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WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 32
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 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 (10): Beverly Addington, Nani Akeo, David Bettencourt, Matthew Chun, Phillip Ellsworth, Wilson Kekoa Ho, Fred Humphrey, Andrew Jamila, Jr., Solomon Spencer, Cynthia Wahinekapu.
MEMBERS ABSENT (2): Peter “Kahana” Albinio, Jr., Michael Buck.
VACANCY (1): subdistrict 4.
GUESTS: Captain Job Harris (HFD), Lt. Dave Eber (HPD), Cynthia Palaracio (Senator Fred Hemmings’ office), Representative Tommy Waters, Mandie Pearson (Representative Waters’ office), Capt. Tamara Duke-Patrick (U.S. Air Force Bellows), Lt. Col. Dan Luther and Maj. Chris Perrine (MCBH), May Akamine (Waimanalo Health Center), Fred Welch (Hope Chapel Waimanalo), Julie Dugan (Job Corps), Steven Tayama (Nation of Hawai’i), Kyle Kajihiro (AFSC), Keith Kurahashi (Kusao & Kurahashi), Bob Farrell and Yvonne Cardenas (videographer); Lucy Akau, Jaye Aquino, Gabriel Ferolono, Jr., Kim Kalama, Ken Lesperance, Constance Oki, Dean Otsuki, Mabel Spencer, Bryna Storch, Ginny Walden; Leland Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
PULE: Chair Ho said if prayer offends anyone, now is the time to leave the room. Pastor Fred offered the pule.
CITY EMERGENCY AGENCIES/PUBLIC INPUT (Part I)
Honolulu Police Department – Lt. Dave Eber reported for the month of August in the Waimanalo area, there were 1 aggravated assault, 11 simple assault, 3 auto theft recoveries, 4 burglaries, 1 drunk nuisance, 3 DUI, 2 graffiti, 23 hazardous drivers, 8 loud parties, 2 motor vehicle thefts, 20 noise complaints, 34 nuisance complaints, 11 thefts, 2 threatening, 27 traffic stops, 13 UEMV, 11 vehicles towed (abandoned), 1 warrant arrest, 2 weapons.
Mayor’s Representative – Cyndy Aylett sent her regrets. Her report was forwarded to Chair Ho.
Council Chair Barbara Marshall – Council Chair Marshall’s monthly report was circulated.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 13, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Jamila moved and Ellsworth seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Bellows Warfare Training Facility – Maj. Chris Perrine and representatives from MCBH gave a power point presentation on Bellows’ Warfare Training Facility. The $3.5 million project will consists of 85 buildings and four villages made out of 145 Matson-type shipping containers. The containers, varying in sizes from 10 to 40 feet, will be modular and mobile so that they can form different configurations. It will be placed on old runways or existing aircraft revetments. The training facility will not include any new power, plumbing or sewer systems and will not
use live-fire training operations. There will be no impact on traffic, noise or dust. It will be a joint-use training facility available to all military services and law enforcement agencies. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was done in 1995 leading up to the land transfer Every impact was looked into. Training would have minimal impact. They will make sure all laws are followed. The EIS and the Draft copy of the Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP) will be available at the Waimanalo Public Library.
There was a very lengthy discussion on this issue. Concerns and comments included: 1) Resident Lucy Akau said Bellows has been used as a recreational center all these years. The military has their own agenda that does not include notifying Waimanalo residents of their movement. Bellows is Hawaiian lands that should not be used as a “Killing Field”. MCBH has lot of vacant land that could be used by the military. Bellows should be returned to the State, and the beaches should be open to all. 2) Resident Byrna Storch requested that the Marines submit to an independent liaison a copy of the following documents: a) the complete Application of Categorical Exclusion of Section 106 Review; b) the current Plan under which both current and expanded operations at Bellows are outlined and defined through 2015; c) any and all future Plans outlined and defined for Bellows; d) statistical historical numbers of: number of personnel, agencies, types of training and hours of operations for all Bellows operations since 1990; d) statistical projected numbers of: number the personnel, agencies, types of training and hours of operations for all Bellows operations through 2015 and 2027 and future; e) Draft copy of ICRMP. 3) Resident Mabel Spencer spoke strongly in opposition for this proposal. She displayed an article regarding Bellows and voiced her concerns. 4) A number of residents were concerned that the Marines did not adequately notify the community of this project. The community has a sense of distrust for the military. 5) Other concerns included: continue to be good steward of the environment on Bellows AFS; adopt all practical means to avoid or minimize environmental harm; make all efforts to preserve sensitive cultural resources; and undertake and accomplish mitigative actions prior to, during, and after training activities. 6) The majority of Board members and residents who testified on this issue were in strongly opposition to the Bellows training facility. 7) Chair Ho asked Bettencourt to work with others to draft a resolution. This item of business will be placed on next month’s agenda.
October’s Neighborhood Board Meeting – Chair Ho noted that the next Board meeting falls on Columbus Day (this facility will be closed to observe the federal holiday). By a consensus of the Board, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Jamila had concerns regarding the height of the antenna. It could lead to the development of condos. 2) Kurahashi answered an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) is not needed. 3) Chair Ho was concerned that the antenna would affect the view. 4) Kurahashi indicated that there would be no impact on nearby farms. 5) Chair Ho said this item will be deferred until next meeting.
USAF Bellows – Capt. Tamara Duke-Patrick reported: 1) The
Due to time-constraints, the remainder of the agenda was deferred.
ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Submitted by:
Steve J. Rodrigues,
Neighborhood Assistant