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  • Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting January 2018 Minutes

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office
DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2018
KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP HALL

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Sharon Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 - Calvin Hara, Paul Hoe, Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, Sharon Schneider, Lori Yamada, Walt Ross, Becky Gardner, Mark Hagadone, and Molly Pierce.

Board Members Absent - Brian Kang

Guests - Firefighter Alan Castillo (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Stanford Yue and Sergeant D. Manog Jr. (Honolulu Police Department); Director Mark Wong, Department of Information Technology (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); James Larson (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office); Senator Stanley Chang and Cameron Sato (Stanley Chang's Office); Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say; Senator Les Ihara Jr.; Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Chief Resiliency Officer Josh Stanbro and Energy Program Manager, Rocky Mould (Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency); Keoni and Cyndy Sylet, Regina Bode, Ginny Meade, Sarah Chinen, Daniel Sherman, John Otto, and Lynda Kewin (Residents); Anela Kekoolani (Neighborhood Commission Office).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Firefighter Alan Castillo reported the following:
• December 2017 Statistics: There were 0 structure fire, 0 nuisance fire, 10 activated alarms (no fire), 105 medical emergencies, 0 motor vehicle collision with pedestrian, 5 motor vehicle crash/collisions, 0 mountain rescues and 0 hazardous material incident.
• Fire Safety Tip: Children and Fire - Children between the ages of two and ten are naturally curious about fire and may secretly experiment with lighters or matches. This can occur when the child is unsupervised or even if an adult is in close proximity. Follow these tips to keep your family safe.
o Keep matches and lighters up high, preferably in a locked cabinet and out of children's reach.
o Closely supervise children; ensure they keep away from fire sources including lit candles, cigarettes, bonfires, and stoves.
o It is natural for children to be curious and ask questions about fire, play with toy fire trucks, or pretend to cook. Use these opportunities to teach them about fire safety.
o Teach children to never touch matches or lighters. They should always tell an adult when matches or lighters are found.
o Talk to children about what their friends or other children are doing with fire. Talk about what they see online, in video games, on TV, in movies, and on social media. Teach them how to resist peer pressure with misuse of fire.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant Stanford Yue circulated a handout and reported the following:
• December 2017 Statistics: 7 motor vehicle thefts, 14 burglaries, 28 thefts, 22 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV) and 6,905 calls for service.
• Safety Tip: A handout was circulated on disaster preparedness.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Parade - Hara thanked HPD for attending the Kaimuki Christmas parade.
2. Broken Windows - Chair Schneider mentioned that there were broken windows in the business areas between 9th and 10th avenue. HPD had no reports about that.
3. Missile Scare - Hagadone asked if HPD has learned anything new since the missile scare on Saturday. HPD said to remain calm, stay safe and get to shelter.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Lorna Heller reported the following:
• Main Break - There were two (2) main breaks on 11th Avenue and Maunalani Circle.
• Water Rate Tiers and Conservation - BWS's residential water rates are tiered to encourage conservation. The more water a customer uses, the more they pay for that additional water. Over half of our customers never exceed the first tier, and over 90% of our customers fall within the first two tiers. The top 1% of our residential customers use over 44,000 gallons of water per month, which places high demands on our islands limited resources. We need to do more to encourage conservation and revising the tiers can provide that incentive. One possible change would move the top tier from over 33,000 gallons of water per month of usage down to about 21,000 gallons. Another would provide an amount of water necessary for customers' basic needs at a low cost. These changes would ensure affordability, reward conservation efforts, and place the cost-burden on those customers who use very high amounts of water.
• Water Rates and Outreach Process - In the next six (6) months, the BWS board will be reviewing rate models to determine appropriate rate increases and changes to our fees. As part of this process, the BWS is working on a presentation for the Neighborhood Boards and other groups about the Water rate study and potential new water rates. If you would like to schedule a presentation, please contact Keoni Mattos in the Communications Office at 748-5369.
• Board Meeting - The BWS Board will be conducting four (4) public hearings on proposed changes to water rates prior to their adoption. We expect these meetings to be held in June.
• Fire Hydrants - The fire hydrants have been completed.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Prices - Ross asked if the presentation would be on the new prices.
2. Water and Sewage - Hagadone asked what the difference was between the water and sewage rates.
3. Grey Water - Chair Schneider asked if there were any plans to use grey water for land conservation.
4. Rate Increases - A resident asked what is attributed to the rate increase.
5. Presentation - The Board requested for BWS to come and do a presentation.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEATS - There is one (1) vacancy in Sub-District 3, West Kaimuki. No applicants for this vacancy.

PUBLIC INPUT

Kapiolani Community College (KCC) - Carol Hoshiko circulated a handout and reported the following:
• For Hire - KCC is looking for a new chancellor to hire.
• Lecture - There will be a community lector series on Monday, February 12, 2018 on sustainability, cyber security in March and history of Waikiki in April.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Timeline - Ross asked what the timeline was on the chancellor search.
2. History of Kaimuki - Chair Schneider stated that she heard that there were community members that would give tours on the history of Kaimuki.
3. Handout - Hagadone commented on how nice the handout that Hoshiko passed out is.

Monster Homes - Resident Sarah Chinen asked if there was anything that the board could do about the monster homes. The Board informed Sarah Chinen that they are just an advisory board but the elected officials are working on a solution through resolutions and bills.

Point in Time Count - Hoe announced that the annual point in time count will be conducted next week Monday through Wednesday. Volunteers will be out counting the number of homeless people. This is the way we get federal funding.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - Director Mark Wong, Department of Information Technology (DIT) reported the following:
• Missile Scare - Director Wong went over some important information and technical difficulties that happened with Saturday's missile scare. Director Wong explained why it took so long to get an alert out to inform people that the original alert was a scare. There was no already set alert stating that it was a mistake so a new alert had to be made and sent out.
• Summer College Student Employment Program - The Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) Summer College Student Employment Program is recruiting applicants for the 2018 Summer Fun program. If you know any college students who want to develop management and programming skills, or recreation and child development skills, or who simply enjoys working with children between the ages of five and thirteen, please encourage them to consider working as a Summer Aide at this year's Summer Fun program. The program runs from the end of May to the end of July, and the pay rate is $12.00 per hour or $14.00 per hour. For more information and the online application form, please check out DPR's webpage www.honolulu.gov/parks/dprsummerfun or call (808) 768-3020. Mahalo!
• Park Rangers - Hagadone asked if the Board can get information on volunteering to patrol parks after hours. DPR does not recommend having volunteers patrolling City parks after hours as no one is allowed on park property during Park Closure hours. HPD assists DPR with patrolling our parks when possible. If the community is still interested in volunteering, please contact HPD regarding their Community Patrolling Team (CPT) program. Otherwise, please continue to contact HPD to report any suspicious or illegal activities in any of our city parks. We appreciate everyone's support of watching over our parks.
• Crime Spike - Chair Schneider stated that there has been a spike in crime on Wilhelmina Drive and wonders if this is a fluke or a trend. Here are the most recent Residential Burglary stats reported to HPD, for the area near Wilhelmina Rise (Only one case was on Wilhelmina Rise in September):
o August - 17
o September - 7
o October - 10
o November - 6
• Crime Spike (continued) - Here are the most recent Unauthorized Entry Into Motor Vehicle (UEMV) stats reported to HPD, for the area near Wilhelmina Rise (None reported on Wilhelmina Rise):
o August - 4
o September - 0
o October - 7
o November - 4
• Crime Spike (continued) - District 7 (East Honolulu) patrol officers made daily checks on all watches between Thursday, November 23, 2017 to Monday, December 25, 2017, and did not observe any suspicious activity in the area. Officers will continue to patrol the area. We suggest that citizens call 911 to report any suspicious activity occurring in their neighborhood.
• Kapaolono Park Lights - The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is working on the final electrical connections to restore power to the park. This work should be completed by the end of January. When power is restored, City forces will be able to check the conditions of the lights within the park.
• Overgrown Lawn - Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) responded the vacant lot near 3641 Bethshan Road is not City property. Both Bethshan Road and Crater Road, from Bethshan Road to the dead end are private property and the City does not maintain any landscaping on private property.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Traffic Study - Gardner asked if a traffic study will be done to address the speeding issue on Koko Head and Anuhea. Gardner suggested a speed bump or rumble strip.
2. Road Damage - The road on Mikiala Way is severely damaged. What are the plans to repair this?
3. Sustainability Plan - The Board Members asked when the sustainability plan for Kaimuki will be scheduled. Community members want to be involved and have input on issues like neighborhood character.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi - James Larson circulated a newsletter and reported the following:
• Happy New Years - The office of Councilmember Kobayashi wished everyone a happy new year.
• Christmas Tree Recycling - Households with City collection should place bare trees curbside as part of your normal green waste pickup. For condo residents trees may be dropped off at any refuse convenience center or directly to the composting facility. For more information, please visit www.opala.org.

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa - A representative was not present; a handout was provided.

Governor Ige's Representative - A representative was not present; a handout was provided.


Senator Stanley Chang - Senator Stanley Chang circulated a handout and reported the following:
• Opening Day - Opening Day of legislation was today, Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
• Upcoming - Senator Chang has a full agenda for this legislative session.
• Youth Commission - Senator Chang wants to start a youth commission to get younger people involved to review bills and give feedback.
• Homeless - Senator Chang is disappointed in the way we are moving with the homeless and thinks that we need safe zones because there is no other way. We also need to move forward with mobile clinics. Emergency rooms (ER) are taking up too much money.
• Special Needs - Senator Chang thinks that we need to have dedicated shelters for homeless with special needs.
• Monster Homes - Senator Chang is still working on a bill for monster homes and short term rentals. The bill has not been numbered yet.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Misdemeanor - Gardner asked if the bill regarding monster homes makes lying to DPP a misdemeanor mean that it will allow the prosecuting office to get involved. Senator Chang responded that it could be prosecuted in criminal court.
2. Safe Zones - Hagadone asked and Senator Chang responded that safe zones are legal designated encampment areas for homeless to go. There are currently two (2) safe zones open on Oahu at Sand Island and Keehi Lagoon and one (1) safe zone open on the big island.
3. Mobile Clinics - Hagadone asked and Senator Chang responded that the more mobile clinics that are available the less people have to go to the ER and the less money tax payers will spend on the ER.
Representative Calvin K.Y. Say - A newsletter was circulated and Representative Say reported the following:
• Opening Day - Opening Day of legislation was today, Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
• Sewage - Representative Say thinks that we need a break from the sewage price and it should be on a separate bill from water.
• Cesspools and Septic - Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) will be replacing cesspools and septic.
• Homeless - Representative Say stated that homelessness is a big topic for the house this legislative session.
• Aloha United Way - Representative Say stated there was an article by Aloha United Way talking about how retain our kids to live here with the cost of living so high.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi - A newsletter was circulated and Representative Kobayashi reported the following:
• Shoreline Retreats - Attorney General opines the public interest remains protected as the shore line retreats. Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin issued a formal advisory opinion stating that when the shoreline migrates mauka due to erosion or seal level rise, the dividing line between public and private ownership also migrates mauka.
• Trail Repairs - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has announced additional Diamond Head summit trail repair projects to improve a section of the lower hiking trail. Anyone planning to hike the summit trail Wednesday, January 3, 2018 through Friday, January 19, 2018 needs to be aware that the summit trail will be closed Mondays through Fridays.
• Bills - The non-admin bill deadline is Friday, January 19, 2018. Bill introduction will be Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

Hawaii Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa - A representative was not present; a handout was provided.
PRESENTATIONS

Kaimuki Business and Professional Association "Update on Pu'u o Kaimuki Christmas Tree Lights" - A representative reported the following:
• Christmas Tree - The Christmas tree that goes up during the holiday season at the park above the Kaimuki Fire Station is 40 feet tall 60 branches and 50 feet of lights have been up since 1984.
• Payment - A lot of the lights are starting to go out. Kaimuki Professional Business Association (KPBA) has helped pay but help is needed to pay for an electrician to get estimates to repair these lights and they are asking the community for donations.

Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency - Energy Program Manager, Rocky Mould did an online interactive survey and reported the following:
• Oahu Voters - Oahu voters supported to start the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency in hopes to help Oahu:
o Green City operations
o Ensure sustainability in City plans and policies
o Promote resiliency of communities
o Coordinate with Federal and State agencies
o Reduce climate emissions and impact
o Facilitate Climate Change Commission
• 100 Cities - Governor Ige signed the Paris agreement and became one (1) of 100 Resilient Cities. Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation partners with cities around the world to help them become more resilient to the social, economic and physical challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century.
• Global Warming - Global warming is global weirdness heat goes up and creates energy.
• 2015-2016 - In 2015 to 2016 we experienced 11 days record rainfall, 24 days record heat, and nine (9) months of drought.
• Local Change - Some local changes we experienced were reduced tradewind days, less overall rain, and sea level rise.
• What is Resilience - Resilience is the capacity to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what kinds of stresses and shocks we experience.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Strategy - A resident asked and Mould responded the interactive survey strategy helps the office know what each community input is.
2. Budget - Hagadone asked what the yearly budget is. Mould responded that currently the yearly budget is zero (0) but departments are helping look for $1million per year which is about $1 per person.
3. Long Term Budget - Ross asked if long term budget is to look at real life cost savings.

NEW BOARD BUSINESS

Gardner left at 8:54 p.m.; there are now eight (8) members present.

Rezoning of Parcel TMK: 3-3-005-109, 1211 9th Avenue - A representative from Cam Security presented the following:
• Currently - 1211 9th Avenue is currently a residential parcel which has two (2) single family homes.
• New Building - The new building for Cam Security will be two (2) stories and stay at 25 feet.
• Reason - The owner of Cam Security would mainly like to move for parking reasons. With this new property many parking spaces will be provided for the company's vehicles and employee parking. This would also open up more street parking for Kaimuki businesses and residents.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Current Location - Hoe asked and the representative responded the owner will probably rent out the current Cam Security location.
2. Parking ??? Ross asked about parking there will be about seven (7) to 11 parking stalls at the new location with stairwells leading up to the office. The driveway will be facing the street.
3. Neighbors - Yamada asked if the neighbors have been made aware of this possible rezoning. The representative responded that the neighbors have been made aware and were invited to this meeting but they have not gotten any feedback yet.
4. Connect - A resident asked and a representative responded the old property and the new property will not connect.
5. Palolo - Yamada suggested presenting this to the Palolo Neighborhood Board No.6 as well.


Ross moved and Pierce seconded. The Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 supports the rezoning of Parcel TMK: 3-3-005-109, 1211 9th Avenue consent, THE MOTION PASSES. 7-0-1 (AYE: Hagadone, Hoe, Moniz-Kahoohanohano, Schneider, Pierce, Ross and Hara; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Yamada).

Approval of Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes - Hoe moved and Hagadone seconded that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 the Wednesday, November 15, 2017, regular meeting minutes were APPROVED, by UNANIMOUS consent, 8-0-0 (AYE: Hagadone, Hoe, Moniz-Kahoohanohano, Schneider, Pierce, Ross, Yamada and Hara; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report - Total monthly expenditures were $23.68 and the remaining balance is $234.11. The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• O'ahu Bicycle Master Plan - There is a Community Workshop to update the 2012 O'ahu Bicycle Master Plan to provide project information and gather community input on Thursday, January 25, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center Hawaii Suites, 777 Ward Avenue.
• Next Meeting - The next regular Board Meeting will be Wednesday, February 21, 2018, Kaimuki Christian Church, Fellowship Hall, 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Submitted by: Anela Kekoolani, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Sharon Schneider, Board Chair

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