant flow of water into the Waialae Nui Stream (Kahala Nui Senior Center) was a BWS main break. Thanks to Lance Tom – action was taken.
• One main break at 4470 Malia Street on June 27.
• BWS Announcements included the annual Xeriscape Unthirsty Plant Sale on Saturday, August 4. There will be garden tours, plant sales, workshops, etc.; call 748-5041 for more information.

Questions followed:

1. Tom announced that Mrs. Wong is wondering when her driveway will be repaved from the damages of the main break; Heller will look into this matter.  
2. A resident raised issue that water is running 24 hours a day at the Kawamoto property next to 4471 Kahala Avenue. She noticed this happening the last three weeks 24/7 on the ocean front of the property; Heller will take this concern back.
3. Anderson thanked BWS for fixing the flooding issue at his home.  

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

• The first full Council session was July 2nd and the next full Council meeting is in August.
• The Councilmember is on the radio every Tuesday morning from 7 to 8 a.m., KHVH 830 AM
• Council Chair Marshall decided to spend $50,000 to hire a part-time legislative liaison. According to Council member, it is a waste of money at a time of raising taxes.
• July 1st is the new fiscal year beginnings for the City’s largest budget ever enacted at $2.4 billion.
• Fichtman will pass the concerns on to the Councilmember and don’t hesitate to contact his office with concerns.      

Tom was referred to Denise DeCosta of the City Clerks Office about getting certified to register people to vote. 

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:

Approval of the June 21, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes – Anderson moved, Fukuda seconded to approve the minutes; hearing no objections, the minutes were approved. 

Treasurer’s Report – Himeda reported for the month of June, current expenses of $31.50, leaving a balance of $2,162.17; the Refreshment account remains at $120.00. There were no objections; and the report was filed.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: Chair Roberson asked that the three minute time limit be observed.

1. Tom was disturbed that the Kahala Nui maintenance people were knocking baby birds out of their nests and dumping them over the fence onto Kalanianaole Highway; and that their garbage dumpsters are put out one foot from the crosswalk on Malia Street. This poses a safety hazard lacking clear-line of site as pedestrian needs to step forward of the dumpsters in order to cross the street. NA Richardson will convey this concern to Hal Barnes, Mayor’s representative. Tom suggested inviting a representative from Kahala Nui to attend the Board meetings.

2. Another concern regarded the signs erected on the Kawamoto property and she would like it removed. Turbin explained Board’s scope as only an advisory and not get involved in private disputes. Turbin moved that a resolution be sent to governmental agencies, elected officials and the Department of Planning and Permitting to enforce the sign ordinance, and Mr. Kawamoto be asked to comply with the sign ordinance. Anderson seconded the motion. Discussion followed focusing on signage on residential streets and its illegality or a first amendment rights issue. Marumoto noted the resident was unaware that posting the “thank you Mr. Kawamoto” sign was an issue and is inclined to remove the sign if it is illegal. Councilmember Djou advised if it is a sign thanking Mr. Kawamoto, it may be a first amendment right issue and he would have to follow-up.

Turbin made some amendments, but after hearing Councilmember Djou’s earlier     comment, Anderson, the second to the first motion, was not open to accepting the amendments to the motion. Discussion continued: Turbin withdrew his motion and asked Representative Marumoto to talk to the resident who posted the sign. Marumoto indicated she would be willing to talk to the resident once legality of the sign is determined.     

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:

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

Representative Barbara Marumoto – distributed her monthly report and highlighted the Diamond Head Road plantings of naupaka, a project of the Friends of Diamond Head.  The irrigation system and naupaka were crushed in the spring 2006, and last winter a car crashed into the remaining sprinkler system, killing the rest of the naupaka. $700,000 has been released to start work above Diamond Head Road and $4.4 million was added to the budget to help stabilize the rock face. Replacing the foliage and irrigation will be completed after the rock fall hazard has been addressed.

Senator Sam Slom – distributed his monthly report and highlighted:

• The Governor notified the legislature she was vetoing 33 bills. Both houses met on July 10, 2007 and overrode many of the vetoes.
• SB 138 becomes law without the Governor’s signature. This bill allocates 55% of the revenues collected at Diamond Head Park to remain with the park for the purpose of maintenance, repair and operations.
• Darwin Ching was appointed to as Director of State Department of Labor; Les Kondo will serve as interim commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC); former Representative Mark Moses has been appointed to serve as director of the Office of Veterans Services.

Representative Lyla Berg – No representative present, however, a report was available.

TASK FORCE / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

OMPO Traffic – Fukuda reported OMPO’s meeting yesterday was presented the concept by Representative Rida Cabanilla of “Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to Construct Freeways.” Fukuda added that House Bill 70 relating to public private partnerships in transportation was not heard in the Senate. 

Land Use & Zoning – No report.

Waialae/Kahala/East Diamond Head – Neighborhood of Excellence Task Force – Roberson reported that a meeting will be scheduled soon. Topics looking to be discussed include Hawaii 2050 and a presentation by Hawaiian Human Society, establishing a beach for dogs not on leashes. 

OLD OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Kahala Beach area (vegetation encroachments / seawall variances) – Working group options.

State DOT Landscaping Plan for Waialae/Kahala area (Chris Dacus to report on SDOT projects) – No representative; no report.

NEW BUSINESS:

Purchase Neighborhood Board banner to announce meetings – Fukuda moved, Anderson seconded to purchase a Board banner announcing the Board’s meeting (day, time, and place). A brief discussion followed focusing on trying to retrieve an old banner from a former Board member; having two banners and two locations would be more effective informing area residents of the meetings. NA Richardson noted the NCO’s rule: banners are not to be posted earlier than one week prior to the meeting, removed the day after the meeting, and that arrangements and permission is given where the banners are be posted. The motion carried by unanimous consent, 6-0-0. Aye: Anderson, Fichtman, Fukuda, Himeda, Roberson, and Turbin. 

Comments followed: Turbin has offered to contact the former Board member, while resident Tom offered to hang the banners each month, and Kauhane offered suggestions where to post the banners and also offered to help with posting the banners. 

Resolution supporting the Weed-the-Beach Program to remove artificially induced vegetation seaward of the shoreline – Discussion followed that this resolution by the Kauai County supporting the Weed-the-Beach program be given back to requestor (Pyles) to introduce a draft resolution applicable to the Waialae Kahala area. This agenda item has been deferred to the September meeting. 

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Waialae Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3 will RECESS in August and will reconvene on Thursday, September 20, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT: Without any objections, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Submitted by, Marie Richardson, Neighborhood Assistant