Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of September 19th, 2007 Posted - Kaimuki

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of September 19th, 2007 Posted
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Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007

QUEEN LILIUOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Call to Order: Chair Eduardo Hernandez called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with a quorum of seven members present.

Members Present: Daniel Carvalho, Jim Cone, Randolph Hack, Eduardo Hernandez, Abigail Leong, Dori Rybacki-Smith, Sharon Schneider, Vernon Tam.

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Lt. L. Lee, Sgt. C. Sukekane, Officer S. Forman, Officer J. Hendricks (HPD/District 7) Capt. R. Marshman (HFP/Ladder 5), Chester Lao (Board of Water Supply), Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital) Ginny Meade (Greater East Honolulu Community Alliance), Jay Ishibashi (Mayor‚s Representative), Susan Jackson (Governor‚s Representative, State Department of Health), Councilmember Charles Djou, Francisco Figuiredo (Councilmember Charles Djou‚s Office), Representative Calvin Say, Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Daren Mar (City Department of Transportation Services) Glenn Yamasaki, Molly Murphy, Daniel Park, Gregg Hutchings (Palolo Neighborhood Board No. 6), Matt Tuthill, Richard and May Yoshida, Matthew Lau, Dennis Callan, Gordon Tam, Julia Allen, Charles Schuster, S. Soncke, Lynda Kerwin, Sam Suzuki, Bonnie Trustin (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

Honolulu Police Department - Sgt. Sukekane (HFD/District 7) distributed their statistics printout and explained it no longer presents a comparison with the previous month but gave the most recent statistics from the beginning of the month through the date of the neighborhood board meeting. More complete statistics can be seen at their website <http://www.honolulupd.org/patrol/d7>www.honolulupd.org/patrol/d7. He noted break-ins in the Kaimuki-Palolo areas were down in the Harding and Waialae area.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. He will patrol between 11:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in the area of 10th and Kaimuki Avenues for speeding cars and for mopeds and skateboards in the afternoon between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

2. He told Carvalho they do cite bicyclists who go through stop signs and for other offenses.

3. Cone requested their statistics reports be a 30-day history, not just through the meeting date, although he can see it daily on their web site.

4. Leong reported seeing a drug sale after the police had already canvassed the area of Kapaolono Field. The Sargent reminded her to call 911 when she sees illegal or suspicious activity so they can track the incident. Their complaint line number is 911, and note it is ‰Police non-emergency‰.

Honolulu Fire Department ˆ Capt. Marshman, (HFD/ Ladder 5) reported the August statistics as 11 structure, 3 rubbish, and 3 vehicle fires. There were 79 medical, 10 miscellaneous and 3 hazardous material calls. The two structure fires at 3758A and 3802 Mariposa had an estimated structural damage of $500,000 each and $50,000 in property loss to each. The cause is presently not known.

„Practice Your Escape Plan‰ is the theme for Fire Prevention Week from October 7-13. Signs will be posted at all fire stations, and demonstrations will be conducted at various schools and shopping centers on Oahu. The 2007 Fire Fighter‚s Safety Guide will be distributed to all elementary schools.

The Honolulu Fire Department reminded residents that the provisions of the traffic code regulating the operation, parking, and standing of vehicles does not apply to emergency vehicles responding to emergencies, if the driver of the vehicle sounds a siren, bell, or exhaust whistle and displays a lighted red lamp. These warning devices help to ensure the safety of the public as well as the safety of the emergency responder. Please refer to the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, Traffic Code, Section 15-4.4, located at <http://www.honolulu.gov/refs/roh/15al_9.htm>http://www.honolulu.gov/refs/roh/15al_9.htm for further information.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. Capt. Marshman was not on duty the day of the Mariposa fires so he does not know the response time to the fire however he does know the fire engine and ladder truck responded together. That road is so steep, the vehicles couldn‚t take a direct route, which delayed their arrival.

2. There was slight damage to siding of a neighboring house from the heat of the fire. There were no injuries at the scene; only one firefighter, who was overcome by the heat.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) ˆ Chester Lau reported the Board of Water Supply was grateful for resident participation in conserving water and with recent rains the BWS lessened their daily water usage pumping an average of 159 million gallons of water compared with 164 million gallons last year for the same time period.

Chair Hernandez asked the BWS to monitor the area in Maomai Park that belongs to the BWS where noisy roosters live.

Board Vacancies: There were no volunteers to fill the vacancies in Sub District 1.

Residents‚ Concerns:

1. Ginny Meade, with the Greater East Honolulu Community Alliance, announced their November 3, 2007 Block Party will be from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Kaimuki Community Park with crafts, food and entertainment. Check these websites for information: <http://www.celebratekaimuki.com/>www.celebratekaimuki.com and <http://www.kaimukihawaii.com/>www.kaimukihawaii.com.

2. Matthew Lau, who resides in the area of 18th and Harding Avenues, is one of nine home owners concerned about increased traffic congestion and the need to find parking on 18th Avenue between Harding and Pahoa Avenues due to the new adult residential care home. They are also concerned whether another residential care home on the same block will be built.

3. Dennis Callan presented material to the Board instead of rail which can be found online at <http://www.honolulutraffic.com/>www.honolulutraffic.com. He supports the building of an elevated railway on the Leeward coast and feels since the City Council left the choice of technology up to the public, the express bus is his choice because it can go in the city as well as up on elevated roads.

4. Linda Curwin, who lives across from Liliaokilani School, has been discussing the addition of three parking spaces on Mahina and 13th Avenues to increase the parking in the area. The No. 3 bus no longer goes on those blocks crowding the lanes of traffic. Chair Hernandez said he will put the issue on next month‚s meeting agenda.

5. Resident Wilberts expressed her concern about Coqui frogs infesting Oahu since the Superferry will be islands of Hawaii and Oahu. Chair Hernandez noted there are teams of people at all levels, public and private, discussing invasive species.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Board Seats and the Representative Population ˆ At the last meeting this board adopted a position to petition the Neighborhood Commission to evaluate populations within the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board area. To more equally apportion seats according to population, they are requesting one seat from each district become an „at-large‰ seat. He submitted a letter to the Neighborhood Commission requesting the aforesaid and when he gets a response that the item is noticed, he will advise the date given. Any change of seat apportioning will not take place until the next neighborhood board election.

Kaimuki Parking Update ˆ Daren Mar, with the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS), is the project manager for this project. The lot has been in operation since it opened August 8, 2007. The next phase of the project will be curb, sidewalk and surfacing of the lot which he anticipated will start within the next 30 days. Businesses in the area will be issued notices of the proposed schedule. He can be contacted with any concern at 568-8353 or at <mailto:dmar@honolulu.gov>dmar@honolulu.gov. Occupancy studies in the last month for empty stalls at peak times from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. have found there are spaces readily available at these times with the busiest day being Friday.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. The smaller parking lot, Lot 2, has not been studied. Subway and the Pill Box appreciated the 20-minute grace period in the larger lot catering to the kind of clients they have. Dower Realty employees can find parking in the lot and appreciated not having to remember to feed the meters. The upcoming holiday season will be the indicator if there is enough parking. Starting October 1, 2007, Republic Parking will allow monthly parking stalls but the number of stalls is not known.

2. The next sections to be addressed in the lot are concrete pouring, and fixing the curbs and sidewalks. The latter is in spot areas which should be relatively convenient. Parking resurfacing will probably be done by dividing the lot in thirds which will be qualified with the contractor.

3. Schneider saw a vehicle exiting the parking lot by driving up on the sidewalk at Harding and 11th Avenues and back onto the road to avoid paying for parking in the lot. Mar said his staff is looking into that problem.

4. Regarding meters providing for expenses of the parking lot Mar explained that now, in return for a three-year contract, the concessionaire, Parking Northwest, will accept all expenses for lot improvements including gate installation, cement work, and maintenance while accepting all the revenue. The meters are providing revenue for the City in Lot One.

5. Resident Wilberts noted that before the recent parking lot upgrade, street parking was available in the central Kaimuki around Waialae but now it is very difficult to find them without walking many blocks away from the area. Chair Hernandez reminded residents to use the 20-minute grace period in the lot; the board will continue listening to resident comments about parking.

6. Mar is also the project manager for „The Boat‰ and encouraged people to use it and visit their website <http://www.trytheboat.com/>www.trytheboat.com. If the website doesn‚t answer your questions, go to Questions and Comments to email your concerns. The fare is free next week on the bus and boat shuttles from Kalaeloa to Honolulu and they welcome bicycles; the regular fare is $2.00. Currently there are no shuttles form East Honolulu but they are waiting to hear the comments of the commuters.

Banner Update: The banner will be up one week prior to next month‚s meeting.

Greenhouse Frog Update: Information from the last meeting stating they were in Kaimuki and they make a chirping noise was given to the media by Chair Hernandez.

NEW BUSINESS:

Care Home on 1000 Block of 18th Avenue - Mr. Calucag reported the following:

History - He has been in the care home business since 1994, opening a facility in Maunalua. His second care home opened in Aiea. He and his wife, a transplant nurse, provide most of the care.
18th Avenue Facility and Recent Construction ˆ He will open with five beds but is applying for approval of an eight-bed care home. He thanked the residents for their patience during the construction; only the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA-compliant) part is left to be completed. He did not purchase another available property on that street. The City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is monitoring him and he is willing to do what they require.
Projected Traffic ˆ He projects low traffic impact, with few visitor per resident each month. There are few deliveries because he buys most of his own supplies. Only unusual circumstances would require additional vehicles be at his facility.
Resident Fees ˆ He charges according to the care needs of the client which range from $4,000 to $8,000 per month.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. He wanted to be a responsible neighbor. He admits he used noisy equipment on Sundays because it was very expensive to rent and that way he could return the equipment sooner. He will be cognizant not to impact his neighbors this way in the future.

2. He would accept mental health patients if they would be compatible with the other residents in the facility.

3. He and his wife, two children and a nurse‚s aid will be living on this property.

4. Representative Marumoto expressed the neighbors‚ main concern to have enough parking for them in their neighborhood. She explained the ruling on off-street parking is to provide two parking spaces for every 2,500 square feet and an additional space for each additional 1,000 square feet. He has six off-street parking spaces for his 6,500 square foot building. Without set visiting hours, he feels he has enough parking spaces and the area would not be congested. Chair Hernandez thanked Mr. Calucag for coming tonight and suggested that since parking is an issue in the neighborhood he asked him to be sensitive to the needs of the residents about the subject and try to ease problems before they become serious.

Rail Transit Ballot Resolution (attached) ˆ Jim Cone read a portion of Section S1-13-2 of the Neighborhood Plan that states „The powers, duties and functions of boards shall include: 1. Increase and assure effective community participation in the decisions of government by providing additional and improved opportunities for public input and interaction, and communicating that input to the appropriate persons and agencies∑,‰. Cone proposed a resolution for the purpose of getting a response from the public via the Neighborhood Commission disseminating the question of rail to the public by a vote utilizing the neighborhood board balloting system because there will be no further public forums to discuss the issue. Since the purpose of rail is to lessen highway congestion, if the system won‚t do that then the City Council needs input to help them make an intelligent decision before they charge everyone $6,000 or more to build the proposed rail system. Thee least expensive way to advise them is by using the neighborhood board balloting system. Discussion ensued:

Hack favors a resolution but wants it to be edited and other technical work to be up to standards. Tam said the resolution should be coming from the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 and not the people but appreciates what he is trying to do. Chair Hernandez asked Tam if he would accept the change of wording in the resolution when „We the people‰ is used to read instead, „the voters of the City and County of Honolulu‰. Tam would be in favor of the change. Rybacki-Smith feels as the resolution is worded, it needs to be more objective. She also asked to first consider if the Neighborhood Board balloting system can even be used in this situation. In the last „Be it resolved‰ she suggested the Board seek the support and agreement of the remaining 31 boards so that it instead could read „The Kaimuki (neighborhood) board would work to involve the other boards to create a ballot to put before the voters to obtain their opinion‰, because she doesn‚t think the Board has the authority to speak for the other 31 boards.

Cone knows something like this hasn‚t been done before but he wants to set a standard for the Boards because they haven‚t had a lot of effect on how the Board moves forward on this issue. He walked the streets of Makakilo, Ewa and Kaimuki and talked to the people, and the majority want rail but they aren‚t necessarily going to use it. This resolution is asking the Neighborhood Commission if they will put this to a vote; at least one Board on this island is asking this question because if no one wants to use rail what‚s the point in having it.

Discussion ensued about the form of the document to be presented to the Neighborhood Commission. Hack agrees with the spirit of the resolution but if the Board is going to act on it, it should be a quality document appropriate for its purposes.

Chair Hernandez received the resolution before the meeting, and in the spirit of the Sunshine Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92) he didn‚t discuss it, but he agrees it needs editing. He would like to move this forward with the Neighborhood Commission because of the time issue. He could make a committee and bring this issue back to the board.

Hack moved this Rail Resolution be subject to review by a committee to be determined by the Board Chair and then submitted at the next scheduled meeting with any necessary editing. Discussion ensued. Rybacki-Smith stated when she looked at the document, she removed the ballot issue and objectified the other two resolutions. The motion that this Rail Resolution be subject to review by a committee to be determined by the Board Chair and then submitted at the next scheduled meeting with any necessary editing, was WITHDRAWN.

Cone moved to edit the resolution to the final two „Be It Resolved‰ paragraphs. The motion to edit the resolution to the final two „Be It Resolved‰ paragraphs was WITHDRAWN.

Hack moved, seconded by Rybacki-Smith, that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board provisionally adopt the question on rail to a public vote utilizing the neighborhood board balloting system subject to stylistic and cosmetic editing with the final paragraphs reading:

„BE IT RESOLVED, That the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 request to utilize the City and County of Honolulu‚s Neighborhood Board balloting system to present a measure to the people of the City and County of Honolulu on the subject of rail and/or mass transit, prior to any City Council final decision as to a selection of plant to be implemented; and

BE IT RESOLVED, If the Neighborhood Commission‚s system can be utilized in the fashion requsted, the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 would seek the support and agreement of the remaining 31 established Neighborhood Boards to join in the measure to seek the opinion and desires of the citizens of the City and County of Honolulu. The motion, as worded in the two paragraphs above, was ADOPTED with a vote of 7-0-1 (Aye: Carvalho, Cone, Hack, Hernandez, Leong, Rybacki-Smith, Tam. Abstain: Schneider).

Presentation on Proposed Skate Park: Gregg Hutchings spoke on behalf of Will Fischer, a student at St. Louis School, who is working with the support of Senator Ihara to establish a skate park in the Palolo area. The location being considered is a 5,000 square foot space at Waialae Avenue and Old Waialae Road. The Diamond Head/Kapaulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 just gave the project its support at their last meeting on September 11, 2007, and asked that the noise and graffiti issues be addressed. They also suggested the support of the YMCA could be helpful because they supported it when it operated in the past.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. Chair Hernandez clarified that the vote is to transfer the property belonging to the State to the City for use as a skate board park since there are no skate parks in east Honolulu.

2. Cone takes four boys to a Hawaii Kai skate park weekly and they are there for hours and really love it. He is all for it and believes it would get children off the streets and to a safer area.

3. Hutchings answered Tam‚s question about the closing of a skate board park near Waialae and Kapahulu park years ago because the City needed the ramp for the freeway.

Hack moved, and Cone seconded, to support a new skate board park to be developed at the location designated, which was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Mayor‚s Representative: Jay Ishibashi reported the following:

1. The Mayor has instigated the Mayor‚s Sustainability Task Force to increase awareness of recycling as natural resources are now dwindling. To learn more attend the Recycling Fair this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (September 20, 21, and 22, 2007) at the Blaisdell Arena.

2. A new Senior Help Line is available by calling 768-7700 between 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday providing information on where to get help on senior care issues.

He answered last month‚s questions as follows:

1. Construction is not allowed on Sundays in the case of the new care home at 1050 18th Avenue. Complainants should file a complaint with the DOH, Noise, Radiation, and Indoor Air Quality Branch at 586-4700.

2. The City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has requested repairs and evaluation of the existing lighting system at Maunalani Park in an effort to have them in working condition when the park opens.

3. The status on Kapaolono Park between 10th and 11th Avenues was answered at the last meeting by Stan Fichtman. Installation of ceramic tile is in progress in the swimming pool and construction is projected to be completed by the end of 2007 when the facility will be turned over to DPR to reopen the facility.

4. The State Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently collecting traffic data at several locations including the streets in question - 16th Avenue, Sierra Drive, and Paula and Harding Avenues. Persons with questions should contact Mr. Goro Suliijoadikusumo of the DOT Planning Branch at 587-1839.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. A resident noted there is a problem driving on Mooheau Avenue; a left turn arrow is needed because cars line up trying to make a left turning lane on Kapahulu Avenue coming from Waikiki. Approximately five cars can line up and then other cars can‚t get by them if they are not turning left.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi ˆ Councilmember Kobayashi reported that after hearing Natalie Iwasa‚s presentation on bicycle safety at this Board meeting a few months ago, she introduced a resolution to have DPR install more bicycle racks and the City Council did pass the resolution today. She thanked the Board for passing the Bicycle Resolution.

The Director of DTS, Mel Kaku, posed some questions about the fixed guideway system and said he wants to hold a public forum to discuss the topic. Councilmember Kobayashi will advise the Board when Kaku gives her the date. She supports the resolution the Board just adopted on rail if it is possible to do. Many people think rail is the only way to have mass transit but a fixed guideway is a viable alternative.

Councilmember Charles Djou ˆ Councilmember Djou discussed the following:

1. The adult residential care home (ARCH) issue is a problem in his district so he can appreciate what Kaimuki is going through. Unfortunately the way State law is written it requires the City to issue building permits to ARCH facilities.

2. He promotes curbside recycling on Oahu because it‚s the right thing to do. Oahu is running out of landfill space and the environment is what drives the tourism industry; tourists want to see a clean environment.

3. He applauds the rail system for Honolulu.

4. He responded to Rybacki-Smith about the federal fair housing laws for ARCH that mandate the City government cannot discriminate against individuals based on age or disability; it is a function of State law that the City must grant permits to ARCHs. Dr. Jackson, representing the Governor‚s office, clarified that the Land Use Ordinance allows eight unrelated people to live in the same dwelling as an ARCH. Councilmember Djou said the City Council passed a resolution that said it is the preference of the City government to have five or less unrelated people live in one dwelling.

GOVERNOR‚S REPRESENTATIVE ˆ Dr. Susan Jackson, Director of DOH, said the DOH is responsible for licensing adult residential care homes so she has had discussions such as these quite often. She appreciated Mr. Calucag‚s presentation and had a good information session with him and the neighbors on this issue.

She has no information for Chair Hernandez on the State Partnership Program with Indonesia; it‚s under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Defense (DOD) and she will bring more information to the next meeting.

Superferry trips to Kauai will resume on September 26, 2007 on a temporary daytime schedule. The Governor has made it clear that Federal, State, and County law enforcement will be at H? Harbor but everyone has a right to voice their opinion but not to put people in danger (including those putting children and teenagers at risk in the harbor on surf boards). The State Department of Human Services (DHS) announced if children are put at risk again, residents will be cited for child endangerment.

Representative Calvin Say ˆ Representative Say reported on the following:

1. This month he found out about fossil fuel and refineries at a Tesoro plant.

2. He visited the hospitals in Liliha and Pali Momi and learned about health care providers.

3. There is a bill before the Department of Agriculture asking for a $1.00 surcharge on 20 foot containers and a $2.00 surcharge on 40 foot containers.

4. He supports the Superferry but wants to hear what the court‚s decision will be before they intervene. At this time there is no special session scheduled for the State House of Representatives.

Questions, answers and concerns:

1. He accepted responsibility for encouraging the Transportation Chair, Representative Joe Souki, not to hear a measure on the compromise Superferry bill passed by the Senate and supported by the Neighbor Island County Councils of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii. His choice not to hear the measure was because in attendance of a presentation by the DOT executive branch four years ago, it was stated that the ferry project was exempt from the EA and EIS process.

2. Responding to Chair Hernandez‚s reference to a newspaper report that some legislators will be putting their political campaigns in jeopardy if they support the Superferry, he feels that effects his neighbor island colleagues more because their residents are very opposed to the issue but on Oahu the majority of the legislators are for it. Whatever decision Judge Cardozza renders, as the Speaker of the House, he wants to be ready to present proposed legislation to convene for a special session to allow Superferry to operate, even though they didn‚t act this way during session, because no one could have known the courts were going to rule as they did, requiring Superferry to conduct an EA.

Senator Barbara Marumoto ˆ Last night at the Manoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 meeting there was a discussion about four to five potential ARCHs in a small area; the neighbors are concerned with the parking and traffic impact on their neighborhood. Councilmember Kobayashi, Representative Caldwell and Senator Taniguchi who attended and the community asked them to draft the thousand foot separation policy for future adult residential care homes, halfway houses and other facilities under the City‚s Single Family Zoning. They are asking for this Board‚s support of this bill the legislature hopes to pass. With three or more such facilities in the neighborhood, it seems like an abuse of the single family zoning concept. Representative Marumoto is in favor of care homes for the elderly; we need them. The neighbors on 18th Avenue are not opposed to Mr. Calucag‚s proposal and she appreciated his answering their questions tonight, but when two are three lots are used for residential care homes together in a small area, it may become problematic. If they are other than care homes for the elderly, such as halfway houses and rotation homes, she feels the concern goes up another notch.

Councilmember Kobayashi is thinking about introducing an ordinance regarding separation for future homes and hoped to have board support on this issue. With the price of housing, it is hard for a family to afford a house when someone else is operating a similar house as a business and could afford to pay a higher price. She feels the State or County could enact reasonable restrictions on these types of group living facilities. Case law is a bit complicated but it has allowed the City and State to put reasonable restrictions on these types of facilities in residential areas.

Chair Hernandez called Representative Muramoto‚s office and appreciated being able to talk with her directly when she answered her own phone, a testament to her dedication to the community.

Approval of the Minutes of August 15, 2007 ˆ The minutes were APPROVED AS CIRCULATED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (7-0-0).

Treasurer‚s Report ˆ Treasurer Hack read the report for August listing a balance of $2,840.28. The report was filed.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

Submitted by:

Bonnie Trustin

Neighborhood Assistant

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of September 19th, 2007 Posted

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