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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of Regular Meeting - July 19th, 2006 Posted Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2006 LILIUOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chair Abe at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was not present. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Cone, Eduardo Hernandez, Daniel Nahoopii, Mike Abe, Daniel Carvalho, Randolph Hack, Abigail Leong (appointed at this meeting). MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharon Schneider. GUESTS: James Toyooka (DOE), Debbe Joseph (DMH), Randy Homes, Michael Palcic (District 20 Republicans), Susan Jackson (Governor‚s Office), Lei Furukawa (University of Phoenix), John Kobayashi (Kaimuki Business and Professional Association), Glenn Yamasaki, Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital), Caron Wilberts, Capt. Myron Tamanaka (HFD-Kaimiki Station), Elwood Lum; Lt. A. DeLima, Sgt. A. Tsukano, Officer R. Kalahene, Officer J. Hendricks (HPD), Leonard Tam, Julie Allen, L. Lum, S. Char, Eric La‚a (Representative Scott Nishimoto‚s Office), Stan Fichtman (Councilmember Charles Djou‚s Office), Councilmember Charles Djou, Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Representative Calvin Say, S. Sonoda (Senator Les Ihara‚s Office), Lori Yamada, Mel Kihara (Mel‚s Barber Shop), Allyne Quinn, Joan Shinn (Representative Barbara Marumoto‚s Office), Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Sam Suzuki, Jean and Brian Yamane, Michele Acedo, Sonny Acedo, Audrey Abe, Brian Moore, Gordon Tam (Tam‚s Shoe Repair), Virginia Young, Jay Ishibashi (Mayor‚s Office), Dean Chu (Neighborhood Commission Office staff). ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Deferred due to lack of a quorum. BOARD VACANCIES, FOUR SEATS IN SUBDISTRICT 1 ˆ Deferred due to lack of a quorum. Cone arrived during the above portion of the meeting. A quorum was now present. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS: HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT ˆ Lt. DeLima reported the following: 1. The written report distributed earlier in the meeting includes a map of this area showing the various patrol beats, and crime statistics for May and June by patrol beats. Narcotics/Vice Division statistics included in the written report list three new complaints from the Waialae area, and one each from the McCully, Kaimuki, University, and Maunalani Heights areas, and five closed complaints from the Kaimuki area, three from the Hawaii Kai area, two from the McCully area, and one each from the Waialae and Niu Valley areas. There were no morals or gambling complaints/statistics to report. 2. The written report also includes a „21 Step Home Security Checklist.‰ 3. The ATV (all terrain vehicle) patrol that covers the area between Diamond Head and Makapuu, handled 5 misdemeanor and 15 warrant arrests, 14 liquor law violations, 2 dogs in the park violations, 115 traffic violations and 25 parking violations. Questions, answers and comments followed: 1. Overall property crimes for June are down compared to May. 2. A community meeting was held earlier this month with Maunalani Heights residents on establishing a neighborhood security watch. 3. Statistics from the Narcotics/Vice Division lists complaints that are being investigated, and do not necessarily indicate that crimes are taking place. 4. A person reported to have been living in a car on 10th Avenue near the Kaimuki Recreation Center for the past two years has been cited and arrested on previous occasions, and this matter is going through the courts. It was noted the person is no longer in the area. 5. There are a number of vehicles being parked continuously in the area of a boarding house and vacation rental units on 16th Avenue, with the vehicles being moved just enough to avoid being designated as abandoned vehicles. 6. An old, but usable appliance was left out for bulky item collection on 16th Avenue and then found to have been stripped for parts. It was also noted that bulky item collection has been missed this area. 7. No specifics were provided on illegal drug activity in this area, but noted that investigations are being done. 8. Persons have been arrested for graffiti crimes and the community was commended for calling police to report it which was helpful in making arrests. 9. There were few 4th of July fireworks violations. Lt. DeLima, Sgt. Tsukano, Officer Kalahene and Officer Hendricks were thanked for attending the meeting. HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT ˆ Capt. Tamanaha reported the following: 1. Last month the station responded to 9 structure and 2 rubbish fires, 63 medical, 6 search and rescue, 11 miscellaneous, and 2 hazardous materials calls. 2. Fire Safety Tip: Take the time to childproof your home, especially since keiki are on summer vacation. Check for potentially dangerous situations, i.e. electric shock, accidental falls, or poisonings from medications, cleaning fluids, and houseplants. Keep matches and lighters in a safe place and out of the reach of small children. There were no questions from the Board or guests. Capt. Tamanaha was thanked for attending the meeting. BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY ˆ Lorne Heller, from the Board of Water Supply, reported the following: 1. Copies of a booklet, „Hawaii Backyard Conservation, Ideas for Every Homeowner,‰ were made available for interested persons. It provides a variety of tips. 2. There were no water main breaks in this area last month. 3. The 18th Annual Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale is August 5, 9:00 a.m. ˆ 3:00 p.m., 99-1268 Iwaena Street. Questions, answers and comments followed: It was noted the Kaimuki Fire Station is overwatering its landscaping with runoff wasting water. The order of the agenda was deferred to take items previously deferred due to lack of a quorum. There were no objections. BOARD VACANCIES, FOUR SEATS IN SUBDISTRICT 1 ˆ Abigail Leong expressed interest in filling one of the vacancies. She provided comments on work she and neighbors did to deal with illegal drug activity in their neighborhood. Hack moved and Cone seconded to appoint Leong to fill a vacancy in subdistrict 1. The motion carried unanimously. Neighborhood Assistant Chu administered the oath of office to Leong. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Discussion followed. Hack moved and Cone seconded the nominations of Abe for Chair, Nahoopii for Vice Chair, Hack for Treasurer and Hernandez for Secretary. The motion carried unanimously. Abe, Nahoopii, Hack, and Hernandez were elected by unanimous consent. The order of the agenda resumed. PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS: REQUEST FOR GOVERNOR‚S AND OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS POSITION ON THE WAR IN IRAQ ˆ Hernandez requested that the Governor and other political leaders publicly take a position on our country‚s war in Iraq. Dr. Susan Jackson, representing the Governor‚s Office, will follow up. STORM WATER RUNOFF PROBLEMS IN WILHELMINA RISE ˆ A Wilhelmina Rise resident expressed concern about the seeming lack of restrictions on how residents develop their property, such as completely covering lots with concrete that promotes storm water runoff and contributes to flooding problems. It was suggested that concerns about changing laws regulating building codes should be addressed to the City Council and Administration, and the City Department of Planning and Permitting if one has current complaints about possible building violations. It was suggested that this matter be placed on the agenda of a future meeting. ELECTED OFFICIALS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES: MAYOR‚S OFFICE ˆ Jay Ishibashi, representing the Mayor‚s Office, reported the following: 1. Honolulu‚s centennial events are coming to and end. 2. The City has been making improvements to public parks, as one of its priorities. Questions, answers and comments followed: 1. The cost of the new fire department headquarters was $18.6 million. 2. There are problems with the sidewalk bulbouts on Koko Head Avenue creating ADA accessibility problems, and that the bulbouts would be expensive to remove. 3. Follow up will be done on the status of repairs to the Kapaolono Park swimming pool and the Maunalani Park recreation center. It was noted Maunalani Park has been closed for five years now, which has also affected its use as an election poll site resulting an alternate site being used confusing some voters. 4. Questions were raised about the way work is done, such as projects in parks where some work is done but not completed, then workers repeat the process at other parks before returning only to have to start work from the beginning. Ishibashi was thanked for his report. COUNCILMEMBER ANN KOBAYASHI ˆ Councilmember Kobayashi reported the following: 1. Earlier this evening she attended a meeting in Manoa about problems with feral pigs, including damaging watershed areas which contributes to storm water runoff. 2. The City and State are working on addressing homelessness problems. 3. The Council questioned the building of the new fire department headquarters and renovation of an old station into a museum when neighborhood fire stations are in need of repair or replacement. It was noted that the headquarters was a project initiated during the previous Administration‚s and fire chief‚s tenure. There were no questions from the Board or guests. Councilmember Kobayashi was thanked for attending the meeting. COUNCILMEMBER CHARLES DJOU ˆ Councilmember Djou reported the following: 1. Tomorrow real property tax bills will be going out in the mail and will reflect increases in assessments. The Council passed legislation that allows persons on military deployment a six month deferment in paying their property taxes. 2. He would like to see the Administration find funds for the curbside recycling program like it found funds to pay the State to collect the increase in the general excise tax to fund the mass transit system. Questions, answers and comments followed. 1. The six month deferment in paying taxes does not exempt someone from paying the taxes, it only provides up to six months to pay the taxes after returning from a deployment. 2. The general excise tax increase takes effect in January 2007 and can only be used for the mass transit system. He opposed the tax increase. 3. The feral chicken problem in the Mau‚umae Park/16th Avenue area continues, some have been caught, but a number are still roaming the area. Councilmember Djou noted the law allows keeping of chickens in residential area, something he opposes. 4. It was suggested the Block J property in Downtown Honolulu should have been to develop affordable housing instead of being sold to a businessman who‚s building a car dealership and condominiums. Councilmember Djou noted the City owned the property and put it out to bid for sale, and the highest bid won. Councilmember Djou was thanked for attending the meeting. GOVERNOR‚S OFFICE ˆ Dr. Jackson, representing the Governor‚s Office, distributed the weekly report and highlighted/added the following: 1. The State and City are working on solutions to the homelessness problem. 2. The feral pig problem is widespread and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources is working on addressing it. 3. The legislature passed, and the Governor signed a bill requiring language access for all State offices by providing interpretation services and translated documents to immigrants and residents who have a limited ability to speak English. 4. The smoke free workplace law takes effect on November 16, and an education campaign will be created. 5. The Department of Hawaiian Homelands recently awarded 250 homestead lots, for a total of 1,200 since 2003 and another 1,000 are planned by 2007. 6. The Governor is hosting the Third Annual International Women‚s Leadership Conference, August 29, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. 7. The State Department of Human Services‚ Supporting Employment Empowerment program was recently named a finalist in the Council on State Government‚s Innovations Awards Program. 8. The Governor has discontinued her radio show appearances for the election campaigning season. Questions, answers and comments followed: 1. Opposition to the Language Access Law and other government services to immigrants was expressed. 2. There is no law requiring the Governor to discontinue the radio show appearances, it was a personal decision. 3. It was suggested mobile homes be used to provide affordable housing quickly. 4. Concern was expressed about rules which do not allow State employees to transfer to a job in another department unless „they are on the list,‰ for another department, requiring current employees to apply as if they are not State employees. Dr. Jackson stated that employees in one department can transfer to jobs in other departments, and will follow up. 5. There should be more training programs for the homeless. 6. There is a federal law requiring deportment of illegal immigrants. Follow up will be done on more specifics. Dr. Jackson was thanked for attending the meeting. SENATOR LES IHARA ˆ Senator Ihara was unable to attend the meeting. REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SAY ˆ Representative Say reported the following: 1. In response to a suggestion made earlier, he noted the use of mobile homes is being studied by the State‚s Housing Finance Development Corporation. 2. In response to a comment made earlier, he noted that Wilhelmina Rise has a poor storm drainage system. Questions, answers and comments followed; 1. He, as Speaker of the House, has no plans to call for a special session of the legislature to override bills vetoed by the Governor. A special session would be expensive, costing millions of dollars, especially if new legislation were introduced which would require the regular process that includes holding three hearings on each bill. Also, there is no consensus among legislators on what to do about bills the Governor vetoed. 2. He thanked the Governor for her remarks at the end of the session expressing thanks for the legislature getting the people‚s work done. Representative Say was thanked for attending the meeting. REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA MARUMOTO ˆ Joan Shinn, from Representative Marumoto‚s Office, distributed the monthly report and highlighted/added the following: 1. The written report includes a list of bills vetoed by the Governor. A copy of the Govenor‚s explanations of why each bill was vetoed was available for interested persons to review. 2. All public schools start the new school year July 27. 3. The report also includes information on the Kaimuki municipal parking problem and City‚s plans to address it. There were no questions from the Board or guests. Shinn was thanked for attending the meeting. REPRESENTATIVE LYLA BERG ˆ Representative Berg distributed her report and highlighted/added the following: 1. The report includes a list of the bills vetoed by the Governor. 2. East Honolulu Community Meeting, a guest panel will speak on „Economic Prosperity for Hawaii,‰ August 28, 7:00 ˆ 9:00 p.m., Kahala Elementary School Cafetorium. 3. The new school year for public schools starts July 27, drivers need to be prepared for increases in traffic. 4. The report includes a list of bills that affect high school age persons. 5. She has been meeting with early childhood learning communities to share the intent and specifics of Act 259, to enhance and expand existing early childhood learning opportunities for children up to age five. 6. She has been meeting with the Hawaii 2050 Sustainablity Task Force to plan for the August 26 kick off event. 7. She has been meeting with residents concerned about new residential development projects in the Aina Haina to Hawaii Kai areas. A fundraising event is being planned to support efforts to preserve open space in this area. 8. She has paint available for persons interested in graffiti paint out projects. Interested persons should call her office. 9. The written report includes the Sierra Club‚s 2005-2006 Legislature Environmental Scorecard. Questions answers and comments followed: 1. She supported House Bill 3116, relating to the Hawaii Children‚s Health Care Program, which the Governor vetoed. 2. She supports Represenative Say in his decision not to call for a special session of the legislature. Representative Berg was thanked for attending the meeting. PENDING BUSINESS: KAIMUKI PARKING PROBLEM, REVIEW OF ACTION AND FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION: Chair Abe provided a brief background on the problem and pro and con comments on the development of a parking structure. Chair Abe then relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Nahoopii. Abe moved and Leong seconded that the Board reconsider its motion from the May meeting, to request the Mayor and City Council to first support a short term solution of attendant parking, and second, if necessary, a long term parking structure solution for the following reasons: a) will not increase the amount of parking, b) will not discourage long term parking, c) will discourage customers who will be caught in backed up traffic waiting to get into the lot, d) the City has not provided details on the attendant parking, e) the attendant parking will not increase revenue. A lengthy discussion followed. 1. The attendant-controlled parking plan would result in one access point on 11th Avenue, and one exit point on 12th Avenue. A number of businesses have opposed this arrangement. 2. No information has been presented on how the amount of parking would be increased. 3. According to a newspaper story, a private contractor will operate the lot under a three year contract. 4. It was suggested the attendant-controlled parking be tried to see if it works. 5. Liabiltiy concerns were expressed relating to the safety of the lot attendants. 6. Concern was expressed about possible traffic backups getting into the lot. More information is needed on the City‚s plan. 7. The community wants something to be done. 8. Specifics are desired on the vendor‚s and City‚s costs. 9. It was suggested to leave it the way it is. 10. Finding a parking space is only a problem during the lunch and dinner hours. 11. Ishibashi reported the City is proceeding with the attendant-controlled parking plan, the project will go out to bid next month and work is expected to be completed in early December. 12. Concern was expressed about whether the attendant-controlled parking will increase the number of spaces and whether or not there would be increases in the parking fee structure. 13. There is no alternate parking available. 14. Space for commercial space should be included in a parking structure. 15. A parking structure would block the wind for some residents. 16. A parking structure could be attractively designed as are some self storage buildings. 17. City officials should be present to answer questions. 18. Additional parking should be developed by using the Kaimuki Recreation Center‚s tennis and volleyball courts‚ space. The motion failed to carry, 3-3-1. Yea: Abe, Leong, Carvalho. Nay: Hack, Hernandez, Nahoopii. Abstain: Cone. Nahoopii returned the chair to Abe. Additional discussion followed and Ishibashi was requested to follow up on: a) providing plans on the redevelopment, including location of the attendant booth, b) whether or not there will be an increase in parking rates, c) bid information, d) information on timing, contract information and revenue sharing between the vendor and City, e) whether or not there is an opt out provision in the contract to allow early termination if the plan does not work, and f) why use a contractor instead of City employees to provide the attendants. CHAIR‚S REPORT: Chair Abe noted he will request for the Neighborhood Commission Office to provide information on procedures for various City departments requesting Board input. TREASURER‚S REPORT: Hack reported for the month of June, the Operating Account balance was $833.57, the Publicity Account balance was $1371.00 and the Refreshment Account balance was $120.00. APPROVAL JUNE 21, 2006 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD, MAY 17, 2006 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 19, 2006 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ˆ Hack moved and Nahoopii seconded that the minutes and memorandum for the record be approved. The motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING‚S AGENDA: No report. ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Waialae - Kahala Bicycle Staging Area at Kapiolani Community College will be opened in July 26. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Submitted by, Dean Chu Neighborhood Assistant Back | Current News | FYI |
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