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WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2007

HAWAI’I ARMY NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING AUDITORIUM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Wilson Kekoa Ho called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Beverly Addington, Peter “Kahana” Albinio, Michael Buck, Phillip Ellsworth, Wilson Kekoa Ho, Fred Humphrey, Andrew Jamila, Jr., Solomon Spencer, Cynthia Wahinekapu.

MEMBERS ABSENT: David Bettencourt, Nani Akeo (appointed at this meeting).

GUESTS: Cyndy Aylett (Mayor’s Representative), J. Ikaika Anderson (Council Chair Barbara Marshall’s office), Captain Job Harris (HFD), Lt. Richard Robinson (HPD), Raymond Young (DPP), Capt. Duke Patrick (U.S. Air Force Bellows), Maj. Chris Perrine (MCBH), May Akamine (Waimanalo Health Center), Fred Welch (Hope Chapel Waimanalo), Ofelia Carag (Blanche Pope Elementary), Noel Richardson (Waimanalo Elementary), Joseph Aipa (Oceanic Institute), Julie Dugan (Job Corps), Paul Richards (WHHA), Patrick Ching (Naturally Hawaiian Gallery), Bob Farrell and Yvonne Cardenas (videographer); Jaye Aquino, Tanya Goo, Pricilla Ho, Sui Lan Kepa, Marie Richardson, Mabel Spencer; Rachel Glanstein and Leland Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

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

Chair Ho stated the filling of vacancies was left off the agenda. Buck moved and Ellsworth seconded to add filling of vacancies to the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

FILLING OF VACANCIES IN SUBDISTRICTS 4 AND 8:  Chair Ho asked if there were any candidates willing to fill any of the vacancies. There were no candidates for subdistrict 4. Chair Ho mentioned that Nani Akeo, a former Board member who forgot to submit her application, is interested in filling the vacancy in subdistrict 8. There being no objections, Nani Akeo was elected by acclamation.

CITY EMERGENCY AGENCIES/PUBLIC INPUT (Part I)

Honolulu Fire Department – Captain Job Harris reported: 1) For the month of June, the Waimanalo Fire Station responded to 7 fires, 28 medical emergencies, and 3 search and rescues. 2) Fire Safety Tip: “Take the time to childproof your home, especially since children are on summer vacation. Check for potentially dangerous situations, i.e., electrical shock, accidental falls, or poisoning from medications, cleaning fluids, and houseplants. Keep matches and lighters in a safe place and out of the reach of small children.”

Honolulu Police Department – Lt. Richard Robinson reported: 1) For June in the Waimanalo area, there were 11 auto theft recoveries, 5 burglaries, 1 drugs/narcotics, 1 graffiti, 22 hazardous drivers, 6 motor vehicle thefts, 12 property damage, 3 simple assaults, 9 thefts, 27 traffic stops, 24 UEMV, 3 warrant arrests. 2) Officers have stepped up enforcement at Waimanalo Beach Park.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Ellsworth had concerns about jaywalking around the Jack-in-the-Box vicinity. Lt. Robinson will follow-up. 2) Jamila said area residents are concerned about youths hanging around the Ken’s restaurant area after 10:00 p.m. Lt. Robinson will follow-up.

Mayor’s Representative – Cyndy Aylett reported: 1) She apologized for missing last month’s meeting. 2) Follow-up: a) The request for 77 bus on evenings and weekends will be considered under the Windward phase of the Bus Service Improvement Plan; b) The playcourts at Waimanalo District Park is completed. The landscaping will be completed by the end of September; c) Camping was not allowed while the comfort station was being refurbished because of safety (no lights) and sanitary (no water) reasons.; d) The Waimanalo Library does not wish to have paper copies of the agenda since it is available online. They will gladly assist anyone who would like to retrieve the information. 3) A transit seminar will be held this Saturday, Leeward Community College, 8:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) A resident said the map of the camp grounds needs to be redrawn. Aylett will follow-up. 2) Buck stated the tennis courts are awaiting nets. Aylett will follow-up. 3) A resident said the fence at Kaiona Beach Park needs to be repaired. Aylett will follow-up. 4) Jamila stated he received concerns regarding the visibility of the parking lot closure sign at the scenic parking lot, near Makapu’u Lighthouse. It needs to be relocated before the trail. Aylett will follow-up. 5) Addington said seniors are asking for a bus shelter at the bus stop at Nakini Street. Aylett will follow-up.

APPROVAL OF JUNE 12, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Ellsworth moved and Buck seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Waimanalo Neighborhood Board Meeting – Chair Ho reminded everyone that the next Board meeting will be held at Waimanalo Library, August 13, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

Rediscover Waimanalo – Jamila announced that the planning meeting for Rediscover Waimanalo will be held on July 18, 2007, multipurpose building, 6:30 p.m. The event is scheduled for October 19-21.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Waimanalo Community Business Center – Antonia and Raymond Young, Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), gave a brief overview of the proposed Waimanalo Community Business Center. The center was first proposed in 1999 as a Vision Team project. The Vision Team and DPP met periodically to select a site. As a result, the site selection report is complete. The site chosen was the old quarry site near Nakini Street The property is owned by the department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). This is only the first stage of the project.

Concerns and comments followed: 1) Jamila mentioned he is the project champion. He is working with WHAA. Nothing is set in stone; it’s only a dream on paper. 2) Young said $100,000 was appropriated for the study. Additional funding is needed for design. 3) Other sites were considered, however hey were on agricultural land. 4) The next step is partnership. 5) Chair Ho said the project will help the truckers in the community. 6) Addington had concerns about the 85 seniors who live in the vicinity. Antonia said there will bee a buffer zone. Jamila added that the trucks will not be seen or heard. 7) Addington had concerns about the 85 seniors who live in the vicinity. Antonia said there will bee a buffer zone. Jamila added that the trucks will not be seen or heard. 7) Young stated as the project moves forward, hopefully, they can coordinate with DHHL.

New Preschool – A resident of Enchanted Lake said she has received the blessings from St. Matthew Church to open a preschool on their premises. The preschool will be able to accommodate 30 children, ages three to five years old. The project is in the preliminary stage. Chair Ho stated when the plans are more concrete to give the Board an update.

Literacy through Arts Program – Patrick Ching, Naturally Hawaiian Gallery, stated he has started a literacy through arts program for adults. Reading and writing is thought through art classes. For more information, contact him at the gallery.

Rodeo Event – Ching said he will be taking a group to New Zealand to participate in a rodeo on October 21, 2007. Interested residents are welcomed.

COMMUNITY PUBLIC INPUT:

USAF Bellows – Capt. Duke Patrick reported: 1 Bellows will be closed on August 18 for a couple of days for joint exercises. 2) Job opportunities are available at Bellows.

U.S. Marines – Maj. Chris Perrine reported: 1) Bay Fest was well attended. 2) A cycle fest was held this past weekend. 3) Students from Castle High School will be participating in a leadership program July 14-22, 3)  The Blue Angels will be performing an air show August 13-14. The public is invited.

Hawai’i Army National Guard – Chair Ho noted that Commander Wong has been reassigned. A new commander has yet to be named.

Hawai’i Job Corps – Julie Dugan stated: 1) Job Corps is currently on summer break. Classes will resume on July 17. 2) They are always seeking substitute teachers in all academics and vocational training. Applicants must posses a college degree.

Governor’s Representative – No report or representative was available.

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) During the summer, there will be no Sunday School or Children’s Ministry. 2) If you are having a community event, Hope Chapel Waimanalo will be happy to provide manpower. They also have an excellent sound system for use, free of charge.

Kokua Ohana – No report or representative was available.

Waimanalo Health Center – May Akamine reported: 1) WHC has a new women’s health provider, Dr. Carol Fong; a new medical director, Dr. Christina Kealoha Lee; and a new psychiatrist. 2) New programs include: a program for needy patients; student summer program; and cooking show 3) The health center will be holding a Wellness Fair on August 11 to celebrate its 15th Anniversary and National Health Center Week.4) Pastor Fred will assist in the blessing of the center. The blessing is to confirm WHC’s purpose. 5) They are looking for people to serve on their Board of Directors.

Bellows AFS Restoration – No report or representative was available.

Blanche Pope Elementary School – Principal Ofelia Carag reported: 1) She thanked Hope Chapel Waimanalo for weed whacking their grounds. 2) She also thanked the Waimanalo Agricultural Association for donating school supplies for the second straight year. 3) The school has experienced a rash of break-ins and tagging. She thanked the neighbors for being their eyes and ears. 4) Keiki Steps has been a success. 5) Parents are encouraged to sign-up their children for kindergarten. Currently, there are 31 students enrolled. Orientation is July 31 and first day of school is August 1. 6) The Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association will give a presentation to the teachers. 7) She gave an update on summer program 8) Construction update: a) cesspool – hope to be completed by September; b) sidewalks – will be completed by the end of the week.  

Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School – Vice Principal Noel Richardson reported: 1) August 2nd is the first day of school. 2) They are wrapping up construction projects within the school. 3) The administration is looking into using email and text messaging to communicate with parents for this upcoming school year.

Richardson responded that 98 percent of eight graders has been promoted to the next grade; 25 students were one credit short of passing.

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

Oceanic Institute – Joseph Aipa reported: 1) Hawai’i Pacific University coordinated a program with John Hopkins University. 2) Their last shrimp harvest netted over 8,000 shrimps. They have one distributor..

Aipa responded that they gave 300 pounds of shrimp to the Waimanalo Health Center and Job Corps.

Congresswoman Mazie Hirano – No report or representative was available.

Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association – Paul Richards reported: 1) Condolences to Uncle Tony and the Sang ohana for the passing of Aunty Sang. 2) The Kamehameha Schools Culinary Academy is doing well. The course will be completed July 18. 3) One of their service projects will be clearing hale koa in the community. 4)  They will have leadership training. 5) He will work with Jamila regarding the Waimanalo Business Center.

Richards responded that the certified community kitchen will be completed by the end of September.

Waimanalo Beach Park Recreation and Education – No report

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Mabel Spencer had no report.

Waimanalo Agricultural Association – No report or representative was available.

Board of Water Supply – BWS’ monthly report was circulated.

ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

Submitted by:

Steve J. Rodrigues,

Neighborhood Assistant