Printable version (copy and paste into browser):

  http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb8/07/08_2007_03Min.PDF

McCully - Moiliili Neighborhood Board # 8

MCCULLY/MOILIILI REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 1, 2007

KING WILLIAM LUNALILO SCHOOL

The meeting was called to order by Chair Lockwood at 7:07 p.m. with a quorum present.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: - Linda Dela Cruz, Mimi Gans, Al Furuto (arrived at 7:09 p.m.), Gordon Furuto, Les Hata, Serena Kyi-Yim, Betty Lou Larson, Ron Lockwood, Michael Taleff, Marijane Carlos.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:  - Scott Chever, John Gollner, Shaunna Tabor, Clifton Takamura.

GUESTS:  Capt. Bill Donnelley (HFD, McCully Station), Sgt. K. Numasaki, C. Hanuna, Capt. R. Green, Sgt. G. Maekawa (HPD, District 7); Sgt. H. Roberts and Officer Chad Sano (HPD District 1); Pat Lee (HHCTCP), Susan Miyao (Representative from Senator Brian Taniguichi’s office); Councilmember Ann Kobayashi; Keith Ishinaga (Board of Water Supply); Mark Oto (Mayor’s Representative, Department of Community Services); Jim Manke (UH-Manoa Chancellor’s Representative), Tara Young, (Kamehameha Schools, Senior Asset Manager for Development); Carl and Lillian Novak, Jeb Brown and Raymond Lalosin (McCully Citzen’s Patrol); Klement Kondratovich, Jean Peters, Sandy Crisp; John Kato, Bonnie Trustin (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

BOARD VACANCIES:   - 1 in Sub District 1 and 2 in Sub District 2 – There were no volunteers who came forward so the item will be on next month’s agenda.

MOMENT OF SILENCE :  A moment of silence was taken in remembrance of our past Board Member, Elaine Akau, and past Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office, Ben Kama, both of whom died recently.

PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY LIAISON

Honolulu Fire Department – Capt. Bill Donnelley (McCully Fire Station) reported the following:

1.   Statistics for February – 2 structure fires; 3 rubbish, 3 vehicle , 66 medical calls and 2 pedestrian accidents, 66 medical calls, 2 stalled elevators and 1 collapsed roof from high winds. 

2.   Tip of the month:  Every home should have a working smoke detector installed near each sleeping area and on every level.  Since cooking vapors and steam can set off a smoke detector, it should be located away from a kitchen or bathroom.  Wall mounted detectors should be positioned 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from air vents.

There were no questions from the Board or guests.

Honolulu Police Department – Sgt. K. Numasaki from District 7 East Honolulu and Officer Chad Sano from District 1, Honolulu, handed out their statistics and asked for questions. 

Questions, answers and concerns:

1.   Kyi-Yim thanked the police department for identifying pedestrians as also being at fault in car/pedestrian accidents.  The police target drivers and pedestrians.

2.   Reported there have been no requests to notify the new McCully bar that they are too noisy.  Capt. Green asked people to call 911 to report noise complaints.

3.   People camping out by the wall on Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street at the edge of the park are in a public place; are only cited if they commit a crime. 

4.   Carlos reported at the bus stop on McCully Street before you go over the bridge, someone she knows saw a woman who has been a resident there for some time soliciting and doing tricks by the American Legion Hall.  Capt. Green responded that the police should be called in this instance.  They will interview the woman telling her what she is suspected of and they’ll see how that goes.  Carlos has observed when the lady is on her medication she is fine but when she doesn’t take it her personality changes.

UH Manoa, Chancellor’s Representative: - Jim Manke reported their Centennial celebration continues with the following activities of the past month:

1.  On Valentine’s Day 800 – 1,000 volunteers were involved in the Valentine’s Heart-to-Heart Day when 36 teams of faculty, staff and students volunteered in the community picking up litter, helped at homeless facilities and did fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House.

2.   This month Charter Day is celebrated on March 25, exactly 100 years since the original charter of the Legislature in 1907 was signed by Governor George Carter to establish the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.  The event will be a fund raiser for the Women’s Campus Club that has served Manoa faculty since 1920.

3.   The university has beautifully restored the Lyon Arboretum and botanical gardens at the top of Manoa Valley thanks to $3 million legislative appropriation.  A small admission charge which helps with education programs is well worth the price to see this unique treasure.

4.   He shared an article about student excellence among University of Hawaii electrical engineering students building and launching satellites which has never been done in the world before by any university students.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1.   The bird bank approved the importation of some bird flu viruses so researchers at the medical school can study them.  One of the world’s authorities, Dr. Duane Kubler, is on our staff and has been doing work in this area for many, many years.  He knows the hazards and potential benefits from this kind of research and has assured everyone that proper precautions are being taken so nothing will escape.  This experiment is in the interest of scientific research.

2.   He will find out what the laboratory’s level of containment is for A. Furuto.

3.   Frear Hall construction is a bit ahead of schedule so they may finish before fall of 2008.

4.   He would have to assume the Board of Agriculture had the item of the bird flu virus study on the agenda for their minutes but he will follow up to know what input the public had in approving the bird flu studies at the University.

Kamehameha Schools – Tara Young, Senior Asset Manager for Development, reported on their activities in the McCully/Moiliili area since receiving their permit.  They paved the vacant lot next to Puck’s Alley across from the Varsity Theater, landscaped the area and approved a lunch wagon to operate on the site.  Their desire to beautify the corner has given the area added lights, a new fence and their security guard from Puck’s Alley monitors the lot.  They painted Puck’s Alley and will pave the lot next to Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii in the next couple months.  If you see anything questionable happening on the lot, please call her.

Questions, answers and concerns:

She responded to A. Furuto that Kamehameha Schools bought out the lease hold interest of Puck’s Alley at the end of 2006 and is now managing the property. 

Mayor’s Representative  - Mark Oto reported on the issues from last month:

1.   The Ala Wai Neighborhood and Community Park’s basketball courts were turned over to the Department of Parks and Recreation for management on February 20, 2007 and were inspected at that time.

2.   The broken guardrail at Kuilei Street and University Avenue on the diamond head/makai corner was repaired on February 28, 2007.

3.   Large potholes at 1720 Algaroba Street and Phillips Street by Washington Middle School were patched February 22, 2007.

4.   The abandoned Honda was towed and the Buick was ticketed and moved.

5.   Currently the legislature is considering increasing emergency medical services appropriations for ambulance services specifically for the Young Street area.  The City Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Char, has been at the legislature quite a bit asking for those appropriations.

6.   Last month they began setting up the Kalihi Summit.  These meetings began with the Chinatown Summit last year which culminated with the month-long Chinatown celebration last month.  Now we are trying to identify the specific concerns of Kalihi neighborhood.

7.   The Mayor is hiring a senior housing advisor to help him with housing policy development. The City will begin selling city-owned housing projects because since 1998, when the public voted to eliminate the housing department, the management of the housing has deteriorated without sufficient resources to maintain the properties.  By selling the housing, the City hopes to have the management do the improvements that are needed and part of the commitment of the Mayor is to keep the housing affordable according to HUD guidelines.  This is an experiment starting with property in Kaneohe.

8.   Yesterday the Mayor unveiled his budget proposal to the City Council for 2008 which will be discussed for the next couple of months.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1.   Responded to Larson that a requirement for the sale of the housing would be to maintain an affordable rent of the units.

2.   Invited Carlos to keep emailing him pictures of the Ala Wai so he can keep addressing the Ala Wai situation.

Governor’s Representative – There was no report.

Board of Water Supply:  - Keith Ishinaga, representing the Board of Water Supply, reported the following:

1.       There were no main breaks in February.

2.       They invite all Oahu students in Kindergarten through 6^th grade to participate in their 2007 Water Conservation Week Poster Contest whose theme is “Conserving Water Starts With Me”.  The deadline for entries is Tuesday, March 13.  For details and entry forms go on their website at www.boardofwatersupply.com or call their Communications Office at 748-5041.

3.   Water Saving Tips:  a) Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks.  b) If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter.  A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses from 180 to 250 gallons or more of water.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1.   Addressing whether the water on our island is chlorinated, he said there are sources that are chlorinated but he doesn’t know why you taste it certain days and not others; maybe it is on the day of the weekly testing.

2.   Chair Lockwood reported the Board of Water Supply put in a bid to buy the Ft. Shafter water system that is chlorinated.  If they win the bid they will own all the Army wells, their water treatment system, all its pipes and meters.  It will not affect our regular water system because it will remain as its own system. 

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: - Councilmember Kobayashi reported:

1.   The Council has introduced a bill dealing with graffiti on private property which is still being adjusted because there are special concerns on private property.  We are trying to find a way that the City or volunteer groups can go on private property, with the owner’s consent, to clean it up.  You can join the Totally Against Graffiti Team for the graffiti paint out on March 10.

2.   We have found a company that produces a product that removes graffiti.  She will try to arrange for them to send a representative to make a presentation on March 10^th at Ala Wai Park.

3.   On Tuesday we passed the Minimum Operating Segment for the fixed guideway system which will go from the UH West Oahu campus to Ala Moana Center via Salt Lake but it will not serve the airport and the UH- Manoa.

She advocates the bus fixed guideway system because not having to lay down a rail it is more flexible and less expensive than a train.  You use an elevated dedicated highway like you would for a train.  If there is a disaster you can take the buses off the elevated highway and all the emergency vehicles and HOV vehicles can travel it also, going on the regular road.

The League of Women Voters and many more organizations are learning that there is this kind of fixed guideway system that doesn’t require rail and they are very interested; that’s why we took the word “rail” out of the legislation calling it a “fixed guideway system”.   Los Angeles and Dallas are looking at a system without rail as well as Korea and in Europe.  The rail travels at 25 miles per hour but the bus can go faster.  To spend $5 billion for a system moving that slowly seems like a waste of money for that price.  The buses can travel faster and stop faster and they will be hybrid vehicles operating on gas/electric so it is very practical.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1.   Responded to A. Furuto that constructing the guideway over the freeway requires you close them down which would create much congestion so the fixed guideway system would go over Farrington and maybe Nimitz highways.  To help with our traffic problems, the Mayor signed a contract for a ferry system to begin in July creating different modes of travel.

2.   The Federal Transit Authority, from whom we hope to get money, said we are supposed to decide not only on the route of the fixed guideway system but also on the technology very soon.

3.   Chair Lockwood reported at today’s Public Works hearing on the carrying capacity in the infrastructure of the primary urban center involving sewers, the McCully area wasn’t mentioned.  Kobayashi reported there is a moratorium on building more housing in the McCully/Moiliili area partly because of the condition of the sewers – so many need to be replaced being 50 years old and some over 75 years old.  That is why the Mayor wants to raise the sewer fee and have an aggressive plan to fix the sewers and maintain them. 

4.   She responded to Larson who is concerned that affordable housing be apportioned sewer fees to upgrade their neighborhoods and not just having enough funds for the sewers of luxury apartments.  She would approve of the Council adopting a unilateral agreement so the money is passed around to both types of housing.

5.   Kyi-Yim reported her husband saw a rental for a one bedroom apartment in the newly built towers on Kapiolani and Pensacola for around $3,100.00 per month.  Kobayashi replied rents are dictated by the marketplace.  The City Council is trying to find a way to give property tax relief for renters but not to landowners because we don’t know if they will pass it on to the renter.  The Mayor suggested giving a one time credit to renters and we are also considering giving a credit to landlords who rent to Section 8 people because we track that group of people and know the rent is affordable.  We have a waiting list of about 10,000 people who want Section 8 housing.

6.   Responding to Carlos about credits to those with a low income, the City can only impose property tax so we can only give credit to those paying property taxes.

7.   Appropriation by the City to receive funds for flood maintenance and clean-up is awaiting the results of the Corps of Engineer’s study on the clean up of the March floods of 2006 due to be published by 2008 at the earliest.  There are some short-term measures we can employ now and she hopes funds will be put in the budget for those expenditures.

      Kobayashi responded that if departments request funds to replace old equipment it will be considered by the City Council. 

8.   Oto reported there was a $3.3 million addition to the City Budget yesterday for flood control mitigation.

State Representative Kirk Caldwell  - He could not be present to deliver a report.

State Representative Scott Nishimoto – He was not be present to deliver a report.

State Representative Scott Saiki – He was not present to deliver a report.

State Senator Carol Fukunaga – She was not present to deliver a report.

State Senator Brian Taniguchi – He was not present to deliver a report.

PRESENTATION:

University of Hawaii Kennedy Theatre Expansion: - Dr. Tom Bingham, Dean of College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, reported on the campus project of an extension to Kennedy Theatre which is a wonderful theatre but it has no classrooms so drama, theatre, and dance classes are taught in various and sundry places across campus.  In spite of all of this, their Asian Theatre Program in particular has become world renown.  Their proposed project is to build classrooms, rehearsal space and three levels of parking adding 320 more spaces including visitor and faculty parking spaces.  This is one of the first steps to execute the 1987 Long Range Development Plan which includes moving parking spaces out to the edges of the campus so there can have more “green space” in the middle of their campus.

There will also be a 300 seat theatre added that is very flexible in how you use it – where you put the seats, the stage and lighting.  Now we can move some activities on the main stage at Kennedy Theatre to this new theatre. 

The Governor released $2 million to begin the design work led by the architects.  Right now we are before the legislature to get an additional $3.6 million to complete the design.  Thereafter we plan to fund the construction partly with private donations and revenue bonds.  The total cost is $60 million is actually two projects in one – the theatre and the parking lot.  We hope to be in construction in 2 ˝ - 3 years.

Member Gans will write a resolution to support the project and get it to Chair Lockwood for the Board mailing by March 16, 2007

HOUSEKEEPING: - the following items were presented by Chair Lockwood:

Neighborhood Commission Report

1.   Contacted the Neighborhood Commission Chair Tanimoto and Executive Secretary Joan Manke requesting they explain changing our Sub-District Boundary realignment and seat reduction of our Board from 17 to 15 seats at our April 5^th meeting.

2.   The Neighborhood Commission is awaiting the Corporation Counsel’s review of the Revised Neighborhood Plan before rescheduling public meetings.

3.   The Neighborhood Commission’s Training Committee is using the Board members’ survey responses to create workshops on various topics for Board members.

4.   The next Neighborhood Commission meeting is Monday, March 19, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.  Call 527-5749 for the location and to confirm the meeting date.

Discussion ensued about the procedure mentioned on the Sub-District Boundary realignment and seat reduction from 17 to 15 members for the Board.

Stream Status - There was a stream clean up February 10, 2007.  The Makiki Stream’s clean ups have been done quarterly for the last five years which has taken over 15,000 hours of people’s time and saved the City over $85,000.00. 

Oahu Metropolitan Plan Organization (OMPO) – Chair Lockwood and Janet Inamine attended the February 21^st meeting at Honolulu Hale.  It was announced there is money for Transportation Enhancement Projects on Oah’u so Chair Lockwood submitted a 1999 project that the Vision Team, Old Town Moiliili and this Board approved in April, 2004 with a vote of 12-0-0.  The project will push back the fence, add more trees hiding concrete at the corner of Varsity Place and University Avenue near the H-1 University Avenue off ramp, and use rainwater run-off for irrigation instead of going into the storm drains.  The chosen transportation enhancement projects will be announced by May 31, 2007.

Totally Against Graffiti (TAG) Team - The members met on February 20, 2007 to review planning for the March 10, 2007 clean up of the Ala Wai Community and Neighborhood Parks and if they get enough volunteers they can do the Promenade also.  We have permits along with donated food, juice and water, over 50 gallons of paint (we could use more brushes and rollers) and volunteer “TAG alongs” are coming from all parts of the community – Boys and Girls Clubs, Kaimuki High School, churches, Japanese Cultural Center, Ala Wai K-9 Dog Group, OTMBA, and Mother Rice Pre-school.  Our leader is Pastor Joel of HOPE 968.

There is an article about the event and Pastor Joel in the March 7 Mid-Week.  Please come join us – the more volunteers on hand the further we can go!  We can only do public property for now unless we get a waiver.  Also on March 10^th “Weed and Seed” will be working in the Kapiolani Boulevard area from McCully Street to Keeaumoku Street.

Washington Middle School Ohana and School Community Council Meetings:

1.       The Veterans of Foreign Wars announced an instructor from Washington Middle School has been chosen “Middle School Teacher of the Year” for the Patriot’s Pen Award from all the islands and four or five of the students.  Pending the scheduling of an assembly, the name will be revealed.

2. The Washington Middle School Math Team placed second out of 34 teams in their latest math meet which included private school participation.  Two of their students placed first and third in individual competitions.  The State competition is on March 10^th and these 8^th graders have an excellent chance to attend national competition as one of the Top 4.

The Washington Middle School Math Team will host the fifth graders from its six feeder schools for a fifth grade math meet on May 12, 2007.  Volunteers and prizes are needed.          

3.   Washington Middle School Ohana PTA meeting will be March 12, 2007.

4.   Washington Middle School Ohana Night is Friday, May 18 when Hawaiian food is served; last year it was a sell out.

AARP, Department of Health and Neighborhood Board #08 - This Neighborhood Board is hosting a workshop on Community Sustainability and Pedestrian Safety in conjunction with AARP and the Department of Health in the Washington Middle School Library.  The event is limited to 25 dedicated people who will take what they learn to other groups within the neighborhood.  Call Chair Lockwood for further details.

LEGISLATIVE BILLS OF INTEREST:

CITY BILLS:

Numbers

Reso 07-058      Carrying capacity of infrastructure of Primary Urban Center (PUC)

Reso 06-369      Department of Planning and Permitting to allow increased density in the

Primary Urban Center by allowing increased height limits

Reso 07-007      Incentives for affordable rental housing

Reso 07-008      Relating to affordable housing

Bill 89               Reporting of dog bites

Bill  6                Graffiti

Bill 007, 16,       Property tax relief for home owners

Bill 022, 33 

Reso 07-80

Bill 34               Property tax relief for renters

Bill 91               Dangerous vehicles parked near schools – if there is a very unsightly car by a school, call the police and it will be gone in 24 hours

STATE BILLS

Numbers          Noise

SB 1272            HB 1446 Backup Beepers – turn off between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

SB 1273            HB 1444, HB 1445 Car Alarm Regulations

                        HB 441 Ban Car Alarms

SB 1682            HB 1650, HB 1447 Excess noise of mufflers

Pedestrian Safety

HB 1944            Clarifies drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalk

HB 1823            Bicycle and pedestrian safety program in Department of Transportation

HB 482             Traffic signal/crossing signal at all crosswalks on highways with two lines in the same direction

Disaster Preparedness

SB 1754            Funding Increases

Bikeways

HB 490             Bikeways to be built when roads are constructed or repaired unknown.

Establish a Race Track.

Graffiti

HB 865             Minors who commit graffiti will remove it from the property and

SB 228             perform community service

HB 1712            Establish a graffiti law in the Judiciary

                        Sustainable Communities

HB 1001            Provides an expedited process for county review and decision on planning, zoning and construction exemptions sought by a developer of an affordable rental project.        

Go to the legislature website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov if you are interested in looking at any of these bills.

Residents’ Concerns:

1.  Resident Novak reported in front of Zippy’s on South King Street there is only one traffic light on the mauka side of the street.  It is dangerous for children crossing because the button to push for the crosswalk light is not working.  She also requested the time to cross the street be adjusted so the elderly can get through the crosswalk before the light changes to red.

2.   The box to control the traffic light at Pawaa and King Streets was hit by a car and the light isn’t working correctly because it hasn’t been fixed yet.

3.   The traffic signal at Fern Street and Kalakaua Avenue needs to be adjusted.

4.   The disabled ramp on the sidewalks in the Kalakaua Avenue and Fern Street area need to be redesigned and fixed.

5.   A resident went to a hearing for the bill on traffic signals and the State Department of Transportation (DOT) said the 250 volunteer surveys taken by AARP were not scientific so they are thinking of hiring someone to do a scientific study.  This resident feels the DOT doesn’t want to slow traffic down.

      Chair Lockwood reported that on April 14 there will be a nationally recognized expert in this neighborhood who can answer that question.  He has already received pictures from us as to what our intersections look like and he is tailoring his presentation to fit our situations.

      Oto reported the Mayor has tasked the Managing Director to head a departmental task force to address pedestrian safety and one of the measures would have the City identify certain crosswalks as critical for enhanced public safety.  The Honolulu Police Department is testifying each time that bill appears so they are aware of the problem and they are working on it.

Chair Lockwood reported there are no national standards for how long the light should be for

crossing an intersection.

6.       A. Furuto is concerned that the Board is not giving out the letters of appreciation to residents who have helped us.

7.       A. Furuto doesn’t think people understand how serious the bird flu is and would like the University of Hawaii to see if the studies can be done elsewhere.  It hasn’t been contagious from human to human yet but in studies it is very close to changing to that; it’s a very dangerous virus.

      Chair Lockwood asked A. Furuto to investigate the bird flu issue for the Board by talking with Manke and the Department of Agriculture and reporting back to this Neighborhood Board at the April meeting.

8.   It was indicated to Kyi-Yim that they are going to install another light at Fern Street and Kalakaua Avenue although it could hold up traffic.

Lalosin asked to synchronize lights on Kalakaua Avenue since it is such a heavily used thoroughfare.  The lights at Kalakaua Avenue and King Streets and Kalakaua Avenue and Kapiolani Boulevard change more readily but where Philip, Kanunu and Makaloa Streets intersect with Kalakaua Avenue, there is a serious build up of cars especially when emergency vehicles need to pass through those areas.  He has seen people drive on the traffic island, fire trucks have had to go in the opposite lane to get through traffic because there is no flow, or vehicles were stuck in traffic not moving for five minutes. 

Chair Lockwood called a recess at 8:32 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 8:42 p.m.

Additions and Corrections to Minutes October, 2006 through February, 2007.

October 5, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes - the following additions and corrections were made:

Page 1 - John Gollner, II should be added to the list of Board Members present as he took the oath and was sworn in as a new Board member at the meeting.

Page 1:  under Members Present – change spelling of “Maryjane” to “Marijane”

Page 2:  under UH Manoa the spelling of Neil Sakamoto should be “Neal”

Page 9: The Mass Transit Resolution additions are as follows :

Paragraph 6 – add after “past,” “now therefore”.

Paragraph 8 – add after “due consideration to” add “Option No. 2 – Transportation System management, as the solution to our transit problems that holds the greatest hope for a rapid, less expensive solution that will not alter the ambiance that makes Hawaii different from any other state in our country.”

Paragraph 9 – add after “be provided” “to Legislators and Councilpersons representing the McCully/Moiliili Neighborhood.”

Page 10, #6 Line 3:- Change from “Kapolei to King Street” to “Kapolei to Middle Street or School Street.”

Line 6 - after “view plane” add “obstruction of the view plane, construction of coming up University Avenue, the loss of on-street parking and tranquility in the community by the elevated system running almost 24 hours a day.”

Line 7 - change “proposed to be 50 feet wide and 30 feet long” was mentioned by Toru Hamayasu at the transit meeting at Washington Middle School as the measurement of a station.  Inamine did not say that would be the measurement at the University and King Street stations.

Larson moved and Gans seconded to accept the corrected October minutes.  The motion carried, 9-0-1.  G. Furuto abstained.

November 2, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes – the following corrections were made:

Page 2 - #1 Change “autumn of 2007” to “2008”.

Page 2 – Mayor’s Representative change Mark “Ota” to “Oto”.

Larson moved and Carlos seconded to accept the corrected November minutes.  The motion failed, 8-0-2 needing a quorum vote of 9 to pass.  G. Furuto and A. Furuto abstained.

December Regular Meeting Minutes  - there were none because the Board was on recess.

January 4, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes - the following corrections were made:

Page 8 #7 - change “ugly view” to “because of concerns about the negative impact to the Moiliili Community – the obstruction of the view plane, the construction of huge bases (of the

elevated system) going up University Avenue, the loss of on-street parking and the loss of tranquility in the community by the elevated system running almost 24 hours a day.”

Page 9 #2– A. Furuto doesn’t want to be recognized for finding the children but rather cleaning out the canal.

Gans moved and Carlos seconded to accept the minutes as amended.  The motion failed, 8-0-2 needing a quorum vote of 9 to pass.  A. Furuto and G. Furuto abstained.

February 1, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes – the following corrections were made:

Page 6 – The name “Yki-Yim” should be changed to “Kyi-Yim”.

Page 2 #5 - Line 1 after “March 1, 2007” add the word “meeting”.

Dela Cruz moved and Hata seconded to accept the February, 2007 minutes as amended.  The motion carried, 9-0-1.  G. Furuto abstained. 

Transportation: - deferred the Transportation Resolution from Gollner presented in February 2007.

Graffiti Bill: - the Graffiti Resolution was deferred until a later date.

Pedestrian Safety Resolution - requesting appropriation of funds to upgrade crosswalks so they are safer for pedestrians.  The Board members were given a copy of the Resolution and Chair Lockwood read the eight points under “Be it Resolved”.

Carlos moved to accept the Resolution and Taleff seconded the motion.  Discussion followed.

1.   Larson was concerned about Item #1 “install more pedestrian signals at crosswalks” and wanted to add the words “with community input” at the end of the phrase. Carlos and Taleff approved the change.

2.   Larson felt “off-duty HPD officers being utilized” is what is happening so maybe this is not necessary to mention.  Maybe we should make it “just in our neighborhood”. 

3.   A. Furuto would like to see “off-duty HPD” stay in because it shows we are being proactive. 

4.   Hata would like to strike “off-duty”. 

5.   Kyi-Yim reported there is a task force working on this so “off-duty” or “on-duty” in this case wouldn’t apply.

6.   Carlos says the point here is “on-duty” officers could get called to more urgent scenes so there would be a need for “off-duty” officers.

7.   A. Furuto wants to leave in what was written indicating we are willing to have additional funds for the off-duty police.

8.   Larson moved to amend the resolution seconded by Kyi-Yim to read “Be it further resolved that we support the Task Force’s efforts to find solutions to the problem of pedestrian safety.”

9.   The vote on Larson’s amendment carried, 10-0-0.  (See Attachment A for full Resolution.)

The vote carried for the main motion, 10-0-0.

SUNSHINE LAW RESOLUTION - requesting Neighborhood Board members of one Board can attend, with less than a number of quorum, informational meetings sponsored by other organizations on issues of Board interest and allow Neighborhood Boards receive, but not discuss, testimony from the public on items not on the approved agenda.

Chair Lockwood read the draft resolution and gave an example to explain how the Sunshine Law works, if three people from the Board are seen at a sporting event buying drinks and someone reports the incident, the Board would be seen as violating the Sunshine law as interpreted by the State Office of Information Practices.

Carlos moved to accept the resolution as written, it was seconded by Kyi-Yim.  Discussion ensued.

1.   Furuto feels the Sunshine Law was written to prevent people from subverting things that are happening or influencing a course of discussion without public oversight but if Board members run into each other in public it can be construed as they are conspiring together; you’re taking it a little too far with your interpretation.  Chair Lockwood stated this is the current interpretation by the Office of Information Practices. 

2.   Kyi-Yim says it is always the perception not the intent that causes the issue so we are asking for more flexibility.

3.   Chair Lockwood responded to Hata concerning emails to board members that he is careful not to say “this is something we will vote on” but only talks about upcoming meetings.  There should be no questions/suggestions in any Neighborhood Board member’s emails about how someone will/should vote on an upcoming issue.

4.   A. Furuto asked if anyone had been charged for breaking this law; he likes to keep everything in the open.  Chair Lockwood gave him the example of being able to go to a meeting on a topic that is very dear to you.  There is a public meeting on it and four people from the Board want to go but we can’t because not that many people can be at a meeting relating to issues that will discussed at the Board.  Do we have the right as a Board to have that knowledge to make a decision?  We should as long as we don’t discuss it together.

Chair Lockwood called for a vote on the Resolution.  The Resolution failed, 8-1-1 needing a quorum vote of 9 to pass.   A. Furuto was opposed and G. Furuto abstained.

Treasurer’s Report: Chair Lockwood deferred reading the Treasurer’s Report because he has a question on one item.

Committee Reports:

Affordable Housing/Homeless Committee meeting will be on March 8, 2007 at Care A Van.

Public Safety Committee meeting will be held March 20, 2007 at McDonalds at 7:00 p.m.

Outreach Committee – Chair Lockwood will be busy with AARP and the TAG people.

Tabor has been working with some of the schools and will give us annual reports shortly.

Transportation Committee – Carlos is glad the proposed “fixed guideway” is stopping at Ala Moana shopping center. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Submitted by

Bonnie Trustin

Neighborhood Commission Office Assistant

ATTACHMENT A

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the rate of pedestrian deaths on O’ahu this year, of one person every four days, is aready exceeding the 2007 total (1 per 18 days); the 2005 total (1 per 12 days): the 2004 total (1 per 15 days); and

WHEREAS, all the pedestrian victims for 2007 have been elderly, and

WHEREAS, the percentage of elderly residents in McCully – Moiliili 1(16%) exceed the usual census count which makes our neighborhood exceedingly vulnerable to such accidents; and

WHEREAS, in May, 2006 the AARP conducted a Crosswalk Safety check-up on our neighborhood crosswalks and found them deficient; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, that the McCully – Moiliili Neighborhood Board #8 asks the City and County of Honolulu:

1.  appropriate the funding and install more pedestrian signals at crosswalks with community input

2.  that the pedestrian signals are audible and have countdown features

3.  that the signals throughout O’ahu provide a minimum of 9 seconds per lane of traffic to give pedestrians enough time to cross

4.  to appropriate funding to maintain the walk signals and crosswalks

5.  to maintain, repaint and add more visible striping/reflectors to all crosswalks

6.  to widen crosswalks where necessary with community input

7.  to systematically review the placement of all crosswalks and remove/replace inappropriate crosswalks, with community input

8.  to make crosswalks more visible, especially on roads/streets going diamond head/ewa (east/west)    that face directly into the rising/setting sun.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the McCully – Moiliili Neighborhood Board #8 asks the City Council to appropriate the funds necessary for off-duty HPD officers be utilized to monitor the 20-50 most dangerous intersections and ticket pedestrians and drivers to draw attention to this danger; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the Task Force’s efforts to find solutions to the problem of pedestrian safety, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution go to: the Mayor, all Councilmembers, the Department of Transportation Services, all Neighborhood Boards, AARP, State Department of Transportation, Senators Fukunaga and Taniguchi, and Representatives Caldwell, Nishimoto and Saiki.

Adopted March 1, 2007

Chair Ron Lockwood