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KAILUA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

 

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES  

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007

KAILUA RECREATION CENTER

 

Olelo Broadcast Channel 49 Monday 9:00 p.m. or visit http://www.neighborhoodlink.com  for more information from Kailua Neighborhood Board

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Chair Kathy Bryant-Hunter called the meeting to order at 7: p.m.; a quorum was present.

Chair Bryant-Hunter welcomed and thanked everyone for coming tonight.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kalana Best, Richard Bratt, Kathy Bryant-Hunter, John Brown, Jon Chinen, Jim Corcoran, Michael Correa, Virginia Enos, Debbi Glanstein, Joseph Harding, Knud Lindgard, Christian Porter, Chuck Prentiss, Claudine Tomasa, Linda Ure, Ronald Weinberg and Donna Wong.  

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Michelle Brooks & Susan Dowsett.    

 

GUESTS:  Maria Gorak, Tim and Elaine Roberts, Sam and Peggy Failla, Joe and Sarah Gilman, Proctor Gilbert, John Foster (Representative Thielen’s Office staff), Jim Miltier, Ed Medeiros, Rich Figel (Beach Access Hawaii), Monica Moons, Flo Hayslip, Diana and Gary Helford, Kara Spheeris, Trudy and Bob Moncrief, Shirley W. Harshey, Jackie Grasso, Glenn and Jan Pestana, Daniel and Pam Hickman, Tatiana Welch, Keith Adams, Jim Wood, Ursula Retherford, Glenn Wasserman (Governor’s Representative), Mark Neirode, Senator Jill Tokuda, Barbara Krasniewski, Glenn Uyeshiro, Sara Way, Brian McLoughlin, Kim Adams, Tom Spheeris, Bob Grantham, Don Bremner, Capt. Damien Kahaulelio (Honolulu Fire Department), Peter Miller, Marilyn Gilbert, Maonui C. Lasch, Bart Ulansey, Ken Adams, Keith Puhi Adams, Henry Morita, Larry Bartley, Tom Spears, Jackie Russell, Marie Richardson (Neighborhood Commission Office) and 10 – 15 others that did not sign in,    

 

SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBER, vIRGINIA eNOS - The meeting began with the swearing in of Virginia Enos who was appointed last month. NA Richardson administered the Oath of Office and Enos was congratulated. Enos thanked all the board members who voted for her; and especially the letters that were sent in her support which she appreciated. Thank you!

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter announced having a very full agenda and asks everyone to please stay on point throughout the evening would be helpful. Board members were asked to speak once on an issue would be helpful. Community members it would be helpful to state whether you support or do not support a motion when speaking on an issue would be helpful when Board makes their decision tonight. The Board has been backed up the last couple months and will try to catch up and move through the lengthy agenda; and she asked everyone’s cooperation.

 

Announcements: The Chair referred to a public meeting announcements occurring in the next month:

 

·         Waimanalo Gulch Leeward Landfill Draft EIS – Jim Corcoran made the announcement of the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill EIS. The PC (PC) is recommending that the closure of Waimanalo Gulch Leeward be extended from May 1, 2008 to May 1, 2010. Therefore, the motion is: Corcoran moved that the Kailua Neighborhood Board, in view of the Mayor’s Administration’s failure to act to open the approved expansion of the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, is compelled to concur with the extension of the use of the present landfill until May 1, 2010 or until capacity is reached, whichever come first; Ure seconded the motion. Discussion followed: 1) Corcoran reported since the idea was raised, the committee discussed it thoroughly but did not come to a resolution mainly because, as the acting Chair of the committee he was not sure which to go, but went back and did further study. And indeed the failure of Mayor Hannemann’s Administration to carry out the planned expansion of Waimanalo Gulch has put the City and Oahu in a position where there really is no choice but to go ahead and extend the existing landfill; and then, the requirement would be to put the heat on the Mayor’s Administration to go ahead and act on what is already planned. The expansion of the landfill, once it’s closed in 2008, will be opened and used for another 15 years or until 2023.

      Chair Byrant-Hunter read the motion again for the benefit of those who did not hear the motion; and added    that this is a time sensitive and will be heard before the Planning Commission (PC) on Wednesday, November 14.

 

      Discussion continued: 2) Weinberg did not understand from where the issue came and that he is being        asked to make a decision. The statement was not clearly worded and suggested it be better explained or            better written. He’s hearing of a lot of the meetings coming up, but has there been any homework done on this; he thinks it should be tabled or reconsidered for a later time when adequate time has been given to      examine the implications. 3) Ure noted that the committee has been tracking the Waimanalo Gulch    landfill issue for four years and have been waiting and asking for the EIS for sometime; and knew             some    months ago, they were going to do an extension of 20 to 24 months. The motion simple says, “We concur”;     go ahead and get your provision 10 and 12 approved by the PC, we will support you.” And part of the         reason is it has been some recycling done to reduce the volume going into the landfill, and have to give the City some credit for what they have done but also to remind the City that they have been     late. Where it will           be address is to the PC on November 14; and the Board does not meet again to do this motion before then.            This is an opportunity to both support and chastise the City that it would have been better had the City      gone to the PC earlier or had the EIS ready earlier and that it’s unfortunate, but at least the Board is on        record saying that this Board has been following the process.

 

      3) Bratt agreed but had an issue. He thinks the words “is compelled” can be taken out; we either concur or   we don’t and being “compelled” means we’re being forced into a corner. Chair Bryant-Hunter asked    whether an amendment is on the table to delete the words “is compelled”; Bratt moved and Weinberg             seconded the amendment to delete the words “is compelled.” The Chair reminded everyone that the            discussion is on the amendment only whether you agree or disagree with deleting the words “is compelled”. 

 

            Discussion followed on the amendment only: 1) As the maker of the motion, Corcoran explained that of                          course, “we are compelled”; and that the committee did not even want to do anything about this but the fact                    is that the Mayor’s administration has not done what the law says. Corcoran accepts the Amendment but                          would like to add “s” to the word to read         “concurs”. Chair Bryant-Hunter repeated the amended motion to       delete “is compelled” and add “concurs”; and by a show of hands the motion carried, 16-1-0. Aye: Best,                            Bratt, Brown, Bryant-Hunter, Chinen, Corcoran, Correa, Enos, Harding, Lindgard, Porter, Prentiss,                           Tomasa, Weinberg, Ure, Wong. Nay: Glanstein.

   

      Chair Bryant-Hunter noted the matter is time sensitive and asked that everyone consider voting on the          matter. By a roll call vote, the motion carried 16-1-0. Aye: Best, Bratt, Brown, Bryant-Hunter, Chinen,        Corcoran, Correa, Enos, Harding, Lindgard, Porter, Prentiss, Tomasa, Weinberg, Ure, Wong. Nay:        Glanstein.  For those who may be interested in participating in the Planning Commission meeting will be     held on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at the Mission Memorial Auditorium, City Hall Annex, 550 South        King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 at 1:30 p.m.

 

·         Graffiti in neigrhood parks – Timely removal, monitoring and reporting at the City & County of Honolulu – 527-5180; Honolulu Police Department – 529-3222

 

·         Neighborhood Commission public hearing of 2007 revised neighborhood plan of the city and county of honolulu – as amended and the adoption of rules and procedures of the Neighborhood Commission to be held on the Windward side: saturday, november 3, 2007, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., hale akoakoa building, windward community college, 45-720 keaahala road, kaneohe, hawai’i  96744.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Ure noted that the corrections of September 6, 2007 meeting are imbedded in the minutes of the October 4, 2007, which the Board has no draft on and will have to address the matter next month or sooner when the draft is received. Chair Bryant-Hunter noted that the meetings were rather lengthy and noted it is taking a little longer to gets those minutes done; and thanked Ms. Ure and Richardson. At this time, Mary Benjamin, new employee and in training at the NCO was introduced and welcomed to the Board and the community.                                                                                  

Board Unfinished Actions:                                                                                   

 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE – Ure highlighted due to time constraints last month, the motions will be done tonight. She proceeded to read the first motion:  

Motion 1: The Kailua Neighborhood Board requests the Department of Parks and Recreation to provide      access to park user permits on a public website. Ure explained the reason is that the committee feels the activities in the parks can be better tracked if aware, and that it is sometimes   affecting traffic and other events, including the resident’s pickup games. Now with going electronic with the City it is possible to put the park user           permits on public website and a good motion to support. By a show of hands, the motion carried, 15-2-0. Aye:    Best, Bratt, Brown, Bryant-Hunter, Chinen, Corcoran, Correa, Enos, Glanstein, Porter, Prentiss, Tomasa,          Weinberg, Ure, Wong. Nay: Harding, Lindgard.

 

Motion 2: The Kailua Neighborhood Board requests the Department of Parks and Recreation to extend the       permit pre-application for park users to 45 days. Ure explained it is currently at 30 days, giving time             for more people to understand what’s happening in the parks and decrease the amount of over crowding that is          destroying the maintenance in the parks.

 

      Discussion followed: 1) Weinberg thinks it’s a bad motion. The reason is because it represents the peers in an   effort to be more controlling; and being in charge of who goes where. There are people who derived a certain      pleasure of control and you’ll see this again and again if you watch this meeting; a war of control. This    needs to stop; and it can start here by defeating this motion. There is no reason to extend the number of days other than to discourage people who want to hold a function at the park because you don’t like them or afraid       that they’ll sell kayaks at the park. The fact remains, less control and more freedom instead of a motion to     control and have less freedom. 2) Corcoran said this is a good motion, worked on very hard by the committee   and for people who want to have ground floor input should come to the committee meeting and do some of the    work of the committee and of the Board. Then you’ll be a more grounded of the depths behind some of     these motions. This is a good motion, the committee worked hard and he fully supports the motion. 3) The           Chair asked if anyone from the audience wants to speak just raise your hand and come up to the microphone          but don’t yell; it’ll be easier. Bryant-Hunter repeated the question from audience for Mr. Corcoran or Ms Ure on             why do you like this motion. Ure indicated the co-chair on this committee is Kalana Best. She lives a lot closer   to some of the parks then Ure does. Ure, however, knows that when there’s an overuse and if you start   checking with the parks, some people have no permits, some forgot to get a permit, some did not know they      needed a permit; and these can be groups anywhere from 10 to 150. This is a substantial amount of            park       permits that are either not being applied for or being applied late and they go anyway; but you are required to      carry your permit when you go to your function. But the committee is saying is that if you gave a full 45 days, it            may help people understand in conjunction with the other motions this evening, the committee is trying to say           there is a need to know who’s using the park; not only in the parks department but the community whether it will be affecting traffic of the residential neighborhoods surrounding them.

 

      Discussion continues: 4) Jim Wood did not quite understand the motion – currently, is it that you have to apply   at least 30 days in advance and this is to ask that this be extended to 45 days. So, along with a later motion of            cutting it down to 25, Wood questioned is what that would say is that if a family party of 50 has to plan a month   and a half in advance to go to the beach and have a cookout. The Chair replied correct; and Wood did not think          that sounded reasonable to him; and therefore he opposed the motion. 5) Jackie Russell said this motion            sounds punitive and more for the convenience of the Board than for the public taxpayers and she agrees with             Weinberg that this it is mostly for control over facilities that belong to the public taxpayers; and she would        oppose this motion. 6) A resident apologized for not knowing the rules for speaking and for not knowing the         specifics of the motion, but can agree with Weinberg. Firstly, the parks are for the community and if it is being    used by the community, isn’t what that is for? His thoughts were more about the leagues, run by volunteers who do get paid and perhaps at times may forgot the deadline. But who is going to suffer, the kids – and that’s exactly what Weinberg was saying that’s punitive. 7) Best offered another perspective, in that this was not in     any way punitive or meant to control or to look at every party. But when hosting large      regattas that take up the             entire beach park impacting the traffic going in and out of Lanikai and the Kailua Beach area, that it be helpful      to give the Board and community a heads up and time to actually put it on the agenda so that this Board and       community will have time to weigh-in and that was the spirit in which it was intended and she hopes that the   community would see it as such. 8) Lindgard agrees with the motion that the more time the bureaucrats get to    pass something he agrees with. By a roll call vote, the motion 12-5-0. Aye: Best, Bratt, Brown, Chinen,   Corcoran, Enos, Glanstein, Lindgard, Porter, Prentiss, Ure, Wong. Nay: Bryant-Hunter, Correa, Harding,         Tomasa, Weinberg.

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter realized the Police and Fire are not on the agenda until later. She asked to take the agenda out of order to AGENCY REPORTS for the Fire and Police reports with her apologies; no objections followed.

 

AGENCY REPORTS:                                                                                                    

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Damien Kahaulelio (Kailua Fire Station) appreciates accommodating HFD on getting their report in. He proceeded, on behalf of Kailua, Olomana and Aikahi Fire Stations, to report the statistics for last month the following:

 

·         3 structure, 1 brush, 5 rubbish, 1 vehicle fire; 89 medical, 12 search/rescue and 24 miscellaneous calls for service - all in the Kailua area. Kailua companies were involved in a few major incidents including the brush fires on the leeward coast; as well as the search and rescue of a missing diver in Kaaawa. One major incident reported by the Kailua Station was a chemical odor at Zippy’s Kailua; and turned out to be roofing material that got into the waste venting system.

·         Community Relations Department: The holidays are a time for celebration and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due to heating equipment. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States; after a party, check for smoldering cigarettes; use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant, or noncombustible materials; purchase only lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance; do not overload extension cords; try to keep live trees as moist as possible by watering them daily; and when purchasing an artificial tree, ensure it is made with fire-retardant materials.   

 

No questions followed for the Fire Department.

 

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. John Cheong (Kailua Police Station) reported:

 

·         Lt. Richard Robinson who used to give month statistic report has been promoted to Captain and is now serving on the Investigative Bureau in Honolulu.

·         20 burglaries, 53 other property thefts, 44 theft from vehicles, 4 robberies, 12 auto/motorcycle thefts totaling 133 crimes; and responded to 1,901 calls for service in Kailua. \

 

Questions and answers followed:

 

1.       Glanstein said among the crimes listed was runaway and is that runaway was from the Correctional Facility. Lt. Cheong replied no; those numbers are of any minor children that a guardian reported as a missing person or runaway; and if from the correctional facility is would fall under the category of escape.

2.       Enos, a couple weeks ago called 911 non-emergency not as a Board member, to complain about a kayak rental sign in Kailua Beach Park on top of a vehicle. She was sitting at Buzz’s when she called this in and the officer who showed up drove to the vehicle, didn’t get out of his car and left. She called a second time and said that she would like to meet with the officer. When the officer came he told Enos that he had the understanding that the KNB did not want this enforced. When she was a Board member, the Board passed a motion, 12-4-0 to virtually have no commercial activity in the park. She pointed out to the officer that the law is clearly on the books that this person was in violation; and this was disconcerting to have an officer say that. She also understands that after Enos left that the officer did speak with the individual and she has not seen him there since; and she did want to raise that concern because its things like this that are proliferating in the park and would like to put an end to that if possible.

 

3.       Weinberg commented that HPD is doing a fine job and feels there are more important things to do then        worrying about people renting kayaks at the beach. Again from what he’s seen, HPD is doing a good      balance of doing what’s important from what’s trivial, so keep up the good work.     

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter reminded the board members that there job is not to debate with other board members but to ask questions and get information; and she would encourage all Boardmember to direct your comments to the issue and not toward other board members.

 

4.       Prentiss shared more complaints from this weekend about the aerial fireworks on Wanaao Road; and noticed HPD went to the property and was wondering what the outcome was on Saturday. Lt. Cheong would have to research that information but said that the Waimanalo fireworks in the ag lots has been difficult to locate. Prentiss clarified the location in question is in Kailua at 485 Wanaao Road which has been an ongoing problem and neighbors are still complaining. Lt. Cheong reiterated that it is difficult to locate and therefore not being able to cite anyone.

 

     The Chair wanted to clarify again that the issue is in Enchanted Lakes referencing Wanaao Road and           would like the Lieutenant to follow-up on that issue; Lt. Cheong acknowledged the request but emphasized           having to witness the violation in order to cite the violation. When asked if someone else can be a witness     the violation; Cheong stated no; the Chair said maybe that’s something the Board can look at that particular          law and come up with some recommended changes.

 

5.   Best said as someone who is in and out around the Kailua Beach area several times a day, there is no time             that she does not witness large commercial vehicles or tour buses taking up public parking spaces and she understands Enos’ concern that this is for the public. These are commercial uses, which are not allowed    and are a violation of the law; also seen are large weddings in the boat ramp area; where only vehicles with           boats are allowed, dogs running all over and were told that the two bicycle patrol officers were pulled out of             Kailua Beach Park and she’s noticed that almost every month seeing that Lanikai/Kailua Beach Park with          the highest number of crimes; and have asked for at least parking patrols and traffic studies and were    consistently turned down, so she’s trying to understand what is the base line for the HPD to beef up          enforcement or more presence of the Kailua Beach Park area because it is an ongoing frustration.

 

      Lt. Cheong replied that HPD responded to over 1900 calls for service last month. The calls are         prioritized and you can be assured that your calls will be answered. Best asked if other neighborhood area             beaches have dedicated police officers and what will be required to have a dedicated person or persons assigned to the Kailua Beach Park area (Beat 469 area) because there seems to be a consistent trend and   pattern. Lt. Cheong indicated that funding for that extra dedicated officer is the issue and there are no            beaches with that type of police patrol; Best noted that Waikiki has accommodations. However Waikiki has         a large number of staff, every beat covered and    only two square miles as opposed to District 4 of about 50       linear miles.

 

6.   Bryant-Hunter noted a couple months ago that the Board supported a study for surveillance cameras for       the Kailua Beach Park and she would like to know what the status. Lt. Cheong replied that Sgt. Grems is awaiting word from the department in a very preliminary stage of the proposal; Cheong will have Sgt.    Grems keep the Board informed.

 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) – Major Christopher Perrine reported:

 

·         On the air show and thanked everyone for the overwhelming support. There were about 150,000 people over the weekend and there were a lot of positive feed back. The first day, Friday was opened only to the military, schools and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He also wanted to thank HPD for providing a tremendous amount of support as well as manpower throughout the weekend to make the show a success and really appreciated their help.  

·         Next weekend is Veterans Day as well as the Marine Corps Birthday, November 10. MCBH will have a four day weekend from Friday and Monday off and will be participating in the Veterans Day events; and the Waikiki Floral Day Parade on November 23.

 

No questions followed.

 

The agenda resumed order back to Unfinished Business and the motions of the Parks and Recreation Committee.  

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE: Ure reported that the Parks and Rec Committee received a lot of complaints about all of the parks, the activities, and the lack of maintenance, the equipment and the deteriorating conditions thereof. This is why the committee, co-chair Best, members Enos and Harding tried to think of a process to allow the parks to be available to the taxpaying resident’s and visitors that can be handled because the carrying capacity does matter.

 

Motion 3: The Kailua Neighborhood Board requests the City and State Film Offices to provide public notice            to impacted areas and access to filming permits on a public website. She explained when filming near the          parks or in the neighborhood parks the residents needs to know this additional information so they can plan      around these events and she is asking to please support this motion.

 

      Wong asked to make an amendment to add “notify the neighborhood board”; that way it can be on the agenda    so the audience and people watching Olelo can be notified. Ure accepted the amendment but was not        hopeful it will happen because a request previously has not happened. It can be put in or it can be left as part      of the description letter. Chair Bryant-Hunter noted it will be added to the motion and she read the motion with    the amendment that the Kailua Neighborhood Board requests the City and State       Film Offices to provide            public notice to impacted areas, neighborhood boards, and access to filming permits on a public      website.  

 

      Discussion followed: 1) Weinberg did not think the motion was realistic indicating it’s not the way movie             companies do business, and that this was just another attempt to control things and for the public to be aware of how the motions by the committee are being born that despite what it says in the charter, the public can only          be heard but not have a right to vote on the committee. He therefore was against the motion. Chair Bryant-        Hunter encouraged board members to remember to speak to the motion. 2) Glanstein states her understanding           of the motion allows for more notice and not less notice; and more opportunities for the public to get involved     which is part of the mission statement. By a roll call vote, the motion carried by 15-2-0. Aye: Best, Bratt,       Brown, Bryant-Hunter, Chinen, Corcoran, Correa, Enos, Glanstein, Lindgard, Porter, Prentiss, Tomasa, Ure,   Wong. Nay: Harding, Weinberg.

 

Motion 4: The Kailua Neighborhood Board strongly urges the Department of Parks and Recreation to          amend permitting user rules for groups of 50 to groups of 25 in an effort to address increases in park          use by groups in an effort to defray park maintenance costs and excess carrying capacity degradation.

 

      Discussion followed: 1) Bratt’s initial take on this, bands all AYSO soccer teams from having their parties in the park. If you have a 15 member soccer team plus 30 parents that’s already 45 people, so he’s wondering            whether this was discussed in the committee. Ure replied that the difference in the permitting is whether they    ask you to pay a janitorial fee which they do now at 50, but that’s only for parks where you would use electricity            or their kitchen. And this is for groups so they know to look whether they’re going to use janitorial services           (toilet tissue, hand towels, electricity, clean sinks or trash removal), and a head count by which determines    whether janitorial services is appropriate or not. 2) Weinberg again repeats more control but what’s interesting     on this one was that the concern that the parks are being used too much and being rundown. So, the solution it          seems to be is to have smaller groups that don’t do anything in the parks and then nothing wears out. But that’s       not what life’s all about and the parks should be made easy to used and enjoyed. 3) Wong said for clarification   the motion is asking to look at the fee structure that governs groups of 50 and groups of 25. Ure verified    shrinking from groups of 50 to groups of 25. As is, even if the group is 150 people, there will still be a janitorial     fee; but what the committee is suggesting is perhaps the janitorial or maintenance fee may need to be included for smaller groups of 25; Bryant-Hunter said the rules is now at 50 but the committee is recommending the janitorial/maintenance fee be changed to groups from 50 of 25 people. 4) Best added in an effort to clarify,   that being seen are a lot more groups of 25, and all the committee is asking is that people to bare their fair       share of whatever happens to the park. 5) Jackie Grasso suggested the motion should read more clearly            because it can really be read as Mr. Weinberg suggested, asking that less people be in the parks rather than   asking for smaller people to pay as well. She also conveyed her disappointment in all the motions tonight. 6)     Jim Wood also questioned the purpose – in relations to certain situations where groups considerably smaller   than 25 having to pay because someone had to be there to open and close; and this would seem already       covered when there’s an opportunity for charges. But when a group of 25 people come for a family picnic they       would have to get a permit, but he did not believe that they would have to pay for the park use and therefore     the main impact would be a hassle for medium size groups that aren’t going to be charged anything anyway       and perhaps the results as intended to be to make it hard for people to use it and not use the park; and not a                good idea.

 

      Discussion continued with Chair Bryant-Hunter wishing to speak on the motion; she then passed the gavel         to Vice Chair Prentiss. 7) Bryant-Hunter spoke against the motion and as Mr. Bratt mentioned 25 is not that big   a group but 50 is reasonable and if the issue is maintenance then the efforts should be to work with our councilmember to dedicate more monies towards our parks. Bryant-Hunter noted since she spoke on the          motion, Prentiss would continue chairing this portion of the meeting; Prentiss disagreed saying he didn’t think             that’s correct. 8) A young resident asked if every group of 25 people in the group would have to pay a fee or is          it the first 25 people in the group. Ure said there maybe a fee and it is at the discretion of the parks department;             if you group is 50 and you have no kitchen facilities, they will not charge you a fee; and even if they lower it to   25 to begin considering that fee so they can pay the janitorial services and grounds maintenance and removing       the ashes, etc. because they’re being left for days and the concern that they don’t have enough reciprocal          funds coming in from users to help defray the maintenance cost that can only be increased once a year on the      budget. So the thoughts within the committee felt that lowering the threshold to 25 doesn’t decrease the     number in the group it only starts the fee process earlier; the fee is minimum. The young resident felt the            number is lowered to have to pay then people are less likely to come to the parks and instead go to areas           outside of Kailua; and 25 people is not really a lot. By a roll call of votes, the motion failed, 4-13-0. Aye:   Best, Corcoran, Glanstein, Ure. Nay: Bratt, Brown, Bryant-Hunter, Chinen, Correa, Enos, Harding, Lindgard,            Porter, Prentiss, Tomasa, Weinberg, Wong.

 

      The gavel was relinquished by to Bryant-Hunter. Best was briefly recognized and stated that she had wanted to make a comment before the vote saying that the motion actually started with disappointment, disappointment at       how people….;Chair Bryant-Hunter interrupted Best and said that debate is during the motion; after that the        Board moves on. 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS / COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chair Bryant-Hunter noted that the Board would be getting to Committee Reports under Unfinished Business from the previous meeting; followed by Community Issues and Announcements for those wishing to speak that’s not on the agenda; and followed by the Elected Officials. Several community members are present to speak on two of the motion; and those will be taken out of order to be heard as quickly as possible.

                                                           

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE – Committee Chair Chinen announced that the committee had response to comments on the Draft Four-Year Area Plan Elder Affairs Division; written reports were submitted in the file folder for review. Glanstein noted the Elder Affairs Division had one thing that was very much concerning regarding that report and the public hearings that were held. In the event of a disaster, there are virtually no services for the elderly such as transportation – that will allow them to be assisted and that’s a major gap that needs to be addressed.

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – Chair Bryant-Hunter reported: 1) Public participation at neighborhood board committee meetings including clarification of voting rights of non-board committee members – there was a committee of the whole two years ago that defined how the Board’s committees operate and those minutes are on the website. During that lengthy discussion, the Board decided on the need to come up with a process that enabled committee’s to take action and move motions forward and the Chair felt the importance for the community to know that no action is taken except at a full Board meeting. So committees do their homework and come with recommendations to the Board and the Board encourages participation at the committee level.

 

Discussion followed: 1) Weinberg’s point being when the Neighborhood Charter was created, it says that committees are composed of anyone who wishes to be on that and has full voting right. This Board takes away that voting right from the people who come to the meetings and deny them to vote. He noted that’s an interesting question whether that’s right or wrong. 2) Wong asked Weinberg what Charter was he referring too and what page is that citation on. Weinberg was not exactly sure but mentioned it being in the Neighborhood Charter. 3) Chair Bryant-Hunter noted if referring to the Neighborhood Plan document; and he referred to NA Richardson could perhaps provide that information. He in fact noted that the document exists as a right of citizens to vote at these committees and this Board chose to operate in such a way for that right to be taken away and that the public should be aware of that. 4) Chair Bryant-Hunter noted the Neighborhood Charter, Mr. Weinberg is referring to is called the Neighborhood Plan and that is not true, in that the Board has the discretion. 6) Glanstein noted looking at Rule 6, Section 4-6.1, 4-7.1 relating to Committees and meetings and was sorry but what Weinberg is saying is not correct; however, the Neighborhood Plan Public Hearing will be coming up on Saturday and next Monday, if this is a subject of which you have a certain passion for, she would suggest testifying to allow members of the public to vote.   

 

2) Clarification on use of neighborhood board letterhead – there’s been some questions on how committees draft requests’ for information and how they correspond with community groups and government agencies; and obviously the process is not really clear because there’s disagreement; so there will be a committee of the whole on January 10, 2008 at 7 p.m. (same night of the Public and Safety Committee meeting) to discuss and clarify the committee use of letterhead; and an opportunity to make clarifications on the process.    

 

3) Neighborhood Board representation to 10 x 10 group – Chair Bryant-Hunter said that Senator Hemmings organized this group and will be addressing the Board tonight about the neighborhood board’s representation to the 10 X 10 group. Prentiss understands that the formation of this group to come up with a list of projects for the Kailua area, but what bothers him is that it gives the responsibility of determining Capital Improvement Projects to neighborhood boards; the other group wants to recommends improvements to Kailua is good, but don’t think its consistent with the Neighborhood Plan. It takes away from the fact that the responsibility is with the neighborhood board. If the group would like to come back to this board with a list of recommendations, that’s good to add to the list; but to have just one neighborhood board member with one vote on that committee he did not think was proper or consistent with the neighborhood plan. Chair Bryant-Hunter asked that we wait until Senator Hemmings addresses the Board then the Board can follow-up.     

 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE:  Linda Ure reported: 1) Graffiti in neighborhood parks – the Committee has been doing an inventory on the beach park, neighborhood parks, and adjacent to the school parks, and botanical parks all over the Kailua area; and what the committee is trying to achieve is a timely reporting and monitoring and removing of the graffiti found within; and the City & County of Honolulu phone number to call is 527-5180; or Honolulu Police Department Hotline is 529-3222 for a graffiti report or call 911 to fill out a report.

 

2) Park Benches, Tables, Play Equipment in disrepair – the Committee has identified some and are writing letters, providing pictures to the Parks Department as a parallel track of enforcement in parks for commercial activity and other things. The Committee would like the community to feel free to contact the Board if you see disrepair in the park of park tables and benches, play equipment, fallen trees, play surfaces in disrepair, broken sprinklers, etc.; the community can tell the committee and the committee will take pictures and report it for the community. Glanstein asked if that included restrooms as well; Ure replied absolutely.

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter noted those were committee reports from previous that the Board did not get to and will be going into committee issues she thanked everyone.

                                   

COMMUNITY ISSUES & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Bryant-Hunter noted there are some people that signed-in on issues not on the agenda and one person who for health reasons needs to speak before on a motion and will have to leave; the Chair decided to allow them that courtesy.

 

Homeless and Abandoned Animals – Maria Gorak, the voice for homeless animals, thanked area representatives for Senate Bill 1665, making animal cruelty a felony. She is now asking attention and support for additional requests of December 7, which were not considered during the 2007 Legislative session: 1) Make spaying and neutering of all pets in Hawaii mandatory, as in Rhode Island and many other states. 2) Establish stricter control of all animal breeders assuring the animals clean, healthy conditions with adequate space for each. 3) Establish and enforce precise control of pet shops assuring the animal proper care and clean conditions, and that the animals are spayed or neutered and are sold at affordable prices so the animals find homes and do not languish a long time in small cages.   

 

On February 25, 2002, the Kailua Neighborhood Board No. 31 sent a request to Mayor Harris (a copy of this letter was attached) to establish a public sanctuary for homeless and abandoned cats in Kailua. To date no action has been noted, therefore, I am suggesting the example of Mariposa County, Arizona’s “Sheriff Joe” Arpaio (which was attached American Humane Society Article to Gorak’s letter) now be considered as the model to follow, establishing a similar cat shelter/sanctuary in the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua. Catteries, similar to those built by private cat shelters, can be added to existing space within the Correctional Center, and training, care, monitoring, and care management could be supervised by the Hawaii Cat Foundation.

 

Gorak thanked the Kailua Neighborhood Board members for being very supportive of the issues and needs of abandoned animals; and also for the consideration of this request and please make it a top priority of the 2008 Hawaii Legislative Session.  

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter thanked Gorak for her comments in writing; and noticed on the cc list that she included all the legislators and said that the Board can send this on to the Department of Public Safety and the Women’s Correctional Center asking them to take a look at that and maybe they can give some feedback.

 

Speaking on the Traffic and Transportation Committee motion – Due to health concerns, Gary Helford was allowed to speak on the motion under the T&TC into Kainui Drive. Helford thanked the Board for the accommodation to speak out of turn. Kainui Drive between North Kalaheo Street and Oneawa Drive has become the high speed connector from Mokapu Saddle Road, turning up to Kainui Drive and speed the half mile. There are no stop signs to impede speeding; and this is a residential neighborhood with a posted speed limit sign of 25 mph, but a lot of people know this road as “duck road” (lots of baby ducks). This is where mother’s stroll their baby’s to look at the ducks, joggers, kids walking to Kainalu Elementary School and Kalaheo High School, people on bicycles, people walking their dogs, and the ducks themselves. And just last week people saw over five ducks get run over by speeding cars. Majority of residents on Kainui Drive have signed a petition calling for stop signs at the crosswalks of Kainui Drive and Kainalu and the street that attaches to Kainalu Elementary School (Kaihalu Street) and Kaha Street. If there were stop signs on Kainui Drive itself, people would know not to speed all the way to Kalaheo or from Kalaheo back down to Oneawa and would impede speeding. There was a meeting about a year ago and about 90% of the residents voted against the speed bumps of any kind and can be verified by Andrew Malahoff, who can verify an overwhelming number of people who were in favor of stop signs and not speed bumps. Also, Kainui Drive is an emergency road and had ambulances going through all the time; and ambulances routinely go through stop signs and traffic lights but speed bumps would cause major problems for them. So on the tonight’s agenda item 11D, motion 1; is misleading because the majority of the people who want the first part of the motion but the last sentence where it says, “Speed tables and other traffic calming measures are also recommended...”, majority of the people don’t agree with that; and some who do feel they want speed bumps and speed tables but an overwhelming majority who called in to Barbara Marshall.

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter clarified that what Helford is saying is that he supports the first portion of the motion but would but not the speed bumps or speed tables; and he emphasized having to do something because on a street where the speed limit is 25 mph, people are speeding up to 70 mph where there are children and other activities he’s already mentioned. The Chair asked for a copy of the petition for the secretary; the Board already has a copy.

 

Questions followed: 1) Glanstein was concerned about the intersection of Kaiholu and Kainui Drive because there’s an elementary school there. She did not what’s appropriate or what the residents would recommend but there should be something; Helford agrees anything that would work to make it safer for everyone and the kids.

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter reminded board members there is a motion to discuss the matter later and only wanted Helford to speak on the motion before having to leave the meeting tonight. Wong quickly wanted to know if anyone has talked to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS). Helford explained speaking to then Director Cheryl Soon, back during Mayor Harris’ administration, had ideas of traffic calming but was much more concerned about the road that runs parallel to Kawainui Marsh.

 

Kailuan Apartments update – Ken Adams reported only two months before they’ll have to be out of the Kailuan Apartments and he just wanted to remind everyone that it would be a shame to tear down the red brick building at 409 Kailua Road. Sara Way will be explaining a little about the responses she got from Kaneohe Ranch.

 

Sara Way was talking to one of the resident’s and someone had mentioned that the Kailuan was one of the first apartment buildings in Kailua and at one point there was nothing but dairy land and cows; and as people walked by they used to say that’s where the rich people live because it was a brick building and the Hawaiians knew the story of the three little pigs and that the brick building would stand but the wooden ones would go. She also noted having a meeting with the Vice President, Kimo Steinwascher of Kaneohe Ranch, their attorney and the Kailuan attorney, another longtime resident and Way. Way indicated that an offered was made that they would be willing to pay fair market value for the land; have the necessary funds to tie into the sewer line; a professional civil engineering firm to work on the EPA cesspool closure plan. She thought that Steinwascher was open to the idea but on Monday morning she received a call from her attorney and the answer was no, no, no. So, and therefore, residents’ of the Kailuan need the support even more now, and are thinking of mailing out postcards to all of Kailua and have people contact Kaneohe Ranch and Castle members and please tell them it’s a good idea for them to say.

 

Anyone interested in working on this effort or to get more information can call 262-9101 Sara Way; or contact Kaneohe Ranch or the Castle family. Chair Bryant-Hunter wanted to reiterate on Kailua Neighborhood Board’s position when it comes to private matters; Way understood the Board’s position. Lindgard noted that you’re not dealing with people but rather a corporation and you must understand that there are 27 heirs and only two that live in Hawaii. Lindgard feels for the residents’ and as he suggested before – to get a professional appraiser and use the system because they will not listen to reason.

 

The Chair thanked everyone for the concerns and asked the Board’s assistance help to move the agenda along.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS:                                                                                                 

 

Councilmember Barbara Marshall – Andrew Malahoff distributed her monthly report and highlighted on issues about bus fares that in an effort to increase ridership, Councilmember Marshall will be proposing to allow the Council to eliminate bus; and has just submitted a bill allowing the Council to suspend fares on an annual basis when the budget allows—giving the City the flexibility to reinstate fares if the effort proves too costly.

 

Wong asked whether there is anything that the City can do to help the residents of the Kailuan Apartments; Malahoff replied that it is a dispute between two private entities.  

 

Mayor's Representative – Ann Chung, Director, Office of Economic Development 

 

  • Crosswalks Fronting Beach Public Rights of Ways – The installation of marked crosswalks is done on a case-by-case basis which requires an assessment and must meet crosswalk warrant criteria. Past studies have shown that marked crosswalks give some pedestrians, especially children and the elderly, a false sense of security in thinking that the markings are physical barriers; and they tend to be less cautious when crossing.  Therefore, the installation of marked crosswalks should not be done indiscriminately, especially at crossings not controlled by traffic signals or stop signs. DTS will forward the concern regarding beach access signs to the DPR.

 

  • City’s Position on Kailua High School (KHS) Access Road – DTS has no position on the access road for Kailua HS, but the Akiohala Street proposal would have an impact on area residents due to high daily volume of school traffic.

 

  • Accommodations for Physically Disabled or Hearing Impaired Individuals – Reasonable accommodations at a Board meeting site, if they can be made are the responsibility of the Neighborhood Commission Office. However, transportation to a meeting site is the responsibility of the attendee, who if eligible may reserve a ride on TheHandi-van and may ride to any destination they choose including a Neighborhood board Meeting by paying a $2.00 fare. TheHandi-van does not issue vouchers. Other government agencies that may issue a voucher for transportation establish voucher use for their clients. Not all bus service in Kailua ends at 7:00p.m., but bus service between Kailua and Lanikai (Route 70) and between Kailua and Maunawili (Route 70) ends after 7:00 p.m. Route 77, Waimanalo-Kaneohe/Waimanalo ends before 7:00 p.m.  However Route 56 Honolulu-Kailua-Kaneohe and Route 57 Kailua-Waimanalo end after 10:30 p.m.

 

  • Public Hearing Notice for the Neighborhood Plan Revision – the NCO planned a series of public hearings on the amendments to the revisions of the Neighborhood Plan this weekend. The amendments cover an array of changes including the possibility of electing board members online, allowing members to vote for an agenda change, reducing the number of required meetings, and making it easier and quicker to settle complaints and problems of some boards. The public can attend the hearings to give testimony or provide written statements to the NCO until noon, December 7, 2007. A draft is posted on the NCO website: www.honolulu.gov/nco. Copies of the amended plan are also available at the NCO, Room 406 at City Hall; and at Kapolei Hale, Room 312. For more information, the number 527-5749; and the NCO is in the middle of moving, so on Monday, November 5, the new phone number will be 768-3710.

 

Questions and answers followed:

 

1.       Glanstein noted regarding the City Charter is not available for purchase (hardcopy) and the current version is also not available on the website; and the 2006 supplement is not available on the website – there was one amendment to the Charter in 2007, also not available. She also understands that the City Corporation Counsel is diligently working on it and she asked if there is a target date for completion. Chung will look into the matter.

 

2.       Corcoran noted the need to get the copy of the draft EIS for Waimanalo Gulch Leeward. Chung believed reporting at the last meeting that it had been pushed back and as soon as it becomes available she will let the Board know. Corcoran also asked for an estimated date; Chung replied that they uncovered additional archeological artifacts so additional time was necessary.

 

3.       Lindgard had a problem with the Castle Junction and the War Memorial and the flag flying day and night. Normally, if the flag is to be flying at night it should be illuminated; and so that flag should be taken down if it’s not illuminated. He did not have a clue who to share the concern to.

 

4.       Chung did want to follow-up on Mr. Corcoran’s question that the Department of Environmental Services does anticipate publication of the draft EIS sometime in November 2007; so very soon.

 

5.       Wong asked if Akiohala a City street and if DTS has any position on the increased use for the access road. Chung noted DTS did have a position on the access road going to Kailua High School but did believe that the access on Akiohala Street proposal would have an impact on area residents due to the high volume of traffic.

 

6.       Wong asked if there is anything that the Mayor’s Administration can do to assist the residents of the Kailuan Apartments. Chung replied speaking to those folks before at length but at this point, it is a civil matter and private issue; and that the City does understand the concerns but is an area that sometimes even government can not step into.

 

7.       Weinberg asked what the Mayor’s position on the elimination of fares on the bus and is he willing to give the people free rides? Chung replied at this point in time, she did not have a specific position of the administration. Weinberg asked for a response at the next meeting; Chung acknowledged the request.  

 

Governor's Representative – Glenn Wasserman, standing in for Dr. Barrett, highlighted on the responses from the last meeting:

 

·         Will the bike lane fronting the new completed hillside stabilization be put back? If so, when? If not why not? The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) response was that the bike lanes have been put back already.

·         Why are the curbs surrounding the median so high? DOT’s response was that the curbing are now a standard height of six inches, previously the curbing were partially buried due to resurfacings, approximately three inches in height.

·         Dirt in medial strip by the newly restored mountain should be good recycled soil from the dump for replanting. I notified the Outdoor Circle when the red dirt and rocks were put there. To sustain nice plants, the other type of soil should be there instead. DOT’s response was that the landscaping for this median is not meant to be lush vegetation. It will be simple and very low maintenance so the soil being used will serve it purpose. There will be a four inch layer of topsoil to finish off the median. 

·         Has the water been tested at the Kailua Boat ramp area where the sand was placed? The response from the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Administration was that water samples were collected after it was reported to the Clean Water Branch (CWB), and the sampling results indicated that the counts were low.  

 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

 

1.       Wong asked did DOT evaluate the safety of the high curbs around the median; over the years, a lot of cars have been forced off over to the median and end up parked because the cars are not working. Wasserman noted a good question and will take the question back and have a response at the next meeting; Wong is really concerned that it is a safety issue.

 

2.       Glanstein said there was a person hiking up at Maunawili Falls and there was a sign warning of leptosporosis. The sign had been defaced and was unreadable and she knows there’s joint jurisdiction between DOH and DLNR; but has that situation been corrected? Wasserman will pass that concern on.

 

Senator Fred Hemmings – Senator Hemmings distributed and stands on his monthly report; and was open for questions. Chair Bryant-Hunter asked the Senator to give an overview on the 10 by 10 organization. The Senator met with and discussed with leaders in the community the organization of a committee to expedite on long standing projects. The goal is to have 10 projects underway by the year 2010, through the work of the committee, public and private partnerships, and a representative from the neighborhood board.

 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

 

1.       Wong asked who’s on this committee; Senator Hemmings said Mapuana De Silva, Ken Saunders (Chamber of Commerce), a representative from LaniKai Outdoor Circle, Louie Mahoe, Representative Tommy Waters, possibly Councilmember Barbara Marshall, a representative from Kaneohe Ranch, etc.; and the projects being discussed is nothing profoundly new. Wong noted one is new – the proposal for the pathway over the bridge as you enter Kailua; and Senator Hemmings indicated that’s part of the one that’s being considered and each project will have a mentor. One of the proposals is a bike/pedestrian path next to the bridge.

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter felt tonight was about the constitution and the makeup of the committee and not about specific projects. The Senator indicated wanting to have a member of the Board on the committee; and the Chair agreed that will be the next step perhaps to choose a board member to be a representative, as an observer and not have a voting right.

 

2.       Prentiss asked who chose those people; and that there are a few community leaders on this Board here tonight; and that people who show up are community leaders, or self appointed community leaders. When you say a member of this Board, is this Board a party to that group. Senator Hemmings said he does not see what the contention is and all they’re trying to do is something constructive; from there, the discussion between Prentiss and Senator Hemmings briefly escalated.

 

    Chair Bryant-Hunter raised the gavel to regain control and reminded Board members about order in decorum and respect; and although you don’t like the answer given, the question was answered and you need to just move on. The question Prentiss did ask and the Chair felt would be helpful is as the process moves along that the projects will come back to the Board and share that information. The Board will take up discussion of having someone come and participate in the process.   

 

3.       Weinberg asked the Senator what is his take on all this control on access to the beach, bed and breakfast issues, kayak issues; and does this disturb you? Senator Hemmings replied very much…the access to beach issue because it is pretty much of our culture and not having access to the beach on a regular or normal basis is a serious problem; and closing a beach access is a serious problem and has to be addressed; and also part of a much larger problem around the state, also because of the commercialization in residential neighborhoods. Chair Bryant-Hunter noted that Porter’s question was also answered.

 

4.        Glanstein asked the Senator if he is preparing to introduce legislation looking at the carrying capacity of the infrastructure in the Kailua area. The Senator introduced legislation to cap the number of visitor accommodation rooms in the State of Hawaii. Glanstein asked is there anyway to measure how much is too much until it’s too late?

 

      Wong reiterated the question – are you going to introduce some kind of carrying capacity? The Senator replied that he will need her help because he does know how to do it; it’s a huge economic problem and when you do it on residential property, a tremendous impact it will have and tremendous residential cost; Wong suggested looking at the impacts of the natural resources. The Chair suggested a committee discussion and follow-ups with the Senator; it’s a difficult issue and one that the Board has wrestled with in the past.

 

Senator Jill Tokuda – Senator Tokuda distributed her monthly report and reported: 1) the Senator will be emailing within the week her committee report; there was not enough time to put it together for tonight. 2) She is seeking assistance finding young individuals interested in participating in her ACE Internship program. The motivated student, with a minimum grade point average and will commit to working 10-15 hours a week; must have basic computer skills and good communication skills; estimated start date is January 16, 2008 for approximately four months; and part of the job description is the liaison to the Hawaii State Student Counsel. 

 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

 

1.       Wong asked if there is an update on the Kawai Nui Marsh transfer. The Senator indicated that there was some contention regarding the agreements. She did talk with the now confirmed Director Theilen, wants to meet with the City and County and the City wants to negotiate but have not been able to secure a meeting with the department, despite repeated tries a number of times.

 

2.       Ure said the Maunawili community thanks Senator Tokuda and Representative Chong for coming to their annual event on Sunday, and for helping with the high school cookout. Both events were well attended and enjoyed.  

 

3.   An inquiry regarded in the intern program, whether the program was opened to home schooled students; the Senator clarified that the program is opened to and welcomes home schooled students as well. 

 

Representative Cynthia Thielen – John Foster stands on the written report that was distributed about some of the issues that came up during special session; and is still awaiting a decision from the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) regarding the Mental Health Care Facility at 110 Kaneohe Bay Drive; and a meeting is in the works with Chair Bryant-Hunter and Representative Thielen.

 

Wong commented that Kailua did it once again, the newly appointed Director, Cynthia Thielen of DLNR; and Foster also noted a former Board member. Chair Bryant-Hunter expressed congratulations.

 

There were no other representatives; a report was available for Representative Tommy Waters.

 

PRESENTATIONS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS:                                                                                                             

Kapaa Quarry Road Mitigation Update – Richard Torres, Deputy Director for the Department of Transportation Services, gave an informational briefing that DTS was asked to investigate the traffic issues on Kapa’a Quarry Road, address the findings and recommendations to improve the City. He also added having friends and family that live in Kailua, and including himself that travel Kapa’a Quarry Road, at all hours of the day and night. DTS completed the field assessments and findings in September which covered Kapa’a Quarry Road and surrounding areas and the consideration was for Mokapu Boulevard, Mokapu South Road, Oneawa Street area, Kam Highway; and unfortunately the findings comes down to driver behavior and driver error regarding speeding, alcohol, fatigue and not paying attention are the root causes of the accidents. Other findings as part of the assessment that’s important is that the majority of the traffic is cut through traffic in both directions. Stakeholders such as Ameron and Ameron customers and the City require the usage of the road from both directions. DTS recommendation based on months of the investigation has determined that the best thing would be to improve the safety conditions, and to provide improvements such as re-striping of the shoulder median lines, re-striping of the center and medians to make it visible in all types of weather, install raised markers, install and replace new traffic control warning signs and object makers.  DTS is currently undergoing and should be finished shortly a work order issue; thereafter, improvements will be based on availability of funds; and the timeline to accomplish this is based on manpower and scheduling by the City.

 

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

 

1.       Prentiss recommended not doing any, new physical construction on the roads yet; Torres agreed not to do any of those improvements yet, but try improving driver behavior and driver attention first. Partly on enforcement, Torres stated that he drives that stretch of road and travels the speed limit of 25 mph, no matter what. DTS has already done a pre-assessment and will be doing the post-assessment.

 

2.       Glanstein said the one section most concerning is the steep hill. There’s no sign that says there’s a steep downhill turn; and this is where there were three deaths and two injuries. This is the reason this whole issue about Kapa’a Quarry came to the forefront of this Board. She would like that something be done because if you’re swaying over that hill, you’re likely to miss the road; and if there is going to be one thing that you can start with, it might be just that one section. Torres noted it’s on the list as part of the traffic control warning signage.

 

3.       Wong would like to ask DTS to be cautious with how many signs put up, as many signs as necessary for safety, but please do not start marring the view with repeated signs it’s really not necessary. Torres agreed that they’ll be putting the essential signs.  

 

4.    Bratt asked how long it will take to do a post assessment of something you’ll do when the funds are          available. In response, Torres said there are funds available right now but it will based on when the design    is complete, and the cost and availability of the funds; and once that’s done, a work order will be issued        and the work done by another city department; so he could not exactly say how long that will be except that the post assessment will could run for about six months. And the timeframe when which it’ll run is      when there is full traffic, meaning when all schools are in session. From the month of June to September,      DTS normally does not do assessments because not all the schools are in session and or families are on     vacation. So, DTS try to maximize the number of volume count. Chair Bryant-Hunter said this is really        good news knowing that there’s action that’s going to be taken.

 

5.   Puhi Adams indicated there’s got to be more than just hope no one else dies; but that we have to do more than re-striping of median stripes but what would stop him from speeding are more police officers, speed bumps would also work and not on Wanaao Road and Kihapai, and look at other ways of slowing motorists down or changing the road design; and money and the safety of lives’ should not be compared. 

6.   Gilman said it was reported in the newspaper, the latest death he recalls it was that she got through it once but had to try it again and didn’t make it.

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter noted that it’s 9:30 p.m. and there are 13 motions to address and would like to take the agenda out of order based on the number of people to speak on those motions; agenda item 11D, Transportation Committee.

 

Board Actions:

                                                                                                           

Transportation and Public Works – Committee Chair Prentiss apologized for his earlier outbreak and noted that the Transportation Committee has three motions tonight; he proceeded to read motion 1:

 

Motion 1:  The KNB requests that crosswalks and 3-way stop signs be provided at the four                            intersections on Kainui Drive between Kalaheo Avenue and Oneawa Street.  Speed tables             and            other traffic calming measures are also recommended where feasible on Kainui Drive. He said this

matter came before the Committee two months ago and was not heard at the last Board meeting and received a petition of more than fifty signatures from residents on that street. The committee discussed the matter and came up with a motion. The thing he wanted to mention was that about four or five people who signed agreed to the motion did not want to see any speed tables or speed bumps. He would also like to recommend that the motion be amended to delete the words, “Speed tables and”; and begin that last sentence with “Other traffic calming measures are also recommended where feasible on Kainui Drive.”

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter noted Mr. Helford spoke earlier on this motion; Diane Helford who also signed up to speak on the motion, had already left the meeting. The Chair asked those who signed up to speak on the motion to come forward and reminding speakers to please speak to the motion in the effort to help move the meeting ahead.

 

A resident would like to have some kind of safety measure to help the residents on Kainui Drive, so that the children, joggers, people walking are safe. She totally agrees with stops signs and crosswalks and for her personal preference, don’t like speed tables or speed bumps. Hershey’s husband and herself walk about 9 p.m. and witnessed speeding motorist going about 60 mph; and really want something done to get these people to stop speeding; and they have no regard for the residents, 25 mph speed limit and a half mile street stretch with no enforcement; and the ducks are constantly being killed on this street. She would like to help keep this street meek by slowing down the cars.

 

A resident on Kainui Drive would like to mention in regards to the petition (50 signatures) signed that signed for stop signs, speed bumps and crosswalks. He would like to find out about the traffic survey that was completed and if the result could be forwarded to the Transportation Committee. Chair Bryant-Hunter will follow-up with Councilmember Marshall’s office.   

 

Bart Ulansey – is in total agreement with everything said so far. He has three boys: three, six and eight years old and would want anything and all matters taken to protect the children. And being very brief, some of the statistics included: 14 dead ducks within three houses from his and picked up 13 of them, and two that were still alive and had to kill, his dog was run over last year, and don’t want to see this happen to his 3, 6 and 8 year old being run over because people just don’t pay attention; stop signs, speed tables or anything to help slow people down and pay closer attention. He’s been told by HPD that if residents are able to get their license plate number they will get in touch with them and make them come back and pick up the dead duck. Ulanseyf and other neighbors are taking down license plate numbers and they will be notified to pick up their dead ducks.  

 

Naomi Lough – resident of Kainui Drive since 1973. All these years she’s seen people speed down and was afraid for her children and now worries about her grandchildren. She was shaken while mentioning a couple weeks ago when a speeding car went past and ran over a little duckling in front of her daughter and her daughter. Although they were just ducks, do we have to wait until its people? There are people on that street and it amazing and very dangerous to see how fast people go; and something has to be done.  

 

Larry Bartley – a resident of Kailua, travels Kainui all the time and used to be on this Board; and for the last 20 years the problem has not change because there are no police officers enforcing the speed limit anywhere on the surface streets in Kailua. They never have been or never will be until the people insist that they get their patrol cars go out and start arresting people. Otherwise, you are going to get a continuing and never ending requests to put in these traffic measures and make our streets less useable just because the police won’t enforce the speed limits.

 

Shirley Harshey – lived on Kailua Drive since 1954 and has seen the speed limits escalate to 75 mph which is very common. She has had to take so many wounded ducks to the humane society; and she keeps thinking what if that had been a human being; much less seeing dogs also get hit and that’s even worse then ducks. She reiterated what was said earlier about having more policeman. She also noted a community meeting about four or five years ago and what they were told is that the neighborhood has to look out for them. But with paying a whole lot of taxes, aren’t the people entitled to protection and isn’t it the police officer’s duty to issue speeding tickets. From 1954, 55, 56 and through the 60’s, people adhered and respected the speed limit but it has escalated to what it is today and have no respect and do not care. She is asking the neighborhood board to back up the residents and give it some punch and tell them people are complaining and not just on Kainui Drive and in Olomana, as well and need to get more police officers active and can we actually get the Board to back us up.

 

The Chair read the motion again: the KNB requests that crosswalks and 3-way stop signs be provided at the four intersections on Kainui Drive between Kalaheo Avenue and Oneawa Street. Traffic calming measures are also recommended where feasible on Kainui Drive. A question was raised whether something about the police can be added into the motion. Chair Bryant-Hunter said it can be added into the letter. Another comment was whether HPD can be asked these questions at the next meeting; and in reply Chair Bryant-Hunter indicated the question can be asked in the interim. And by a show of hands, the motion carried 15-0-1. Aye: Best, Bratt, Brown, Bryant-Hunter, Chinen, Corcoran, Correa, Glanstein, Harding, Porter, Prentiss, Tomasa, Ure, Weinberg, Wong. Abstain: Lindgard. The letter will be addressed to the DTS and cc’d to HPD.

 

Motion 2:  The KNB supports the Akiohala Street alternative as the second access to Kailua High                School provided that: a) a parking lot is constructed; b) a left turn phase is added to the traffic light

at Keolu Drive and Keolu Drive; c) the high school access gate is closed at 4:45 PM except during special events; d) traffic calming measures are provided on Akiohala Street, and d) vehicle and pedestrian control is provided at the Akiohala and Keolu Drive intersection. Prentiss said that the neighborhood board has been working on this problem for more than six years and the problem is that there are two lane roads, no sidewalks and nearly 800 people accessing the high school; students and faculty each day going both ways in the morning and afternoon. The Board asked elected officials do something about the problem. They were successful in getting $5.1 million to build a second access road from Kalanianaole Highway to the back of the high school. The State Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) got the project, an Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared and in that included an alternative. When completed, the State concluded it would cost a lot more than $5.1 million because they would need a traffic light at the new road and Kalanianaole Highway and the $5.1 million would not include a parking lot at the end of the road. The State then decided not to accept the $5.1 million or to build the access road; and instead, intended on constructing an access road through Akiohala Street. The matter was discussed at the last committee meeting with residents from Akiohala Street and the motion was prepared and edited to include: 4:45 p.m. gate closing, traffic calming measures, and vehicle pedestrian patrol at the Akiohala Street intersection. A number of factors were considered a traffic count of cars going on that road was 299 cars traveled on that two lane road in the morning and 138 of those cars park there; an if that is divided up between the two accesses then you’ll be looking at 70 to 75 cars in addition to what there is now. The neighbors also said that cars speed up and down on Akiohala Street and some of the student’s park on Akiohala Street, so some of those cars that park on the street will going into the parking lot. Prentiss added that Russell Saito was present tonight to give the view from DAGS.   

 

Chair Bryant-Hunter asked whether Saito was here to listen to concerns or had information to add.

Department of Accounting and General Services – Russell Saito wanted to give some background to help the Board and community understand why DAGS is apart of the project. The reason being is that no one wanted to do the road and even the ownership of the road back in 2004 Legislature approved money to do a planning assessment of the road and the responsibility was assigned to DAGS; and spent a lot of time figuring whose going to be responsible for this road. Typically, the road belongs to the City and initially the City accepted responsibility for the road. As soon planning money and tried to identify whose going to be responsible for the road, the City declined in 2005. The next person who would have the responsibility of the road is the Department of Education because they use the road, and they declined; and next the responsibility of the road to the Department of Transportation and they declined. So nothing could be done until an owner was identified, so DAGS assumed interim ownership so they could proceed. In 2006, the Legislature approved money for the project. By law you can only spend the money that the Legislature approved funding for that was specifically defines the road from Kalanianaole Highway to Kailua High School and it did not define a parking lot. So right off hand and in addition, the school would not take the loan if it connected into the school loading system and became a thoroughfare; so, the road built to the school would terminate there because they would have had to create a turnaround and a place for people to park, thereby driving the cost up. After the EA was done and an estimate of what it would cost, the Legislature appropriated $5.1 million; and we still only had engineering work order type detail. But right now it’s going to cost just short of $10 million. And that was according to consultants – for just over half mile of road; and the excavation of the road itself is $4.5 million, and to put the base course down and to pave the road is another $3.5 million. So right off, there is $8 million for construction.  

 

The road goes right by the Women’s Correctional Facility, and a safety issue. You don’t want it close enough so people can throw contraband over. You don’t want any verbal contact between the inmates and the public; in addition, it goes right by the Juvenile Detention and besides those safety constraints, for juveniles, the public is not suppose to recognize anyone who’s incarcerated because of the privacy issue and therefore more restrictions. So in addition to the $8 million, spend more money for parking lot at the end of the road and all security measures from front to back. The other thing by law you cannot sign the contract unless you have the money to spend; and with all the extras necessary, parking lot, etc, a commitment to sign contract cannot happen unless they go before the Legislature and ask for more money.  

 

            The way budgeting works, the money appropriated 2005, you have until 2008 to spend it; and the money      received in 2006 and because we are in a binary budget, you still only have until 2008 to spend it. So this         money was appropriated in 2005 for 2006, it expires in 2008 and the contract cannot be signed and not            enough money to cover cannot bold Kailua High Access Road that goes from Kalanianaole Highway. A          much simper alternative is to improve the road from Akiohala Street to the school, put a parking lot at the         end of the road, clear back the brush and could be done for quite less than $5 million; and this is what DAGS is proposing to do – go back to the Legislature and recommend instead to build the road from             Akiohala Street to the parking lot. Also, what are not clear are about three fourths of those who go to Kailua             High School come from Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills and Waimanalo; so for that crowd, the road from     Akiohala Street makes a lot of sense. Most of the traffic isn’t going to downtown; it’s going back to       Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills and Waimanalo; so, the traffic going in and coming out, and the most effective       and cost efficient to KHS was to the backside.

 

            DAGS also did some investigation and found out why Akiohala is so wide at Keolu Drive. The initial design   was for Akiohala Street to be the main entrance to KHS; starting out at four lanes, tapering down to two;     going to be through street to Kailua Road. The school has been consistent that position of it not being a             through street and not a project that DAGS wanted but a project that was assigned to DAGS by the    Legislature. Saito is not responsible for performing due diligence to do what’s best for the State and in his          mind, even though it goes through a residential area, Akiohala by far is still the best solution for the State.     Chair Bryant-Hunter note there are a few questions that people had signed up to speak.

 

      Questions, comments and concerns followed:

 

1.       Corcoran said the reason this Board some years ago wanted this project for a new from Kalanianaole Highway to the high school was because the residents in the Pohakupu community asked for it because there was so much traffic coming down that road going into the school. What you’re proposing is that we put the traffic on another road where the residents would have to put up with all this traffic coming to the school again. The last time he drove up Akiohala he counted 40 houses. He wants to know what the Governor told Saito, because the Governor signed the bill authorizing the money; when you came to her saying you cannot do this. Saito’s discussion with the Governor and understands that it’s not economically feasible to build the road from Kalanianaole Highway. When she promised to put her administration behind an alternate road, she did not didn’t say Kalanianaole Highway.

 

2.       Glanstein said the Governor did not have to say it and you told us a few months ago that she did not mean it. Glanstein raised question about the funds that were authorized in Act 160 that the Governor signed by June 1, 2006, State budget bill. Those are fee funds and general obligation funds.

  

NA Richardson left the meeting at 10 p.m.; and Linda Ure, Board Secretary will continue with the minutes.           

Wednesday, February 06, 2008
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