WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2005

WAIMANALO PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Wilson Ho called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with six members present.  No quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Wilson Kekoa Ho, Mabel Ann Spencer, Phillip Ellsworth, Andrew Jamila, Jr., Solomon Spencer, Priscilla Ho.  

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Bob Kimo Lastimosa, Kawika Eckart, Orrin Kupau, Joseph Ryan, Jr. and Malcolm Lee, Jr., Nani Akeo and Michael Buck

GUESTS: Captain Kahele (Honolulu Fire Department), Lieutenant John Cheong (Honolulu Police Department), Councilmember Barabara Marshall, Ikaika Anderson (Councilmember Barbara Marshall’s Office staff), Chuck Braden (Executive Director, Waimanalo Health Center), Shannon Wood (The Ko’olau News), Jim Wood, Major Patricia Johnson (Marine Corps Base Hawaii), Capatin Chine (Bellows Air Force Base), Kahana Caldene Albinio, Roberta Weatherford (U.S. Representative Ed Case’s Office), Tuti Baker (Representative Waters Office Staff), Micah Kane (Department of Hawaiian Homelands), Marquiete Matsumura (First Baptist Church), Deborah Smith, Todd Lanning (United States Air Force), Wayne Hashiro (Department of Design and Constuction), Molly Arthur (Senator Hemming’s Office), Cliff Ziemes, Rosina Ho Annette Loc (WPA),Terry George (Harold K.L. Castle Foundation), Jody Green (Nalo Beach Lots Association), L. Akau, Charlene Hoe, Jayne Aquino, Ray Lum (Respect), Don Bremmer, Albert Lewis, Annette Lee (Waimanalo Agriculture Association), : Tasha Josue, (Blanche Pope Elementary School), Bryan Mick (Neighborhood Commission Office staff), and Baybee Hufana-Ablan (Executive Secretary Neighborhood Commission Office)

PULE: Ellsworth offered the pule.

Chair Ho recognized the presence of Baybee Hufana-Ablan, the Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office

EMERGENCY PUBLIC INPUT (PART I)

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Captain Kahele reported the following: (1) Statistics for February 2005: Two vehicle fires two vehicle accidents. Emergencies – thirty-five medical calls, one ocean search/rescue (turned out to be a strobe light). (2) Today there was a structure fire in a farmer’s shack that appeared to be used as living quarters. (3) Safety Tip of the Month: “ Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and the second major cause of death among older adults. If you are cooking and must leave the kitchen, even only for a few minutes, turn off the stove. Keep a fire extinguisher (with a minimum rating of 2A10BC) in or near your kitchen and learn how to use it.  Inspect the extinguisher regularly to ensure that it has not expired.”

 Suggestion for the month: “Keep fire hydrants in your neighborhood clear of obstructions, including parked cars, debris, and weeds.” 

Question and comments followed:

1)       Member Jamila reported that Poalima Street is missing some of the blue reflectors, which are placed on the road to indicate the presence of a fire hydrant.

2)       Member Jamila asked about who picks up the tab when the City has to rescue a parachute jumper, especially in cases where the jumpers have personal liability insurance. Captian Kahele said that the taxpayers pay for the costs of all City rescue operations.                                  

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant John Cheong reported the property crimes statistics for Waimanalo in February 2005: twelve burglaries, nine other property thefts, zero robbery, sixteen thefts from automobiles, and two auto/motorcycle thefts.

Question ands comments followed:

1)                 Member Ellsworth asked about three vans parked across from the Job Corps building that have slips of paper attached to them. Lieutenant Cheong said that the paper means that the City has slated them for pick up. But if the vans are blocking the road they can be removed immediately

2)                 Lieutant Cheong warned everyone that spring break is coming up, and this often is a dangerous time for teenagers as far as drinking and driving goes. He commented that there is a zero tolerance law for minors who drink and drive. Refusing a blood or breath test will result in automatic license suspension. He encouraged parents to know where their kids are at all times and to insist they wear a seat belt while in a moving vehicle.

3)                 Chair Ho asked if beach sweeps were coming up soon? Lieutenant Cheong mentioned that they were. He commented that homelessness is a problem that will require a multifaceted approach to solve. An audience member asked when the sweeps would occur. Lieutenant Cheong said he could not reveal that information.

4)         Member Jamila asked if HPD could assign an officer to follow the Gomes bus that transports children thru Waimanalo in the mornings, in order to ticket people who illegally pass the school bus when it’s unloading children. Jamila commented that the offenders seem to be people who are commuting thru Waimanalo on their way to work

5)        Member Ellsworth asked about lunch wagons that operate in Waimanalo and if they are allowed to sell cigarettes, especially to minors. Lieutenant Cheong replied that they could sell cigarettes as long as the cartons are affixed with the tax stamp, but they cannot sell them to minors.

APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 2, 2005 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Chair Ho deferred discussion on the Minutes, explaining that a quorum of seven members is require to take Board action to approve or correct Minutes. He was unable to contact the Board members who are usually absent in order to request they resign.

Resident Concerns: Audience member Lucy reported that a group of Kupuna’s from the Homestead area met with Lester Chang from the Department of Parks and Recreation. She also thanked the Mayor for repealing the mandatory leasehold conversion law. She reported that any citizens concerns with Homestead issues should go to the Neighborhood Boards or directly to the Department of Hawaiian Home lands. Also, illegal bed and breakfasts are becoming a problem in Waimanalo.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

1)       Terry George, Executive Director for the Harold Castle Foundation, reported on some work that the Foundation does benefiting Windward side residents. The Castle Foundation has adopted the goal of all children being able to read at or above their grade level in the third grade. If this happens, none of the teaching after the third grade would have to be remedial in nature. They want to help create safe places for kids to go after school and to bring in college students to serve as mentors. They also have the goal of Hawaii having healthy, vibrant reefs and fish populations. Every year, they award between $6 million and $7 million to various recipients, much of it in early education. One of this year’s grants will be used to purchase racing canoes for the Waimanalo canoe club.

2)                Charlene Hoe, interim head of Kamehameha School’s outreach program, reported that her group, in their effort to service Native Hawaiians not enrolled at the Schools, is partnering with the Castle Foundation since they have adopted similar goals. The outreach program is focusing on the age group of pre-natal up to eight years old living in the Waimanalo and Kahaluu-Kahuku areas. Studies have shown that every dollar invested in pre-natal care eventually saves the community $17 in various social costs.

3)                Audience member Albert Lewis reported that the Waimanalo carnival was a huge success. In its 40-year history, this year had the highest gross. He thanked the various community groups that helped with the event including HPD, which provided special duty officers. Mr. Lewis also commented that some of the profit goes to underwrite a program called Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) in the Waimanalo area. RIF goes into elementary schools and reads to first, second, and third graders. They then let them select books to take home and keep for future reading. They are expending to the fourth grade this year.

4)                Member Mabel Spencer asked Mr. George and Mrs. Hoe if they were working with the Waimanalo Health Center since that’s where pregnant women go in Waimanalo. They relied that they have had conversations with them but no formal partnership as of yet. Member Spencer also spoke highly of RIF, since children in Waimanalo usually cannot afford brand new books. She said that more books written in the Hawaiian language ought to be introduced to Waimanalo. Mrs. Hoe mentioned that the Waimanalo Health Center is helping to identify pregnant women who are eligible for Kamehameha School’s outreach program

5)       Tasha Josue from Pope Elementary announced that open enrollment was coming up. She mentioned many of the school’s programs, including a family literacy program, A plus after school care, an after school tutorial program, and monthly coffee hours where parents can interact with the staff

PUBLIC INPUT (PART II)

COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA MARSHALL: City Councilmember Barbara Marshall reported that:

1)       The City’s Department of Transportation Services has contact the State Department of Transportation in regard to the Norfolk Community Association’s request to close one end of the old Kalanianaole Road. The City is gathering comments from the general public on this matter as well.

2)        The City Council is happy with the Mayor’s cabinet appointments and with the Mayor’s proposed budget.

3)       Bill 8 was the bill requiring the Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band to be fluent in the Hawaiian language. It was not going to get out of committee in that form, so it was changed to require that the Bandmaster have some knowledge of the Hawaiian language and culture. It also specifies that the Band is a living link to the old Hawaiian Monarchy. Once Mr. Nakasone is confirmed as the current Bandmaster, Bill 8 will be voted upon.

4)        A talk story session with Councilmember Marshall will occur on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. inside the Waimanalo Public Library.

Questions and comments:

1) Member Jamila asked if Waimanalo would ever host another Sunset on the Beach event. Councilmember Marshall replies that there is money earmarked for one of those in this year’s budget.

2) An audience member asked what happened to the resolution that clarified that plant nurseries are to be considered as an appropriate use of agricultural zoned lands. Councilmember Marshall replied that it is working its way thru the agriculture task force, but in the meantime the Department of Planning and Permitting has assured them that they consider plant nurseries are considered an agriculture use.

3) Member Ellsworth asked if the City Council has had any discussions about the property tax rate. Councilmember Marshall said she hoped to lower them slightly for residential neighborhoods. She also expressed concern over the Mayor’s plan to issue bonds in order to pay for some City salaries.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII (MCBH): Major Patricia Johnson reported:

1)       ) On March 7^th, a ceremony was held for fallen Marines at the State Capitol Rotunda. 2) A squadron of F/A-18C jets stooped over on the Marine Base, and next weekend another group will be flying in. 3) The meeting of the Windward Civilian Military Counsel would be tomorrow at noon. 4) On March 16^th at 2:00 pm, the 60^th anniversary observation of the Iwo Jima battle will be held at the Pacific War Memorial. 5) On March 17^th at noon, Representative Thielen will present certificates on the floor of the House of Representatives Iwo Jima veterans along with a soldier recently returned from action in Iraq. 6) On March 20^, the Lanikai Triathlon will occur, some of which will transverse across the military base.

2)       BELLOWS AIR FORCE STATION: Captain Chine reported that the construction work on the commander’s home is almost done. He assured everyone that only five house would be built in that area.

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Micah Kane reported the following: 1) Lobbying by the Govenor and State Attorney General Mark Bennett just returned from Washington D.C. where they were lobbying Congress to pass the Akaka Bill. 2) The Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) has agreed to take on some of the responsibilities of creating the master plan for the Waimanalo community. They will be talking to groups in the community to try and help identify and prioritize various projects in the community. The same type of project has resulted in plans for a $30 million community center to be built in Kapolei.

Questions and Answers followed:

Member M. Spencer questioned if DHHL was preparing to conduct a survey of Waimanalo residents. Mr. Kane responded that DHHL does periodic surveys to assist in an effort to pursuer various federal grant monies. Member M. Spencer commented that Laulima o Waimanalo has been pursuing grants from USDA, but has run into a problem because one person moved into the Waimanalo area outside the homestead land, and their income raised the average income above the poverty line making Laulima o Waimanalo ineligible for the grant. She hoped that DHHL could help with getting more accurate survey data. Mr. Kane said he would like to see the grant application, since most grants do not use mean income but rather percentage of residents below the poverty line as their qualification for grant eligibility. Chair Ho clarified that it was not one person who was skewing the statistics, but the fact the whole Bluff’s area next to Olomana is being counted as part of Waimanalo by USDA. He commented that he has been trying to get them to exclude the Bluff’s from their calculation for five years without success.

SENATOR FRED HEMMINGS: Molly Arthur was present from Senator Fred Hemmings’ office. She reported that 1) Senator Hemmings was sitting on a committee to discuss the pothole situation on Oahu. 2) The Pali Highway will be repaved in April. 3) The Senate budget includes money for the Kailua High School access road project. 4) Senate Resolution SR15  requests the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to conduct a carrying capacity study, to help plan out how to deal with the issue of Bed and Breakfast/transient vacation rentals. 5) Senate Bill SB1558 would address agriculture theft, buy requiring people to possess certificates of ownerships in order to transport produce/livestock.

Questions and Comments:

1)       Member Jamila commented that he would have preferred the community outlook meetings at Kalani High School not be scheduled on the same night as a Neighborhood Board Meeting, which it was. An audience member added that meetings on weekdays at 10:30 a.m. are also a bad idea since most Waimanalo residents work. Chair Ho also mentioned that one meeting was announced in the morning paper the day it was to occur. The papers then reported that it was sparsely attended. Member Ellsworth asked if e-mail testimony is taken for those meetings. Mrs. Arthur replied it is.

2)       2) Member Jamila mentioned that the previously the plan to build a giant visitor center and parking lot along Sandy Beach was proposed, and defeated. The current plan calls for just a parking lot for wave watching to be constructed. Member M. Spencer said that the $10 million for that would be better spent on fixing the road from Sandy Beach into Waimanalo, which has had to been closed several times in the past few years with disastrous effects on Waimanalo. An audience asked if the bill authorizing the wave watching lot must still go before the zoning commission. Ms. Arthur said she would look into it and report back. Another audience member said that the papers were incorrect when they said no one opposed the wave-watching plan at the community meeting. She said while it is an okay idea, the roads need to have higher priority. Audience member Jim Wood commented that Federal money from the Transportation Improvement Fund is supposed to be used to construct the wave-watching parking lot, money that cannot be used to fix roads. Therefore, it is not an issue of prioritizing the lot over the road. Chair Ho concured with that statement. Member Spencer commented that the lot would allow visitors easier access to the coastline, where they often get injured and sue the City. Chair Ho said that the plan is supposed to mandate that the lot be constructed below the panoramic horizon, along with burying utilities cables, but that the last map he saw had the lot up on the hills.

REPRESENTATIVE TOMMY WATERS: Tuti Baker from Representative Waters’ Office distributed the monthly report from Representative Waters. She highlighted the following: The budget that the House sent to the Senate included $5 million for the Kailua High School access road, $1.8 million to improve the s-curve in the roadways in front of Olomana Golf Course, $1.5 million to replace the Inoa ’ole Stream bridge, and $50,000 to purchase land at the Kalaniana’ole/Po’olima street intersection in order to make it less of a sharp turn in the Kailua bound direction. Money did not get put in for the design phase of the entire improvement project from Olomana Golf Course to Waimanalo Beach Park. Planning has been almost completed for left turn lanes, rerouting buses and bus stops, and putting in median strips. Senator Hemmings will try and put it in on the Senate’s side.

Questions and Comments:

1)       An audience member asked about the overgrown brush near Makai Pier. Member Jamila added that bikers swerve out onto the highways as a result. Chair Ho added that the Department of Transportation has said that they would take care of it. Member Jamila also mentioned overgrown brush that is intruding on State property, although some of the bushes grow out from Sea Life Park property.. An audience member said that while the bushes need to be trimmed, the entire road is deteriorating into the ocean as well.

2)       Ms. Baker requested that if anyone wants to participate in the development of the master plan for Waimanalo is welcome to participate. Chair Ho says he has been part of groups that have already done the master plan on more then one occasion. All the plans have already been designed, but it seems to be thrown out every few years before anything actually gets built. M. Spencer added that the design the community wanted was very simple in regards to the roads, and did not include things like median strips and trees. It mostly called for turn lanes and pull off for the bus stops. Chair Ho cites as an example that he has worked with three sets of engineers on designs to move the road by Makai Pier 15 feet inland to allow for reinforcement of the road.

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Wayne Hashiro from the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), reported that the Mayor is trying to work with everyone openly and honestly.

Questions and comments:

1)       Member M. Spencer asked if some of the good vision team projects in Waimanalo would ever be finished. Mr. Hashiro said that the Kaiona Beach Project should be done by July 2005. Member M. Spencer commented about the all-parks plan, and its request for the paving of the road going into Makapu’u Beach Park. Mr. Hashiro said he would find out the status of that project.

2)       Member Jamila asked if Mr. Hashiro could relate back to the mayor that any parking lot built at the Ka’iwi coastline needs to be below the panoramic view line. An audience member commented that the Ko’olaupoko Land Use Plan would prohibit a structure that would not blend into the natural environment.

3)       Member Jamila said that Punchbowl Street should be left in its current configuration so people coming from downtown can escape quickly to the freeway.

4)       Audience member asked Mr. Hashiro to confirm the Mayor’s comments that people should go to the Neighborhood Boards with concerns since the Vision teams are no longer in existence. Mr. Hashiro affirmed that statement.

5)       Audience member asked what happened to the tress removed from Punchbowl Street. Mr. Hashiro said the City was looking for a home, but he was not sure if they had found one. The audience member offered to take them.

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE ED CASE: Roberta Weatherford reported that a series of workshops about how groups can apply for education grants for Native Hawaiians are coming up in March. The Windward side one will be on March 24 at Windward Community College’s Paliku Theatre, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Question and Answers followed:

Audience member Lucy commented that she saw Ed Case on television specifically mention that Waimanalo does not go after all of the Federal grant money that is available to it.

EDUCATION: Tasha Josue, Parents Community Networking Center (PCNC) Coordinator from Blanche Pope Elementary School, reported the following: 1) In regards to member M. Spencer’s suggestion that the school consider conversion to a charter school, the idea is being explored. 2) Family pa’ina day went well. 3) On the third Thursday of every month, the school holds a coffee hour for parents at the school at 9:00 a.m. 4) During the upcoming intersession, workshops will be held for children in grades three to five as they prepare to take the State assessment tests at the end of the school year. Hopefully the school will meet its adequate yearly progress goals and get out of corrective action status.

LAULIMA O WAIMANALO: M. Spencer reported that Laulima O Waimanalo (Laulima), in collaboration with the City, has run into several challenges. In order to be eligible for the desired grant, the applicant must have ownership of the project. In this case, the State owns the sewage treatment plant, although the City owns the collection system feeding it as well as the pumping station. Hopefully the plant will be transferred to the City in the near future. A waiver for the income criteria requirement is being sought since the only other alternatives would be conduct a survey that had 75 percent response rate, or to create a new service area that would need City Council approval. The State has budgeted $18.2 million, which the Department of Land and Natural resources will use to improve the plant. The reclamation system is moving forward under the Board of Water Supply.

KAPALA CORPORATION: No representative was present from Kapala Corporation.

HAWAII JOB CORPS (HJC): Member Jamila, on behalf of Julie Dugan of Job Corps, announced a car wash would be held on Saturday April 2 at the Kailua United Methodist Church from 9:00 am till 3:00 p.m. with proceeds going to the Hawaii Food Bank.

NATION OF HAWAII/ALOHA FIRST: No representative was present from The Nation of Hawaii. 

WAIMANALO AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION (WAA): Annette Lee from WAA reported that bills dealing with agricultural theft are moving forward, especially since it is occurring more frequently in Waimanalo.

Questions and comments:

Member Jamila asked if WAA was supporting the farmer who shot the man who was trying to steal his agricultural products. Ms. Lee replied they were.

WAIMANALO HEALTH CENTER (WHC): WHC Executive Director Chuck Braden announced that WHC is having very positive talks with the Castle Foundation and Kamehameha Schools on joint community projects. He also reported that one of the WHC vans was stolen last week. It was spotted in town and then found stripped in the back of Waimanalo. The cost of replacement after insurance will be around $10,000 to the Center. Member Jamila suggested an iron gate with a lock needed to be installed at the Center.

OCEANIC INSTITUTE: Dr. Anderson from Oceanic Institute reported that the discharge from the Oceanic Institute has been stopped. He also offered to trim any bushes that are growing from the Sea Life Park property onto the highway. He then distributed Oceanic Institutes annual report.

Chair Ho adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

Submitted by:

Bryan Mick

Neighborhood assistant