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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

NOTE: Time limit (3 minutes) on all presentations, reports, testimony and questions. Please wait to be recognized by the Chair before speaking.

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: Lester Fukuda, Gerri Digmon, Sylvia Himeda, Leo Hura, Lucinda Pyles, Kelley Roberson, Richard Turbin.  

MEMBERS ABSENT: Stan Fichtman.

GUESTS: Capt. Mike Tosaki (HFD), Lorna Heller (BWS), Marion Kelly, Kathleen Kelly (Citizens Against Noise); Capt. Robert Green, Lt. Thomas Reyes, Sgt. Stuart Yano, and Officer Tony Kahapea (Honolulu Police Department); Lynn Yanagihara, Laura Emura, Carl Smigielski, Matthew Musgrave (Boy Scout Troop 10), Lauri Kauhane, Senator Sam Slom, Marisa Takahashi (KITV), Representative Barbara Marumoto, Francisco Figueiredo (Councilmember Djou’s Office staff), Lance Tom, Toni Takata, Quentin Doar, Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).  

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

HONOLULU FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Mike Tosaki (Kaimuki Station) reported:

·         1 brush, 1 rubbish, 2 vehicle fires, 68 emergencies, 3 search/rescue, 20 miscellaneous emergencies.

·         Fire Safety Tip: Brush fires cause great damage in our communities and use resources that could be better utilized elsewhere. Now is the time to prepare for brush fir season. Be responsible and extinguish fires properly. Even small sources of fire, such as cigarettes and charcoal, can cause immense destruction. Formulate plans and communicate with family members and neighbors to create a safer community. Report and remove hazards. Maintain a 30-foot wide firebreak by clearing vegetation surroundings all structures. For further information on creating a safe space around your home, street, or community, contact Denise Laitinen of Firewise Communities at 281-3497 or go to www.firewise.org.  

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Capt. Robert Green reported:

·         The crime trend statistic report for March and a handout regarding ATM Safety Tips were distributed.

·         Much of the property crimes can be attributed to one person; and a number of graffiti arrest were made.  

·         Community Policing Officer, Tony Kahapea, was introduced.  

Questions and answers followed:

1.       Handed letter to the Department of Transportation Services, Representative Kaku.

2.       The concert in the Diamond Head Crater is moving forward.

3.       The traffic on Malia Street is getting real bad during backup on Kalanianaole Highway.

4.       Turbin noted several break-ins on Kahala Avenue and was concerned about the uninhabited Kawamoto properties. He would like to see more patrol during the daylight and after dark hours. Capt. Green would look into the matter.

Digmon (7:12 p.m.) and Turbin (7:14 p.m.) arrived during the above portion of the meeting. (7 members present)

REPORT FROM CITY AGENCIES:

Mayor’s Representative - Laverne Higa had no formal report.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       Digmon raised concern that the bus shelter on Malia Street is not standard.

2.       Turbin raised concern whether proper permits were attained for the Kawamoto property at 4744 Kahala Avenue.

3.       Tom inquired about the ADA curb cuts next to the driveway on Malia Street fronting Kahala Nui Senior Center.

4.       Kathy Kelley is concerned about the steep embankment (unimproved sidewalk area) where people need to step into the street on Black Point Road where it meets Kahala Avenue.    

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

·         No main breaks for the month of February.

·         General Water Announcements: Weather forecasters are predicting that El Nino conditions are expected to last for the next three to six months. As a result, below-normal rainfall is anticipated throughout the islands. Until these conditions subside, they are recommending that voluntary water conservation measure be practiced. Most islands are expected to receive 60-70% of the rainfall normally anticipated during the first six months of 2007. However, month-to-month variations in rainfall patterns may cause any island to experience less than half of normal rainfall during any one or two months from now until the end of June. This information helps to reinforce BWS’s message of year-round conservation.

·         Water Saving Tips: a) if you walk across your lawn and leave footprints, it’s time to water. b) Keeping your showers to five-minutes or less can save up to 1000 gallons a month. c) If your dishwasher is new, you can cutback on rinsing dishes before putting them in (the new washers clean more thoroughly than the old ones). d) You can leave lower branches on trees and shrubs to allow leaf litter to accumulate on top of the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.

Councilmember Charles Djou - Francisco Figueiredo distributed the Councilmember’s monthly newsletter and reported that the Budget CIP’s and Operating budgets are being discussed; and more hearings will be heard on the property tax rates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1.       Pyles

2.       A question was raised regarding the road conditions on Kilauea Avenue. It was noted that work on Kilauea Avenue is slated to start shortly. DFM has a list of all roads to be rehabilitated.

3.       Ainakoa resident, Doar, shared an issue regarding a parking incident and loitering on Ainakoa Avenue; Fiqueiredo agreed to look into the matter. Doar would also like to know if Luinakoa Street is included in the road rehabilitation project and if so when?  

4.       Turbin would like a follow-up on violation citations issued regarding the Kawamoto properties.

5.       Roberson asked Council member Djou’s office to reprocess to City Council and asked to research situation similar and would like to know update on effect, “focusing on upkeep”.      

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:  

Approval of February 15, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes – Corrections included:

·         Page 1, add Lance Tom to the Guest list.

·         Page 1, first bullet under HPD delete was insert were.

·         Page 3, Q&A - item 1, under Senator Slom, delete take to.

·         Page 4, second paragraph, second line delete and no nothing and insert but no action taken; second paragraph under Muffler Citations, Chronic Noise Violations and Complaints, delete Kelley insert Roberson; under Representative Berg, third line should read, “; if you have trouble with your neighbors…”.

Roberson moved, Pyles seconded to approve the February 15, Regular Meeting Minutes, as amended. The motion carried by unanimous consent, 7-0-0.

Task Force Meeting Minutes of February 6, 2007 – Correction to the minutes:

Page 3, first line, insert a ‘period’ following ‘help’ and delete the rest of that sentence. 

Roberson moved, Digmon seconded to approve the February 6, Task Force Meeting Minutes, as amended. The motion carried by unanimous consent, 7-0-0.

Treasurer’s Report of February 2007: Himeda reported total expense for the Operating/Publicity accounts were $33.07, leaving a closing balance to-date of $2,252.64. There were no expenses reflecting the Refreshment Account leaving a balance to-date of $120.00. Since there were no objections, the Treasurer’s Report of February 2007 was accepted for filing. 

RESIDENT’S CONCERNS: 

Kahala Mall Update – Chair Fukuda said Ron Yoda, General Manager, Kahala Mall Management, was unable to attend tonight, but reported that Tower Records will be made into office space and Star Market closed its doors on March 10. Kahala Mall is currently considering three alternatives.

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Governor’s Representative – Mark Andersen distributed the Governor’s Weekly Update, Typical Hawaiian Coastal Dune Vegetation handout, and a handout about current legislation:  relating to pedestrians’ right of way (HB375 HD1); and legislation relating to pedestrian safety (HB806 HD2 and SB1192 SD).  

Representative Barbara Marumoto – distributed her report and highlighted on:  

·         Bills, co-sponsored by Marumoto that successfully crossed over to the Senate.

·         Presentation of a Certificate of Recognition from members of the House to the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross.   

·         Bills for stronger dam safety guidelines calls for stronger enforcement, stricter penalties for non-compliance and increased state oversight.

·         Attendance at the ceremony at Washington Place for First Lady Laura Bush’s announcement of Papahanaumokua as the new name of the North-Western Hawaiian Island Marine National Monument.

·         The dedication of the newly renovated Science, Tachnology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center at Kapiolani Community College.

·         Her report also included articles about neighbors in the news and neighborhood schools.

Representative Lyla Berg – No representative present; report/handouts available (monthly Newsletter, the People’s Pulse, and “Human Rights: Quality of Life” Day at the State Capitol.  

Senator Sam Slom – Distributed his monthly report and reported:

TASK FORCE / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

OMPO Traffic – Chair Fukuda reported Overall Work Program – comments by April 2, 2007

Land Use & Zoning (Pyles) – City Council actions or pending hearings

Waialae/Kahala/East Diamond Head – Neighborhood of Excellence Task Force – task force

minutes and report on Kawamoto Property and Traffic Concerns

OLD / UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  

Waialae Beach Park – Update on future improvement project

Kahala Beach area (Vegetation Encroachments/Seawall Variances) Update & Variance –

actions or responses

State DOT Landscaping Plan for Waialae/Kahala area – SDOT project is out to bid. 

Ainakoa Community Park Update on City maintenance –

East Honolulu Development Plan – NHB#3 included in East Honolulu instead of Central

Muffler Citations, Chronic Noise Violations and Complaints – Leo Hura

Kahala Nui Parking Concerns on Malia Street Update – In speaking with Marilyn Israel of Kahala Nui, Fukuda reported that  will address internal parking with employees again.  Can’t make NHB Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by

Marie Richardson

Neighborhood Assistant