Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of November 19th, 2008 Posted - Kaimuki

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of November 19th, 2008 Posted
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Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office

Source Neighborhood Commission Office

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Lili'uokalani Elementary School Cafeteria

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chair Vernon Tam at 7:12 p.m. with a quorum of ten (10)
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, Mark Terry.

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Lieutenant Keith Takamiya, Captain Jerry Wojcik (Honolulu Police Department, District 7), Captain Robert Marshman (Honolulu Fire Department, Kaimuki Station), Ann Wong (Board of Water Supply), Stan Fichtman (Staff of Charles Djou), Representative Calvin Say, Chester Kanehira, Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital), Caron Wilberts, Lauri Clegg, Senator Les Ihara, S. Sonoda, Julia Allen, Jay Ishibashi (Mayor’s Representative), C. Van Buren (Staff of Scott Nishimoto), Council Member Ann Kobayashi, and John Lane (Neighborhood Commission Office).

Filling Vacancies: There were no volunteers for the open seat in Sub District 1.

PUBLIC SAFETY/ COMMUNITY AGENCY REPORTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Keith Takamiya, District 7, distributed the October statistics sheet and noted there is a comparison sheet that covers different neighborhoods in this district for the last six months.

Burglaries 7, Thefts 19, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle (UEMV) 8.

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:

Mark Terry inquired about the meaning of UEMV. UEMV involves automobile theft.

John Cater inquired on the differences between burglary and theft. Burglary is done inside a residence, while theft is not.

Chair Tam inquired about the armed robbery on the corner of 9th Avenue and Waialae Avenue involving a machete and shotgun. That robbery is still being investigated.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Robert Marshman, Kaimuki Fire Station reported the following:

· The October statistics from Ladder 5 included 1 fire and 60 emergencies; and from Engine 5 1 fire, 19 emergencies, 8 false alarms, and 7 miscellaneous. There were no major incidents.

· Fire Safety Tip: 1) This holiday season, consider a fire-resistant, artificial Christmas tree. If you purchase a natural tree, choose one as fresh as possible, keep it hydrated, and keep it away from heat sources in the house. Use noncombustible materials for decorations. Choose only Underwriter’s Laboratory-approved electrical decorations and follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation and load. Do not overload extension cords. 2) Holiday family gatherings often include extensive food preparation and visiting guests. As a significant portion of home fires originate in the kitchen, do not leave cooking unattended. Have an ABC-rated fire extinguisher available near the kitchen and learn to use it. Turn off the heat if you must leave the stove, even if only for a few minutes. Never wear long, loose-sleeved clothing while cooking. Turn the handles on pots and pans inward to prevent accidents. Keep children away from the kitchen. If you are hosting overnight guests, share your home escape plan with them, including your designated meeting place outside the home.

No questions followed.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Ann Wong reported:

· No main breaks in the month of October.

· BWS is offering three xeriscape workshops at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden, which offer hands-on activities teaching individuals about “unthirsty plants” and how they can be used to craft stunning wreath decorations.

· Two Xeriscape Holiday Wreath Making workshops will be held on November 22, 2008 and November 29, 2008 also from 10 am to 12 pm. Pre-registration and a nominal fee are required to join. For additional information or to register, call 748-5363 or email tours@hbws.org.

· BWS will be participating in the annual decoration of Honolulu and Kapolei Hale. BWS employees and their ohana will participate in the City’s Christmas parades on December 6, 2008 in downtown and on December 13, 2008 in Kapolei. Please visit the annual Christmas light display at Honolulu Hale.

Questions, answers and concerns:

Regarding the question asked at the last meeting inquiring about someone dying from drinking water from rusty pipes, Leong mentioned she saw the inspectors and inquired whether the pipes to the drinking fountains are dangerous. Wong answered that the BWS is only in charge up to the meter and after that the property owner takes on the responsibility of the pipes.

Chair Tam asked if any parks use non-potable water and Wong responded with not in Honolulu.

PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS:

Caron Wilberts inquired if there is a type of neighborhood arbitration since some neighbors have been smoking meats and the ashes and smoke have spread out and clouded the neighborhood. She is worried about health concerns and has to run the air conditioner in order to breathe. This is happening at 741-16th Avenue. Mediation services are offered at the Mediation Center of the Pacific.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS:

Application to Re-zone 4,248 sq. ft. Portion of Property Located at 1039 11th Avenue from R-5 Residential to B-2 Business District

Lauri Clegg reported that the application to the City & County of Honolulu to rezone the 4248 sq. ft. of a portion of the property located at 1039 11th Avenue is in the submitting process. This is a remnant parcel that was recently sold to the adjacent property owner. The lot is split zoned and will eventually become a parking lot. The area is separated from the Freeway and Lunalilo by a chain link fence.

L. Tam inquired if Diamond Head Plumbing owned the parcel and Clegg replied that it does. Chair Tam mentioned that his ads say he is also a general contractor. Clegg responded that yes the owner of Diamond Head Plumbing is also a general contractor.

Planting of and Subsequent Notice of Removal of Tree in Front of 748 21st Avenue by City & County of Honolulu, Due to “Private” Road Designation of 21st Avenue

Martha Staff reported that HPD sometimes would or would not enforce the parking along the street. Discussion on the subject ensued.

Smith moved to have the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board request that the appropriate agency whether State, City and/or County determine the owner of the frontage and street area for the 700 block of 21^st Avenue ranging from residential property to residential property to include all frontage and street area. Terry seconded. Aye: 10(V. Tam, L. Tam, Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, Yamada, Carvalho, Terry.) Nay: 0. Motion is adopted unanimously.

Update on Kaimuki Christmas Tree (above Koko Head Avenue Fire station): Chair Tam announced that the Honolulu Advertiser printed a big article on the Kaimuki Christmas Tree. L. Tam reported that the tree was surveyed last month and a lot of the hardware was found to be corroded. The City was asked to take it down in January or February and treat the corrosion on the pole. All components that are brought down will be fixed by L. Tam.

Jay Ishibashi noted that the Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM) had inspected the tree and decided that after a few small repairs that the tree is in good working order. L. Tam responded that the electrician he is working with feels that the tree needs repair and will not last long in its current condition. Ishibashi will follow up with DFM.

Board Participation in Kaimuki Christmas Parade: Meade reported that regarding the Kaimuki Christmas Parade, which the Board will participate in, to not plan on parking on Waialae, Mahina, or Koko Head. The parade begins at Chaminade and will work its way up to Koko Head. L. Tam and Meade will be the Grand Marshalls and Carvalho will ride on the car with them. All members participating should arrive by 4:45 pm and remember to bring their own water to keep hydrated. Yamada will be passing out the Christmas hats. Yamada mentioned the challenge in meeting by 4:45 pm since many streets in the area will be closed.

Holiday Recess in December 2008: Chair Tam noted that the normal practice for Board meetings has been to recess in December. Terry moved to support Board recess in December; seconded by Meade. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent. (Aye: Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Carvalho, Yamada, Terry).

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Mayor’s Representative: Jay Ishibashi reported: Honolulu City Lights is coming up on December 6, 2008 at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei City Lights will be on December 13, 2008 at Kapolei Hale. Regarding the issue of bus drivers getting complaints about being late, instead of complaining to the bus driver, the complaints should be directed to OTS Customer Service at 848-4500 with specific information to allow investigation and resolution. Regarding the telephone pole on 11thand Harding Avenues that protrudes out onto the street forcing the bus drivers to proceed very slowly in order to avoid hitting the pole, HPD reported back that no telephone pole appeared to be leaning or protruding into the roadway. However, HPD reported a damaged traffic light pole and DFM and the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) was notified to investigate.

Meade inquired if the two broken benches are ever going to be fixed and Ishibashi will follow up on this issue.

City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: A report was circulated.

City Councilmember Charles Djou Representative: Stan Fichman passed out a report and highlighted: The City Council held a session last week regarding the issue on the Bed & Breakfast Homes and it is an ongoing issue. Councilmember Djou feels if B&Bs are allowed to exist that there needs to be an enforcement agency above it similar to the Liquor Commission. Councilmember Djou and Councilmember Apo met to propose a change in the route for the rail transit system from Salt Lake to the airport. Tomorrow, a Bill will be discussed concerning banning driver’s text messaging while driving.

Leong mentioned that all types of bugs are living in her curbside recycling green waste bin. Fichtman noted that if there is a problem with the bins that the City Waste Management site should be notified or to check www.opala.org. Carvalho mentioned that bins should be left on the street.

Governor Linda Lingle Representative: No representative was present.

State Senator Les Ihara (9th District): Senator Ihara reported that the Senate has organized and he will continue to be the Majority Policy Leader. If anyone has any ideas, email him since the Board is not meeting in December. A Maunalani Heights resident was concerned about the care homes in their area and it was recommended that the State give more discretion to the counties pertaining to care homes. This is a two step process and if the state allows this, then the counties have to set up zoning parameters.

Smith mentioned that the City gives out a permit to get the building set but the State doesn’t always approve the building once it is completed. The State is concerned about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say (20th District): Representative Say passed out a handout and was available to take any comments or concerns. Meade is concerned that her neighbors are hacking into her phone because when she was using her cell phone and hung up, she heard a click on the phone. Say noted that the judiciary has to approve any wire tapping if this is happening.

State Representative Barbara Marumoto (19th District): A report was circulated.

State Representative Scott Nishimoto (21st District): A report was circulated and Candace Van Buren made herself available to any comments or concerns.

State Representative Lyla Berg (18th District): A report was circulated.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 15, 2008 REGULAR MEETING corrections followed:

· Page 4 – Mark Terry was present but not yet a member of the board.

· Page 4 – Sharon did not vote on the last 4 issues because she left early.

· Page 3 – Lawrence not Laurene.

Terry moved; Cater seconded to adopt the October 15, 2008 minutes as corrected. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent. (Aye: Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Carvalho, Yamada, Terry).

TREASURER’S REPORT: Report deferred.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Tam announced the following:

· The Board will recess in December. The next board meeting will be January 21, 2009.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

Submitted by:
John Lane, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by:
Vernon Tam, Chair

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of November 19th, 2008 Posted

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