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KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD
BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21,
2009
LILI'UOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CAFETERIA
CALL
TO ORDER: Chair Vernon Tam called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.
with a quorum
of eight (8)
members present. Note - This 11-member Board
requires six (6) members for a quorum and to take official Board
action.
MEMBERS
PRESENT: John Cater, Abigail Leong, Ginny Meade, Daniel Nahoopii, Sharon
Schneider, Leonard Tam, Vernon Tam, Lori
Yamada.
MEMBERS
ABSENT: Daniel Carvalho and Tim
Tybuszewski.
VACANCIES:
There is one vacancy in Subdistrict
1.
GUESTS:
Lieutenant Hashimoto (Honolulu Fire Department), Lieutenant C. Tong, Officer M.
Mitchell (Honolulu Police Department); Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego (Councilmember
Djou’s Office); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); State Representative
Barbara Marumoto; Senator Les Ihara, Jr.; Councilmember Ann Kobayashi; Jay
Ishibashi (Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative); Lydia Chock (Kaimuki
Business & Professional Association and Leahi Hospital); Jackie Burke
(Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council); Susan Jackson (Governor
Linda Lingle’s Representative); Ben Park; Phillip Rockwell; Caron
Wilberts; Larry Castro, Jr.; Adrian Kervin; Ryan Louie; Gordon Tian; Lynda
Kervin; S. Sonoda; Stanley Chang; and Theona Kapoi (Neighborhood Commission
Office
Staff).
PUBLIC
SAFETY
REPORTS:
Honolulu
Police Department (HPD) – Lieutenant C. Tong and Officer M. Mitchell
distributed a report for the time period between September 19, 2009 and October
19, 2009. It includes home safety tips and contact information residents may
refer
to.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • Parking Near Fire Hydrants –
Cars frequently park in front of a fire hydrant at 15th Avenue and
Noeau Street. A resident requested the cars be ticketed and towed. HPD stated in
the revised Ordinance of Hawaii section 15-14.1(a)(4) cars are not allowed to
park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant and cars will be immediately towed if
blocking a fire hydrant.
- • Commercial Parking Zones – Cars
are allowed to park in commercial loading zones after the posted sign times
unless the sign says otherwise.
Honolulu
Fire Department (HFD) – Lieutenant Hashimoto reported that there were no
major incidences for the month of September.
·
Halloween Costumes – Select a Halloween costume that is flame-resistant,
made of lightweight fabric, brightly colored, and clearly visible. Decorate
costumes and bags with reflective tape. Keep the length of costumes short. A
natural cosmetic mask is better than a mask that may restrict breathing or
obscure vision. Children should carry flashlights to light their
way.
- • Hurricane Season – Hurricane season
extends through November. Families should take the necessary steps to ensure
they are prepared in the event of a hurricane. Be sure to have a survival kit
prepared and know the location of the nearest hurricane shelter. Additional
information and shelter locations can be found on the Department of Emergency
Management (DEM) website at www.honolulu.gov/dem.
Board
of Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller reported the
following:
- • Wildfire Prevention and Watershed Protection
– In the event of a wildfire, the BWS works closely with the HFD to ensure
efficient and reliable water service to save lives and property. The BWS fully
supports HFD’s efforts to prevent wildfires on Oahu because each wildfire
takes a toll on our drinking water supply and threatens our island’s
watersheds areas. Watersheds are fragile mountain ecosystems that collect
rainwater. If our watershed’s ability to collect rainwater is compromised,
less rainwater will filter down to replenish our ground water supplies. Nature
does an excellent job in providing an abundant supply of drinking water, but
nature needs our active participation to create a sustainable future on Oahu, in
which there’s enough water for many years to
come.
- • Water Conservation Tips – 1)
Participate and support projects that remove invasive plants, join community
watershed partnerships and educate others of the importance of watersheds. 2)
Conserve water everyday. Conservation reduces the need to ground water that is
essential for healthy watershed forests and stream
ecosystems.
·
Mau’umae Park – BWS followed up with the overgrown landscaping at
this park. It has been fixed and BWS will continue to monitor the landscaping at
the
park.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
·
Sprinklers on All Day – The Waialae off ramp near the Time’s
Supermarket area, the sprinklers were on all weekend from Saturday morning to
Sunday
evening.
PUBLIC
INPUT AND
CONCERNS:
Kaimuki
Business and Professional Association – Lydia Chock reported the
following:
- • Costume Contest – Friday,
October 30, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kaimuki District Park. Four age groups will
be able to win a prize for best costume. Representative Marumoto will be the
emcee.
- • Kaimuki Kanikapila – The
Kanikapila will be on Saturday, November 7, 2009. The Kanikapila will be at
Kaimuki Community Park and Waialae Avenue. The roads will be closed to traffic
and parking beginning at 6:00
a.m.
- • Kaimuki Christmas Parade – The
parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The parade will
begin at Saint Louis High School and end at Koko Head
Avenue.
NEW
BUSINESS: With
no objections, the agenda was taken out of order to hear Item
5B. Western
Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) – Jackie Burke
circulated a report and introduced WESPAC to the community to encourage
participation in preserving the eco-system. WESPAC is one of eight regional
councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (MSA) in 1976 to manage offshore fisheries. In 2006, the Hawaii
commercial fishing industry overall generated $496 million in sales, $254
million of income and over 11,000 jobs. One of the National Standards of the MSA
(abridged), states that the conservation and managements measures shall
“take into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing
communities to provide for sustained participation of, and to minimize impacts
to such communities (consistent with conservation requirements).” WESPAC
also abides by a council’s guiding principles. Burke encourages residents
to look at the website: www.wpcouncil.org.
On the site, the 2009 Advisory Committee noted the best practices WESPAC can
have is community
involvement. Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • Fishermen – A resident commented
that at Aloha Tower, the fishermen are also thought of as
scientists.
- • Community Support – WESPAC would
like community support to help manage local fisheries.
- • Use of Fish Ponds – Every
community is different for how a fish pond will affect the area. It may be used
for agricultural purposes or keeping run off from going to the
ocean.
- • Federal Fishery – A resident is
concerned with the maintenance of fishery for the animals. Burke will follow
up.
The
agenda resumed order with Item
5A.
Kaimuki
Christmas Tree – L. Tam updated residents on the Kaimuki Christmas Tree
stating that the City has been helping to erect and light the tree in years
past. However, after last Christmas, the tree was deemed a hazard and the
Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) eventually took down the tree in
February 2009. L. Tam stated either a DFM or Department of Parks and Recreation
(DPR) employee could put up the tree between regular jobs as it should take only
a few hours. L. Tam does not feel the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) should be
liable for helping to put up the tree because it is on City property. L. Tam
would like to know what is going to be the outcome of the Kaimuki Christmas
Tree. L. Tam would like a definite
answer.
Jay
Ishibashi, Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s representative stated that as mentioned
at previous board meetings, the city is faced with budgetary shortfalls. He also
stated that he never gave the board a definitive no in assisting with the tree
and will continue to work with KBPA and the community to find other community
members, private contractors or companies such as HECO to help with erecting the
tree should the city definitely not be able to assist. The putting up of the
Christmas tree is not a core city function and that overtime would need to be
used for city personnel. There is overtime in the departments’ budgets,
but these are funds used (as an example) to clear roads and streams during
emergencies (floods etc). Other communites have also asked and been turned down
by the city. Ishibashi will follow up with the city agencies and with KBPA and
the community to see how the tree might be put up this
Christmas.
Representative
Barbara Marumoto commented that the Fasi Administration had put up the tree.
Representative Marumoto’s Office received a call from Joyce Fasi hoping
the City will say yes to put up the Kaimuki Christmas Tree. Ms. Fasi feels the
Kaimuki Christmas Tree is a part of the Honolulu City
Lights.
Councilmember
Ann Kobayashi stated there should be a fund of $400,000 to $500,000 that the
Mayor’s Managing Director has the ability to fund different non-profit
groups. Councilmember Kobayashi questioned the procedure to get money from the
fund. Ishibashi will check on the procedure for non-profit groups to receive
money from the
fund.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • Clarification of the Problem – A
resident wanted clarification as to why the Kaimuki Christmas Tree
couldn’t go up this year; not enough money or not enough community
involvement. How would the community be able to change the not definite
‘no’ to a ‘yes.’ Ishibashi reiterated that the Kaimuki
Christmas Tree is not a City sponsored function and any work that is done will
have to count as overtime.
- • City’s Interest – A
resident commented that the community is very involved with the Kaimuki
Christmas Tree, having bought stainless steel parts for the tree to handle the
year round weather conditions. It seems as if the City is no longer interested
in assisting with the tree. Ishibashi commented that it is not that the City is
disinterested, it is a budgetary issue.
- • Future Tree Maintenance – A
resident demonstrated how the tree can be put up every year by the community,
should the City assist with putting up the tree this year. The resident stated
by placing a pole in concrete, which will stay up year round, there could be
another utility pole that would be attached by hinges making it easier to erect
during the Christmas season.
- • School of Architecture – A
resident commented that a proposal was put in to the University of Hawaii Manoa
for the School of Architecture students to work on the Kaimuki Christmas Tree as
a
project.
No
Parking Sign on 16th Avenue and Keanu Street – Chair
V. Tam was contacted by a resident stating that people were parking near
intersections making it dangerous for cars to turn on to 16th Avenue
or Keanu Street. The resident placed warning signs on the cars noting that they
were not allowed to park there and it has worked. The resident requests the
Board not ask for a ‘No Parking’ sign because the warnings have
worked. Should the problem return, the resident will notify the Board. Ishibashi
commented that parking is a problem in the Kaimuki area and it is nice that the
community is being civil about the
situation.
Kaimuki
Christmas Parade Board Participation – Chair V. Tam volunteered to pay the
$30 entry fee for the Kaimuki Christmas Parade should the Board choose to
participate. The $30 entry fee helps KBPA cover the costs of permits, security,
towing, although it doesn’t cover all costs. Meade commented that KBPA
needs the community
support.
Meade
moved, Nahoopii seconded that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 04 participate
in the Kaimuki Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The motion was
ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0 (AYE: Cater, Leong,
Meade, Nahoopii, Schneider, L. Tam, V. Tam,
Yamada).
ELECTED
OFFICIALS OR THEIR
REPRESENTATIVES:
Mayor
Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – Jay Ishibashi
reported:
- • City Receives Award – The City
& County of Honolulu has been awarded a prestigious Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance
Officers Association of the United States and Canada for reporting excellence
and transparency.
- • Make a Difference Day –
Saturday, October 24, 2009 is make a difference day. Volunteers will be cleaning
seven different beaches around Oahu. The volunteers will include student
athletes from all 23 pubic schools and Punahou. The nearest participating beach
clean up for the Kaimuki area is Ala Moana Beach Park or Sandy’s Beach.
Interested residents should contact DPR for further
information.
- • Rail Transit System – Mayor
Hannemann announced today of the awarding of the first of several construction
contracts for the city’s Honolulu Rail Transit project. The contract came
in $90 million less than the project estimate. The award shows that the city has
been conservative in its estimates and is why the project needs to get going now
during a down economy because of the lower costs and the need to create
jobs.
- • Coring Sites – The maps for the
coring sites L. Tam had requested was given at the meeting by
Ishibashi.
Questions,
comments, and concerns:
- • Sidewalk Repair – A resident
would like to know more information on the City’s partnership with the
Lions Club of Honolulu for island wide sidewalk repairs.
- • Bus Stop – A resident is
concerned about the removal of a bus stop bench at 18th Avenue and
Kaimuki Avenue. There are many elderly people that catch the bus from that stop
and would like the bench to be replaced.
- • Street Repair/Potholes – A
resident is concerned with Ekaha Avenue. This street is a safety hazard to
pedestrians and motorists. Supposedly the street is privately owned. Residents
would like to know how the street can be fixed before the heavy rains occur.
Potholes in general are a major problem in the Kaimuki area. Residents request
they be
repaired.
City
Councilmember Ann Kobayashi – Councilmember Kobayashi circulated a
newsletter and reported the
following:
- • Private Road Hearing – There was
a recent hearing regarding older private roads. Ordinance 96 states a law that
the private roads have to be fixed, however the roads have to meet a criteria of
11 items. There has also been an amendment in the law stating the City is
responsible for trimming trees hanging over shoulder lanes from private
residencies.
- • Recycle Day – Saturday, October
17, 2009 was a successful recycle day at Kaimuki High
School.
- • Road Maintenance – Rainy areas
such as Seattle, Washington stated they use a sealant over the asphalt used on
the roadways there. This sealant initially costs more, however it may save money
in the long run, as there should be less road
repairs.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • City Services – A resident is
willing to get the neighborhood together to have the roads fixed. The resident
would hope to receive a tax break, or credit if taxes are being paid yet not
receiving city
services.
City
Councilmember Charles Djou – Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego circulated a
newsletter and reported the
following:
- • Kaimuki Christmas Tree –
Councilmembers Djou and Kobayashi submitted a letter to DFM in support of the
Kaimuki Christmas Tree and to continue erecting the tree yearly. There are many
businesses and community members involved with the
tree.
- • Bill 72 – This bill is proposing
to limit the City’s energy consumption to 195 megawatts an hour (mwh).
This amount will increase when the rail system is in
use.
- • Bill 67 – Relating to shark tour ban
has been deferred.
- • Bill 69 – Relating to the sidewalk
sleeping ban has been
deferred.
- • Bill 68 – Relating to raising property
tax exemptions from $80,000 to $100,000 has been
deferred.
- • Bill 58 – Relating to a real property
tax exemption of all alternative energy items has been signed by Mayor
Hannemann.
Governor
Linda Lingle’s Representative – Susan Jackson reported the
following:
- • Future Concerns – Governor
Lingle will no longer have a representative at the Neighborhood Board meetings.
If there are future concerns please pass them on through the Neighborhood
Commission Office. The correct government liaison regarding the concern will try
to attend the next meeting and answer any new
questions.
- • Hawaii Government Employee’s
Association (HGEA) – HGEA has agreed to two furlough days a month
which amounts to 6.92% pay
reduction.
- • Furlough Days – A majority of
the executive cabinet departments will have the same furlough days as the
Department of Education (DOE). There will be some instances that departments
will rotate furlough days. The Governor’s website has the furlough day
plans posted. The problem with furlough days on Fridays is the ability to
retrieve records. The Hawaii’s Judiciary system will not have furlough
days.
- • State Budget – The state is
short in its budget by $436 million. It is difficult at the state level to
decide what and where the cuts need to be
made.
State
Senator Les Ihara – reported the
following:
- • Budget Issues – Senator Ihara
does not agree will cutting the education funds and suggests a law be placed in
order for the minimum number of school days for public school children. Senator
Ihara does not agree with cutting the instructional days from a nine month
school year to an eight month school year. There should be a level of education
required for public school children. Senator Ihara is in favor of mixing funds
partially from the hurricane relief fund and other emergency funds. Governor
Lingle has not released the use of $100 million dollars and is should be used
toward more instructional school
days.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • Reducing Overhead – A resident
questioned if there were anyway to reduce the overhead in DOE. Possibly removing
non-teaching positions. Senator Ihara responded that about four years ago there
was a bill to shift administrative staff and their duties which did not
pass.
- • State workers – State employees are not
required to be apart of the union, however all State employees are required to
pay union dues. Exempt workers are not represented the same. The State union
policies have to be reevaluated.
- • Care Home Operators Association
– There is room for care homes, however not in concentrated amounts. The
number of care homes is declining. The community needs to work together. There
is a caregiver recognition day on November 11th. On Saturday, October
24, 2009, there will be a health fair in
Palolo.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • Selling State Lands – There has
been talk about selling State land to private developers to help balance the
budget. However, it is not a long term solution. It would be too controversial
for the state to begin renting DOE
lands.
State
Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say – A newsletter was
circulated; no representative
present.
State
Representative Barbara Marumoto – Representative Marumoto circulated a
newsletter and reported the
following:
Drafting
Bills – If there are any Bills residents would like to have come
before the legislature let Representative Marumoto’s office know. The
introduction of a Bill deadline is the third week of
January.
Kapiolani
Community College (KCC) – KCC has undergone a strategic
planning process and, in a final step to “Kapiolani 2020”, invited
community leaders to dialogue on the physical manifestation of the campus.
Elected officials, neighborhood board members, leaders of nearby organizations
were invited to participate. Final student population is expected to be over
9,000 with several new low rise buildings and additional
parking.
Furlough
Days – Representative Marumoto is upset with the decision to have two
furlough days a month. The new generation of children have no time to learn,
which impacts their
future.
Questions,
comments and concerns:
- • University of Hawaii (UH)
Campuses – The UH campuses will not be affected by furloughs. The UH
teachers opted for a
paycut.
State
Representative Scott Nishimoto – A newsletter was circulated; no
representative
present.
State
Representative Lyla Berg – A newsletter was circulated; no representative
present.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 MEETING:
The meeting minutes of September 16, 2009
were APPROVED AS CIRCULATED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (8-0-0)
(AYE: Cater, Leong, Nahoopii, Meade, Schneider,
L. Tam, Yamada, V.
Tam).
TREASURER’S
REPORT: Item
deferred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Next
Board Meeting – The next meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board
will be Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7:15 p.m. at Liliuokalani Elementary
School.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 9:28
p.m.
Submitted
by: Theona Kapoi, Neighborhood
Assistant
Reviewed
by: Vernon Tam,
Chair
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