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WAIMANALO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008

WAIMANALO PUBLIC LIBRARY

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ho called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum of ten (10) members present. Note, this thirteen (13) member Board requires (7) votes to adopt a motion.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Wilson Kekoa Ho, Fred Humphrey, Michael Buck, Phillip Ellsworth, Andrew Jamila Jr., David Bettencourt, Beverly Addington, Nani Akeo, Matthew Chun, and Cynthia Wahinekapu.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Solomon Spencer, and Peter Albinio.

VACANCY(S): There was one vacancy in sub-district four.

GUESTS: Moana Akana, Chris Lee, Misako Miyamura and Brennon Morioka (DOT), Katie and Lesna O’Donnell, Elle Anderson, J. Ikaika Anderson, Nancy Nishikawa and Glenn Kimura (Kimura International), Ofelia Carag (Pope School), Constance Oki, Ben Kaheaiakala, Roy Brooks and Gwen Kailihiwa (Kokua Ohana), Joe Birtles, Nancy Cullen (Women in Need), Julie Dugan (Job Corps), Ahuena Lakalo and Merle Edwards (Kupuna Housing), Acting Captain Randal Lindsey (HFD), Lieutenant Dave Eber (HPD), Quinton Kawananakoa, Joseph Aipa, Leigh Prentiss, Panos Prevedarous, Diane Moses (BWS), Susan Hummel and Noel Richardson (Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate), Marie Richardson and Leland S.M. Ribac (Neighborhood Commission Office staff). 

WELCOME AND PULE: Chair Ho welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted the Board meetings begin with an open prayer; if prayer might offend anyone now is the time to leave. Ms. Moana Akana offered the pule.

ACCEPT NOMINATIONS FOR DISTRICT 4 BOARD MEMBER: Chair Ho opened the floor to nominations to fill the vacancy in sub-district four, Banyan Tree area. Hearing no nominations the position was not filled.

PUBLIC INPUT PART 1:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Acting Captain Randal Lindsey reported the following information;

• Statistics for the month of July 2008 include; 1 structure fire, 3 wildland fires, 2 rubbish fires, 50 medical emergencies, 1 water rescue, 1 high angle rescue, 4 miscellaneous emergencies, and 4 major incidents.
• Fire Safety Tip of the month; some fires are allowed under State and City regulations; however, most fires investigated are unauthorized. If unauthorized, the Fire Captain will require that the fire be extinguished. If the fire is authorized, the Captain must determine if the fire is safe and properly contained, and not a nuisance to others. For more information, call HFD's Fire Communication Center at 523-4411.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant Dave Eber reported the following information;

• Statistics for the month of July 2008 include; 4 auto theft recoveries, 4 burglaries, 1 driving under the influence (DUI), 1 fraud, 1 graffiti, 4 motor vehicle thefts, 4 property damages, 17 motor vehicle collisions, 1 order violation, 4 runaways, 2 runaway cancellations, 10 thefts, 4 threatening, 1 trespassing, 12 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV), 8 warrant arrests, and 2 weapon violations.
• Statistics show a 30% decrease in UEMV cases, as well as a 56% decrease in auto thefts, for an overall decrease in crime by 28%.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Jamila inquired why HPD has posted officers at the corner of New Country; Lt. Eber replied the officers are stationed there to deter drivers from using the shoulder lane, speeding, and illegal vehicles.
• Ellsworth noted many residents jay-walk across the intersection near Jack in the Box and 7-11.

MAYOR/NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION: Chair Ho noted the Mayor’s Representative was unable to make tonight’s meeting, but will be in attendance in September.

COUNCIL CHAIR: Ikaika Anderson of Council Chair Barbara Marshall’s office apologized for her absence, provided her handout, and reminded residents of agricultural lots to re-file in September. If there are any questions please feel free to contact Marshall’s office at 768-5003.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 14, 2008: Addington moved with Ellsworth seconding to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 14, 2008 with the following correction;

• Page 2: Announcements: Include, “A community member announced she has the Stop Rail Now petition for interested individuals, and the petition is only requesting to be placed on the ballot.”

The motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 14, 2008 was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, (Aye: Ho, Humphrey, Buck, Ellsworth, Jamila, Bettencourt, Addington, Akeo, Chun, Wahinekapu.)

CANDIDATE FORUM: At this time, 7:45 p.m., Chair Ho explained the Board will recess, with the gavel being relinquished to Vice Chair Bettencourt. Each candidate will have three minutes to introduce themselves, with no questions and answers following. No candidate representatives are to speak for a candidate. The gavel was returned to Chair Ho at 8:05 p.m. concluding the Candidate Forum; the agenda resumed its order.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Several announcements were made at this time;

• A community member announced residents may apply for schooling to obtain a high school diploma at Blanche Pope Elementary School on September 23, 2008. Graduating students of this program will receive a high school diploma not a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• A community member announced the Women In Need Family Reserve Center is currently full; please contact Mary Lau at 259-7242 for more information.

NA WAHINE COUNCIL: No report was available at this time.

RESIDENTS’ CONCENRS IN THE COMMUNITY: No residents’ concerns were voiced at this time.

PUBLIC INPUT PART 2:

MILITARY REPORT: Major Crouch of the U.S. Marines reported the following information;

• The Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC) has concluded and all exercises went well, the U.S. Marines thanks the community for their patience
• On august 14, 2008 is the Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii Pride Day; marines will conduct a base-wide clean-up of all buildings and grounds.
• Change of Command Ceremonies will take place on August 22nd and August 29, 2008.
• The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment returns from a combat deployment in Iraq in August/September.
• The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment leaves for a combat deployment to Iraq in August/September.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Addington noted the noise level near the Waimanalo Elementary School’s field, adjacent to Bellows Air Force Base, has escalated in the recent day; Crouch to follow up.
• A community member requested RIMPAC be held on non-summer vacation dates, as several camping sites were closed the entire summer break; Crouch noted RIMPAC is scheduled annually in advance.

EDUCATION: Blanche Pope Elementary: Ofelia Carag thanked several community organizations for donating school supplies, and reported the following information;

• The school did not meet the Hawaii State Assessment scores, however, 60% of third graders did meet the bench mark for math, and 68% of third graders met the mark in reading.
• Blanche Pope will soon begin a web-based reading program, more information forthcoming.
• Important events include; a parent workshop on August 14, 2008 at 8:30 a.m., Open House on August 20, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., a second parent workshop on August 27, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
• Every Tuesdays and Thursdays, parents and family members are welcomed to join students for lunch, and every Mondays is the schools ‘2nd Cup of Coffee’.
• A recent rash of vandals is breaking glass bottles on campus at night, if anyone witnesses these culprits please call HPD as soon as possible.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Addington thanked the students and faculty for visiting the Kupuna Center.

Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate: Susan Hummel reported the faculty at Waimanalo Elementary & intermediate has worked extremely hard to achieve their goals. Hummel noted since being Principal the students have gone from 27%-50% proficiency in reading, and 4%-40% proficient in mathematics. Hummel also noted that she is no longer Principal at Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate, but has gone to Kalaheo High School. Hummel introduced the new Principal, Noel Richardson. Richardson noted he continues to strive for the best, and welcomed everyone to the Open House on August 13, 2008 and a parent workshop on August 19, 2008.

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE: Brennon Morioka provided the Governor’s Neighborhood update, highlighting the following information;

• The number of children in foster care is at a 15 year all time low - there has been a 43% decrease of children in foster care.
• Register now for the Governor’s International Women’s Leadership Conference, which will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
• Governor Lingle has announced the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) will be start a four-day work week, from Monday through Thursdays at 7:15 a.m.-6:0 p.m.
• The Inaole Bridge will be undergoing several changes in the upcoming months; the bridge will be replaced with a new bridge that has several debris passages instead of just one. The design stage will be completed in 2011 with a scheduled 18 month construction timeline.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

• Addington inquired if the DHRD workers are exempt workers, Morioka noted they are exempt and the Governor does know that as well.
• A community member questioned if the four day work week will jeopardize the work quality; Morioka replied this is being looked at completely and if it does affect the quality of service it will not be implemented any further.
• Wahinekapu inquired how DOT plans to get residents in and out of their homes; Morioka noted that two lanes will remain open throughout construction, and the location is not obscuring any homes.
• Several residents raised concern about further up from the bridge as that is the ‘choking’ point of debris; Morioka noted he is aware of the challenges up stream, however, can only maintain the DOT owned areas.
• Jamila suggested several construction advantages for future cleaning of the culverts, explaining a side ramp can be put in place along the bank for easy access of heavy machinery to clean the debris.

SENATOR FRED HEMMINGS: No report was available at this time.

REPRESENTATIVE TOMMY WATERS: A written report was made available.

HAWAII JOB CORPS: Julie Dugan reported students have changed several light fixtures to include compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which will decrease electricity usage on campus. Students have also been aiding HPD in the HPD Pedestrian Campaign, and participated in the Mayor’s 3rd Annual Beach Clean Up. 

WAIMANALO HOMESTEAD: No report was available at this time.

WAIMANALO HEALTH CENTER: No report was available at this time.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Diane Moses provided a handout illustrating how water is pumped into residents’ homes, and announced the BWS is extending its Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Rebate program to at least June 30, 2009.

BELLOWS AFS RESTORATION: No report available at this time.

HUI MALAMA O KE KAI: A member of Hui Malama O Ke Kai thanked the community for the continued support, and noted they have received a portion of the Grant-In-Aids (GIA) from the legislature that should sustain the program until 2011.

FRIENDS OF WAIMANALO: No report available at this time.

OCEANIC INSTITUTE (OI): No report available at this time.

HOPE CHAPEL: No report available at this time.

KOKUA OHANA: Gwen Kailihiwa and Ben Kaheaiakala reported that Kokua Ohana continues to work with Native Hawaiian children by placing them into Native Hawaiian families. Waimanalo has been an outstanding location with the local lifestyles and living conditions. Kokua Ohana also works with the families through the process, including adoption and general licensing.

WAIMANALO BEACH PARK RECREATION AND EDUCATION: No report available at this time.

WAIMANALO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: No report available at this time.

WAIMANALO KUPUNA ASSOCIATION: Ahuena Lakalo reported the Waimanalo Kupuna Association is alive and well with residents range from age 55-96 years, whom continue to better the Kupuna Association

NEW BUSINESS: There were no new business items at this time.

KIMURA INTERNATIONAL: Previously reported under the Governor’s Representative.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Submitted By;

Leland S.M. Ribac

Neighborhood Assistant