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WAIALAE-KAHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kelley Roberson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.; a quorum was present with eight (8) members.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Scotty Anderson, Gerri Digmon, Stan Fitchman, Lester Fukuda, Sylvia Himeda, Julia Kane, Lucinda Pyles, Kelley Roberson and Richard Turbin (arrived at 8:04 p.m.). 

MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

GUESTS: Lyn Wong, Kathleen Kelley, Margaret Murchie, Tim Moulsen, Andy Wiegand, Jake Von, Ms. Chin, Sgt S. Yano and Lt. A. Kurusu (Honolulu Police Department), Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Senator Sam Slom, Representative Barbara Marumoto, Representative Lyla Berg,  Laverne Higa (Mayor’s Representative, Director Department of Facility Maintenance) and Jamal Siddiqui (Neighborhood Commission Office Staff).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Board Members and guests introduced themselves.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Sgt. S. Yano distributed District 7 – East Honolulu report that included area crime trend statistics, Halloween safety tips, contact information for Community Policing (Neighborhood Security Watch) including a brochure to help give residents the tools to establish their own Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW), Geographical Information System (GIS) and HPD website – www.honolulupd.org. 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

•  asked if any arrests regarding teenage gangs fighting yesterday fronting his Kahala Towers apartment complex residence. Sgt. Yano replied that yesterday, HPD arrested teenage students from Palolo conducting numerous fights fronting Wilson Community Park located next to Wilson Elementary School.
• Digmon asked if there are procedures to notify parents of gang related activities. Sgt. Yano replied that gang member parent’s are informed of their children’s illegal activities.

Chair Roberson noted that Wilson Elementary School’s basketball court, drug dealing and violence item is on tonight’s meeting agenda and entertained taking the item up now; there were no objections.

WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S BASKETBALL COURT DRUG DEALING AND VIOLENCE:   Area resident Jake Von reported that in September and October 2007, there has been an acceleration of illegal activities taking place at Wilson Community Park. He has witnessed teenage gangs selling pakalolo, playing loud music and fighting among rival gang members. Von distributed a petition of more than 100 signatures of area resident residing near Wilson Community Park requesting a greater police presence nearby Wilson Community Park.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

·         Ms. Chin mentioned having witnessed rival gangs with knives and guns. In addition, having witnessed police officers watching and not intervening to end fights among rival gangs.

·         Another resident commented that after these gangs conduct their illegal activities, they leave the Wilson Community Park area after 15 – 20 minutes. Patrolling at Wilson Community Park is a high priority. However, HPD is short-handed were earlier today. They responded to a bank robbery in Kapahulu, a vehicle break-in in Manoa and an incident taking place at Palolo McDonalds.

·         Area residents said these underage gangs are bold and unafraid due to lack of timely police presence.

·         A resident pointed out having witnessed the same young kid leading his Palolo-based gang conducting illegal activities and had not been arrested to this date. Sgt. Yano replied that HPD will send a message by arresting these gang members.

·         Pyles asked if there are proactive measures that communities can do to address the problem. Sgt. Yano said establishing Neighborhood Security Watches would make a significance difference to deter illegal activities.

·         Resident Moulsen asked if there is law against fighting; Sgt. Yano said yes, there are existing laws prohibiting disorderly conduct.

·         Digmon asked how the parents of these youths be held accountable. Sgt. Yano replied that the parents back up their children when talking to the police. Lt. Kurusu pointed out that most cases end up in family court where information regarding the youths and their parents are confidential.

·         Fukuda suggested that HPD send in a plain clothes undercover officer to stakeout Wilson Community Park to do surveillance to track youth gangs. Lt. Kurusu noted the combination of adequate manpower and timely surveillance are possible tools to combat the problem of youth gangs.

·         A resident commented that the root of the youth gang problems is drugs. One possible solution is for HPD to deploy drug sniffing dogs.

·         Senator Slom commended residents for speaking their minds on this problem; and commented that the Hawaii State Legislature for hand cuffing the police and coddling youth gangs by failing to pass legislation submitted annually by the Law Enforcement Coalition to combat crime. When asked HPD if HPD has a Gang Strike Force; Sgt. Yano replied yes.

·         A resident asked if there is a contact person in the Palolo community to address this problem. Chair Roberson replied that he would contact the Chair of the Palolo Neighborhood Board. Chair Roberson also mentioned HPD’s website with contact information of people in the East Honolulu Office to help communities establish their own Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW) program. Von stated he would take the initiative to form the Wilson Community Park Area NSW.

·         Pyles noted there is a City Council Resolution that deals with youth gangs. 

The agenda resumed order.

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): No representative was available.

REPORTS FROM CITY AGENCIES

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Laverne Higa highlighted the following:

• In response to a concern Digmon at last month’s meeting regarding installation of stop signs and crosswalks at the intersection of Ainakoa Avenue and Malia Street; Higa replied that the appropriate person to contact is Mike Oshiro of the City. Department of Transportation Services’ Traffic Control Branch, whose office is located at the Fasi Municipal Building (FMB).

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Chair Roberson and Pyles shared concerns about Genshiro Kawamoto’s lack of maintenance on more than the 100 homes he owns along Kahala Avenue whose conditions have been dilapidated.
• Digmon shared a constituent concern about two trees falling on the curbside fronting 1380 Ainakoa Street.
• Resident Moulsen stated concern that an individual has dumped dirt on a ditch located on the mauka side of 4578 Kalanianaole Highway.
• Pyles stated concern about the sprinkler located in the center of the Hunakai Street median not functioning and needs to be fixed.
• Digmon requested that the Board place on the November meeting agenda the issue regarding Malia Street and Ainakoa Avenue street safety concerns.
• Higa would follow up on these concerns and respond with an answer at the next Board meeting.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Lorna Heller reported the following:

• October is “Make a Difference Month,” and BWS would like to encourage everyone to “make a difference” by helping to preserve and protect our precious water resources. There are seven ways this can be done: a) Don’t let the faucet run and run. b) Take shorter showers. c) Put a nozzle on your garden hose. d) Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures. e) Water your lawns just 2-3 times a week and don’t water between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. f) Grow plants that match your home’s climate conditions. For recommendations, check out the Oahu Planting Guide on www.boardofwatersupply.com. f) Check for leaks in plumbing and toilets.
• A man was recently sentenced to five years in prison for stealing copper from a BWS facility. BWS was able to prosecute this thief thanks to the help of a surrounding resident who witnessed this thief in action and called 911. If you see any sort of suspicious activity – illegal dumping, vandalism, theft, etc. please contact 911 immediately and report the activity to the police. These criminal acts not only impact our facilities, but as ratepayers, it costs you money.

Chair Roberson inquired on BWS’ position on Sustainable 2050. Heller will follow up and give a response at the Board’s November 2007 meeting.

COUNCILMEMBER CHARLES DJOU: Stan distributed Councilmember Djou’s written report and highlighted the following: The Honolulu City Council has passed Bill 64 authorizing the City to do a pilot project regarding Curbside Recycling in Mililani and Hawaii Kai.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Kane stated her concern that she does not have adequate space to have three color trash bins.  replied to return trash bin back to the City.
• Anderson commented that in Australia, they have the same truck that separates categories of trash to be picked up (i.e. green wastes and municipal wastes).
• A resident commented that business establishments should set up recycled bins in their locations like they do in the mainland.

Turbin arrived at 8:04 p.m. There are 9 members present.

BOARD HOUSEKEEPING:

APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Fukuda moved and seconded the approval of the September 20, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes with these corrections:

• Page 1, paragraph 9, under Honolulu Fire Department, add “Digmon stated that the increasing amount of loud sirens throughout the week and especially during late or early morning has changed Kahala Nui Retirement Center to an emergency room status to the chagrin of the resident at all hours. It was suggested that if there was some way only during the late evening hours where the City could consider quieting or lowering the high pitched blaring sirens when entering their usual entry on Aina Koa and Malia residential streets. 
• Page 2, paragraph 6, under Mayor’s Representative, Questions followed #2, delete “elderly residents would have to walk to Kalanianaole Highway to cross which is too far” and insert “Mayor’s Representative than stated that the residents should walk to the nearest stop lights.
• Page 4, paragraph 6 should read: KAHALA BEACH AREA (VEGETATION ENCROACHMENTS and SEAWALL VARIANCES – Pyles noted that she will look into ideas that can be included in solving this problem.
• Page 4, paragraph 7 add, TREES PLANTED IN HUNAKAI STREET MEDIAN – Pyles stated that a letter of thanks to Stan Oka, Head of Urban Forestry and Susan Spangler, both individuals were instrumental in obtaining trees to replace the wili wili trees that died.

The motion carried 9-0-0, as amended.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Himeda reported for the month of September 2007: current expenses of $31.78, leaving a balance of $2,481.56; the refreshment account balance remains at $120.00. There being no objections, The Treasurer’s Report was filed.  

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Honolulu Marathon Traffic Control Report –  With the Annual Honolulu Marathon fast approaching, Himeda suggested that the Board invite Honolulu Marathon representatives be on the Board’s November 2007 and January 2008 Regular Meeting Agenda to inform the community what their traffic control plans before and after the Honolulu Marathon.

Traffic Lights and Crosswalks at the intersection of Malia Street and Ainakoa Avenue – Digmon stated that she attended an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) meeting held recently at Aliiolani Elementary School in Palolo where area residents stated the need for the City to install additional traffic lights and crosswalks. Digmon noted that wider streets leave elderly pedestrians vulnerable. Digmon pointed out that most of Ainakoa residents are elderly residents who fought in both World War II and the Korean War.   

Thanking Wilson Community Park Area Residents for Speaking Out at Tonight’s Meeting –Wilson Community Park area residents were commended for speaking their minds and concerns regarding the presence of rival youth gangs fronting Wilson Community Park where most of the illegal activities take place after school. Board Member Turbin stated that continued police presence is the key to deter these youth gangs.

Chair Roberson replied that he would place Wilson Community Park Neighborhood Security Watch as a Regular Board Agenda item.

Fixing The Fence Fronting Kalani High School – Tim Moulsen expressed concern regarding the poor shape of a fence fronting Kalani High School. Therefore, he suggested that this item be placed on the Board’s November 2007 Regular Meeting Agenda.

Graffiti Problems – Andy Wiegand expressed concern regarding graffiti not being removed on a regular basis. Wiegand noted that graffiti is used by rival gangs to establish their territory. Board Member Pyles suggested that Wiegand contact the East Honolulu Office of the City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to request paint to match area color walls affected by graffiti.

REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Chair Roberson received notice that the Governor’s Representative Mark Andersen will not be present at tonight’s Board meeting.

REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA MARUMOTO – Representative Marumoto distributed her written report earlier in the meeting.

REPRESENTATIVE LYLA BERG – Representative Berg distributed her written report and highlighted on:

• Attending a meeting on Thursday, November 8, 2007 to discuss then possibility of a pilot community and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)/Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) partnership to monitor the shorelines and maintain beach resources. The primary goal of this pilot project is to demonstrate whether communities can play a role in shoreline monitoring and beach clean-up.
• The Hawaii State Legislature will meet in a special session from Wednesday October 24 to 31, 2007 to work on legislation to allow the Hawaii Super Ferry to operate while going through an Environmental Assessment (EA) and possibly an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Fichtman stated while traveling in Chicago, he was asked what his response was to the Hawaii Super Ferry protests. Representative Berg replied that the protestors were exercising their First Amendment Rights. She expressed concern regarding the environmental impact of the Hawaii Super Ferry. She further stated that companies planning to do business in Hawaii must comply with Hawaii State Laws.
• Area resident Tim Moulsen stated that the majority of Hawaii residents support the Super Ferry that is being blocked by a minority. Board Member Turbin replied that in a democracy majority rules while simultaneously respecting the rights of minority opinion.

SENATOR SAM SLOM: Senator Slom distributed his written report and highlighted the following:

• The Hawaii State Legislature will meet in a Special Session starting October 24, 2007 to address the Hawaii Super Ferry issue. The last time there was a special session was in September 11, 2001 attacks where Democratic Senator Colleen Hanabusa, himself and others, successfully fought to curb the “BIG BEN BILL” that if passed would have given the Governor extra powers. BIG BEN is reference to then-Governor Benjamin Cayetano.
• In 2004, all 76 state legislators supported the Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 79, urging the State to accelerate having a Super Ferry service statewide. As for concerns raised by Super Ferry opponents stating the detrimental impact on whales is false in the past five years, only one whale was killed ironically by a whale watching agency. He noted that the Hawaii Super Ferry has jet propulsion, not propellers that make the Hawaii Super Ferry more environmentally friendly. He further mentioned two years ago, Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza ruled in favor of the Hawaii Super Ferry but was overruled by the Hawaii Supreme Court. When the Super Ferry issue was being challenged in State Court recently in Maui, Judge Cardoza had no choice to but rule in favor of the Super Ferry opponents because he could not as a State Judge overturn a decision reached by the Hawaii Supreme Court. In addition to addressing the Super Ferry issue the special session includes addressing extended prison sentences of felons and for the Senate to confirm various state department directors, board members and commissioners and state judicial vacancies.  

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MALAMA MAUNALUA IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PRESERVE MAUNALUA BAY: Pyles moved and Turbin seconded that the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3 support the resolution supporting Malama Maunalua’s efforts to preserve Maunalua Bay by the City to purchase 3 parcels of land from the State to preserve open space. The motion was carried by a vote of 8-0-1. Ayes: Anderson, Fukuda, Roberson, Digmon, Kane, Pyles, Turbin, and Himeda. Abstain: Fichtman.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

State Department of Transportation (Dot) Landscaping Plan for Waialae-Kahala: Board Member Fukuda reported that the landscaping plan for Waialae-Kahala is almost completed with the needs to make further improve landscaping along Kalanianaole Highway, specifically fronting Kalani High School.

TASK FORCE/COMMITTEE REPORTS:

SUSTAINABILITY 2050 SUMMIT, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007: Chair Roberson reported attending the Sustainability 2050 Summit held on September 22, 2007, where ideas were being generated among meeting participants to improve the quality of life. There were no plans affecting East Honolulu. Concerns were expressed by the Hawaii Business Roundtable concerning funding of Sustainable 2050 Summit by the Hawaii State Legislature. Chair Roberson plans to give a more comprehensive report at the next meeting, Thursday, November 15, 2007.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Citing time constraints, the remaining agenda items were deferred to the next regular Board Meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 15, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT: Anderson moved and Himeda seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously 9-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by,

Jamal Siddiqui

Neighborhood Assistant