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WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007
HAWAI’I
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Wilson Kekoa Ho called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nani Akeo, Kevin Andrews, David Bettencourt, Michael Buck, Phillip Ellsworth, Wilson Kekoa Ho, Andrew Jamila, Jr., Blanche McMillan, Mabel Spencer, Solomon Spencer.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Peter “Kahana” Albinio, Jr., Bobbie Kahalewai, Joe Birtles (resigned).
GUESTS: Cyndy Aylett (Mayor’s Representative), J. Ikaika Anderson (Councilmember Barbara Marshall’s office), Captain Paul Kahele (HFD), Capt. Nyle Dolera and Lt. Richard Robinson (HPD), Capt. David Talafuse (U.S. Air Force Bellows), Maj. Chris Perrine (MCBH), Celeste Parker (Waimanalo Relay for Life), May Akamine (Waimanalo Health Center), Kehau Padilla (Friends of Waimanalo), Fred Welch (Hope Chapel Waimanalo); Roxanne Hanawahine and Paul Richards (WHHA); Ofelia Carag and Marleen Keanu (Blanche Pope Elementary), Joseph Aipa (Oceanic Institute), Mackenzie St. Laurence (HCAP), Norma Kanemaru and Shannon Wood (Waimanalo Homeless Coalition); Gwen Kailihiwa (Kokua Ohana), Todd Lanning (Bellows), Steven Mow (HDOH), Colleen Jay (FLS); Kretia Pangelinan and Claire Shimabukuro (Hawai’i Meals on Wheels); Deborah Smith (Olomana Gardens); Jaye Aquino, Moana DeMello, Pricilla Ho, Russell Ito, Sui Lan Kepa, Connie Oki, Julie Valdez, Sherri Vega, Celeste and Hauoli Wong; Steve J. Rodrigues (
PULE: Chair Ho said if prayer offends anyone, now is the time to leave the room. Ellsworth offered the pule.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Ho welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming. He announced: 1) Next month’s meeting will be held at Blanche Pope Elementary School Cafeteria – March 12, 2007, 7:30 p.m. 2) He encouraged everyone to vote in the upcoming Neighborhood Board elections. Five seats are unopposed, five seats are contested, and three seats have no candidates. For more information, contact the
CITY EMERGENCY AGENCIES/PUBLIC INPUT (Part I)
Honolulu Police Department – Lt. Richard Robinson reported: 1) For the month of January in the Waimanalo area, there were 13 auto theft recoveries, 4 burglaries, 1 drugs/narcotics, 3 drunk nuisance, 9 harassments, 12 hazardous drivers, 1 homicide, 1 ID theft, 4 loud parties, 3 motor vehicle theft, 26 noise complaints, 20 nuisance complaints, 7 property damage, 1 robbery, 17 runaways, 2 simple assault, 11 thefts, 2 threatening, 33 traffic stops, 11 UEMV, 15 vehicles towed (abandoned), 7 warrant arrests, and 688 total calls. 2) He introduced the new captain for the district, Capt. Nyle Dolera. Capt. Dolers gave a brief background on himself. 3) NARCO Vice received 17 new complaints and closed 10 in this district. There were 39 DUI’s in Waimanalo. 4) HPD has several bills in the Legislature relating to recruitment and retention. There is a big demand for police officers nationwide.
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Ellsworth noticed a lot of traffic near Jack-in-the-Box and kids crossing the street. Capt. Dolera said officers are enforcing pedestrian safety. They will monitor the area. 2) In response to Chair Ho, Lt. Robinson stated there are 149 officers in the district, which is broken down in three watches. On a good day, there are 18-20 officers on the road – on a bad day, there are 15-16 officers. In Waimanalo, there are three to four officers on a good day. The major and captain are pushing hard to get more beats funded. The district splits at Makapu’u. 3) Chair Ho thanked Capt. Dolera and Lt. Robinson for attending.
Mayor’s Representative – Cyndy Aylett reported: 1) The City and
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Andrews was concerned about the bacteria counts at
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:
Cleaning of Bellows AFS toxic landfill on the beach – Todd Lanning said they are not going to cleanup the toxic landfill at Bellows AFS. They are only responsible for anything that will cause a chemical risk.
There was lengthy discussion on this issue. Concerns and comments included: 1) Lanning answered: a) They never said the landfill was toxic – they first had to conduct an investigation. b) The funding for the cleanup is different than funding for the war in
Waimanalo Gym renovations and displacement of the children’s programs – Chair Ho noted the Board member McMillan already gave a report to Aylett, Mayor’s representative. Mabel Spencer thanked the City for cleaning up the site.
Closing of Kila’s Kloset and other services in the HCAP program – Mackenzie St. Laurence. Coordinator for HCAP, had concerns about the closing of Kila’s Kloset and the HCAP program. The program will be closing in three months. She asked for the community’s assistance. If anyone has any questions, she can be reached at 258-7399. Kila’s Keiki Kloset provides free clothing for keiki from newborn to 5 years old. HCAP provides emergency food for low-income and homeless people. They also provide free computer classes; resources for job search; referrals; nutrition demonstrations, organic gardening; facility use; etc. The next fiscal year doesn’t begin until October 1, 2007.
Waimanalo Homeless Shelter – Shannon Wood gave a brief update on the Waimanalo Homeless Shelter. The homeless coalition needs to address emergency shelter and transitional housing. They provide social services including hot meals, books for children, etc. She introduced the representative for Waimanalo, Norma Kanemaru. If anyone has any questions, please contact Kanemaru or Woods.
PUBLIC INPUT (Part II):
Fixed Rail Transit – No report or representative was available.
Save Our Family Courts – A member of the community asked the Board to pass a resolution to save Honolulu Family Court. Representative Waters already supports this measure. Neighborhood Assistant Steve J. Rodrigues that informed Chair Ho that in order to discuss this issue it needs to be added to the agenda with a two-thirds vote of the Board (i.e. Neighborhood Plan). Bettencourt moved and Ellsworth seconded to add Save Our Family Courts to tonight’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously. Bettencourt moved and Akeo seconded that the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board No. 32 adopt a resolution in support of the retention of Family Court judges in the Honolulu Family Court location and for the establishment of a full service court in Kapolei as the Fourth Circuit Court. The motion carried unanimously.
Kokua Ohana – Gwen Kailihiwa mentioned Kokua Ohana’s Christmas Party was a success. It was held on the same day as the Waimanalo Christmas Parade. Those in attendance included the Lt. Governor, Representative Waters, and Chair Ho. There is hope for our foster children. She thanked Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
American Cancer Society Relay of Life - Celeste Parker, co-Chair for the Waimanalo Relay for Life will be held on June 8-9, 2007,
Hawai’i
OTHER GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS:
USAF Bellows – Capt. David Talafuse reported: 1) He thanked everyone for their efforts dealing with the issue with trees on the base. 2) He encouraged everyone to practice water safety – don’t go out in the water alone. 3) They have soldiers deployed in
The agenda was taken out of order. There were no objections.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 8, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Ellsworth moved and Akeo seconded that the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.
The agenda resumed regular order.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Senator Fred Hemmings – No report or representative was available.
Governor’s Representative – No report or representative was available.
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) The next round of “3 Talk” sessions will be held tomorrow at
Representative Tommy Waters – Representative Waters circulated his monthly report and highlighted the following: 1) He is the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. 2) Copper theft has become a big problem. The Legislature is looking at increasing the penalties. They are also looking at increasing the penalties for graffiti, including making those convicted cleanup the graffiti. 3) He will write a letter to Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka for federal funding to cleanup Bellows. 4)
Congresswoman Mazie Hirano – No report or representative was available.
Oceanic Institute – Joseph Aipa had no report but was available for questions.
Chair Ho mentioned Oceanic Institute offered the Board the use of their facility to hold its meetings. He asked Aipa to convey to Dr. Bruce Anderson the Board’s appreciation – but the facility is only able to accommodate a maximum of 60 people (fire code). Aipa informed the community that their facilities are open for everyone’s use.
Bellows AFS Restoration – Discussed earlier in the meeting.
EDUCATION:
Blanche Pope Elementary – Principal Ofelia Carag reported: 1) Blanche Pope has a new vice principal, Ryan Amine. 2) HSA testing for grades 3-6 will be held in April. A kickoff dinner was held. 3) Nominations for School Community Council elections will be held on March 15 or 16. A follow-up meeting will be held on April 20. 4) For the first time they have an after-school program for students grades k-6. 5) The Ohana Fun Fair and Craft Fair will be held on March 9, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. As a fundraiser, Hawaiian food plates will be sold for $10 each. 6) One of their struggles is meeting the attendance benchmark. They haven’t hit 90% on a consistent basis.
Chair Ho thanked Carag for allowing the Board to hold its next meeting at the school.
OTHER GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Waimanalo Hawaiian
Mabel Spencer inquired about the strategic plan. Richards said he would be more than happy to share that information.
Mabel Spencer moved and Jamila seconded that the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board No. 32 support Micah Kane’s confirmation as director of DHHL. The motion carried unanimously.
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Mabel Spencer had no report.
Nation of
Waimanalo Farm Association – No report or representative was available.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1) Hauoli Wong announced they are starting a new youth baseball league in Waimanalo. Approximately 200 kids, ages 5-14, have already signed-up - with 95% coming from Waimanalo. Education is first but sports keeps kids off the street. A couple of Board members commended Wong. (A round of applause was given at this time). 2) Kehau Padilla said Empower O’ahu received a new grant;
ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Submitted by:
Steve J. Rodrigues,
Neighborhood Assistant