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DIAMOND HEAD/KAPAHULU/ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

ALA WAI GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE

CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Narita.  A quorum was present.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Julia Allen, S. Michael Cain, Deborah Luckett, Barbara Miller, Bert Narita, Ken Chang, Scot Drown, Rick Egged, Bertha Nahoopii, George Waialeale, Roxie Berlin, Jay Harden, Michelle Matson, Linda Wong.

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Don Persons.

MEMBERS’ SEATS VACANT:  None.

GUESTS:  Arthur Aiu (Board of Water Supply), Gerry Silva (Olelo), Lt. G. Lum Lee, Sgt. Yano, Officer A. Kahapea (HPD District 7 East Honolulu), Sgt. D. Hardinger, Sgt. D. Nihei, Lt. D. Rodrigues (HPD District 6 Waikiki), Capt. G. Lum (HFD-Waikiki Station), Greg Hutchings (Palolo Neighborhood Board), Clayton Frank (Governor’s Office), A.J. Souza, Milton Hong, Sherrie Samuels, Candice Van Buren (Representative Scott Nishimoto’s Office), Stan Fitchman (Councilmember Charles Djou’s Office), Jan Bappe, Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College), Senator Les Ihara, Daisy Murai, Representative Calvin Say, B. Mikami, Will Fischer, Christina Stidman (ASUH), Tim Slaughter (UH Centennial Program), Walea Constantinau (Mayor’s Office),  Dean Chu (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT – Capt. G. Lum reported the following:

1. Statistics for August included: 10 building and 1 rubbish fire, 97 medical emergencies, 4 search and rescue.  There were two major incidents: a) the Kaimuki Chop Suey fire, and b) a fire on Wihelmina Rise that damaged two homes.
2. 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 will be conducted at various schools and shopping centers around the island. The 2007 Fire Fighter's Safety Guide will also be distributed to all elementary schools.

3. In addition, the Honolulu Fire Department would like to take this opportunity 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 horn 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.

Chair Narita relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Chang at this time.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

No information was available at this time about the cause of the Waahila Ridge fire in July.

Capt. Lum was thanked for attending the meeting.

Vice Chair Chang relinquished the chair to Chair Narita at this time.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DISTRICT 6, WAIKIKI - Sgt. Hardinger, from District 6, Waikiki, reported statistics for August included: no robberies, no burglaries, 21 thefts, no motor vehicle thefts, 4 criminal property damage, 37 liquor law violations, 13 motor vehicle collisions, 19 arguments, 10 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, with a total of 3,977 calls for service in the district and total of 466 in beat 662.  No statistics for chronic complaints were available at this time.  Due to computer difficulties, the normal graphical report was not available.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. The statistics reported are only for Waikiki’s beat 662 which includes the Kapiolani Park area, no statistics specifically for the area within Kapiolani Park were available at this time.

2. Regarding specifics requested by Wong about an assault in the zoo parking lot on a  Friday at 6 p.m., an investigation has not determined any reason for the assault and a possible suspect is being sought.

3. Matson expressed serious concern about the shattering impact of eight military air show flights flying low to ground level and close to buildings in Waikiki earlier today, and asked about the number of emergency calls received concerning the trauma to senior citizens, pets and children.  In response to the  question, it was noted that the HPD computer went down and during the present officer’s shift that began at the at the end of the event one call was received directly by Waikiki District 6 from the Punchbowl area about the noise from the Air Force Thunderbirds flights.  Chair Narita noted that the flights were also low over St. Louis Heights.  Harden added that the military jet flights were nearly level with the top level lanais along the Gold Coast.  Concerned residents were advised to call Hickam Air Force Base at 488-0232 to register their complaints.

Sgt. Hardinger was thanked for attending the meeting.

Officer Kahapea, from District 7, East Honolulu, noted a written report was distributed and statistics are now available on the department’s web site: www.honolulupd.org/patrol/d7/stats.  Statistics are a running total, and, regarding a question on archiving capability, the site is still under development.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. In response to a question from Waialeale, it is legal for garbage collection trucks; both City and private, to be on major roads during peak hours with 3- to 5-minute stops, and remain in tow away zones for a limited amount of time.  Problems can be reported to police.

2. In response to Matson’s question, no calls have been received directly by District 7 about noise impacts from the Thunderbird air show flights, but the district office may not have been notified of calls received by dispatchers. Matson noted when calling 911 callers are given the number at Hickham Air Force Base where only names and call-back numbers  were taken.

Officer Kahapea was thanked for attending the meeting.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY – Arthur Aiu, from the Board of Water Supply (BWS), reported the following:

1. There were no water main breaks in this area last month.

2. BWS wants to thank the community for its conservation efforts.  Last year between May 24 and August 15, 164 million gallons a day was pumped, this year for the same period 159 million gallons a day was pumped.

3. The Neighborhood Board Orientation Workshop is October 27, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m., Halawa Xeriscape Garden.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.       Harden expressed appreciation for the successful completion of road surfacing work on Kapahulu Avenue, but noted continuing frustration with the long-unfinished work at the intersection of Campbell and Monsarrat avenues.

2.       Wong reported that the year-old graffiti on the Kapahulu Avenue pump station’s rock walls needs to be removed.  Aiu will follow up.

3.       Wong reported that the City DTS restriped Campbell Avenue before BWS had finished resurfacing the street, and the BWS work will make it necessary to restripe this again.

REPORTS:

CHAIR’S REPORT - Chair Narita highlighted the following from the written report distributed to members:

1. Chair Narita extended the Board’s appreciation on behalf of the community to Senator Ihara, Speaker Say and Representative Nishimoto for their work on community meetings regarding 548 Kapahulu Avenue, with a petition to DLNR now being circulated.  

2. Chair Narita testified on the Board’s behalf at the  Kapiolani Park Trustees meeting, where the Trustees who are also the members of the City Council appeared to be in agreement with the Board’s resolution on the Draft Kapiolani Regional Park Master Plan Update – Environmental Assessment, and expressed dissatisfaction with the representatives of the Department of Design and Construction and Corporation Counsel.

3. Chair Narita encouraged the placement of highway projects for east Honolulu, such as H1 improvements at Lunalilo and University, on the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization’s priority list for 2012.  Prior to this, highway projects have been directed only to West Honolulu in recent years.                                                                                   

4. Chair Narita participated in a four-hour meeting for the review and correction of the Neighborhood Plan, which was then adopted by the Neighborhood Commission upon the advice of the Corporation Counsel despite containing the original errors, which also will not be corrected when it goes to the public hearing process.  The Board has received one copy in spite of the Chair’s request to provide copies to each Baord member.  The draft plan is available on the Neighborhood Commission web site.  Members were encouraged to review Chapter 14, Rules and Procedures of the Neighborhood Boards.

5. Chair Narita extended personal appreciation to Board members and citizens who take the time to attend the public meetings, and report back to the Board.

Matson recommended attaching the Chair’s comprehensive report to the meeting minutes.  This was supported by Board consensus and so ordered by the Chair.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Deferred, the monthly report was not available.

SUB-DISTRICT REPORTS

SUB-DISTRICT 1, ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS  – Luckett reported the following: 1) at the August 13, St. Louis Heights Community Association’s meeting objectives were established to develop a fire plan for Waahila Ridge Park and to encourage residents to recycle; 2) everyone is encouraged to attend the City’s Discover Recycling Fair at Blaisdell Arena on September 20, 21, and 22, and refer to the materials provided at this meeting; 3) the State Department of Land and Natural Resources is addressing the problem of 20 illegal encampments on Waahila Ridge, and will be sending a ranger to the area once a week until problems are resolved, the DLNR will then reduce the ranger visits to once a month and have suggested a citizen’s clean-up of the affected area with safety gear.

SUB-DISTRICT 2, KAPAHULU – Nahoopii had no report.

SUB-DISTRICT 3, DIAMOND  HEAD – Matson commended the Kapiolani Park Trustees  for their interest in the Kapiolani Regional Park Master Plan Update and reported on their serious concerns with the plan and the concerns brought forth in the Board’s Resolution on this matter.

Wong reported that complaints have been received about too many parking stalls reserved for Sunset on the Beach from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m, with many stalls reserved but not being used, and park users parking in those stalls getting ticketed and towed.Harden reported the timer for the Dillingham Fountain has been malfunctioning for a long time but the City has been unresponsive to concerns relayed by the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association.

Wong reported the skate board task force has been working on a proposal to develop a skate board park on a parcel at Kapahulu Avenue, Waialae Avenue, and Kapiolani Boulevard formerly used by The Tree People. The YMCA used to operate a facility on a nearby location and is interested in operating this facility. Will Fischer, a student and Palolo resident, reported he presented this proposal at a Palolo Neighborhood Board meeting where they supported the concept, with some conditions.  Fischer noted this type of facility is needed in this area as others are too far away.  He has written the Governor, who supports the idea.  Senator Les Ihara reported the site is owned by the State, and the former near by facility was on State owned land leased to the City and is currently used for motorcycle driver tests, reconstructed vehicle inspection, etc.  He noted the State is considering making former The Tree People site available for commercial use.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

Alternate sites in the area being considered include one next to the new Kapahulu medical building.

SKATE BOARD PARK TASK FORCE REPORT - Wong reported that the skate board task force has been working on a proposal to develop a skate board park on a parcel at Kapahulu Avenue, Waialae Avenue, and Kapiolani Boulevard formerly used by The Tree People. The YMCA used to operate a facility at a nearby location and is interested in operating this facility.  She introduced Greg Hutchings of the Palolo Neighborhood Board and Will Fischer, a St. Louis School student and Palolo resident.

Fisher reported he presented this proposal at a Palolo Neighborhood Board meeting where they supported the concept with some conditions, and noted this type of facility is centrally located and needed in this area as others are too far away.  He has written the Governor, who supports the idea.

Senator Les Ihara reported the site is owned by the State, and a former skate board  facility was on adjacent State owned land leased to the City, and is currently used for motorcycle driver tests, reconstructed vehicle inspection, etc.  He noted the State is considering making former The Tree People site available for commercial use next year, and this new proposal is a concept with funding, graffiti, safety, and noise questions that will need to be addressed.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

            Alternate sites in the area being considered include one next to the new Kapahulu medical building.

Waialeale noted that the proposed skate board site has a bus stop nearby and recommended moving ahead to support the proposal.

Chair Narita asked if there was any objection to moving this item form a report to an actionable item.  The Board had no objections.

By unanimous consent the Board added Skate Board Park at Kapahulu Avenue, Waialae Avenue, and Kapiolani Boulevard to the agenda.

SKATE BOARD PARK AT KAPAHULU AVENUE, WAIALAE AVENUE, AND KAPIOLANI BOULEVARD – Wong moved and Waialeale seconded that the Board support the concept of a skate board park at Kapahulu Avenue, Waialae Avenue, and Kapiolani Boulevard, subject to conditions.

Discussion followed:

Matson noted a 2002 news article about the Board’s support for the former Kapahulu skate board facility, where she stated that good kids who need something to do are developing their abilities for surprising feats with skate boards, and they need to have a place of their own. She added the present concern  center on the safety of users due to surrounding traffic dangers at this corner.

Chang asked what the result of the Board’s position would be.  Chair Narita recommended referring the matter to the subject task force to develop a resolution appropriate for the Board’s consideration.   

 The motion carried unanimously.

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE – Clayton Frank, representing the Governor’s Office, reported the following:

1. In response to past questions regarding the Diamond Head State Monument, a $2 million appropriation has been requested to be released for rock fall mitigation work, and DLNR staff is working on a release request of $4.4 million appropriated for trail system improvements.  .

2. In response to a past question, the Gold Coast seawall walkway repair project is in litigation at this time regarding whether the property is private and whether the State can work on private property. 

3. In coordination with the Department of Education, the Governor has released $57.6 million of $154 million appropriated for the repair and maintenance of schools.

4. Work is being continued to address the homeless problem in Kapiolani Park and other park locations via various homeless programs, services and shelters,  and the administration will continue to ask the Legislature to assist with funding.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Berlin asked why public records cannot determine the ownership of the Gold Coast seawall walkway, and  what it will take to determine this.  Frank responded that State records show the Gold Coast seawall is private property and the matter currently rests with the Attorney General’s office,

2.   Matson reiterated the question about the long overdue release of $260,000 in appropriated planning and permitting funds for the Diamond Head State Monument Visitors Orientation Center at the former Cannon Club parking area site.   She noted this visitors’ amenities facility needs to be compatibly planned in conjunction with the new KCC culinary center.   Frank responded that this has been deferred until the other portions of the Diamond Head State Monument Master Plan have been completed, and this will be one of the final elements of the Master Plan.

3.   Cain raised concerns about the increasing number of homeless camps nearly weekly in the St. Louis Heights area.  He urged the State administration to take action rapidly and noted other Board members’ concerns on this issue. .

4.   Wong asked why the Governor is withholding $100 million of the Legislature’s appropriated funds for school repair and maintenance.  Frank responded that the Governor consults with the Department of Education on the timing to allocate the funding for necessary projects.  Wong noted that many schools have been waiting for this funding and DAGs and DOE can do this.  Chair Narita recommended that Wong send this concern in writing to the proper agency.

5. Waialeale asked if the Gold Coast seawall issue is related to the high water mark.  Frank did not have further information.  Harden explained the problem:  the Gold Coast walkway is on a 100-year-old seawall, the seawall is sound but the public walkway has been deteriorating for many years, and the State has an incorrect map because approximately half the walkway is owned by the State and half by private properties.    

Frank was thanked for attending the meeting.

SENATOR LES IHARA – Senator Ihara was not present at this time.

REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SAY – Representative Say reported the following:

1. There will be a health fair this Saturday, Palolo Recreation Center, replacing the Palolo Pride event.

2. Pedestrian Safety Workshop, September 29, Ali’iolani Elementary School, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. The Department of Education budget for repair and maintenance capital improvement projects is $154 million, this is separate from the $80 million budget for operating expenses, including teacher salaries.  One reason delaying release of funds is due to the State’s Council on Revenues’ projections for a decrease of $122 million in revenue, but if the economy improves more funds may be released.

2. It is the Governor’s discretion whether or not to release funding from the highway fund for the pedestrian safety bill.

Representative Say was thanked for attending the meeting.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT NISHIMOTO – Candice Van Buren, from Representative Nishimoto’s Office, distributed the monthly report and highlighted the following community events:

1. Pedestrian Safety Workshop, September 29, Ali’iolani Elementary School, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

2. Totally Against Graffiti’s graffiti paint out and community clean-up, September 29, Kuhio Elementary School, 8:00 a.m. – noon.

3. Fourth Annual Community Clean-Up with recycling, October 13, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Kaimuki High School parking lot.

Van Buren was thanked for attending the meeting.

Chair Narita noted that the Mayor’s representative had literally just gotten off a flight from the Mainland and rushed to attend tonight’s meetitng.

MAYOR’S OFFICE – Walea Constantinau, representing the Mayor’s Office, reported the following on previously submitted questions:

1. The Kapahulu medical office building has been inspected twice, corrections to exposed pipes have been made.

2. Repairs have been made to the Kapiolani Park Bandstand lift.

3. An area near Kaimana Beach has been checked for damage to the grass by a surfing school, but no damage was found by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

4. Accidents at the traffic calming roundabout on 6th Avenue traffic have been caused by drivers being at fault, not due to the roundabout.

5. Regarding a request for mid-block crosswalks at bus stops, the City Department of Transportation Services considers a number of factors in determining where to locate crosswalks.  Some mid-block crosswalks have been removed due to safety concerns, and improvements are being made to improve safety of persons using sidewalks.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Some of the restrooms under the Kapiolani Park Bandstand need repair.  Follow up will be done.

2. Follow up will be done on previously noted complaints about Kapiolani Park park-user parking spaces being blocked off for Sunset on the Beach events from 6 am to 6 pm.  Harden noted there may be a violation of the Kapiolani Park Trust by the use of park’s parking spaces for commercial vehicles.  Constantinau commented that the City Corporation Counsel’s position is that this is an event in the park and does not violate Trust parking.  Matson reiterated that the City’s Sunset on the Beach movie event is an activity outside the park and the event’s commercial vendors are taking up parking in the park determined by the Court in 1991 to be for park users only.  She noted that the Attorney General has filed a response for a court hearing scheduled in November.

3. Chair Narita requested information on the absence of the zoo and Waikiki Shell complexes in the Kapiolani Park Master Plan Update Draft Environmental Assessment.  He noted the recent Kapiolani Park Trustees meeting where the Trustees expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Design and Construction concerning this, and the additional concern about the advice given to the Trustees by the City’s Corporation Counsel.

4. More pot holes have been found on St. Louis Drive and Dole Street, and there is some damage to the road that may be attributed to the sewer repair project.

5. Chair Narita expressed concern about the advice given to the Neighborhood Commission by the Corporation Counsel regarding not correcting errors and contradictions found in the review of proposed revisions to the Neighborhood Plan and submitting the Plan as is for the public review process.

Constantinau was thanked for attending the meeting.

COUNCILMEMBER CHARLES DJOU – Stan Fichtman, from Councilmember Djou’s Office, distributed the monthly report and highlighted/added the following:

1. Council Chair Marshall has terminated former State Representative Alex Santiago’s contract to serve as the City Council’s legislative liaison.

2. Next week’s Council meeting includes a bill to authorize the curbside recycling test projects which will run for three to six months.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. It is believed Santiago’s salary was set at $49,999 to get around competitive hiring requirement rules activated at $50,000. Councilmember Djou opposed the hiring and was not satisfied with Santiago’s answers on his work in a report to the Council’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

2. Drown referred to Representative Nishimoto’s report on homelessness and asked about status of State funding of over $2 million going to the counties for partnerships with non-profit assistance organizations, etc.  Fichtman will follow up to provide a status report on the details of this 2006 allocation.

3. The curbside recycling pilot project in Mililani includes allowing residents an extra weekly trash pickup for a $10 a month fee.  The fee would be collected quarterly and a sticker on the trash cart would identify those who paid the extra fee.  Follow up will be done on how the $10 fee was determined.

It was noted in another city when trash collection was shifted from twice to once a week, larger trash carts were used than for twice a week collection.

In response to Cain’s question on revenue and cost projections for the pilot recycling projects and how the $10 fee was determined, Fichtman noted that only the cost for the pilot projects was estimated at $1.5 million.  Constantinau added that the cost analysis will be undertaken during the pilot projects for the purpose of the City budget.

Matson noted that Councilmember Marshall opposed the shift to once a week collection because of extra costs to residents and potential sanitation problems.  She added that mainland cities charge directly for trash collection, and Honolulu residents pay for it out of their property taxes.

Follow up will be done on what criteria the City will be using to determine the effectiveness of the pilot projects. 

Fichtman was thanked for attending the meeting.

COUNCILMEMBER ANN KOBAYASHI – The monthly report was received and made available for interested persons to review.

PRESENTATIONS:

UH, DOLE STREET EVENT CLOSURE – Christina Stidman, President, Associated Students of the University of Hawaii, reported on plans for a 2008 Post Commencement Block Party. The event would also be part of the UH centennial celebration.  Dole Street, between East West Road and Lower Campus Road, would be closed on May 18, 2008, for the block party which is scheduled to follow commencement ceremonies in the Stan Sheriff Center.  Traffic access will be available via East West Road to University Avenue.  The event is supported by the UH administration.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Cain noted the extent of the campus and asked why the party is being held in the street,  Stidman and Slaughter responded that the level sidewalk and grass areas for tables and stages at the Dole Street location were chosen due to proximity to the Stan Sheriff Center which cannot be used for the block party due to logistics to set up. 

2. This is a one time event from 12 pm to 5:00 p.m.

3.  Concerns were expressed about closing Dole Street as there are too many parking difficulties at UH and road closures for other purposes, other events on campus, and difficulties with ingress and egress for the commencement event parking, Slaughter responded that UH will help. This event may facilitate parking on and off campus rather than contribute to parking problems.

4. Chair Narita noted that this presentation was to inform the Board, and UH would be securing any required permits for the one-time centennial commencement event road closure on the UH campus.

5. Chair Narita reported the media is asking for information on plans to demolish Klum Gym at UH and develop a 900-stall parking structure with State funding, and asked UH to report back to the Board on this.   

COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

MISSING STREET NAME SIGN – A missing street name sign at Martha Street and Campbell Avenue was reported. Constantinau will follow up.

KAPAHULU PARKING PROBLEMS

1.   Limousines Parked in Residential Areas – An ongoing problem of limousines parked in Kapahulu residential areas was reported.  Chair Narita noted the importance of a needed central parking facility at 548 Kapahulu Avenue and suggested there be a change to the law to more clearly define special restrictions placed on heavy commercial vehicles in residential areas.  Fichtman will follow up.

2.   Illegal Parking on Corners – Vehicles being parked on corners, blocking line-of-sight and creating traffic hazards was noted as an ongoing problem in a widespread area of Kapahulu.  It was suggested that police be called when violations are spotted, and that curbs be painted red to indicate ‘no parking’ areas.  It was noted painting curbs was discontinued years ago by the last mayor’s administration, but the painting policy has been restored.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

Chair Narita distributed material to members clarifying the process for the review of draft minutes of meetings to be used to remedy previous problems with the minutes.

Chair Narita asked Recording Secretary Miller to explain the problems and a faulty version of the minutes being mailed out.  Recording Secretary Miller asserted that the Chair was partially responsible for not submitting comments on time for the August minutes.  Chair Narita refuted Miller’s comments.  Three e-mails containing corrections were sent from the chair to the secretary, but were not acknowledged nor implemented.  For the review process, we will continue to email the draft to the Chair, Vice Chair, Sub-District Vice-Chairs, and Recording Secretary from the neighborhood assistant and submit comments to be coordinated by the Recording Secretary and returned to the neighborhood assistant.  Chair Narita cited Section 4-5.2.c.1  of the Neighborhood Plan specifying it is Miller, the Board’s recording secretary, who is responsible for the following:  1) “keeping an accurate journal of proceedings and to perform such other duties as assigned by the neighborhood board; 2) assist the chairperson to anticipate issues and problems deserving or in need of special meetings.”

Miller indicated it is her interpretation of the Neighborhood Plan that it is the recording secretary’s job to assist the neighborhood assistant in the drafting of the minutes, and not to be solely responsible for drafting the minutes. 

Cain supported the Chair’s review plan for the Board’s meeting minutes.

Matson commented that the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board’s minutes are not simply deficient; they are corrupted by the absence of key substantive information provided by Board members and others.  She emphasized that this is a very serious problem that needs to be corrected.

Chair Narita reported his findings from the Chair of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board that their Board does not have these problems with their minutes, 

Harden moved and Matson seconded that the Board reconsider the election of Recording Secretary Miller.

Discussion followed:

In response to Drown’s question of why the Waikiki Neighborhood Board minutes also prepared by Neighborhood Assistant Chu are accurate, Chu replied that draft minutes are sent to the chair, who provides them to all the members for  review, and all changes, mostly minor, go back to Chu.

Chair Narita clarified the following: 1) the Neighborhood Assistant and the Recording Secretary established direct communication because the Neighborhood Assistant asked to communicate with only the Recording Secretary regarding the minutes; 2) the Recording Secretary was responsible for forwarding to the Neighborhood Assistant any corrections to the draft minutes from other Board members. 

Vice Chair Chang commented that the clarification of procedures as presented by Chair Narita needs to be clearly understood by the Board members.  Chair Narita concurred that this was the reason for citing the Recording Secretary’s responsibilities in the Neighborhood Plan.

In response to Berlin’s question on what has happened to the corrections provided to the Recording Secretary by the Chair, Vice Chair and Sub-District Chairs, Chair Narita replied that the corrections have not been included in the Recording Secretary’s record.  In response to Berlin’s second question, Chair Narita explained that the extensive errors in the past meetings’ minutes had to be fully corrected with substitute minutes.  He noted that the Board had chosen to approve the complete substitute minutes instead of painstakingly correcting each error.

Egged objected to the direction of the discussion and expressed confusion about the need to proceed on this issue. He suggested that the matter be worked out between the Chair and the Recording Secretary, unless this has been attempted and is now being brought back to the Board.

Nahoopii noted as a 30-year Board member that it has never been the job of the recording secretary to  have final authority over the minutes because this has always been left to the Chair and Neighborhood Assistant.  She additionally questioned the Recording Secretary reading back motions for the record in place of the Neighborhood Assistant.

Luckett moved and Egged seconded to adjourn the meeting.  Chair Narita stated the motion was not well taken and did not allow the motion to progress because it prematurely cut off discussion on the motion on the floor.  Egged stated a point of order that a motion to adjourn has precedence over other motions and must be voted on at this time.  Chair Narita reminded Board members to read the Neighborhood Plan by which he was operating, also noting that Nahoopii’s assumptions were not stated in the Neighborhood Plan.  Chair Narita did not allow the motion to progress because it prematurely cut off relevant discussion.

Additional discussion followed:

Wong noted that during the last three meetings the votes of the Board members had been erroneously recorded.

Cain moved and Egged seconded to close discussion.  The motion carried, 8-4-1.  Yea:  Luckett, Allen, Cain, Miller, Egged, Berlin, Drown, Nahoopii.  Nay:  Chang, Matson, Harden, Wong.  Abstain:  Narita.  Waialeale left earlier in the meeting.

Harden agreed to withdraw the motion to reconsider the election of recording secretary at this time, and Matson withdrew her second to pending further investigation.

Berlin moved, seconded by Egged, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried, 13-0-0.

The remainder of the agenda was deferred.

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Submitted by,

Dean Chu

Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by,

Chair Bert Narita, Vice Chair Ken Chang, Recording Secretary Barbara Miller

Sub District Vice Chairs Deborah Luckett (SD 1), Bertha Nahoopii (SD-2), Michelle Matson (SD 3)

September 13, 2007

Re:  Chairman’s Report to the C&C Neighborhood Board No. 5, Diamond Head, Kapahulu, St.   

       Louis Heights

As your chairman it gives me great pride and pleasure to report to you, that members of our neighborhood board are continuing to be engaged with issues that are of major concern to our community.  I would also like to recognize and extend a fond mahalo to our elected officials that serve our community.  State Senator Ihara, House Speaker Say and Rep. Nishimoto have been very responsive to our citizens in assisting us voice our concerns on the DLNR plans to commercialize the property, the homeless issue along Waahila Ridge

Some of these issues are briefly updated below:

City Council Resolution (CR-229), Bill 1, CD1, Kapahulu zone change, (From R-5 Residential District to B-2 Community Business District with a 40-foot height limit.), Applicant:  State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

Community meetings have been hosted by Sen. Ihara and Rep. Nishimoto, and Sen. Ihara has met with interim DLNR Theilan.  At tonight’s board meeting, our Kapahulu residents were invited to attend and voice their concerns on this issue.  A petition has been published, and I encourage all of you who are concerned to support the petition.

Kapiolani Regional Park Master Plan Update, Draft Environmental Assessment, Waikiki, District of Honolulu, dated May 2007, Prepared for the Department of Design and Construction,  City and County of Honolulu, Prepared by Gerald Park, Urban Planner.

Testimony based on the adopted resolution was presented at the Kapiolani Park Trustee meeting.  All trustees were present and I’m proud to report that it seems the trustees agreed with the elements of our resolution and have taken to task our recommendations.  A general dissatisfaction with the C&C Department of Design and Construction was expressed by many trustees.

Oahu Metropolitan Policy Organization (OMPO).  I attended an OMPO working group meeting, and am happy to report that our traffic problems and concerns along the major corridors in East Honolulu are listed as priority concerns and will be forwarded to the OMPO Citizens Advisory Committee for consideration.

Revised 2007 Neighborhood (Draft) Plan.  The Neighborhood Commission adopted the subject plan and will be announcing a series of public hearings on the plan.  The 110+ page document is available online.  I requested copies of the document for each board member from the Neighborhood Commission Office, to be distributed at tonight’s meeting  Flaws and contradictory statements contained in the draft were brought to the attention of the commission at their last meeting, which lasted about 4 hours.  The draft was reviewed section by section, and although the commissioners agreed with the comments, the document will not be corrected prior to the public hearings upon the advice of the corporation counsel.

Finally, I’d like to thank our board members and citizens who actively participate in the many scheduled hearings and meetings.  Your precious time that you volunteer to watch out for matters that involve our community is greatly appreciated.  Our recent initiatives continue to be effective and  relevant  for our community.  Again, I applaud all of your efforts in serving our community!

Mahalo nui loa!

(Signed-1703)

Bert T. Narita, Chairman

Diamond Head/ Kapahulu, St/ Louis Heights

Neighborhood Board No. 5