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Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office
Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No.
4
DRAFT REGULAR
MEETING MINTUES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,
2011
KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN
CHURCH
CALL
TO ORDER: Chair Vernon Tam called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with
a quorum of seven (7) members present. This 11-member Board requires six (6)
members to establish quorum and take official Board
action.
Members
Present: Lyle Bullock, Paul Hoe, Abigail Leong (appointed this meeting),
Russell McGuire (appointed this meeting), John Perez, Sharon Schneider, Lisa
Shorba (arrived 7:08 p.m.), Leonard Tam, Vernon Tam, Lori Yamada (arrived 7:10
p.m.), and Jonathan
Young.
Members
Absent:
None.
Vacancies:
There are no vacancies at this
time.
Guests:
Joan Shinn (Representative Barbara Marumoto’s Office staff), S. Sonoda,
Darrell Young; Lt. Carl Thorstad and Officer Mark Mitchell (Honolulu Police
Department); Mark Yonamine and Eric Leung (Lyon Associates); Karen Yorimoto
(Councilmember Ann Kobayashi’s Office staff), Candace Van Buren
(Representative Scott Nishimoto’s Office staff), Acting Capt. Mike Bunner
(Honolulu Fire Department), Cheryl Jones, Kathy Higa, Lydia Chock (Leahi
Hospital), Julia Allen, Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Caron Wilberts,
Cheryl Costa, Councilmember Stanley Chang, Representative Calvin K.Y. Say, 30 or
more residents who did not sign in, and Gloria J.P. Gaines (Neighborhood
Commission Office
staff).
At
7:08 p.m., Member Shorba arrived; eight (8) members
present.
FILLING
OF VACANCY: Chair V. Tam announced the two vacancies and the following
residents
volunteered.
Subdistrict
1 (East Kaimuki and Business District) – Member Schneider
nominated Abigail Leong to Subdistrict 1 vacancy. There being no other
nominations or objections, Abigail Leong WAS APPOINTED UNANIMOUSLY to
Subdistrict 1, 8-0-0 (AYES: Bullock, Hoe, Perez, Schneider, Shorba, L. Tam,
V. Tam, and Young; NAYS: None; ABSTENTIONS:
None).
Subdistrict
3 (West Kaimuki) – Member Bullock nominated Russell McGuire
to Subdistrict 3 vacancy. There being no other nominations or objections,
Russell McGuire WAS APPOINTED UNANIMOUSLY to Subdistrict 3, 8-0-0 (AYES:
Bullock, Hoe, Perez, Schneider, Shorba, L. Tam, V. Tam, and Young; NAYS:
None; ABSTENTIONS:
None).
A
short recess was called and the Oath of Office was administered by Neighborhood
Assistant Gloria Gaines; 10 members
present.
At
7:10 p.m., Member Yamada arrived; 11 members
present.
Honolulu
Police Department (HPD) – Officer Mark Mitchell reported the
following:
·
Statistics for October 2011 – Included 25
burglaries, 66 thefts, and 17 unauthorized entries to a motor
vehicle.
·
Pedestrian Safety – Information on pedestrian
safety was also attached.
Questions,
comments, and concerns
followed:
1.
Burglary – Lt. Carl Thorstad explained
that a burglary is an unlawful entry to a building or residence.
2.
Robbery – A robbery is a crime against
a person and done directly on the person, using physical force when taking
property from the person.
3.
Extortion – Extortion threatens the
reputation of a person or person’s property. The person may threaten to
harm your property and then harm you later.
4.
UEMV1 – It is a felony is when someone
breaks into a vehicle and commits a crime against a person or its property. It
could be either reaching into the vehicle to punch somebody or break in and take
something from inside the vehicle.
5.
UEMV2 – It is a misdemeanor when some
unlawfully enters a vehicle through the passenger seat or back
seat.
Honolulu
Fire Department (HFD) – Acting Capt. Mike Bunner reported the
following:
·
Statistics for October 2011 – Included 4
structure, 2 wildland, and 2 vehicle fires; 100 medical emergencies and 30
miscellaneous calls for service. No major or unusual incidents were
reported.
·
Visible House Numbers – Fire, building, United
States postal codes, and City Ordinances state that property owners shall place
their house numbers so it is legible and readily visible from the street. This
will assist the HFD to quickly locate your house in an emergency. If property is
difficult to locate and/or access, provide additional information to 911 and
assist them in locating your property.
·
Fireworks Regulations – Consumers may only
purchase firecrackers and must apply for a permit to set off firecrackers no
less than ten days prior to the event. Permits will be available at Satellite
City Halls. It is unlawful for any persons having the custody or control of any
minor to permit the minor to set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any
firecrackers. For questions, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at
723-7162.
Board of
Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller reported the
following:
·
Safety and Security at BWS Properties and Facilities
– BWS would like to remind everyone that should you see anything
suspicious activity occurring at BWS facilities, please call the HPD first at
911. After contacting the police, community may give a follow up call to
BWS’s Security Office at 748-5911.
·
Concern – Member Perez explained his personal
experience with check free payment when paying his water bill.
PUBLIC INPUT
AND CONCERNS: There were no public input and
concerns.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Kaimuki
Community School for Adults – Principal Randal Tanaka
provided members with a copy of the Kaimuki Community School for Adults Proposal
for Self-Sufficiency packet that was sent to State Superintendent Kathryn
Matayoshi. Adult education is no longer part of the State’s budget.
Principal Tanaka received support from elected officials. This proposal is based
on the increase of tuition and fees of all classes and will generate sufficient
revenue to sustain the adult education program to a level of 100 percent
self-sufficiency. The proposal is currently being discussed by the State
Department of Education.
·
Services – Services include adult basic
education, adult secondary education, English for Speakers of other languages,
English Literacy/Civics, Workplace Education, Family Literacy, and Life Long
Learning classes.
·
English – Register for the English as second
language class is from Saturday, January 7, 2012 to Thursday, January 29, 2012
at the Kaimuki and Kaiser Community School for Adults. Cost is $20 enrollment
fee and textbook
fee.
Recent
Traffic Fatality and Review of Safety at Intersection of Kilauea and
18th Avenue – Chair V. Tam informed that City Department of
Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka will not be present at
tonight’s meeting but will make a presentation at the January 2012 Board
meeting and urged residents to also be in attendance. Over 30 residents wearing
pink shirts, in memory of 18 year old Tayler Pangan-Fergerstrom, who was
involved in a fatality at the Kilauea and 18th Avenue intersection, were
present. The Board was interested hearing possible solutions to the safety of
that intersection. Chair V. Tam asked that residents introduce themselves and
express their
concerns.
Questions,
comments, and concerns
followed:
1.
Traffic Light – Resident Ling Cordova
spoke to the Kaimuki Middle School principal and found that the school did a
traffic study because children were getting hit by motorists at the 18th Avenue
intersection and a traffic light was installed. She felt the study should have
considered what happens after the school hours. Night time, wet road conditions,
inexperienced drivers coming down the hill are factors that should have been
addressed at that intersection before putting in the traffic light.
2.
Possible Options – After speaking to
residents, Ms. Cordova stated making the traffic light a four-way stop at a
certain time possibly with a timer at 7:00 p.m. To deter speeding, adding speed
wide bumps with visual lines be installed further down Kilauea Avenue at 18th,
19th, and 20th Avenues. Another option was to make the Kilauea Avenue hill a one
way street going uphill.
3.
Accidents – Ms. Cordova has photos of
seven major accidents. One accident involved her vehicle which was parked two
blocks from the 18th Avenue intersection.
4.
Tayler Pangan-Fergerstrom – Parents,
grandparents and other family members and friends expressed their concerns for
improving the safety for drivers and pedestrians at 18th a Kilauea Avenue
intersection.
5.
Councilmember Stanley Chang –
Councilmember Chang stated the City is currently doing a traffic study of that
areal
6.
18th Avenue – A concern was why is the
surface road on 18th Avenue not smoothened out?
7.
Signage – Chair V. Tam stated there are
three pedestrian crossing signs, but no signs indicating that the road gets
slippery when it rains. Also there is no sign indicating caution to drivers
about the road
conditions.
Member
L. Tom shared his experience driving down Kilauea Avenue on Monday, October 31,
2011 at 9:00 p.m. After that detailed experience, Member L. Tom moved and
Perez seconded that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 asks the City
Department of Transportation Services to remove the traffic lights at the
intersection of Kilauea and 18th Avenues and return the intersection to a
four-way stop. A discussion followed. The gavel was returned to V. Tam and
resumed as Chair. The MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 10-0-0 (AYES:
Bullock, Hoe, Leong, McGuire, Perez, Schneider, Shorba, L. Tam, V. Tam,
Yamada, and Young; NAYS: None; ABSTENTIONS: None). At this time,
Chair V. Tam relinquished his Chair position, handed the gavel to Vice Chair
Schneider, and stated DTS might not do anything if the motion is not within
principles. As a Board member, argued that the motion will indicate to DTS that
the Board wants something done at that intersection. Further reminded DTS will
argue if they find the motion to be ill-founded or do not fit the design and
construction; but will need to come up with a solution. Residents were reminded
the next Board meeting will be third Wednesday, January 18,
2012.
Concerns
with Homeless “Taking Up Residence” at 10th Avenue Underpass and
Kaimuki Recreation Center, Obstructing use of Sidewalk and Facility
Respective –
Deferred.
Slope
Stabilization Project in Kaimuki – City’s Department of Design
and Construction engineer Mike Yamasaki presented a visual display of the slope
stabilization project on Sierra Drive involving a potential rock fall mitigation
improvement. Driving up Sierra Drive, on the right side are slopes that are
close to the road, where there is potential for a rock slide. The area of
concern is about 26 feet.
·
Design – Shockcrete will be used on the lower
portion of the slope for stabilization. Installation of a chained-link fence
will prevent rocks from falling onto the road. This would be similar to the
Waimea Bay reinforcement fence. The fence will be 10 feet high. Clearing of
slopes will be done to break up any loose rocks. No landscaping is
required.
·
Notification – Property owners will receive a
notice of construction of Sierra Drive.
·
Traffic Control – During construction the
mauka lane will be closed. Cones will be used with a flag man at both ends of
the traffic control.
·
Time Frame – Bids for the project will be
March/April 2012. Construction will follow in June/July
2012.
Mr.
Yamasaki will keep Mayor’s Representative Steinberg informed of the
projects
development.
ELECTED
OFFICIALS:
Mayor
Peter Carlisle’s Representative – Tim Steinberger state The DTS
was unable to respond to last month questions due to the APEC Conference but
will be answered at the January 2012 Board meeting. Mr. Steinberger reported on
the following:
·
Post APEC – Mr. Steinberger acknowledged HPD
for the outstanding work done during APEC. Protestors were handled differently
from other states. HPD approached protestors and asked them how we can help to
get your message out but still stay within the law. During this time, changes
such as closing bus routes by DTS and changing the trash pick up schedule by ENV
so that trucks would be off the main roads.
·
Irrigation Sub Meter – A new policy allows
residents to install an irrigation sub meter to monitor the water used for
watering plants and if your irrigation meets the 18 percent allowed for the
property size, you may qualify for a credit to monthly bill. Have a licensed
plumber sketch irrigation plan and install the sub meter. A copy of this policy
was made available to residents. The cost of the meter depends on the size of
the
property.
Questions,
comments, and concerns
followed:
1.
Gray Water – It was mentioned whether
there is a policy regarding the use of gray water for irrigation. There are too
many issues with the use of gray water for irrigation.
2.
Rain Water into Sewers – It is an
ongoing challenge trying to keep rain water out of the sewer system and is a
nationwide problem. A lot of the water comes from an “inflow” system
which is water coming from the downspouts, or yard spouts being uncapped to
drain the water from the yard, or when an intersection is flooding the manhole
is opened to drain the water on the road. There is an increase of
“inflow” during heavy rainstorms.
3.
Bougainvillea Bush – Member Leong
raised a concern about the overgrown bougainvillea bush at 709 12th Avenue
making it difficult to walk on the
sidewalk.
Councilmember
Ann Kobayashi – Karin Yorimoto provided members with a report and was
available for
questions.
Councilmember
Stanley Chang – Councilmember Chang reported the
following:
·
Kilauea Avenue Traffic Calming Measures – A
sign up sheet was circulated to be included on the mailing list for traffic
calming measures on Kilauea Avenue.
·
Sub Meter Requirements – A flyer explaining
the irrigation sub meter requirements were made available to residents. ENV is
now allowing a licensed plumber to install the sub meter for irrigation.
Councilmember Chang acknowledged ENV for their efforts of lowering the sewer
rates for residents.
·
APEC Conference – Councilmember Chang extended
his appreciation to all the volunteers who came to help with the APEC Conference
from picking up trash at Waikiki to working at an APEC event. The conference was
successful and negotiations went smoothly. Crime was down during APEC. Zero HPD
absences. Fewer traffic complaints despite the large traffic impact. Also, with
liberal visas we would see an increase in Chinese tourists.
·
Public Works and Sustainability Committee –
The City has taken an inventory of all the conditions of the roads from Salt
Lake to Hawaii Kai, took photos, and graded them with a score between a zero and
100.
·
Use of City Park Facilities – Groups
will now be charged a $15.00 an hour fee for using park facilities. Although
this rule has always been on the books, the Department of Parks and Recreation
will begin enforcing this rule against all organizations currently using the
parks.
Questions,
comments, and concerns
followed:
1.
Chinese Tourist – Chair V. Tam stated
for people seeking a tourist visa must be interviewed by the United States
Consulant and is required to have $42,000 in their bank of China so that they
can guarantee they can return home. The Chinese have no such requirement for
American tourist going to China. The situation is not reciprocated. This is
another means that stands in the way for Chinese coming to Hawaii.
2.
Waialae Avenue Sidewalk – Member L. Tam
would like to contact person of the Waialae Avenue Resurfacing Project. He
raised a concern about Keanu Street, 17th Avenue, Ekaha and Hoku Streets. This
area has no sidewalks, and each time the road is resurfaced the height of the
road is increased and would rather they reduce the height. For the last 40
years, the road went up 10 to 12 inches.
3.
Use of Park Facility – Member Schneider
raised a concern about how the use of park facilities could also be available
for community events.
4.
Kapalono Field – Member Leong raised
concerns about the all the entrances to Kapalono Field are blocked by parked
cars attending sporting events. Also, following all sporting events, there are
groups of people that continue to stay at the park and illegally drink
alcohol.
5.
Reapportionment – The Reapportionment
Commission accepted the map proposed. Kaimuki was not affected and remains in
Councilmember Chang district. However, some changes affected Councilmember
Kobayashi’s district.
Senator Les
Ihara – A representative or report was not
available.
Representative
Calvin K.Y. Say – Representative Say provided members with a report
and highlighted the
following:
·
Seasonal Influenza – Representative
Say’s report mentioned general facts about the flu and were made available
to residents.
·
APEC Conference – Representative Say informed
of the APEC Conference related activities.
·
Budget – If Federal monies do no arrived,
there may be more budget cuts during next year’s legislation. If there is
a Federal five percent cut of two billion, this would be $100 million of lost
revenue to the State.
Representative Barbara
Marumoto – A report was
submitted.
Representative
Scott Nishimoto – Candace Van Buren provided members with a report and
was available for
questions.
Representative
Mark Hashem – A representative or report was not
available.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Yamada moved and Bullock seconded that the Kaimuki
Neighborhood Board No. 4 approve the October 19, 2011 regular meeting minutes
with corrections. The MOTION WAS ADOPTED, 11-0-0 (AYES: Bullock, Hoe, Leong,
McGuire, Perez, Schneider, Shorba, L. Tam, V. Tam, Yamada and Young; NAYS:
None; ABSTENTIONS: None). The corrections are as
follows:
·
On Page 3, above ELECTED OFFICIALS, delete “At
this time a resident stated”.
·
On Page 4, Mau`umae Nature Park Lookout, 3rd line, correct
“20111” to read “2011”. Also add last sentence,
“The 2011 appropriation for this year’s payment on the debt is
over $335 million dollars.”
·
On Page 4, City Debt, 2nd line, delete
“million” and replace with
“billion”.
·
On Page 4, Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, should be
“Karen Yorimoto” not “Karin
Yonemori”.
TREASURER’S
REPORT:
Deferred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chair V. Tam announced the
following:
·
Recess December, 2011 – The Kaimuki
Neighborhood Board will be in recess during the month of December,
2011.
·
Next Meeting – The next meeting will be
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned 9:05
p.m.
Submitted
By: Gloria J.P. Gaines, Neighborhood
Assistant
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