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  • Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting June 2017 Minutes

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office
DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017
KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP HALL

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Lyle Bullock Jr. called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was established with NINE (9) members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present - Lyle Bullock Jr., Mark Hagadone, Paul Hoe, Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano, Sharon Schneider, Calvin Hara, Brian Kang, Lori Yamada and Stephanie Nagai.

Board Members Absent - none

Guests - Sergeant Clifford Ramson (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Ricky Mamiya (Honolulu Fire Department); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Karen Yorimoto (Councilmember Trevor Ozawa's Office); Representative Calvin Say; Senator Les Ihara Jr.; Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Councilmember Ann Kobayashi; James Larson (Citizens Climate Lobby); Will Kokolus (Earth Life); Jodi Malinoski (Sierra Club); Benton Kealii Pong (Association of Hawaiian Civic Club); Lana Brodziak, Sasha Inouye, Korbin Wong, Kevin Wong, Jessica White, Eric McCutcheon, and Becky Gardner (Residents); and Anela Kekoolani (Neighborhood Commission Office).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant Clifford Ramson reported the following:
• May 2017 Statistics: There were 7 motor vehicle thefts, 11 burglaries, 33 thefts, 20 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV) and 6,669 total calls for service.
• Safety Tip: A handout on 21 Step Home Security Check List was distributed and available at the back table.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Monthly Statistics ??? Hagadone asked if the monthly statistics were only for the Kaimuki area and where does that area start and end. Sergeant Ramson responded the statistics are only for the Kaimuki area and will find out exactly where that starts and ends.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Captain Ricky Mamiya reported the following:
• May 2017 Statistics: There were 1 nuisance fire, 4 activated alarms, 81 medical emergencies, 1 Motor Vehicle collision with pedestrian, 4 motor vehicle crash/collision, 2 mountain rescues, and 1 hazardous materials incidents.
• Fire Safety Tip: Smoke Alarms:
o Working smoke alarms save lives by decreasing the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in every home. Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. If the smoke alarm has a nine-volt battery, change it annually. The entire smoke alarm should be replaced every 10 years.
o The HFD will conduct its Smoke Alarms For Everyone (SAFE) program on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. If you are interested in receiving a free SAFE smoke alarm installation, please call 732-7168 for more information.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Lorna Heller reported the following:
• Annual Water Quality Reports - The Board of Water Supply (BWS) works hard to ensure that the water served to our customers is safe to drink. Each year, the BWS conducts thousands of tests on the sources and distribution system to ensure that municipal water meets or exceeds all Federal and State safe drinking water standards. The results of those tests are shared with customers in our annual water quality report, which will be mailed to all customers by Saturday, July 1, 2017. Digital copies of water quality reports and additional water quality information is available on our website, www.boardofwatersupply.com.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Red Hill - Chair Bullock asked if there were any updates on the Red Hill Water Tank Projects. Heller responded she has had no further updates. Hagadone asked where they can find the Red Hill Water Tank Project. Heller stated it should be on the BWS website.
2. Water Main Break - Hoe stated there was a recent water main break on Kalanianaole Highway. The last time this happened it was stated that there would be a continuity plan for contraflow traffic. Heller stated that a contraflow lane was eventually opened.
3. Main Break Updates - Chair Bullock asked if anyone else received updates on the main break and when a contraflow lane was added. There was also updates on the HNL app.

ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - A representative was not present; a report was read:
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ??? The Board asked if the Kaimuki parking lot is ADA compliant for road repairs. Department of Design and Construction (DDC) responded we will not know if the existing parking lot is in full compliance with the ADA until the Consultant completes a Topographic survey. But the parking lot improvements will be designed to comply with the ADA.
• Metal plates - There was a question about metal plates on Wilhelmina rise that are not stable and make a lot of noise when vehicles are driving over the plates. Also the surrounding concrete is cracking from the movement. The Board of Water Supply's (BWS) Inspector investigated the concern on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, but could not locate any steel plates on Wilhelmina Rise. Currently, the BWS Contractor is working on Iwi Way. The BWS Inspector reminded the Contractor to secure all iron plates at the end of every working day.
• Kaimuki Parking Lot - The Board asked what the exact status of the Kaimuki parking lot project and would like to know what phases precede actual construction. What phase the project is at now, and as much detail as possible about schedule, possible challenges, and funding issues. DDC responded the design of improvements to the Kaimuki Municipal Parking Lot #2 will commence shortly. Construction of the improvements is anticipated to start in early 2019, subject to the availability of funds.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi - Councilmember Ann Kobayashi circulated a newsletter and reported the following:
• Kaimuki Parking Lot - Councilmember Kobayashi stated that there is enough money in the budget for the Kaimuki Parking Lot.
• Blue Zones Project - The blue zones project is to help people live a longer, healthier lifestyle.
• Homeless - Councilmember Kobayashi stated that there has been a big homeless issue in her district. Not too many in Kaimuki but in the Kakaako and Moiliilii area. If there is a homeless issue please call Councilmember Kobayashi's office.
• Hoarder Home - Councilmember Kobayashi stated that there was a home owned by a hoarder on 2nd Avenue. The community had some issues with this home and home owner. Councilmember Kobayashi was happy to announce that there is now a brand new house.
• Tesla - Councilmember Kobayashi attended an event by Tesla to view self-driving cars. Soon you will be able to just update the newest software to your car instead of always buying new car models.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Tesla Cars - Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano asked how much the Tesla cars cost. Councilmember Kobayashi responded that the one she was looking at is $100,000+ but Tesla is coming out with a more affordable model which is not self-driven for around $35,000.
2. Kapalono Park - Nagai stated on behalf of the parks committee Kapalono Park is losing a lot of grass. Nagai has tried to reach out to the super intendant of the park but has not received a response.
3. Kaimuki Parking Lot - Hara asked if the funding will come back to the Kaimuki Parking lot.

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa - Karen Yorimoto reported the following:
• Bills - Councilmember Ozawa voted against Bill 10 which increases the motor vehicle weight tax and Bill 12 which doubles the parking rates for metered street stalls in Chinatown, downtown Honolulu, and Waikiki.
??? Kaimuki Parking Lot - Councilmember Ozawa has sent multiple letters to the Department of Design and Construction about the Kaimuki parking lot. Copies of these letters have been circulated.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Bill 12 - Yamada asked and Karen Yorimoto responded Bill 12 passed.

Senator Stanley Chang - Cameron Sato distributed a handout and reported the following:
• Bike Share - Nagai asked Sato about the use of sidewalks for Bike Share Hawaii. Sato stated that they are compliant with the City and ADA.
• Kalaniana'ole Highway- The last segment for Kalanian'ole resurfacing project, Aina Haina to H-1 will be put on hold until the money is in the budget.
• Multi-Family Dwelling - Residents have been asking the rules on multi-family dwelling units. The County allows two (2) dwelling units. But you can still have one (1) dwelling rented to multiple people.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Multi-Family Dwelling - Schnieder asked if the only way the City would know about the Multi-Family Dwellings would be if someone reported it.
2. Street Parking - Chair Bullock noted that he noticed a new house being built for dwelling on Harding Avenue. The new house is taking up all the space on the property leaving only street parking.
3. Zoning - A resident stated that the City should be stricter on zoning and the property should be checked before being built.

Representative Calvin K.Y. Say - A handout was passed out and Representative Say reported the following:
• Multi-Family Dwelling - Representative Say stated that he is upset about the multi-dwelling units being built and is disappointed in our Government. Representative Say is here to listen to the Board and residents' concerns.
• Sewer Lines - Representative Say stated that Mayor Caldwell is putting millions of dollars towards fixing the sewer lines in Kalihi when Kamehameha Schools owns that land. Representative Say thinks that we should be asking Kamehameha Schools to pay 1/3 of the price.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Legislation - Schneider asked what the State Legislation can do to help prevent these multi-dwelling units from being built. Representative Say responded land use classification and zoning for City and State. The City has been taking action by conducting inspections for complaints made against multi-dwelling units' homes or AirB&B.
2. Community Action - A resident asked what they can do to help the City enforce zoning laws. The resident stated that they contacted Councilmember Ozawa's office and they suggested to start a petition.
3. Step-by-Step - Yamada asked if there was a step by step process that residents could follow if they wanted to help from an Elected Official. Schneider stated that typically you have to go through multiple departments to get anything done.
4. Ohana Unit - Hara asked if an Ohana Unit is built for financial reasons is that still against the law.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi - Representative Kobayashi reported the following:
• Official Leadership of the House - There is a new official leadership of the house, Speaker, Vice Speaker, Majority Leader, and Majority Floor Leader. For the first time ever three (3) out of there four (4) are women and the four (4) leaders are the youngest in State history.
• Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act - Effective Saturday, July 1, 2017, the CARE Act requires Hawaii's acute care hospitals to:
o Provide the patient with the opportunity to designate a family caregiver on their medical record.
o Notify you prior to the patient's discharge or transfer to another facility.
o Offer you instructions on the medical tasks you will need to perform at home after the patient is discharged.
o For more information about caregiving resources, visit aarp.org/hi or call 866-295-7282

Senator Les Ihara Junior - Senator Ihara reported the following:
• Special Session - Senator Ihara stated that there will be a special session. A date has not been set yet for the special session.
• Taxes - Senator Ihara stated that the House proposed a 2.7% General Excise Tax (GET) raise to pay for the Rail. The City needs $1.3 billion.
• Eight (8) Room House - Senator Ihara stated in regards to the eight (8) room house instead of just having landing zones the City should also have impact zones.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Property Taxes - Hagadone asked what the political reality is of property taxes being raised.
2. Medical Marajuana - Hagadone asked if it has been thought of to tax medical marijuana.

PUBLIC INPUT

Bike Share - Nagai stated that she has been trying to contact Bike Share. She believes that it is too costly. It cost $300 per year for a Bike Share card. Schneider mentioned she heard talk about possibly putting Bike Share stations in Kaimuki.

BOARD ADMINISTRATION

Approval of the Wednesday, May 17, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes: Hoe moved and Nagai seconded that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 the Wednesday, May 17, 2017, regular meeting minutes were APPROVED as amended, by UNANIMOUS consent, 9-0-0 (AYE: Bullock, Hagadone, Hoe, Moniz-Kahoohanohano, Kang. Nagai Schneider, Yamada and Hara; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Red Hill Storage Tanks
• Red Hill Tanks: The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage issue was discussed. Red Hill is a mountain ridge located between the ahupua'a of Halawa and Moanalua in the Ewa district of O'ahu. For more than 70 years the United States Navy has stored fuel inside the ridge 100 feet above O'ahu's primary drinking water supply. In that time, at least 200,000 gallons of jet fuel has leaked into the environment. The last known leak occurred in January 2014, when 27,000 gallons of fuel was released from a tank. This leak resulted in the retirement of the tank and a 20-year agreement, known as the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) between the U.S. Navy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Hawai'i Department of Health to study and monitor the storage facility. Malinoski expressed the concern of the Sierra Club that the AOC does not go far enough in preventing future leaks and cleaning up the fuel. The Sierra Club sent out a draft resolution to all Neighborhood Boards whose communities will be affected by the tanks at Red Hill. Malinoski read the resolution aloud for the Diamond Head/ Kapahulu/ St. Louis Heights No. 5 Neighborhood Board.
• AOC Update Meeting: Malinoski also announced the date of the AOC Update Meeting hosted by the U.S. Navy, EPA, and the Hawai'i Department of Health on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Moanalua Middle School. Those interested should visit bit.ly/SCH-redhill for detailed updates.
REPORTS

Treasurer's Report - Hagadone reported a remaining balance of $104.04.The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Instillation Ceremony: 2017-2019 Neighborhood Board Installation Ceremony on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Mission Memorial Auditorium
• Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 will be Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at the Kaimuki Christian Church, Fellowship Hall, 1117 Koko Head Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

Submitted by: Anela Kekoolani, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Sultan White, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Sharon Schneider, Board Chair Pro Tem

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