Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for June 20, 2012 Meeting

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for June 20, 2012 Meeting
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Next meeting is 6/20/2012- Read the agenda. . Click here.

Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012
KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL

CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Sharon Schneider called the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 (Board) meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. with an established quorum of seven (7) members present. Note – This 11 member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present – Lyle Bullock, Paul Hoe, Brian Kang, Abigail Leong (arrived at 7:36 p.m.), Russell McGuire, Sharon Schneider, Leonard Tam, and Lori Yamada.

Board Members Absent – John Perez and Vernon Tam.

Board Vacancies – There is one vacancy in Sub District 1.

Guests – Lieutenant Allan Nagata and Officer Mark Mitchell (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Ricky Mamiya (Honolulu Fire Department); Tim Steinberger (Mayor’s Representative); Russell Kokubun (Governor’s Representative); Representative Barbara Marumoto; Senator Les Ihara; Representative Calvin Say; Steve Uyeno (Councilmember Stanley Chang’s Office); Councilmember Ann Kobayashi; Karen Yorimoto (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi’s Office); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital); S. Sonoda; Susan Wurtzburg; Barbara Armentrout; Julia Allen; Timothy Neinberry; Laurie Callies; Laurie Murphy; Jan Taketa; Glenn Yamasaki; Marc Arakaki; Keiko Bonk; Ann Oshiro Kauwe; Robert Ringelsnaugh; Todd Furey; a number of residents did not sign in; and Theona Kapoi (Neighborhood Commission Office).

FILLING OF BOARD VACANCY: There were no residents interested in filling the Sub District 1 vacancy.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lieutenant Nagata distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· May 2012 Statistics – There were 27 burglaries, 1 robbery, 38 thefts, and 11 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles.

· Safety Tip – This month’s safety tip is related to disaster preparedness. It was recommended that residents keep supplies of bottled water, batteries, and a portable radio available.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Uninsured Drivers – A resident inquired about the percent of drivers that were uninsured. Lieutenant Nagata did not have that information.

2. Gold Dealers – A resident inquired about legitimate gold buyers on the island. Lieutenant Nagata did not have that information.

3. Kapahulu Safeway Crosswalk – Residents requested that HPD make regular checks at the crosswalk near the Safeway on Kapahulu Avenue. It is a dangerous crosswalk as motorists do not yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Captain Hashimoto highlighted the following:

• May 2012 Statistics – There was 1 rubbish fire and 3 structure fires, 89 medical emergencies and 13 miscellaneous calls for service.
• Fire Safety Tip – Open burning of any material, including green yard waste and household trash is prohibited throughout the state. Violations of open burning rules may result in fines of up to $10,000 per day for each offense. Owners, operators, or managers of properties, premises, businesses, or industries where open burning occurs will be held responsible.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Fire Hydrants – Question was raised about how often fire hydrants are replaced. Captain Hashimoto noted that the Board of Water Supply representative would be better able to answer the question.

2. Siren Use – It is required by HFD to use sirens on all emergency calls.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller highlighted the following information:

• Annual Water Quality Reports – BWS works hard to ensure that the water served is safe to drink. Each year, BWS conducts thousands of tests on the waters source and distribution system to certify that municipal water meets or exceeds all federal and state safe drinking water standards. The results of those tests are shared with customers in the annual water quality report which will be mailed to all by July 1, 2012. Copies of the report will also be made available online at www.boardofwatersupply.com. For more information contact the BWS Communications Office at 748-0541.
• 2012 Water Conservation Week Contests Winners Announced – BWS would like to thank the 2,000 student artists and 270 poets who participated in the 2012 Water Conservation Week poster and poetry contests. The contest winners were announced and recognized at an awards ceremony last month. The full list of winners, an online art gallery, and a short video is available on the BWS website.

PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS:

Candidate Forum – Keiko Bonk introduced herself has a candidate for State Representative for the district. She made an inquiry to the Board regarding the possibility of holding a candidate’s forum. Vice Chair Schneider informed her that if they do decide to do one, candidates will be notified.

Board Vacancy – It was clarified that more information regarding the Board vacancy may be found on the Neighborhood Commission Office website at www1.honolulu.gov/nco.

OLD BUSINESS: Update on Traffic Issues in Kaimuki – All items were deferred until the Board’s July 2012 meeting.

Board Member Leong arrived at 7:36 p.m.; quorum of eight (8) members present.

NEW BUSINESS:

Maunalani Heights Park – City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Gary Cabato noted that he is in attendance at tonight’s meeting to listen to the community’s concerns. DPR has worked in partnership with the three other communities to get three designated dog parks on the island of Oahu for over 20 years. The biggest obstacle DPR deals with is finding the appropriate amount of space for the dogs. It is also difficult to acquire an environmental assessment for a change to a master plan that already exists. The first dog park was created at Moanalua Gardens. Part of the problem with the dog park at Moanalua Gardens is that dogs would do their business in areas that park users frequent. A dog park adjacent to an existing park has turned out not to be the best solution and that a dog park separate from an existing park is. Oahu’s current dog parks exist in Hawaii Kai, Mililani and there will be one completed near the Ala Wai Community Park.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Parking – It was commented that parking will not be an issue for Maunalani Heights Park. Director Cabato commented that people will come from all over the island as a way to socialize their dogs as well as dog owners being able to socialize with one another. As dog parks are created, people will come to visit.

2. Designated Hours – It was commented to have designated hours for dogs to be at Maunalani Heights Park. The unique situation will bring the community together for a “canine cocktail hour” where there will be some regulations to not mix non-dog owners with dog owners and their dogs. Director Cabato commented that it is important not to take away from the recreational use of the park.

3. Shared Use – It was commented that there are no sidewalks around the park for dog owners to take their dogs on. It was suggested that the time period of 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. be utilized for dogs. Director Cabato noted that many of the suggestions given are different and will be taken under consideration.

4. Space Above Park – It was suggested that the DPR consider using the space above Maunalani Heights Park as a dog park.

5. Promoting Dog Parks – It was noted that a non-profit organization wants to help advocate for a dog park at Maunalani Heights Park. It was noted that although it is true that many of Oahu’s residents travel to Hawaii Kai for their dogs to play at a designated dog park, it is also a sad fact. It goes to show that there is a need for a dog park in more communities around the island. In a 2008 study, over 40 percent of Oahu’s residents reside with at least one dog. In 2001, DPR was given the authority to designate land for Dog parks with public and private partnerships.

6. Dog Bites – There have been some instances of dog bites but there are no known lawsuits.

7. Maunalani Park Experience – A resident noted that he is a dog person but his daughter is terrified of dogs in general because of what happened one day when he took her to the park. There was an unleashed dog that attacked his two year old daughter. He took her again to the park on a different occasion and when a much friendlier dog approached her, she was still scared and now has a fear of dogs. All the resident knows now is that things are not working now, and any type of rule would be beneficial to all park users.

8. Enforcing Rules – It was noted that there is a problem with enforcing the rules of park use and strongly suggested that the best route to go is to have some sort of fencing to keep the dogs confined.

9. Proposed Resolution – A resolution was proposed to the Board asking for their support of having a dog park at Maunalani Heights Park. It was noted that the Board does not have to support the resolution, but it was requested to have the Board’s support for the discussion and dialogue started for residents interested in having a designated dog park in the area.

10. City Park Rules – Maunalani Heights Park currently does not allow any animals at the parks.

11. Master Plan – Director Cabato noted that according to the current master plan there is no requirement for buildings, with only a softball backstop specified at this time. It was reminded that every time a Master Plan is updated it costs between $20,000 and $50,000 to do so.

12. Proposed Idea – A diagram was made available to the Board detailing the proposed changes to Maunalani Heights Park which will include an area for the fenced in designated dog area.

Hoe moved, McGuire seconded that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 support the dialogue for the idea of a designated dog park within the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board area. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOSULY, 8-0-0 (Aye: Bullock, Hoe, Kang, Leong, McGuire, Schneider, L. Tam, and Yamada; No: None; Abstain: None).

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Mayor Peter Carlisle’s Representative – Tim Steinberger highlighted the following:

· Director Gary Cabato – Director Steinberger complimented Director Cabato for attending all the Neighborhood Board meetings to listen to and answer resident concerns.

· Overhanging Trees – City street trees are maintained by DPR Division of Urban Forestry. Discussion with DPR indicated that contract maintenance of City street trees are scheduled for July to September 2012. Private trees overhanging onto the street are required to be maintained by the private tree owners.

· No Right Turn On Red (NRTOR) Sign – The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) issued a work order to remove the “No Right Turn On Red (NRTOR)” signs on the Ewa and mauka bound approaches to the intersection of Waialae and Koko Head Avenues due to the closure of the Liliuokalani Elementary School. The NRTOR signs for the mauka bound approach were removed May 21, 2012. The Department of Facility Maintenance will be removing the NRTOR signs for the Koko Head approach on June 12, 2012.

· Ward Rafters – City Department of Planning and Permitting Director David Tanoue will meet with resident Willie Aila regarding Ward Rafters. Contact the Director’s office at 768-8000.

· Rehabilitation of Private Streets – The City recently resurfaced the roadways from 18th Avenue to Kahala Avenue under the Rehabilitation of Localized Streets, Phase 5A project. In general, the Contractor restored the roadways to existing roadway grades.

· Mayor Carlisle’s 4th of July Parade – Residents were invited to watch the parade on Sunday, July 1, 2012 that will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Kalakaua Avenue at Fort DeRussy and end at Kapiolani Park.

· National Ocean Month – Residents were encouraged to visit Honolulu Hale to help the Mayor’s Office of Culture and Arts (MOCA) celebrate National Oceans Month.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. NRTOR Sign – It was noted that not all the NRTOR signs were removed from the Ewa and mauka bound approaches to the intersection of Waialae and Koko Head Avenues. Please follow up.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi – Councilmember Kobayashi distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· City Council Budget – It was noted that the City Council Budget was approved on June 6, 2012. In the budget there are funds appropriated for many things including City park improvements, infrastructure improvements, wastewater improvements, and for adult bike education.

· Bus Route Changes – It was noted that there have been many complaints about the bus route changes that became effective in June 2012. There are going to be more changes made effective in August 2012.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Sewer Improvement – It was noted that the pipe in the Ala Wai Canal should be removed by July 2013.

2. TheBus Budget – It was clarified that $244 million is being eliminated from TheBus and HandiVan budget.

3. Rail Credit – Councilmember Kobayashi noted that she is against the rail credit because there was no way to show how the line of credit will be repaid if it is used.

4. TheBus Bus System – It was commented that Oahu’s bus system is the best in the nation and it is a shame that services are being cut.

5. HandiVan Concern – Concern was raised about the effectiveness of HandiVans if the drivers are only servicing one resident at a time, as opposed to the four to five people that used to be serviced at once.

Councilmember Stanley Chang – Steve Uyeno distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· Street Rehabilitation – Councilmember Chang advocated a record amount of funding for Oahu streets, $100 million in this year’s budget.

· Director Gary Cabato – Appreciation was expressed to DPR Director Gary Cabato for his assistance with working with Councilmember Chang’s Office and the community regarding the dog park issue.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Contact – It was requested that Councilmember Chang’s email be checked. A resident has been unsuccessful in contacting Councilmember Chang with a concern.

Governor Neil Abercrombie’s Representative – Russell Kokubun reported the following:

· Hurricane Awareness Month – Friday, June 1, 2012 marked the beginning of the annual hurricane season in Hawaii. State Civil Defense, the Hawaii National Guard and several other county, state, federal and community agencies have conducted joint exercises to ensure that the state is prepared. Residents were encouraged to become prepared by developing family and business disaster plans, creating disaster supply kits and staying aware of current weather conditions. More recommendations are available on the Stat Civil Defense website at www.scd.hawaii.gov (click on Disaster Preparedness).

· Project Labor Agreement (PLA) – Governor Abercrombie declared by Administrative Directive that the State implement a PLA plan to ensure efficient and timely completion of various state construction projects. PLAs help projects to be completed in a timely manner and under budget. There are five PLA’s: 1) University of Hawaii Hilo College of Pharmacy; 2) Princess Victoria Kamamalu Building (asbestos removal and renovation); 3) Maui Regional Public Safety Complex (new jail facility); 4) Ewa Elementary School (eight classroom buildings); and 5) Honolulu International Airport (extend inter-island terminal with additional gates).

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Coffee Farms – It was noted that some State financial help was offered to the Big Island Coffee Farms.

Senator Les Ihara – There was no representative or report available at this time.

Representative Calvin Say – Representative Say distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· Japan Tsunami Debris – It was noted that residents should expect to see debris from the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami on the U.S. shorelines by the end of this year.

· Tesoro Refinery – It was noted that the Tesoro Refinery is for sale and if no one chooses to purchase it as a refinery, Chevron will be a monopoly on the island.

· State Budget – The State’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget will be $110 million dollars less than FY12.

Representative Barbara Marumoto – Representative Marumoto distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· Vetoes – Governor Abercrombie has until July 10, 2012 to decide if he will veto any Bills.

· Public Schools – Honolulu Magazine graded public schools in Hawaii. The top schools in East Honolulu were Liholiho Elementary (ranked 3rd), Koko Head Elementary (ranked 11th), and Wilson Elementary (ranked 13th). Ranks are based on the student performance of the Hawaii State Assessment test and gauging of the “happiness” of students, teachers, and parents using the School Quality Survey.

· Basic Computer Class – Senior Citizens are invited to sign up for a free 2-hour computer class to learn the basic computer concepts. Contact Rene Mansho at 291-6151 or email renemansho@hawaii.rr.com for more information or to make a reservation.

Senator Les Ihara – Senator Ihara reported the following information:

· Special Session – The Senate will go into special session to discuss the nominations of the State Supreme Court Justice.

· New Boundaries – Senator Ihara noted that due to the reapportionment, he lost some of the Kaimuki area and his boundary moved Ewa.

· Kaimuki Adult Education Program – It was noted that the Kaimuki Adult Education Program is a charter school and charter schools are not allowed to charge tuition.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Charter Review Panel – It was commented that the Charter Review Panel has been replaced.

Representative Scott Nishimoto – Representative Say was available for questions.

Representative Mark Hashem – Representative Say was available for questions.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Bullock moved, Hoe seconded that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 approve the May 16, 2012 regular meeting minutes as corrected. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0, (Aye: Bullock, Hoe, Kang, Leong, McGuire, Schneider, L. Tam, and Yamada; No: None; Abstain: None). Corrections include:

· Page 2 – Under BWS, Questions, comments, and concerns followed, question 1, the last sentence should read, “...maintenance program checks 21,006 fire hydrants once a year to see if the hydrant and control valves are fully functional and operational.”

· Page 5 – Governor Neil Abercrombie’s name should be spelt with only one “l”.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Yamada noted that the Board has a remaining balance of 1,709.47. It was noted that the Board will need to be charged for the annual newsletter. Kapoi will contact Chair Tam regarding specifics of presenting something to Representative Marumoto for her service to the community as she will not be running for reelection.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next regular Kaimuki Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., at the Kaimuki Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 1117 Koko Head Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

Submitted by Theona Kapoi, Neighborhood Commission Office
Reviewed by Gloria Gaines, Neighborhood Commission Office
Reviewed by Vernon Tam, Chairman, Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

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