Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting Minutes Posted For LAST MONTH (MARCH 17, 2016)

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting Minutes Posted For LAST MONTH (MARCH 17, 2016)
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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

DRAFT -- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP HALL

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Lyle Bullock called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with a total of seven (7) members present. A quorum was established. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Lyle Bullock, Mark Hagadone, Paul Hoe, Walter Ross, Sharon Schneider, Vernon Tam, and Lori Yamada.

Board Members Absent: Brian Kang and Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano.

Guests: Cyrus Hanuna (Honolulu Police Department); Mark Wong (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Councilmember Ann Kobayashi and James Larson (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office); Kurt Tsuneyoshi (Councilmember Trevor Ozawa's Office); Representative Bertrand Kobayashi, and Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say (Hawaii State Legislature); Julia Allen (Senator Sam Slom's Office); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Carol Hoshiko (Culinary Institute of the Pacific); Vanessa Chong (Protect Leahi); George West; Brent Imonen (Honolulu Ekiden); Franklin Chung; Tom Moore; Ron and Janice Leiker; and Amanda Ehe (Neighborhood Commission Office).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Sergeant Cyrus Hanuna reported the following:

• January 2016 Statistics: There were 5 vehicle thefts, 13 burglaries, 38 thefts, and 24 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV). There were 6,479 total calls for service.

• Safety Tip: Sergeant Hanuna referenced the pedestrian safety and community policing team handouts.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Statistics: Hagadone noted the decrease in motor vehicle thefts.

2. Problems: Resident Frank Chung asked if HPD encounters problems with homeless on Harding and Waialae Avenue or drunk patrons of bars on Waialae Avenue late at night. Sergeant Hanuna will follow up.

3. Parks: Bullock asked and Sergeant Hanuna responded that HPD responds to calls relating to park closures and sporadically patrols parks for closure violations. Bullock noted park closure violations at Mau'Umae Nature Park.

4. Concern: A resident commented on a man that seems to be terrorizing people on Waialae and Harding Avenues. The resident stated the man carries a large spear with his stuff, but an officer said he is not harmful.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): No report and no representative was available.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Lorna Heller reported the following:

• Leaks: BWS is reminding residents to check for leaks as it is national fix a leak week Sunday, March 13 through Saturday, March 19, 2016.

• Main Break: There was a six (6) inch main break at the top of Sierra Drive on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. that was damaged by contractor work in the area. Schneider stated there was another main break at the top of Sierra Drive near 4700 Sierra Drive.

• Maunalani Tank: The construction project for the Maunalani tank replacement involves removing and installing a temporary reservoir tank to meet standards.

At 7:09 p.m. Lori Yamada arrived; a quorum was established with six (6) members present.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEATS: Chair Bullock announced two (2) vacancies on the Board. One (1) vacancy is in Subdistrict 1, East Kaimuki and Business District; and one (1) vacancy in Subdistrict 3, West Kaimuki. Chair Bullock asked if any residents were interested in filling the vacant board seat. One (1) resident was interested and stated he will consider joining the Board but does not know enough about the Board system to commit at the moment.

BOARD ADMINISTRATION

Approval of the February 17, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes: Yamada moved and Hoe seconded that the February 17, 2016 regular Board meeting minutes be approved as amended. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0-0 (AYE: Bullock, Hagadone, Hoe, Ross, Schneider, Tam, and Yamada; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None). Amendment is to change "Shneider" to "Schneider" on page 2.

Treasurer's Report: Schneider reported monthly expenditures of $33.24 for a remaining balance of $165.79. The report was filed.

Three (3) Absences: Ross stated he would like to remain on the Board but will resign in July 2016 because his job will cause him to be away from district for a year.

Envision Kaimuki Committee: Bullock stated the Envision Kaimuki Committee needs to be more active and meet more often. There is a need for a Board member to replace past Board member Liberty Peralta on the committee. Schneider shared that Pamela Chow may be a community member who would like to join the committee. Bullock would like to have three (3) Board members on the committee. Tam volunteered and was added as a member of the Envision Kaimuki Committee.

REPORTS OF MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS: There were none to report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Envision Kaimuki committee minutes are available online and will be mailed with the April 2016 mail out packet.

PUBLIC INPUT

• Culinary Institute Update: Carol Hoshiko distributed a monthly update for the Culinary Institute of the Pacific and shared some of the work highlights. Archaeological monitoring services are periodically on-going. The public may contact Hoshiko at hoshiko@hawaii.edu. Bullock asked and Hoshiko answered that phase one (1) should be completed by the end of 2016.

• Neighborhood Security Watch: Hagadone distributed handouts and invited the community to the neighborhood security watch meeting on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Maunalani Community Park. Chung asked and Hagadone responded that the group does not have a FaceBook page.

OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

Fourth (4th) Annual Relay Run, The Honolulu Ekiden: Brent Imonen announced that on Sunday, May 22, 2016, the Honolulu Ekiden will take place starting at Kapiolani Park and go around Diamond Head as a two (2) to six (6) person relay. One road (1) lane will be closed for the run, but right turns will be allowed. The run is coordinated with HPD, buses, and the City. Road closures start at 5:30 a.m. The goal of the Honolulu Ekiden is for a cultural exchange between Hawaii and Japan. There will be approximately 2,000 participants and those residing on the route will be notified again closer to the date.

Moped Noise: Bullock stated there is a need for oversight of mopeds since there are an unknown number of unsafe mopeds on the roads. Bullock stated that the Kaimuki community is not significantly impacted by moped noise, but the community should support laws for safety, noise and loss prevention. Hagadone read the circulated moped resolution for the record.

Hoe motioned to adopt the Moped Noise Resolution as stated; Yamada seconded the motion. The motion was ADOPTED, 6-1-0 (AYE: Bullock, Hoe, Ross, Schneider, Tam, and Yamada; NAY: Hagadone; ABSTAIN: None).

Leahi Hospital: Vanessa Chong provided information to the public on the group Protect Leahi that was formed in consideration of the budget crisis. Chong's mother is a resident at Leahi Hospital and the hospital serves more than just elderly and has the highest number of Medicaid residents. There is a request for $21 million in the governor's budget. The group wanted to solicit the support of the Board.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Funding: Bullock asked and Kobayashi responded that in the early 2000's there was drastic funding losses of $150 million or more, every year the hospitals are in the red by at least eight (8) digits due in part to the gap between reimbursements.

2. Effects: Chong commented that Leahi and Maluhia Hospital lost one (1) ward each due to decreased funding. Neighbor islanders are having to migrate here because their services are shrinking.

3. Maui Hospital System: Bullock asked and Kobayashi answered that Maui should request less funding over the next years due to the Kaiser takeover of the Maui Hospital system, but noted that the Kaiser takeover is not a sustainable business model

4. Comments: Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say shared concern for possible closure of wards and displaced patients. Hoshiko commented that she is grateful for Leahi Hospital, which cared for her father and provides day care services for Hoshikos mother while she is working.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Director Mark Wong of the Department of Information Technology (DIT) reported the following:

• Earth Month: There will be an Earth Month event at the Waikiki Aquarium on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Homeless: HPD found no homeless encampment near Diamond Head Theatre and Leahi Hospital.

• Striping: The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will be issuing a work order to the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to paint a center line extension through the intersection at Waialae Avenue with 7th Avenue and with 11th Avenue.

• Fire Beacon: The formerly flashing light on Harding and Koko Head Avenue is a fire beacon and DTS requested that DFM Director's office investigate the jurisdiction and removal of the beacon.

• Maunalani Community Park: The Park is a decentralized site under the jurisdiction of Diamond Head Complex, East Honolulu -- Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the point of contact is Kathy Cho, Diamond Head Complex Supervisor, 733-7351.

• Waialae Avenue Parking Lots: The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is awaiting the release of funds by the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS) to begin improvement work on the Waialae Avenue Parking Lots.

• Sunset Avenue: HPD did not observe any speeding violations while conducting speed enforcement on Sunset Avenue.

• Kilauea Park: Future improvement submittals for Kilauea District Park gym include renovation/upgrading of the lighting system and floor refurbishment/replacement.

• Apuwai Place: Resident Ellen Shiraki entered into an agreement whereby she released all claims regarding the use of the subject easement by the City and other neighboring properties.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Waialae Avenue Parking Lots: Hagadone asked who the private owner of the parking lots is.

2. Development: Chung asked for details of the proposed Sports Authority near Ala Wai Canal.

3. Traffic: Schneider commented on the traffic increase on the 11th Avenue H1 on ramp.

4. Parking: Bullock noted the need for enforcement of no parking signs on Waialae Avenue during rush hour.

5. DPR: Bullock requested recent minutes from the DPR's Board of Parks and Recreation meetings.

6. GIS Information: Bullock noted the inaccurate GIS information on the City website.

7. Modified Intersection Signs: A resident asked how long modified intersection signs can remain up for.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi (City Council District 5): Councilmember Kobayashi distributed a newsletter and reported the following:

• Traffic: A City-State Traffic Management Center is being constructed.

• Budget: Budget briefings have begun at the City Council.

• Waialae Avenue Parking Lots: The funding for the parking lots are in the budget and all that is needed is the release of the funds.

• Complete Streets: Councilmember Kobayashi believes complete streets should have an emphasis on pedestrian safety.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Development: Chung asked and Councilmember Kobayashi stated she is in support of the Ala Wai Golf Course at the location it is now and when a proposal of a park at the golf course was given years ago, many golfers protested the idea as it is one (1) of the most utilized golf courses in the world.

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa (City Council District 4): A handout was available and no representative was present.

Governor David Ige's Representative: The Capitol Connection newsletter was available and no representative was present.

Senator Sam Slom (State Senate 9th District): Julia Allen circulated handouts and noted that Senator Slom was the only Senator to submit all information for transparency, and Senator Slom is recovering well.

Senator Les Ihara Jr. (State Senate 10th District): No report was available and no representative was present.

Speaker Emeritus Calvin K.Y. Say (State House 20th District): Speaker Emeritus Say distributed a handout and noted that he contacted Scott Morishige, the governor's coordinator on homelessness, regarding the homeless on 16th and Koko Head Avenues.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi (State House 19th District): Representative Bertrand Kobayashi distributed a handout and shared that there is $100 million cash funding for air conditioning and heat abatement for public schools.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friends of Kaimuki Public Library: The Friends of Kaimuki Library Bookstore is open every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Next Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the Kaimuki Christian Church, Fellowship Hall located at 1117 Koko Head Avenue. The Kaimuki Christian Church is asking attendees to park at Kaimuki Public Library or find parking elsewhere to reserve the space for the elderly and the disabled.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

Submitted by: Amanda Ehe, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Sharon Baillie, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Lyle Bullock, Chair

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