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WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007

HAWAI’I ARMY NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING AUDITORIUM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Wilson Kekoa Ho called the meeting to order at 7:57 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Nani Akeo, Peter “Kahana” Albinio, Jr., David Bettencourt, Michael Buck, Phillip Ellsworth, Wilson Kekoa Ho, Andrew Jamila, Jr., Bobbie Kahalewai, Blanche McMillan, Mabel Spencer, Solomon Spencer.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Andrews.

GUESTS: Cyndy Aylett (Mayor’s Representative), J. Ikaika Anderson (Councilmember Barbara Marshall’s office), Micah Kane (Governor’s Representative/DHHL); Lt. Dave Eber and Lt. Richard Robinson (HPD), Capt. David Talafuse (U.S. Air Force Bellows), Maj. Chris Perrine (MCBH), May Akamine (Waimanalo Health Center), Fred Welch (Hope Chapel Waimanalo), Paul Richards and Anthony Sang, Sr. (WHHA); Ofelia Carag (Blanche Pope Elementary), Collette Chow and Jeanette Nahinu (Waimanalo Elementary), Joseph Aipa (Oceanic Institute), Gwen Kailihiwa (Kokua Ohana), Julie Dugan (Job Corps), Andrea Siu (Ke Ola Mamo), Kaui Burgess (Kamehameha Schools); Beverly Addington, Moana DeMello, Keoki Fraser, Pricilla Ho, Lorraine Hoopili, Sui Lan Kepa, Joseph Koanui, Kalei Shannon; Steve J. Rodrigues (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

PULE: Chair Ho said if prayer offends anyone, now is the time to leave the room. Ellsworth offered the pule.

CITY EMERGENCY AGENCIES/PUBLIC INPUT (Part I)

Honolulu Fire Department – No report or representative was available.

Honolulu Police Department – Lt. Richard Robinson reported: 1) For the month of March in the Waimanalo area, there were 1 aggravated assault, 4 auto theft recoveries, 2 burglaries, 1 drugs/narcotics, 1 DUI, 2 graffiti, 22 hazardous drivers, 1 motor vehicle theft, 20 noise complaints, 3 simple assaults, 12 thefts, 1 threatening, 36 traffic stops, 11 UEMV, 8 vehicles towed (abandoned), 7 warrant arrests, and 654 total calls. 2) Due to numerous complaints of parking violations and abandoned vehicles in the area, HPD and Honolulu Motor Vehicle Control Section will be taking enforcement action.

Mayor’s Representative – Cyndy Aylett reported: 1) The Mayor will be holding community meetings on recycling. For this area, the meetings will be held on April 24 at Kaiser High School and on May 10 at Windward Community College. For more information, visit www.opala.org. 2) Follow-up items: a) The reconstruction of the playcourts at Waimanalo District Park is expected to be completed in September. The City is considering doing an advance acceptance of the playcourts so they can be opened for public use before that time. The gym re-roofing project is complete except for the installation of exterior security lighting. At this time, we do not have a time frame when Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will be opening the gym. b) The State PONY commissioners were involved because Windward Warriors were requesting DPR fields in Kailua and Kaneohe communities as well as Waimanalo. There is a conflict between the two PONY leagues (Windward PONY and Windward Warriors) and this is their internal problem to work out. DPR will issue the permits now that the schedules have been approved by the State PONY. DPR facilities are not exclusively permitted for each community. This is a DPR policy.  

Mabel Spencer mentioned she wrote a letter to Lester Chang, Director of DPR, regarding the Waimanalo Warrior issue. Aylett will follow-up.

APPROVAL OF MARCH 12, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Ellsworth moved and Akeo seconded that the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board approve the minutes as submitted with the following corrections:

Page 3, under Waimanalo Warriors, second paragraph, second sentence, it should read “Waimanalo teams need options other than the State PONY office.”

Page 4, under Council Chair Marshall, second paragraph, first sentence, it should read “Paul Loui”.

Page 5, under Other Groups/Organizations, first paragraph, first sentence, it should read “Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association”….fourth line, it should read “Ke Ola Mamo”.

Page 6, under Waimanalo Beach Park Recreation and Education, first paragraph, clarification: “Duke Artuyo and Nalo Boxing Club has no affiliation with Waimanalo District Park or Waimanalo Beach Park. He has not used DPR facilities for over five years. Waimanalo District Park does have a thriving boxing program. They meet Monday to Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the multi-sports building at the park. Blane Yoshida is the coach, and their name is East O’ahu Boxing Club. For more information, please contact Eric Bunyan at 259-8926.

The motion carried unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Neighborhood Board Elections – Chair Ho reminded everyone that the last day to vote in the Neighborhood Board elections is April 16, 2007. He encouraged everyone to vote.

Hawaiian Homes Regional Plans for Waimanalo – Micah Kane, Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, circulated detailed information on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands regional plans for Waimanalo. In addition, he showed a slide presentation. DHHL mission is to manage effectively the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust and to develop and deliver lands to native Hawaiians. DHHL works in partnership with other government agencies, private sector entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations to carry out this mission. DHHL believes that these partnerships benefit not only its native Hawaiian beneficiaries but the larger community as well. The plan is intended to: 1) help identify opportunities for partnerships with DHHL for further development for its Waimanalo lands; 2) provide information essential to the planning of projects, services, and entrepreneurial ventures; 3) identify key issues, opportunities, and constraints effecting regional developments and area improvements; 4) assist in the efficient allocation of resources by DHHL and its partners; 5) identify priority projects that are essential to moving development and community improvement projects forward. DHHL knows that regional development is a dynamic process with constantly changing opportunities and emerging issues. With that in mind, this document will be regularly updated as development projects progress and priorities change. (A round of applause was given at this time).

There was lengthy discussion on this issue. Concerns and comments included: 1) A resident asked about preschools. Kane will follow-up. 2) Kane said Inaole Street will be a public street. 3) Kane stated there were concerns from the community regarding speeding on Nakini Street, 4) Mabel Spencer had concerns about the homeless population, especially those of Hawaiian ancestry. 5) Kane will follow-up on Jamila’s inquiry regarding the primary access point to the project. They won’t have use of the property for one year and six months; and will fence off the property. He would like to use the Neighborhood Board as a means of gathering information. 6) A resident said the property is zoned agricultural and should remain agricultural. Kane said he would follow-up with Peter Young of Department of Land and Natural Resources. (A round of applause was given at this time).

The agenda was taken out of order.

Governor’s Representative – Kane said the 2007 Legislative Session will be adjourned the first week of May.  the big issue is the budget.

The agenda resumed regular order.

Kamehameha Community Relations – Kaui Burgess announced Kamehameha Schools is sponsoring a day of family fun and food on April 28, 2007, Kamehameha Schools Preschool – Waimanalo, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Information will be available regarding what type of programs exists in the community. Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of Kamehameha Schools will be in attendance. Lunch will be provided. (A round of applause was given at this time).

Waimanalo Canoe Club – Julie Dugan announced registration for Waimanalo Canoe Club will be held Mondays and Wednesdays, Kaiona Beach Park, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Dues are $100 (returning members) or $110 (new members). Please see ShuShu Reis-Moniz or Lei Hashimoto.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life – Mabel Spencer stated 17 teams have signed up for ACS Relay for Life and have raised $5,122. Their goal is to have 25 teams and raise $25,000. She encouraged everyone to participate. The event will be held on June 8-9, 2007, Waimanalo Beach Park.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Waimanalo Elementary School – Collette Chow announced Waimanalo Elementary now has a Kupuna on staff. (A round of applause was given at this time). Jeanette Nahinu introduced herself.  In addition, Chow has been an educator for 37 years had concerns that she has been forced to teach another grade next year. She said there needs to be more community involvement. There was lengthy discussion on this issue.

(Chair Ho departed at 9:09 p.m. Vice Chair Jamila assumed the gavel).

COMMUNITY PUBLIC INPUT:

U.S. Marines – Maj. Chris Perrine gave a brief report.

USAF Bellows – Capt. David Talafuse said they held a successful Easter program.

Mabel Spencer had concerns that two community members who championed beach cleanups were bullied by the military police at Bellows. Capt. Talafuse indicated he met with those individuals for an hour and he addressed their concerns. (There was lengthy discussion on this issue).

(Kahana departed at 9:32 p.m.)

Hawai’i Job Corps – Julie Dugan stated this month Job Corps will be participating in National Youth Day. They will raise money and donate can goods to the Hawai’i Food Bank. A car wash will be held this Saturday. She encouraged everyone to participate.

Council Chair Barbara Marshall – J. Ikaika Anderson circulated Council Chair Marshall’s monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) Council Chair Marshall sends her regrets. 2) He asked the Board to take a position on the Mayor’s recycling plan. The plan would charge households $10 a month for a second garbage pickup a week. 3) If anyone has questions or concerns, please contact their office at 547-7003.

Governor’s Representative – Discussed earlier in the meeting.

Senator Fred Hemmings – No report or representative was available.

Representative Tommy Waters – No report or representative was available.

Hope Chapel Waimanalo – Pastor Fred Welch stated: 1) He thanked everyone who attended this past weekend’s Easter events. He also thanked his congregation for donating the food. 2) “Doing Church as a Team” will be held on April 28, 2007, Blanche Pope Elementary, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Everyone is invited. 3) There are two Hope Chapel churches in this area: Hope Chapel Waimanalo and Hope Chapel Olomana. (A round of applause was given at this time).

Kokua Ohana – Gwen Kailihiwa announced they will be sign-waving to raise awareness of National Foster Care Month on May 9, 2007, near Castle Junction. For more information, please call 595-6320.

Waimanalo Health Center – May Akamine reported: 1) She and three members of the Board of Directors (which includes Ikaika Anderson) went to Washington, D.C. and spoke to U.S. Senator Akaka. 2) Waimanalo Health Center will be holding a wellness fair to celebrate its 15th Anniversary on August 11, 2007. There will be lots of activities for the keiki. They are in the planning stage. 3) If anyone has any questions, contact her or any of the Board of Directors.

Bellows AFS Restoration – Mabel Spencer mentioned she was notified of the ruling regarding the proposed plan for no further action at Bellows pier dump.

Blanche Pope Elementary – Principal Ofelia Carag reported: 1) Students have begun the HAS testing today. 2) Family Bingo Night will be held on April 19, 2007, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 3) Blanche Pope is partnering with Kamehameha Schools regarding Keiki Steps. It’s currently in the planning stages. 4) There will be no school on April 23, 2007 due to Professional Collaboration Day.

Mabel Spencer thanked Carag for attending the Board meetings. (A round of applause was given at this time).

Friends of Waimanalo Roundtable – No report or representative was available.

Oceanic Institute (OI) – Joseph Aipa reported: 1) He apologized for missing last month’s meeting. 2) On March 16, they participated in Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School’s Career and Health Day. 3) In collaboration with OI, HPU is working on a Campus Compact program to engage high school students in marine science projects being conducted. 4) Approximately 24 OI employees received CPR and First Aid training. 5) New research is being conducted at OI on increasing marine shrimp stocking densities in round ponds. 6) In marine finfish research, OI is assisting a commercial moi farmer with scaling up of operations and training as he constructs his own hatchery. (A round of applause was given at this time).

Congresswoman Mazie Hirano – No report or representative was available.

Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association (WHHA) – Paul Richards reported: 1) Over 300 residents participated in the Easter Egg Celebration. 2) They participated in Prince Kuhio events, including the Prince Kuhio Parade in Waikiki. 3) He encouraged all students between the grades of sixth and seventh grade to attend culinary school to begin June 18, 2007. 4) Ke Ola Mamo is conducting house to house surveys. (A round of applause was given at this time).

Waimanalo Beach Park Recreation and Education – Mabel Spencer said she doesn’t know if the plans have changed regarding repairing the fence at Kaiona Beach Park. Dugan noted that the Mayor’s report indicated that replacing the fence is not a priority because it is not a safety hazard. Jamila will follow-up with Aylett.

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Mabel Spencer had no report.

Waimanalo Agricultural Association – No report or representative was available.

ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

Submitted by:

Steve J. Rodrigues,

Neighborhood Assistant