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DRAFT ~ MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18,
2011
QUEEN LILIUOKALANI ELEMENTARY
CAFETERIA
CALL
TO ORDER: Chair Tam called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. with a
quorum of nine (9) members present. NOTE - This 11-member Board requires six
(6) members to establish quorum and take official Board
action.
Members
Present: John Cater, Abigail Leong (arrived 7:23 p.m.), Ginny Meade, John
Perez, Lyle Bullock, Sharon Schneider, Leonard Tam, Vernon Tam, and Paul
Hoe.
Members
Absent: Lori Yamada and Daniel
Carvalho.
Vacancies:
There are no
vacancies
Guests:
Acting Captain Kani Dougan (Honolulu Fire Department), Acting Lieutenant S
Medeiros and Officer Mark Mitchell (Honolulu Police Department), Councilmember
Ann Kobayashi and Karen Yorimoto (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi’s Office
staff), Councilmember Stanley Chang and Steve Uyeno (Councilmember Stanley
Chang’s Office staff), Senator Les Ihara Jr., Joan Shinn (Representative
Barbarra Marumoto’s Office staff), Leon Kau, Catherine Hughes, Lydia
Chock (Leahi), Machael Palcic Gordon Tam, Julia Allen, Elwood, Tom
Moore, and Aisha Wang (Neighborhood Commission Office
staff).”
PUBLIC
SAFETY REPORTS:
Honolulu Police
Department (HPD): District 7 reported the following:
- • April 2011 Statistics: Included 29
burglaries, 1 robbery, 35 thefts, 37 unauthorized entry into motorized vehicles
(UEMV).
- • Safety Tips for April 2011: HPD wants
the community to be aware that school will be out soon and with that, a higher
number of crimes. So be aware of suspicious youth or children in the area. As
always be aware of scams that occur, especially auto scams usually occurring in
shopping center parking lots. You will be approached by a stranger who accuses
you of hitting their vehicle. They will then show you damages on their car and
will tell you that your vehicle caused the damage. After showing the damage the
stranger will demand that you pay cash for the repair costs. Call 911 and report
the incident so that it is properly logged and let the insurance companies work
out the
details.
Questions,
comments and concerns that
followed:
- 1. Park Bathrooms: A question was raised as to
whether HPD can survey the area after 9 p.m. when the bathrooms are locked
because there have been vagrants loitering around. This was noted and HPD
requested that if vagrants are seen, call
911.
- 1. Roosters Crowing: A question as to how to
handle crowing roosters was raised. A board member stated that there is a law
that roosters cannot be kept in residential areas. HPD responded that crowing
roosters should be handled just like barking dogs and residents should call
911.
Honolulu
Fire Department (HFD): Acting Captain Kani Dougan reported the
following:
- • April 2011 Statistics: Included 3
structure fires, 92 medical response calls, and 34 miscellaneous
calls.
·
Fire Safety Tips: The HFD investigates reports of smoke to determine if a fire
exists. While some fires are authorized under county and state regulations, most
are unauthorized. When the HFD encounters an unauthorized fire, the Fire Captain
will request that the fire be extinguished. If the fire is authorized, the
Captain must determine if it is being done safely, properly contained, and not a
nuisance to others.
A. Unauthorized
Fires:
1.
Bonfires on public beaches.
2.
Burning of household refuse.
3.
Burning of yard waste.
B. Authorized
Fires
The following fires are authorized when conducted
safely and contained properly:
1.
Cooking fires, including barbeques, grills, or imu.
2.
Fires used to heat bath water.
C. Safe and Proper
Conditions for Cooking of Heating Fires.
1.
The location is away from combustible materials, such as a structure or
vegetation.
2.
A garden hose or fire extinguisher should be readily available.
3.
A responsible person who knows how to control the fire should be present until
the fire is extinguished.
4.
Avoid unsuitable weather conditions, such as strong winds or dry weather
conditions, which could cause the fire to
spread.
Even an authorized fire can become a nuisance if the
smoke inconveniences others. You may be asked to move or extinguish the fire if
complaints are received by the fire department. If you are making an imu, plan
ahead and inform your neighbors so they know what to expect. Call the
HFD’s Fire Communications Center at 523-4411 at least 10 minutes, but not
more than 20, prior to igniting the
imu.
Questions,
comments and concerns that
followed:
1. Propane Tanks:
A question was raised as to whether there was a law that restricts the number of
propane tanks allowed on a property. HFD will respond at a later
time.
2. Firework
Permit: It was asked as to where permits for fireworks can be obtained and HPD
responded that interested persons should call Administrative Services Bureau at
723-7112 for more
details.
Board
of Water Supply (BWS): Lorna Heller reported the
following:
·
Water Main Breaks: None were reported in the area for the month of
April.
- • Water Storage and Pump Maintenance: Heller
reported that source pumps and booster pumps and reservoirs play a crucial role
in water delivery to BWS customers. Each day, source pumps draw an average of
150 million gallons per day (MGD) to meet Oahu’s water needs. Booster
pumps then push water long distance or to higher elevations to our reservoirs
which store water for future
use.
The BWS has a total of nearly 400 source and booster
pumping units, as well as 170 potable reservoirs that can store a total of 182
MGD. If pump failures occur, it can impact water customers for significantly
long periods of time. Likewise, regular reservoir maintenance is required to
ensure the safety of our water supply.
In addition to systematically maintaining nearly 2,100
miles of pipeline on Oahu, the BWS must also preserve these valuable assets as
well. For more information about Oahu’s water system, visit
www.boardofwatersupply.com Questions,
comments and concerns that followed:
1. Sewage Rates:
There was a lengthy discussion where Director of Environmental Services, Tim
Steinberger was asked to explain why the rates were increasing so rapidly when
properties were utilizing water catchment systems. Steinberger suggested going
on to the website at www.env.org to
find out more about the increasing sewage rates.
2. Wilhemina Rise
Damage: A resident wanted to make BWS aware that after work was done, the road
was damaged. BWS followed up on the report and found no damage and that the
project was no longer under
warranty.
PUBLIC
INPUT AND CONCERNS: (Limited to 3 minutes
each)
- • Maunalani: Residents are forming a
neighborhood security watch and the initial meeting was attended by over 100
members.
- • Reapportionment: A representative from
the Oahu Reapportionment Advisory Council spoke on behalf of his organization
that would be involved in the reapportionment project. He announced that there
would be a public meeting held on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 1:00 p.m at the State
Capital.
Old
Business:
Update
on Traffic Light at Harding and 12th Avenues: Adrian Chang of the Department of
Design and Construction reported that the traffic analysis was nearly complete.
Once that is done, work can begin on the traffic light at Harding and 12th
Avenue.
Update
on Left Hand Turning Lanes at Harding Avenue Intersections at 5th and
11th Avenues: Due to the lack of new information, the issue was
deferred until a later
date.
Queen
Lili‘uokalani School Closure: There was a great deal of discussion as
to whether the meeting place would be available for the June meeting of the
board because the cafeteria is reportedly going to be used for storage beginning
June 13th. The most concrete information is that the school will officially
close on June 30, 2011 and a farewell luncheon was held earlier today where
Chair Tam was given mixed messages about the use of the
cafeteria.
Alternate
Board Meeting Site to be Considered. Queen Lili‘uokalani Cafetoriium
may be Unavailable after June 30, 2011: There are three alternate sites that
are being considered for the meeting location of the Kaimuki neighborhood board
- Kaimuki Public Library, Kaimuki Christian Church, Liholiho Elementary School.
Kaimuki Christian Church has extended its welcome to the neighborhood board, and
a tentative facility use agreement signed with Liholiho Elementary
School.
There
was discussion as to the pros and cons of the possible meeting sites, however,
no decision was reached.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Liquor
License Application No. 1605 (Restaurant General, Category No. 2) – Pohaku
Restaurant, LLC, 3605 Waialae Avenue (makai side of Waialae Avenue, mid-block
between 12th and Koko Head Avenues: After a short discussion about
the details of the liquor license location and other aspects, it was agreed upon
that because this establishment was near other businesses that held liquor
licenses, it wouldn’t be a problem to grant them a liquor
license.
A
motion was made by Board member Cater to grant the liquor license to Pohaku
Restaurant. The motion was not seconded and failed, therefore, no discussion
continued on the
matter.
Community
Noise Variance Application for the Rehabilitation of Waialae Avenue, Between
Kapahulu Avenue and 13th Avenue: A short presentation was made by the
company that was in charge of rehabilitation of Waialae Avenue. The presenter
explained that many of the areas contained an asphalt concrete overlay which
over time begins to crack. The project would begin in late 2011 and continue for
a
year.
They
are aware of the many seasonal activities that are held in Kaimuki as well as
the construction that is occurring at the same time on the freeway near
Kaimuki.
Third
Absence to be Discussed; Board Member Abigail Leong spoke in her defense for the
three absences and stated that she wished to remain on the board. There was no
objection to allowing her to remain on the board and Chair Tam made it known
that it was an administrative practice set by the Neighborhood Plan which
required that this matter be addressed for any board member that missed three
meetings within a term, given the difficulty that many neighborhood boards have
in meeting quorum requirements.
Elected Officials or their representatives:
(Limited to 3 minutes each)
Mayor Peter Carlisle’s Representative: Director
Tim Steinberger reported the following:
- • Apology for Non Attendance:
Steinberger apologized for not attending the previous neighborhood board meeting
because he was attending the City Council Budget hearing. “No
- • Sewer Bill Charges: Steinberger
explained that sewer bills increase because it costs more to handle a
customer’s wastewater than delivering potable water.
- • Executive Secretary: The newly
appointed Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office is J. Thomas
Heinrich who assumed the position on April 1,
2011.
Questions, comments and concerns
that followed:
1. Gray Water
Usage: There was a question as to the use of gray water as a solution to the
high sewer rates and the answer was that the Department of Planning and
Permitting needs to issue permit for this solution.
2. 16th Avenue
Repairs: The issue was raised that repairs were done on 16th Avenue last month,
however, after the Department of Facilities Maintenance checked, more repairs
were found necessary on the 1200 block of 16th Avenue. Steinberger will
follow-up with this item.
City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Councilmember
Kobayashi made her newsletter available and reported the following:
·
Homeless Problem: The Councilmember is struggling with the issue of finding
suitable sites to offer to homeless as a means for them to get back onto their
feet.
·
Budget: Kobayashi warned that with the budget being strapped for money, the
public should be prepared for a lot of fee increases and additional fees to
cover the shortfall.
·
Rail Project: She reiterated her concern with the poor planning and her
foreseeing that there would be no funds to support the completion of the rail
project.
Questions, comments and concerns that
followed:
1. Other Options:
The question was asked if other options were looked at rather than raising the
parking fees for places like Ala Moana Beach Park and Aala Park. Councilmember
Kobayashi said that these places were the last places that were free where
families could go and spend time together.
2. High Rises: It
was asked if the examples of New York and Chicago’s use of abandoned high
rises considered as a solution to the problem of the homeless.
City Councilmember Stanley Chang: Councilmember Chang
made his newsletter available and reported highlighted similar items to
Kobayashi such as the budget, potential parking fees and bonds for the rail
project. He also made note of the push for a gas cap and redistricting of the
city and rerouting of a bus stop at the corner of Mahina Street and 13th
Avenue.
State Senator Les Ihara: Senator Ihara made his
newsletter available stressed that although it was a busy session, he felt that
three issues were worth mentioning; new state employees reduced pension, big
corporation board members making profit and reapportionment leading the
diversity of ideas.
State Representative Calvin K.Y. Say: Senator Say made
his newsletter available and gave highlights from it.
State Representative Barbara Marumoto: Representative
Marumoto stood on her report and made herself available for any
questions.
State Representative Scott Nishimoto: Was not present;
no report was available.
State Representative Mark Hashem: Was not present; no
report was available.
Approval of Minutes of
APRIL 20, 2011 regular meeting minutes: A motion to approve the REGULAR
MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 20, 2011 was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 9-0-0 (Aye:
Cater, Leong, Meade, Perez, Bullock, Schneider, L. Tam, V. Tam, and
Hoe.)
Treasurer’s
Report: With the absence of Treasurer Yamada, Chair Tam read the budget
for the month of April 2011. He reported that there was a total of $1,025.90 at
the beginning of the month with operating expenditures of $199.36 throughout the
month and no publicity expenses. Leaving a balance of $974.83 for the month of
April. The report was
filed.
Announcements:
The next meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board
will be June 15, 2011, 7:15 p.m. to 9:00
pm.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at
9:27 p.m.
Submitted
by Aisha Wang
Neighborhood
Assistant
Reviewed
by; Vernon Tam
Chair
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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4
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