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Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MILILANI MAUKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

CALL TO ORDER – Chair Dean Hazama called the meeting to order at   7:10 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Dean Hazama, Pamela Young, Teresa Lau, Kimberly Ribellia, Keith Tamashiro, David Ellis.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Lance Yoshimura, Dana Agader.

GUESTS: City Department of Environmental Services: Ken Shimizu, Martin Okabe, Suzanne Jones; Ann Thornock (Representative Marilyn Lee’s Office), Tracy Kubota (Representative Marcus Oshiro’s Office), Richard Torres (Mayor’s Office/Deputy Director, Department of Transportation Services), Tom Klewin, Katherine Fasekas, Jan Kemp and Erwin Kawata (Board of Water Supply); Senator Ron Menor, Keanu Young (Councilmember Donovan Cruz’s Office), Lt. Kurt Nakamura and Sgt. Eric Tanouchi (Honolulu Police Department, District 2-Wahiawa), Captain James Oshiro (Honolulu Fire Department – Mililani Mauka), Mr. Toledo  and Ron Toma (Olaloa), Boy Scout Troop 664,), Tinkle Malama (Paradise Film), Nola Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

POSTING OF COLORS BY BOY SCOUT TROOP 664 – Chair Hazama requested the Scouts from Mililani Mauka Boy Scout Troop 664 to present the United States and the State of Hawaii Colors. Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance, posted the colors, and retired from the meeting. Chair Hazama thanked the Scouts.

Chair Hazama asked if there were any community concerns not on the agenda. There was none.

RECOGNITIONS – No recognitions this month.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF BOARD VACANCY: Chair Hazama announced that Board member Melissa Graffigna resigned on September 1, and that the vacancy would be put on the October agenda. He encouraged any interested persons to attend next month’s meeting.

Kim Ribellia left the meeting at this time.

AGENCY REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Oshiro circulated the August statistics that included 21 fire and 59 emergency responses.

The National Fire Protection Association has selected “Practice Your Escape Plan” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, which will be on October 7-13, 2007. Signs will be displayed at all fire stations, and demonstrations conducted at various schools and shopping centers around the island. The 2007 Fire Fighter’s Safety Guide will be distributed to all elementary schools.

The Honolulu Fire Department would like to remind the community that the provisions of the traffic code regulating the operation, parking, and standing of vehicles does not apply to emergency vehicles responding to emergencies, provided the driver of the vehicle sounds a siren, bell, or exhaust whistle and displays a lighted red lamp. These warning devices help to ensure the safety of the public as well as the safety of the emergency responder. Please refer to the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, traffic Code, Section 15-4.4, located at http://www.honolulu.gov/ref/roh/15a_9.htm for further information.

There were no questions from Board members or guests. Chair Hazama thanked Oshiro for his report.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Nakamura introduced Sgt. E. Tanouchi and reported:

1. Statistics for the month of August included burglary 25, UEMV (unauthorized entry into motor vehicle) 17 and thefts 32.

2. Sgt. Tanouchi reported on September 17 a fourteen year old female walking to school was approached by a suspect in the park. He tried to befriend her asking personal questions, and eventually grabbed the victim’s arm and pulled her in the direction of the bushes. The victim was able to struggle and get away. The suspect described at approximately 5’10” tall, 20-30 years old has not been apprehended.

Questions, answers and comments followed: 1) Chair Hazama reported that per the HPD request last month regarding public phones in the park, he called Hawaiian Tel Com who modified the public phones at the District Park. The Community Park has no power source, but once put in new public phones would be installed restricted for 911 calls only from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. 2) Chair Hazama thanked HPD for monitoring traffic near the school on upper Kuaoa Street. Parents and residents have been warned that citations may be issued. He asked if the area could continue to be monitored for a few more days. 3) Lt. Nakamura emphasized the importance of reporting any incidents, especially those involving children or juveniles by calling 911.

Lt. Nakamura and Sgt. Tanouchi were thanked for their reports.

Military – No representative was present.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Jan Kemp reported: 1) circulated a flyer inviting Board members to the 2007 Neighborhood Board Orientation Workshop, Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m., at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden located at 99-1268 Iwaena Street. A map with driving directions was on the back of the flyer.  2) Board members and guests were thanked for their water conservation efforts. She relayed that last year pumpage was 164 million gallons per day and decreased this year to 159 million gallon pumped daily.

There were no questions from Board members or guests. Kemp was thanked for her report.

Oahu Arts Center (OAC) – No report was given.

Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP) – Pam Young reported: 1) At a ceremony on August 30th, attended by 50-60 people, the park was dedicated to Patsy T. Mink and is now called the Patsy T. Mink Central O`ahu Regional Park. 2) It was reported that the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section has been operating significant revenue-generating commercial activity at the park and other public City tennis courts. Questions arose relative to favorable treatment of one organization over others and noting that the Section has been allowed to do so without undergoing the City’s bid process The City previously was paid approximately $5,000 per month by HPTF to operate the CORP tennis complex. Of the 40 applications submitted by HPTF only three were approved.

Castle & Cooke – Kevin Mori reported:

• Ukuwai Street connection opened.
• Kaapeha/Meheula traffic signal work to be completed October 2007. Delay due to reordering materials and inspections.
• Last residential project in Mililani Mauka, March 2008.
• Commercial C Self Storage Facility on schedule; to be completed in December 2007.
• Commercial B site work started September 17; first building start in January 2008; second building completed in January 2009.
• No new updates on Recreation Center 7.
• Mililani Trolley: Castle & Cooke (C&C) met with the City on August 22 to coordinate their efforts on WITH TheBus routes and the Trolley. Representatives from the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and TheBus were there. They discussed making the trolley routes more efficient and making the timing more efficient. All agreed that the two systems would be keep running independently for now for a month or two and then meet again to make adjustments.
• Castle & Cooke’s condition in the unilateral agreement for the zoning is to provide the circulator bus service for five years after the last unit in Mililani Mauka is turned over. Currently, this is in 2013. They are looking to make the City’s service more efficient and possibly make a revision to their service to better use of the resources. There doesn’t seem to be enough ridership to warrant the trolley service. C&C will continue to work with DTS and the City to make the service more efficient.

Questions, answers, comments followed: Follow up will be done if some type of supermarket will be at one of the commercial buildings.

Chair Hazama thanked Mori for his report.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:

Graffiti - Chair Hazama reported receipt of letter regarding graffiti at the HI 5 Reynolds Recycling located at the Park & Ride near the District Park. HPD has been contacted regarding the problem. The chair will draft a letter to the Mililani Town Association (MTA) asking their Neighborhood Security Watch to monitor the area.

Stop Sign – A stop sign was requested near the Park & Ride entrance to the freeway.

PRIOR BUSINESS:

Election of Vice Chair – Lau nominated Young. Tamashiro nominated Ribellia. Ellis moved seconded by Tamashiro to table the issue until the October meeting filling the vacancy with the election of vice chair to follow. The motion unanimously adopted.

Ukuwai Properties (Assisted Living Care Facility) – Lau reported Chair Hazama and herself attended the meeting with Ukuwai Properties and residents of the Olaloa Retirement Community. She noted that the turnout was good. A handout was circulated with highlights of the meeting asking that the Board also support the planned assisted living facility.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. James Toledo, Olaloa Board of Directors President, relayed that their board voted in support of the project. However, he asked that the developer keeps the residents informed as the project proceeds.

2. Attached with the handout was a letter to the Board from Olaloa resident Ron Tom who noted: He is in support of the project but has concerns about the design of the facility. The massive five-story structure that’s being proposed is totally incongruent and incompatible with the tenants of the Olaloa and Mililani planned communities. Such a structure could have adverse effects to residents living in Units 12 and 13, causing health and quality of life issues for seniors in those units.

3. In response to Young regarding design specifics, Ellis answered that he saw a 44-foot design, but the assisted living will be a five-story structure. He does not think there are any buildings higher than three stories in Mililani.

4. Toma reiterated to keep the Olaloa residents informed, and they would like to actively participate in the process.

Lau moved seconded by Young in support of the project’s general concept and recommended that the City Department of Planning and Permitting expedite the permitting process.

Discussion followed:

1. Young commented that the concept is wonderful, but she would like to see the height restriction at 45 feet as was presented at the November 2006 meeting.

2. Young submitted an additional amended to limit the height at 45-feet, which was not accepted by Lau who noted that the Board was going in circles on the issue at the last meeting and stated that it would not be necessary this time around.

3. Ellis added that any and all changes could occur during the process of the project and encouraged the developer to keep the Olaloa residents informed.

4. Chair Hazama clarified that the developer is asking Board support in lifting the unilateral agreements on the property. He noted that the issue is yet to be presented to full City Council. He offered that the Board would monitor the process and inform the Olaloa residents regarding public hearing schedules. He said that written testimony should be submitted to the City Council and the City Department of Planning and Permitting.

The motion failed to be adopted by a vote of 4-0-1 (five votes are needed for a motion to pass). Chair Hazama relayed that this issue would be placed again on the October agenda. Ellis noted that the Board has no position at this time.

Discussion of Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) for Development Coalition – Without objections the PIG Development Coalition was dissolved. Chair Hazama announced that all development issues would be referred to the Planning and Zoning Committee.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL REPORTS:

Mayor’s Representative – Richard Torres reported:

1. Park staff members will be reminded to pay more attention to the parks’ irrigation system.

2. The 21st Century Ahupuaa Energy & Sustainability Task Force will develop a 10-year plan to make the City even more energy efficient and sustainable for more information log on http://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/ahupuaa/ plan.htm.

3. The City will continue to monitor traffic at the Castle & Cooke commercial site at the intersection of Ukuwai Street and Meheula Parkway to determine if additional access points are needed to dissipate traffic to adjacent streets, at which time additional information will be requested from Castle & Cooke on the situation.

4. Regarding stop sign request at the intersection of Ukuwai and Makaikai streets, the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will conduct an investigation and will inform the Board of their findings by January 2008.

5. Regarding a concern about 50 homeless people living in Stadium Park, the park is cleaned at a minimum twice daily and spot checked throughout the day by the maintenance staff assigned to the park. Point of clarification is that the park is not in this Board’s boundary.

6. Though not raised in the meeting itself a member of the public approached Torres stating that BWS encourages water conservation yet the City is the very entity that wastes water. He raised concern about parks being water at all times of the day and leaky sprinkler heads not repaired.

Questions, answers, comments followed: Young asked if an evaluation could be done for bus route 52 in the evening hours. Torres replied TheBus is downloading with the shuttle for a three-month trial. But he will take the suggestion under consideration.

Chair Hazama thanked Torres for his report.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Keanu Young circulated the written report and noted:

1. The office did contact HPD to monitor traffic at Miliani Ike Elementary School.

2. As a combined response to the need to administer the Affordable Housing Fund and address community concerns, Councilmember Dela Cruz has submitted a legislative package focused entirely on increasing, maintaining, and improving the affordable housing conditions on Oahu.

3. The Mauka District Park is under maintenance by the contractor until the end of September, and the Department of Design and Construction is yet to turn the park over to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

4. Bill 63, relating to curbside recycling, is up for second reading tomorrow.

5. The deadline to submit Capital Improvement Project (CIP) suggestion is October 1, 2007.

6. In response to a request for investigation and services report (RISER)  regarding new Mililani bus routes, the new community access routes will be established with the opening of the Mililani Transit Center: Route 501 Mililani Mauka and 504 Mililani South. The number of circulator buses operating in the Mililani/Mililani Mauka community once the Mililani Transit Center is opened will be two; one bus for existing Route 503 Mililani, Waikalani and Launani Valley-Waipio Acres, and one bus for new routes 501 and 504.

7. A second RISER raised a safety concern while making a left turn exiting from Cornerstone Early Education center on Ukuwai Street in Mililani Mauka. Drive visibility is obstructed by cars parked parallel to the sidewalk near the center. It was requested that parking be limited in the area. The response was that an investigation conducted included a field check and review of the area’s traffic history found that a parking restriction is not warranted.

Questions, answers and comments followed: In response to Chair Hazama relative to Capital Improvement Project requests, the deadline to submit requests is October 18, however the office would like to receive them before that date.

Chair Hazama thanked Young for his report.

Governor’s Representative – Francis Keeno distributed Governor Lingle’s Update, Neighborhood Board Update, and a News release of $75,532,466 for Honolulu International Airport improvements.

1. Follow up regarding the Kamehameha Highway Rehabilitation project, a letter was sent to Hawaiian Dredging to proceed with the Waihao Street and H-2 interchange, with completion date approximately June 30, 2008.

2. Dedication for the Courtyards at Mililani Mauka (affordable homes) will be on Friday, September 21 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

3. Regarding the turn around for Mililani High School, according to the Department of Education they are focusing on other projects at this time; the Governor was not asked to release the funds for this project.

Questions, answers and comments followed:  Per the Koa Ridge Development presentation and the access road going through residential areas, Ellis asked if the current road to the Waiawa Prison is public or private. He said that Koa Ridge should be made to build new roads. In answer, it is at the developer’s expense to build a new access road to Waiawa Prison. Follow up will be done.

Chair Hazama thanked Keeno for his report.

Senator Ron Menor – Senator Menor circulated his written report and highlighted: 1) As chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, he is now a member of the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, which consists of 40 representatives from electric utilities, oil and natural gas suppliers, environmental and community groups, renewable energy industry, academia and federal state and local governments. 2) He supports the turn around for Mililani High School. 3) Circulated was the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Summit Program brochure for Saturday, September 22, 2007, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa’s Coral Ballroom, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Copies of the draft plan will be provided to the Board.

Questions, answers and comments: Ellis commented that district plans are a joke because there is no enforcement of the laws. If enacted the laws must be followed, and stated it is a waste of everyone’s time. Senator Menor replied he agrees, but it is important to look at the plan and come to specific legislative proposals. Ellis added that the draft plans have been ignored by the City Council.

Chair Hazama thanked Senator Menor for his report.

Senator Robert Bunda – No representative was present.

Representative Marilyn Lee – Ann Thornock circulated the monthly written report and reminded all now is the time to submit suggestions for legislation; she was available for questions.

Chair Hazama thanked Thornock for her report.

Representative Marcus Oshiro – Tracy Kubota reported that Representative Oshiro is traveling on conference. She noted now is the time to submit suggestions for legislation.

Chair Hazama thanked Kubota for her report.

Other Legislative Reports – None.

NEW BUSINESS:

Presentation by Development of Environmental Services on Recycling Pilot: Suzanne Jones reported:

v      Discover Recycling Fair this Thursday to Saturday, Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, free and open to the public

v      Curbside Program – Last November over 70% of voters voted yes to island wide recycling. Seven communities meeting were held in the spring. She explained that Mililani and Hawaii Kai would be involved in this pilot project. Each household would receive three recycling bins – gray – garbage; green – green waste; and blue – mixed recyclables (newspaper, cardboard, glass, bottles, plastics). Additional gray bins are available upon request.

v      Mililani residents will have the option for a second weekly trash pickup for a $10 fee. Hawaii Kai will not have the second weekly trash pick up option.

v      Handouts were distributed with the new pickup schedules.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Ellis commented that three years ago the pilot project was rushed and the recycler did not have all the required permits. He asked if all the permits are in order. Jones replied that the processing contract permits are current. The first pilot program was a learning process, whereas during the holiday season one garbage pickup day was lost. It was also learned that color coded bins are necessary to avoid the mix up of what goes into the bins.

2. Ellis added that townhouses have no need for green waste bin because they have maintenance crews. Follow up will be done with townhouse associations.

3. Young suggested asking that the State for the money received from the beverage container fees or possibly propose legislation exempting counties with recycling from the six-cent beverage container fee. Jones responded that curb side recycling is a convenience for single family homes. The HI-5 recycling takes care of other areas.

4. Instructional brochures would accompany all bins delivered, as well as community meetings. Regarding townhouses, they would have a storage problem for the bins.

5. Regarding one household having five bins, that would depend on the family size.

6. Chair Hazama stated that according to Mililani Town Association (MTA) declaration and covenants, all bins must be stored out of sight. He asked Jones to speak with MTA asking if bins could be left out on the properties but stored in sight. In answer, there were several discussions with MTA having no comment, but they are willing to be flexible and supportive of the project. Chair Hazama was concerned that there appeared to be only a sort of “gentleman’s” agreement with MTA.   He added he is requesting that the City Council look into drafting an ordinance to allow for storage of the bins, on private property even if the bins can be seen from the adjacent street.  He also stated that there are other homeowner associations on Oahu that may have similar restrictions. 

2008 CITY AND COUNTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT (CIP) – Chair Hazama asked that all CIP requests be submitted to him by the end of the month and he will forward them to the City Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Military/Civil Defense – Ellis reported the date for the Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu Neighborhood Board No. 25 and MililaniMauka-Launani Neighborhood Board No. 35 site visits to Makua Valley and the East Kahuku training range is yet to be scheduled due to deployments. The visits should be scheduled on a weekday and anyone interested may join the group. Chair Hazama thanked Ellis for his report.

Transportation – Young reported the next Citizen Advisory Committee for the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization is Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 3:30 p.m., Mayor’ Conference Room, Honolulu Hale, Room 301. An agenda item for discussion is the Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Chair Hazama thanked Young for her report.

Recognition – Lau announced that certificates of appreciation would be presented at next month’s meeting.

Chair’s Report – Chair Hazama announced receipt of a letter from Brennon Morioka, Deputy Director for the State Department of Transportation regarding the Kamehameha Widening Project stating that DOT was getting ready to place the RFP.

There were no other committee reports.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 2007 – Without objections the regular meeting minutes of August 21, 2007 were accepted as circulated.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Tamashiro reported previous balance was $4,114.34; expenditures for the month of August was $283.43 (agenda/minutes printing, postage, videographer) leaving the balance at $3,875.91.

Chair Hazama thanked Tamashiro for his report.

Discussion followed: Ellis asked Chair Hazama to check with the Neighborhood Commission Office if there is any way the Boys Scouts could be provided with gift certificates, etc. using money from the Board’s funds. Follow up will be done.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

v      Ellis asked that along with representatives from the Waiawa/Koa Ridge Developers, Castle & Cooke, the  State Department of Transportation Highways Division, and Department of Education also send representatives to the October meeting.   Chair Hazama confirmed that the item will be on October’s meeting agenda and will follow up.

v      Tamashiro announced departure ceremony for the Hawaii National Guard soldiers on Friday, September 21, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further Board business, Chair Hazama adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.

Submitted by,

Nola Frank, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by,

Dean Hazama, Chair