Contact Us  Subscribe  COUPONS 
  • Kaimuki, Hawaii
    News Item

  • Powered by MBC NewsMaker
  • Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of October 15th, 2008 Posted

Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office
KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
 
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Lili'uokalani Elementary School Cafeteria
 
I.      Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Chair Vernon Tam at 7:12 p.m. with a quorum of nine members.  Note:  This board of 11 needs a quorum of six (6) members.
 
Board Members: John Cater, Abigail Leong, Ginny Meade, Sharon Schneider, Dori Smith, Leonard Tam, Lori Yamada, Vernon Tam, Daniel Carvalho.
 
Members Absent:  Mark Terry.
 
Guests: Lieutenant Gary Lum Lee, Sergeant Clint Sukekane, Officer Mark Mitchell (Honolulu Police Department, District 7), Fire Fighter Chris Toda (Honolulu Fire Department, Kaimuki Station), Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Stan Fichtman (Staff of Charles Djou),  Representative Calvin Say,  Martin Chong, Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital), Caron Wilberts, Laurence Lau, Representative Barbara Marumoto, Eric Wong, Julia Allen, Jay Ishibashi (Mayor’s Representative), C. Van Buren (Staff of Scott Nishimoto)  John Lane (Neighborhood Commission Office).
 
II.          Filing Vacancies:  There were no volunteers for the open seat in Sub District 1.
 
III.    PUBLIC SAFETY/ COMMUNITY AGENCY REPORTS:
 
A.          Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Lum Lee, District 7, distributed the September statistics sheet and noted there is a comparison sheet that covers different neighborhoods in this district for the last six months.
 
         Burglaries 23, Thefts 42, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle (UEMV) 15.
  
         For solutions to longstanding problems, report it on their website, www.honolulu.org/patrol/d7 and they will respond within 48 hours.
 
Questions, comments, and concerns:  None
 
 
B.     Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Chris Toda, Kaimuki Fire Station reported the following:
 
         The September statistics included 1 structural, 0 rubbish and 0 vehicle fires; 64 medical calls, 2 search and rescue and 14 miscellaneous calls. There were no major incidents.
 
         Safety Tip: Fire Prevention Week (FPW) has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire on October 8-10, 1871. On the 40th anniversary of that fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America decided the anniversary should be observed nationally to inform the public about the importance of fire prevention. Since 1992, FPW has been observed the week of October 9. Did you know that most fire injuries and fatalities are caused by fires that occur in our homes? This year’s campaign will focus on preparedness and underscore the importance of regularly checking your home for fire hazards.    
 
Questions, comments, and concerns: None.
 
C.       Board of Water Supply (BWS):  Lorna Heller: distributed, “Water Emergency Preparedness” brochure and made the following announcements:
 
         Reported no main breaks in the month of September.
 
         Natural disasters, power outages, rolling blackouts, or other unexpected events can disrupt the ability of the BWS to provide water service to the community. September marks the observance of National preparedness month, so they distributed an informational flyer
detailing how to prepare for an emergency. For more details, visit: www.boardofwatersupply.com
 
Did you know:
1.     The BWS pumps an average of 150 million gallons of water every day?
2.     The BWS maintains a water system that includes approximately 2,000 miles of pipes, four shafts, 12 tunnels, and 84 well stations?
Questions, answers and concerns:
 
1.               Schneider asked if there were any plan by BWS for residents to start water recycling.  Heller responded that residential water recycling is being researched at this time.
 
2.               Leong asked if it is possible for someone to die from drinking water from rusty water pipes.  Heller responded that she will look in to it and get back to the board.
 
 
 IV.   Public Input and Concerns:
 
Joy Tanaka would like to request that new lines be painted on Kilauea Avenue between 18th and 20th Avenue to define that this strip of road is a one lane road. Motorists think that this is a two lane road and they drive very closely next to each other in this one lane strip of roadway. Because of this the cars come very close to the pedestrian area and when cars want to turn right or left into a driveway, street or parking lot to Kilauea Gym or Kaimuki Middle School cars try to pass each other nearly causing accidents. I believe this problem can be solved by clearly indicating with painted lines that the two lanes from 20th Avenue merge into one lane until they reach the 4-way intersection at 18th and Kilauea Avenue. This is a very busy road therefore; I think it warrants some attention.
 
V. Tam stated that there is an effort by Neighborhood Boards and the AARP to hold signs at various   locations. Kids will be going house to house on October 30th and many volunteers are wanted. Several groups have signed up already.
 
V. Unfinished Business:   None.
 
VI. New Business:
 
          Update on Kaimuki Christmas Tree (above Koko Head Avenue Fire station).
 
Leonard Tam reported that the Kaimuki Christmas Tree has been around for over 20 years. Mayor Fasi put it there with the understanding that the Kaimuki Business Group would decorate it. The group decorated it every year until 2001 when the City said that the old light strands were no good. In 2002 the City said that they would not be able to put the tree up or down anymore. Thanks to new cables it has been up for six years now. As of now, half the lights are out. Before they replace them, they want to make sure the structural integrity of the tree is good. On October 10 the inspector from the Department of Facility Management inspected the tree. He did not have a boom truck and could not get a good look at it. If it isn’t inspected, the tree might not be fixed this year.
 
Meade commented that the residents pay for all of the decorations; they just want the city to inspect the tree. V. Tam mentioned that there has not been a Christmas in 20 years without the lights being up. It is always hard to see any tradition die. Representative Marumoto said that she has told Mrs. Fasi about the meeting for the tree she called the Mayor’s office and asked them to please inspect it. She would definitely like to see the lights up.
                 
 
VII.   Elected Officials:
 
Mayor’s Representative: Jay Ishibashi reported: The city is working on some sewer projects in Mauanlani Heights. Their goal is to get it done as safely and quickly as possible. Leong asked if the telephone pole on 11th and Harding is being removed, so that the bus driver does not get complaints because they are always late. The pole intrudes out on to the street and the driver must proceed very slowly to avoid the pole.
 
City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi:  No representative was present; report circulated.
  
City Councilmember Charles Djou Representative - Stan Fichman: Djou has been in meetings all day regarding Bill 6. This bill would legalize bed and breakfasts on Oahu. A lot of them are located in Kailua but there are many all over the island. In the second session it was passed. There will be a third reading of the bill in November that will include some compromises that the other side wants. A regulatory arm will be created to cover the group.
 
Governor Linda Lingle Representative – Laurene Lau: The state announced last week that the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is joining the four-day work week pilot project. Kinau Hale provides direct service to the public for the registration and issuance of certified copies of vital records. The birth, death, and marriage certificates window and registration staff will have expanded hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and marriage license hours will be expanded from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and closed on Fridays. When Kinau Hale is closed, certain services will be handled by staff and private agents on an as needed basis. Certified copies of birth and marriage certificates can be ordered online at
www.ehawaiigov.org/ohsm. All other offices within Kinau Hale will operate from 7:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and will be closed on Fridays during the pilot project.  
 
Theodore ‘Ted’ Peck, a former Naval Engineer, consultant and energy management specialist, has been named energy administrator for the Strategic Industries Division at the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
 
Last week, the Governor announced the release of more than $6.6 million to upgrade the state’s airports as well as university campuses. Moving forward on the Administrations 12-year, 2.3 billion Airports Modernization Plan, Governor Lingle released $3,481,859 for improvements at Honolulu International Airport, including $2,281,859 to modernize the airport’s access control and video monitoring systems and $1,200,000 to strengthen second-level turnaround areas that will be used by new and heavier Wiki Wiki buses.
 
State Senator Les Ihara (9th District): No representative was present; no report available.
 
State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say (20th District):  November 1st will be “Make a Difference Day”. The residents of Palolo will have a cleanup of Palolo, and they will be done by noon.
 
State Representative Barbara Marumoto (19th District): There is a big problem with the Kawamoto- owned houses in Kahala. Most are vacant, with large weeds growing everywhere and reports of vermin everywhere. When Marumoto calls the Department of Health they respond quickly but they find no problems. Kawamoto also has been filling in his swimming pools with cement so that he doesn’t have to have them cleaned.
 
Last session Marumoto proposed to put Salvia A and Salvia Divinorum on the Controlled Substance List.
She will try again in 2009. Recent news reports mention that several European and Asian countries have banned it as well; as 13 states and several municipal governments. This psychoactive drug is similar to LSD and Ecstasy and is available at local head shops. Though research on the drug may lead to new medicines, it should not be used casually or by minors.
 
Leong stated that Marumoto’s office has always been open about things. She asked if the Police and the Fire Department can be more open with her as well. Marumoto saw no problem with their openness because they are here at the meeting every month answering everyone’s questions.
 
State Representative Scott Nishimoto (21st District): The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services along with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources is sponsoring a community meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Washington Middle School regarding the Ala Wai Watershed Project. The Project is a multi-purpose water resource management project, incorporating both flood hazard reduction and ecosystem restoration into a comprehensive strategy. This is phase two of an earlier effort that was initiated in 2004 under the project name “The Ala Wai Canal Project.”
 
On Saturday, October 24, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. till 1:30p.m., Ala Wai Elementary School will be hosting “Make a Difference Day”. Created by USA Weekend Magazine, “Make a Difference Day” is a national day of helping others – a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.
 
State Representative Lyla Berg (18th District): No representative present; report was circulated.
 
 VIII. Approval of Minutes from September 20, 2008 Regular Meeting:
·     Call to Order. Seven members were present, not eight. Mark Terry was absent.
 
Cater moved; Meade seconded to adopt the September 20, 2008 minutes as corrected. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent. (Aye: Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Carvalho, Yamada).
 
Treasurer’s Report:  Report deferred.
 
Announcements Chair Tam announced the following:
·     The next board meeting will be November 19, 2008.
 
·     Eric Wong announced that the Kaimuki Kanikapila is moving forward.  It will take place on Saturday, November 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
·     Meade moved to put on agenda that the Board participate in the Kaimuki Christmas Parade; Yamada seconded. The motion was adopted 8-1-0. (Aye: Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Carvalho, Yamada) (Nay: Cater).
 
·     Yamada moved for the Board to participate in the Kaimuki Christmas Parade.  Meade seconded. The motion was ADOPTED 8-1-0. (Aye: Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Carvalho, Yamada) (Nay: Cater). Meade, Yamada, and V.Tam to organize duties.
 
 
Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
 
 
 
Submitted by:
John Lane, Neighborhood Assistant
 
Reviewed by:
Vernon Tam, Chair


Like Our Facebook

  • RELATED LINKS
    • Kaimuki Hawaii.Com Home Page
      View our featured events, news, businesses and primary links on our home page.
    • Featured Sponsors
      Great offers from our sponsors who support the Kaimuki Honolulu, Hawaii community. More...

    • Kaimuki Hawaii Directory

      View Kaimuki, Hawaii primary directories. businesses, non profits, public, government and jobs.
    • Calendar
      Check out things to do in Kaimuki on the calendar of events.
    • News and Newsletters
      Keep up with the latest news and happenings in your Kaimuki community.
    • Kaimuki Hawaii Featured Pages
      View our directory of feature pages showcasing all the great things Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii has to offer. Go Green in Kaimuki, restaurants, shopping, WiFi Hot Spots, fitness, health, real estate, home and garden, 80+ more directories... More...

    Please send questions about this website to
    Copyright© 2005 - 2018 KaimukiHawaii.com. All rights reserved.
    Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
    Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting