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WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007
WAIMANALO NATIONAL GUARD CENTER AUDITORIUM
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, David Bettencourt, Michael Buck, Mathew Chun, Wilson Kekoa Ho, Fred Humphrey, Andrew Jamila, Jr., Solomon Spencer, Cynthia Waihinekapu.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Beverly Addington, Peter Albinio, Phillip Ellsworth.
GUESTS: Bobbie Kahalewai, Ilona Jamila, Becky Paul, H. Kanoeokalani Cheek, S. Joe Estores, Noel Richardson, Miki St. Laurent, Moana DeMello, Diane Moses, Ray Lum, Gordon Mattos, Major Chris Perrine (Marine Corps Base Hawaii - MCBH), Albert Lewis, Lucy Akau, J. Ikaika Anderson (Councilmember Marshall’s office), Julie Dugan (Job Corps), Mabel Spencer, Micah Kane (Governor’s Representative – Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands - DHHL), Acting Captain Lindsey (Honolulu Fire Department - HFD) Lt. David Eber (Honolulu Police Department - HPD), Cyndy Aylett (Mayor’s Representative – Office of the Mayor), Constance Oki, Kehau Padilla, Tom Savine, Annette Lee, Allan Young, Sharyn Young, Matcio Morgates, Wally Nitta, Jason Skaggs, Michele Hoku Liu, Dwight Kalikau, Wayne Kaiina, Kevin Andrews, Carol Andrews, Bruce Kamekona, Kalae Kuisahiko, Renee Wallace Silberstein (Department of Parks and Recreation – DPR), Eunice McElroy, Elwin Spray (
PULE – Chair Ho invited Gordon Mattos to the front, with Mattos offering a pule for the meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Chair Ho welcomed the community to the meeting and thanked them for coming. He announced members Addington and Ellsworth as being sick. Nine members were present (Akeo, Bettencourt, Buck, Chun, Ho, Humphrey, Jamila, S. Spencer, Waihinekapu).
FILLING OF BOARD VACANCY – Chair Ho announced that there was one resident who had expressed interest in filling the Board vacancy for the remainder of the Board term (until May 31, 2009) and asked that anyone else see him after the meeting.
PUBLIC INPUT (PART 1)
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Acting Captain Lindsey was present representing the Honolulu Fire Department and reported area statistics for the prior month of October 2007, where the Waimanalo Fire Station responded to fifty calls, of which there was one brush fire, thirty-eight medical emergencies, four hazardous material responses, five "good intention" alarms, and one false alarm and one major building fire incident to which seven other units also responded. He reported on the need to take care in the holiday season, both with natural or artificial tress, stressing the need to take care with lights and decorations. He stressed the need to formulate a personal home fire plan and to communicate and practice the plan with family members, explaining the Fire Safety Month of October 2007 had discussed such plans at fire stations, with a recent successful escape of children from a Papakolea home at least partial attributable to the plan developed that day with those children, reporting that those children had escaped safely, and encouraged the community to develop a plan with their children, including a 'safe' sidewalk or neighbor’s area to meet after the home evacuation. Chair Ho thanked Lindsey for his report.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Dave Eber represented the Windward 4th District and reported major incidents were down 17% from September and up slightly at 2% for the year, describing the monthly statistics for the Waimanalo area as: seven assaults, eight auto theft recoveries, eight burglaries, two drugs/narcotics calls, six harassments, three motor vehicle theft, one missing person, one missing person call cancelled, six property damage calls, four motor vehicle accidents requiring towing, one rape, thirteen runaways, six cancelled runaways, twenty-two thefts, one truancy, fifteen unauthorized occupancy of motor vehicles, and three warrant arrests, and a total of 632 calls. Waihinekapu asked about handling suspected truancy cases; Eber said 911 should be called and HPD would respond, explaining that children would not be cited but taken into custody, perhaps to the school and perhaps to await release to parents. Chair Ho thanked Eber for his report.
Mayor’s Representative – Cyndy Aylett (Mayor's Office staff) represented Mayor Mufi Hannemann and announced the Council had passed the previously discussed legislation providing for an enterprise zone for Waimanalo, which is intended to stimulate jobs in community and invited anyone interested in the details to call the Mayor's Office of Economic Development at 523-4311. She report on issues from the past meeting, covering three items relating to parks, saying that City area campgrounds are to be closed every Wednesday and Thursday to provide for cleaning, that the Kaiona Beach Park restroom is closed on evenings at 7 p.m. to try to address the vandalism problems -- but pointed out that the Park restrooms could be considered for later access if a permitted park use is being conducted, and that the maps and site-markers for Waimanalo Beach Park campsites were promised to have been corrected by the end of the month. She also reported that a Kailua Ohana Lounge brawl was still under investigation and HPD could not comment. She also reported that the controls for the lights at the District Park are now installed and are operational on a timer, saying that the control needs to be reset after the expired point is reached. She reported concerns about unauthorized camping by the canoe halau would be followed up on. Jamila reported talking with Sgt. Escalante who had described a need for a "no parking" signs to be placed at the Makapuu Point overlook sufficient to allow for fire vehicles to negotiate turns through the parking lot. Al Lewis was present from the Friends of Waimanalo (FOW), expressing concern about the recent Waimanalo Country Fair, which was under the co-sponsorship of the City. He explained that several advantages were given to this fair, including extended use of the Beach Park site for set-up and take down, that others could not have because they were not co-sponsored, and, that organizations from other communities were participating - including private businesses - despite this fair being intended for Waimanalo groups. He reported being in support of the continued use but commented that the carnival had left metal hooks in the park ground, causing extra expense to the City. He also reported that the wrist-bands (for rides) should not have been sold except at the advertised location and not on Sunday at the midway and concerns that the non-profits were not the major beneficiaries of the event. Jamila reported that his non-profit organization, the Waimanalo Construction Coalition, had served as a primary co-sponsor with the City, that requests that had come out of the community when past Sunset-on-the-Beach events had been held to make a carnival event rather than music or movies, that Waimanalo community groups did receive income from this event (especially boxing and football youth groups) and that the carnival had participated with $10,000 in front money from E.K. Fernandez Carnivals. Mattos said that FOW wished to see the event designed so that only Waimanalo community groups receive the funds. Mattos reported that the FOW have worked with the Waimanalo Construction Coalition in the past and are supportive of it. Bobbie Kahalewai reported that intensive planning for the event had started six months, that all Waimanalo groups were asked to participate, that two Waimanalo groups had pulled out just two and a half weeks prior to the Fair, and that many organizations had been recruited to fill the void but that the two replacements were not Waimanalo groups but that both had paid a flat rate, just like all the others. Chair Ho said that Lewis had originally asked if there was an accounting of the fair, with Jamila and Kalalewai both reporting that there was. Chair Ho thanked Aylett for her report.
Council Chair Barbara Marshall – J. Ikaika Anderson circulated Councilmember Marshall’s monthly report and invited the community to meetings with Councilmember Marshall on December 4, 2007 at St. John Lutheran Church, Kailua, and January 29, 2008 at Waimanalo Public Library, both meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 9, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Chair Ho reported that a request had been made for alterations to the October 9, 2007 Minutes from Mabel Spencer, one suggestion to identify an audience member on page 3 paragraph eleven as "Steven Tayama" and a second offering an insertion about the military presentation, explaining that he did not agree with the insertion, which he said was a statement in addition to what was actually said at the meeting. Buck moved Waimanalo Neighborhood Board approval of the October 9, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes as circulated, with M. Spencer saying the motion should be "as corrected" and Ho accepting the amendment. Oki noted several typographical errors (page 2, delete items five and six from third paragraph and page 4, first line change word "cites" to "sites"). Chair Ho asked for an affirmative vote on accepting the minutes and declared the minutes approved as corrected 9-0-0.
Unfinished Business
Bellows Warfare Training Facility Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) – Major Chris Perrine was present from Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH). He reported the release of the requested documents that had been discussed at prior meetings, with the documents being generally available except for one document that was delivered directly to the requesting organization. Chair Ho asked if Perrine could provide a list of the documents involved, with Perrine agreeing to do so.
Waimanalo Village Center – Michelle "Hoku" Liu introduced herself as the president of the non-profit Waimanalo Village Center, explaining that the center is planning to alter its existing buildings and introducing the architect Dwight Kalikau, saying that the center is generally used by the community for weekend parties but that the changing nature of the Village, the direct purchase of the homes there, and opportunities for other uses, such as Kalaheo High School and the University of Hawaii saying they would make use of classroom sites, have resulted in the Center deciding to rebuild. Kalikau said that the site now is a 720 square foot building, with the intent to build on all of the 20,000 square foot lot, a combination office pavilion, pre-school site, computer room, meeting space and village storage structure, with the plan to build in November or December of 2008. Chair Ho asked if the construction was within the by-laws of the Village and about the permits required; with Kalikau saying that an environmental assessment (EA) might be needed since it was on State land but that the City would likely process the permit as a Conditional Use Permit (CDU) Minor, replacing the existing use, as an administrative review; Kalikau said the permits would be applied for in the summer of 2008). Chair Ho asked about parking, with Kalikau reporting off-site parking to include the State site across the street and seven stalls on the lot. Chair Ho asked about noise control, with Kalikau saying the noise would be contained within the building. Akeo asked about capacity, with Kalikau saying that there would be a planned limit of 200 versus the 150 limit now. Jamila asked about public access with Liu explaining that the facility was not open to the public but that you could use it with the sponsorship of a Village member. Chair Ho asked about the charge, with Liu saying a sponsored event was $260, a price including use of tents and chairs, with Kalikau explaining that the kitchen would be a state "certified" kitchen.
Olelo Broadcast of Waimanalo Neighborhood Board Meeting – Chair Ho announced that the meeting would be broadcast on Olelo at 9:00 p.m. on Channel 49, on Sunday evenings and invited the community to watch.
Waimanalo Community Christmas Parade – Jamila announced that the annual community Christmas parade would be on December 15, 2007 starting at 10 a.m. until 12 noon and invited all to come out to watch the parade.
Positive Re-Action Hui – M. Spencer announced the continuing circulation of a petition on the issues discussed at the past several Board meetings, being generally to request the relocation of the United States military from Bellows Beach and return of the ceded lands, with fifty-three having currently signed the petition.
RESIDENT CONCERNS
Explosions At Bellows – Kanoe Cheek was present to express concerns about the noise and possible danger to her home and other adjacent residences as the result of explosion noise coming to her from Bellows Field. She referred to recent news stories about boulders and rock slides, explaining that her residence is near Blanche Pope School with the arch of the back wall of the Koolaus behind her house, with noises being focused on her house and fearing that the noise would loosen rocks from above her. She explained that the explosions are relatively new and are at all hours of the day and night up to 10 p.m. Chair Ho asked if others had expressed concern to her, with Cheek saying she normally is at work and has not hear of daytime noise until a recent family illness had her at home. Perrine said he would look into the source of the noise and asked if any complaints are known that they should contact him right away in order to pinpoint the source, offering two contact numbers of 257-8832 and the main line of 257-8840. Kahalewai reported that she lives in that area and has not heard the noise.
Conditional Use Permit Request for Andrews – Kevin Andrews was present to request Board support for a Conditional Use Permit for the Plant Research Corp. (PRC) at its property located at 41-829 Kakaina Street. PRC is requesting approval for Ag (agricultural) accessory use enterprises to remain on the property (including Tropical Clay and five small sawmill wood shops). The current property has a numbers of small structures which are to be removed at the end of the year with the request to allow the six businesses to remain and all vacated lands are to be use for organic sugar cane production. Andrews distributed a letter, copies of his application and a site map of the property, with a history of the site included, which lists plans for renovation of the site, referring to buildings built form the 60's, 70's, and 80's, and to include use of an existing building as a training center for the Waimanalo Construction Coalition, commenting that this type of community-based mixed use is listed in the Ko'Olau Poko sustainable communities plan as a community base yard. Chair Ho reported that he had previously received a letter in opposition to the project. Savine asked if there would be a Board vote, with Chair Ho answering that he wasn't sure if a vote would be taken, with Savine asking about conflicts of interest in voting and with Chair Ho saying that conflicts of interest are covered in the Board rules. Tom Savine said that industrial users should be prohibited from use of this land as the definition should be for those where the industrial is incidental to ag use, which is not the case for those Andrews is proposing to be operating on the site; Andrews said he understands the point but that Savine's definition is not the only interpretation. Chair Ho asked about the largest building on the site, which Andrews reported was now empty, saying that the plan is for all except the above mentioned to leave, with the only wild card being the new enterprise zone law. Louis Kamekona commented that all businesses are using Waimanalo workers. Jamila reported that he had a working relationship with Andrews and he would not join in the voting, saying that the other Board members who are involved in the community organizations should also not be voting on the issue, with Chair Ho saying the need to defer is listed in the rules of the Neighborhood Board and it doesn't have to be only a financial interest. Jamila said that drivers he trains are hired through the employers there and with Chair Ho saying the definition of industrial use heeds to be reviewed but not by the Neighborhood Board. Wayne Kaiina reported that Rocky Roads Products, where he is a manager, has been the target of untrue complaints of their burying waste and that they, like other Waimanalo companies, are trying to work together with the community and are not here to harm the environment; Kaiina referred to company owner Wallace Nitta (in the audience) and invited those with concerns about their operation to call 259-7911. Chair Ho said there were no Board complaints about Rocky Road and explained that it was not a Board issue for this meeting. Bettencourt asked how long Andrews had before the issue needed to be addressed with Andrews saying he wished to move on the application now. Bettencourt said he wished first to hear a City position on the agriculture use definition issue, that he wished to have definite plans for the future (including the Waimanalo businesses involved and any future plans for the property), and that he proposed to defer the issue to the Board's January 2008 meeting, where he expected that the Board would look favorably on supporting the industrial zoning, with Akeo seconded the motion to defer. Jamila asked that the term "business" be used instead of "industrial" and Bettencourt agreeing. Chair Ho accepted that Bettencourt had made a motion to defer the issue to the Board's January 2008 meeting and a second for Aeko, asking for Aylett to assist by having a City representative present to discuss the referenced agricultural zoning issue, and noting that the motion was asking for details on those moving, future use and expected favorable support of Waimanalo businesses. Chair Ho asked Andrews if he would know more of the future uses by the end of the year, with Andrews agreeing he would. Akau asked about environmental waste from site users such as Tropical Clay, with the explanation that Tropical Clay uses mud not chemicals in their product. Chair Ho asked for a vote and reported passage of the motion 8-1-0. Aye: Akeo, Bettencourt, Buck, Chun, Ho, Humphrey, Jamila, Waihinekapu. Nay: S. Spencer.
Community Concern – Akau thanked the Board for agreeing with her opposition to use of Bellows Air Field without an environmental impact statement and asked the Board to do more to oppose training for war, reporting that Hawaiians have never been at war.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Military Report – Major Chris Perrine reported on the recent base air show, where 150,000 guests participated in the Blue Angeles on the Bay and expressed special appreciation to the HPD for their assistance in the very smooth running event. He reported on activities: the 232th birthday anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, support of recent parades, Makahiki celebration on the base, and development of a fire management plan for the base. He also reported Bellows-related support of environmental management for Bellows (including three or four cows) and plans to participate in the Waimanalo Christmas Parade. Chair Ho asked if the cows were to be beef or dairy, with Perrine saying he was not aware of the plans. Chair Ho thanked Perrine for his report.
Hawaii Job Corps – Julie Dugan reported a clean up of Hihimanu Street and said she would like to acknowledge the City & County Corporation Yard (Chad and his crew) for their assistance in the clean up. She reported a planting project at Waimanalo School, painting at Manawale’a Riding Center, plans for Thanksgiving Day meal servings, planned participation in the City Parks Gingerbread House project and announced that the classes would be on winter break from December 13, 2007 to January 2, 2008.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor’s Representative – Micah Kane, Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), represented Governor Linda Lingle and thanked Dugan for her leadership with the Job Corps and their work on filling in the Azevedo soccer field (Dugan expressed appreciation for Eric Suzuki’s work). Kane distributed material from the Governor’s Office and noted the scheduling of Homeless Week, with 650 homeless sheltered. He reported working on the Supplemental Budget and that he would present a report of the S-curve at the January Board meeting. Chair Ho asked about development plans, with Kane saying they were being developed for early 2008, with families to be moved in in the second quarter of ‘08.
Senator Fred Hemmings – Chair Ho introduced Senator Hemming’s staff member Jessica Grant who distributed copies of a community report and was available to relay questions or concerns.
Representative Tommy Waters – No representative was present.
EDUCATION:
Blanche Pope Elementary – Principal Ofelia Carag reported that the school had passed their fire and septic system inspections, thanking the school neighbors for their support during the project. She also thanked Kaneke’s and Kamehameha Schools for their support for the “moving event” and reported a planned School Community Council meeting and a December 6, 2007 School Ohana meeting. She reported average attendance was 93% for the past several months and that it hit 97% this month.
Waimanalo Intermediate School – Dwight Kalikau, Vice-Principal, reported plantings by the Hawaii Job Corps and media attending a community stream cleaning event.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Diane Moses was present for the Board of Water Supply, reporting on main break on October 21, 2007 and inviting the community to wreath-making classes in Halawa and to the holiday events of City Lights in Honolulu and Kapolei (Honolulu parade December 1st and Kapolei parade December 8th). She invited calls to 748-5363 for more information.
Community Concerns – Wallace Nitta expressed his frustrations that many of the issues raised are not for the good of the whole of Waimanalo, explaining that economic engines of farms and businesses are being driven from the community and asked that the Board act to provide leadership. He commented that Friends of Waimanalo are providing some leadership but the Board needs to step up. Mattos reported that the Friends are not planning to do the Waimanalo Carnival again but suggest that wristbands are essential for future events and distributed a history of the Friends, suggesting that every Waimanalo community organization needs to be involved in bettering the whole community.
96795 News – Kehau Padilla reported planned mailings of the 96795 News every two months starting in December, which would cost $2250 per issue, and announced contributions were welcomed. Padilla said that the 501(c)3 has been changed to allow for ads, with the publication contacts at 259-0200 or 96795.news@gmail.com Padilla said they also offer printing service to the community.
Waimanalo Parks and Recreation – Waimanalo Beach Park Recreation Director Renee Wallace-Silberstein reported that the Beach Park comfort station gates are installed and will be closed nightly at 9:30 p.m. until 7 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, Chair Ho adjourned the meeting at 9:42 p.m.
Submitted by Elwin Spray,