Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Of May 19, 2010 Posted

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Of May 19, 2010 Posted
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Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010
LILIUOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vernon Tam called the meeting to order at 7:15 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 – Abigail Leong (arrived 7:30 p.m.), Ginny Meade, John Cater, Leonard Tam, Daniel Nahoopii, Sharon Schneider, Vernon Tam, Daniel Carvalho, Tim Tybuszewski.

Members Absent – Lori Yamada.

Vacancy – One vacancy in Subdistrict 1 (Waialae Avenue, Koko Head – 12th Avenue, Luawai Street).

Guests – Jarret Yip (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi’s Office staff); Wayne Y. Yoshioka (Director),Tai Fukumitsu and Warren Yamamoto (City Department of Transportation Services); Dane Wicker (Councilmember Charles Djou’s Office staff), Tom Moore, Lt. Gary Lum Lee (Honolulu Police Department), Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Firefighters Chris Todd and Dwight Kahoohanohano (Honolulu Fire Department); Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital), State Representative Barbara Marumoto, State Senator Les Ihara, S. Sonoda, Barb Forsyth (The Hawaii Independent), Alex Yim, C. Yamashito, Jay Ishibashi (Mayor’s Representative), Gordon Tam, State Senate House Speaker Calvin Say, Julia Allen, Candace Van Bruen (Representative Scott Nishimoto’s Office staff), Caron Wilberts, and Gloria Gaines (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEAT: There were no nominees at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Gary Lum Lee distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· Crime Statistics – There were 19 burglaries, 1 robbery, 49 thefts, and 16 unauthorized entries of motor vehicles; a total of 85 incidents. Visit HPD website at www.honolulupd.org and click on to any of the 8 (eight) districts on the map and find out the crime trends in your neighborhood. An online complaint form is also available at HPD’s website.

· Safety Tip for the Month – When going to an ATM, be aware of your surroundings, make sure the area is well lit, watch out for suspicious people behind you, people you don’t know, limit the amount of cash withdraws, and no large amounts of cash.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Firefighter Dwight Kahoohanohano reported 9 structural fires and 1 brush fire. There were 76 medical emergencies; 1 search and rescue; 30 miscellaneous calls, for a total of 117 calls for the month. There were no major or unusual incidents reported.

· Fire Safety Tip for the Month –The risk of wild land fires increases as summer approached. If witnessing someone starting a fire or behaving suspiciously, make a mental and/or documented note that would assist officials in apprehending the alleged arsonist. Call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller stated that no main breaks were reported; distributed leak detection tablet; and provided a report to members. Heller noted that May 2, 2010 to May 8, 2010 is Detect-A-Leak Water Conservation Week and highlighted the following:

· Three Types of Water Leaks – The three types of leaks that should be checked are toilet, property and underground leaks. For a detailed handout or instructional video on how to check for property leaks, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

· 2010 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests – There were more than 2,500 student artists and 250 poets who participated in BWS’ “Stop the Drop” theme. Winners was announced and honored at a May 5, 2010 awards ceremony. A list of winners, an online art gallery, and a short video can be found at www.boardofwatersupply.com. Posters and poems are on exhibit at Honolulu Hale’s Lane Gallery from May 3 to May 14, 2010; Kapolei Hale from May 17, to May 28, 2010; and Kahala Mall from June 7 to June 18, 2010.

PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS:

1. Hookah Shop – A resident is concerned about a hookah shop called The Burning Tree, recently opened, that is 130 feet from Queen Liliuokalani Elementary School.

2. T.J. Lane – Announced that he is running for Representative Lyla Berg’s seat.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bulky Item Pick Up – Per Chair V. Tam, this item to remain on the agenda.

Board Newsletter – Chair V. Tam circulated a draft of the Board’s newsletter. A survey will not be mailed out as previously discussed. There being no objections, the Board ADOPTED the newsletter and disposed of the survey, 9-0-0 (Ayes: Leong, Meade, Cater, L. Tam, Nahoopii, Schneider, V. Tam, Carvalho, and Tybuszewski). The newsletter was to be mailed out June, 2010 or July 2010.

NEW BUSINESS:

Malfunctioning Self-pay Machine in Kaimuki Restaurant Row Parking Lot Resulting in Long Line of Cars Exiting Via the Attendant Exit – A resident explained the problems he encountered with the malfunctioning of the self-pay parking lot machine in Kaimuki restaurant row, the indifference of parking lot attendants, long waits for people needing to exit; the inability of contacting the manager to file a complaint; and filing a complaint with the City. This has been an ongoing problem mostly with the Mauka machines as well as the whole system malfunctioning generally.

Wayne Yoshioka of the City’s Department of Transportation Services sympathized with the resident. In attendance for another reason, he responded to the resident’s concern. Yoshioka also frequents the Kaimuki restaurant row parking lot and stated that the parking lot was a pilot project contracted by the City through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The winning contractor was charged with improving parking revenues and producing a better parking system. The vendor made adjustments by having a manned pay station during peak hours which alleviated the exit traffic congestion during those hours. The contract is up for review and renewal in August, 2010. Yoshioka asked that residents contact DTS at 768-8305 to report any problems with this parking lot.

Urban Core Parking Study – Yoshioka announced that the City is doing an urban core parking study for urban Honolulu; looking at all parking lots and off-street parking, parking rates and policy; and through an RFP process will select a vendor to provide reliability of service. All parking facilities will be updated after review of the urban core parking study. Yoshioka apologized to resident again.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Leaving Arm Up –. The resident suggested that during parking lot equipment malfunctions the exit arm be left up. It was asked as to how the attendant determined whether to charge for parking or not in cases of malfunction. Some people were getting charged for not having a ticket due to system malfunction. Yoshioka will meet with the resident for more details.

2. Parking System – A resident was told by a parking lot attendant that the parking system failed more often than it was working, leaving the attendant to deal with the anger of frustrated drivers.

ELECTED OFFICIALS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES:

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative – Jay Ishibashi provided the following responses:

· Trash Dumping at Mau’ume Nature Park Lookout Report – Re: Dumping of large amount of trash and construction debris at Mau’ume Nature Park lookout at 16th Avenue to Paula Drive and the request that the trash be removed. The site was visited on May 17, 2010 and the City’s crew reported that no trash was visible. Board member Nahoopii checked the site prior to the meeting and noted that the trash was still there. Ishibashi will check with the appropriate department. Ishibashi also noted that if this site becomes a problem for trash dumping, assistance from HPD will be requested to monitor the area.

· Broken Sprinkler at Maunalani Park – Repairs were completed to a broken irrigation line on May 12, 2010.

· Bulky Item Pick Up in Kaimuki – A resident raised concern about being fined for bulky items that were not picked up on the scheduled pickup day; and suggested that a convenience drop off center for bulky items be set up for Kaimuki residents. The Honolulu District is divided into eight sectors, which are serviced once per month. It takes between three to four days to service each sector. No resident will be fined for bulky items left at curbside at the designated times. It would be difficult to establish a “satellite drop off area” that would be acceptable to the adjoining neighbors or neighborhood.

· Drug Rehabilitation Halfway Home Concern – HPD did not observe any violations at the 16^th Avenue location. The City’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is still investigating and so far it is unknown as to whether it is actually a drug rehabilitation halfway home. Resident was informed that the State Department of Health would know of any drug rehabilitation homes in the area.

· Synchronizing of Traffic Lights – Tai Fukumitsu, of the City’s DTS, addressed concerns by Board member L. Tam, explaining how traffic lights are synchronized. At two-way intersections, the timing would favor the direction of predominant traffic flow during peak hours; and noted, depending on the presence of pedestrian crosswalks, that additional seconds may be added. The City tries to find a balance between the two. However, he indicated that a large number of traffic signals have not been re-timed for the past 8 to10 years.

· Optimizing Traffic Lights – The City has embarked on optimizing traffic signals throughout Oahu. Traffic signals have been optimized in Waikiki and Kapolei. The City has started optimizing traffic signals in downtown Honolulu, Kapiolani, Waialae, Kaimuki, Hawaii Kai and Kalihi. Before optimizing traffic signals, consultants conduct a traffic flow study of the area; and the information gathered is input into the computer system to produce an optimized traffic signal plan. After making any needed adjustments, the traffic lights are then re-timed.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Green Light Concern – It was noted that on some streets the green traffic light is shorter than on others. Streets with multiple lanes going in either direction have the shorter green lights.

2. Concerns of L. Tam – L. Tam expressed concerns that, before, in 2004, one could drive on Chinatown’s King Street without stopping at a red light; and that now on Waialae Avenue, motorists travel only two blocks before being stopped at a red light. He recommended that the City increase the cycle time. Fukumitsu explained that optimizing traffic lights does not mean there will be no stop and go at traffic lights through the main corridors. Due to new pedestrian crosswalk requirements, pedestrians must be given enough time to cross the street, unlike the past. Due to time concerns, Chair V. Tam asked that L. Tam continue the discussion with Mr. Fukumitsu outside of the meeting.

3. Waiting for Crosswalk Signal – A resident reported a lengthy wait at the crosswalk at Beretania and Richards streets. This concern will be added to the Mayor’s concern report to be referred to the appropriate department.

4. City Buses – City buses are not affected by the optimizing of the traffic signals because buses make frequent stops, often stops traffic, and carry a larger number of passengers.

5. Left Turn on Waialae and 16 Avenues – Fukumitsu explained that the added left turn arrow into 16th Avenue on Waialae Avenue is not an exclusive left turn but shared, meaning that when the green left arrow disappears and a green ball appears, motorists must yield before making a left turn.

City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi – Jarret Yip provided the members with a report and highlighted the following: 1) When calling in loud music complaint to HPD, it is left to officer’s discretion whether to issue a citation; 2) the City’s bulky item bill is still being worked on; and 3) Aloha Aina Earth Day Recycling is on Saturday, June 19, 2010, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., at Washington Middle School.

City Councilmember Charles Djou – Dane Wicker, distributed a report and highlighted the following: 1) CIP budget bonds; 2) and that Grace Pacific has a permit and is the contractor storing machines on the street side of 22nd Avenue.

· Kapahulu Field Complaint – Resident raised a concern about a City park employee who was asking her and other park users for their cell phone numbers. Also, at the same park, a resident observed another City park employee who was very rude when asking a parent and child to leave the park because volleyball playing was allowed only on the court area (which was being used).

State Senator Les Ihara – Senator Ihara reported that Governor Lingle has until June 21, 2010 to decide which bills to veto; then legislators will have until noon on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 to override the veto. Highlights of senior citizens legislative issues included:

· Kupuna Care Bill – It is hopeful that the Governor will sign the Kupuna Care bill and release the funds when needed.

· Long Term Care Commission – extension of the long term commission for another year; purpose is to make proposals on how to restructure long term care services and how to finance it.

· Home-for-Life Task Force – A home-for-life task force was formed to promote ways for people to stay home by retrofitting for the disabled and frail.

· Fall Prevention Task Force – A fall prevention task force for seniors was formed to find ways of how to reduce the number of falls to keep seniors out of the hospital.

Sen. Ihara mentioned that the Board was one of the few boards that supported the civil union bill. He reported that he had voted against the campaign finance bill that would allow corporations the right to contribute to campaigns; and that Governor Lingle announced the Premium Plus program which uses federal stimulus funds to pay half of the health care insurance cost for 6,450 new hires.

State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say – Speaker of the House Say distributed a report; announced that he was also representing Representatives Scott Nishimoto and Lyla Berg; and presented a pie chart showing how the $1.4 billion shortfall was being addressed. The pie chart showed that there was over 54 percent in general fund budget cuts; 0.6 percent in fee revenue increases; 4.3 percent of cash capital improvement projects; 5.3 percent of non-general fund changes; 12.6 percent of credit adjustments, loopholes, penalties, and enforcement; at 18.8 percent of the tax refund delay. The estimates presented were cumulative over the two fiscal years beginning July 1, 2000 and ending June 30, 2011.

· Education – Voters will be voting on the constitutional amendment for an appointed school board; the legislature also adopted a law that will increase the number of instructional school days; and the hurricane relief fund was used to restore the instructional days to the furlough days.

· Fireworks – A bill enabling the county to determine whether to ban or allow fireworks in the counties; and a bill that allows neighbors seeing other neighbors lighting illegal fireworks to take photographs of such activity on that property; and tying the nuisance abatement law to property forfeiture.

State Representative Barbara Marumoto – Rep. Marumoto distributed a report and highlighted the legislative bills that passed. For bills that passed, residents should write to the Governor whether for or against any particular bill. Rep. Marumoto spoke briefly on the budget and stated the State did not take the counties’ transit accommodation tax (TAT); and that $45 million was raided from various special funds; for education, $67 million from the Hurricane relief fund; 180 mandated teaching days for years 2011 to 2013; and an increase in the barrel tax from 5 cents to $1.05 a barrel tax on which Rep. Marumoto voted no.

Rep. Marumoto thanked Board and district representatives for supporting the funding for the chapel at Kapiolani Community College; and the bill keeping beaches such as Kahala Beach free from vegetation.

State Representative Scott Nishimoto – See report by State Rep. Speaker of the House Calvin K.Y. Say

State Representative Lyla Berg – See report by State Rep. Speaker of the House Calvin K.Y. Say

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 21, 2010 MEETING: Meade moved and Cater seconded to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 21, 2010. The MOTION WAS ADOPTED, 9-0-0 (Ayes: Leong, Meade, Cater, L. Tam, Nahoopii, Schneider, V. Tam, Carvalho, and Tybuszewski).

TREASURER’S REPORT: Nahoopii reported April’s operating balance of $994.60; $53.52 expended for printing and postage; and publicity balance of $1,371.00. The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The next meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board will be Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Liliuokalani Elementary School Cafeteria.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Recorded and Submitted By: Gloria Gaines, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed By: Vernon Tam, Chair

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