Diamond Head, Kapahulu, Saint Louis Neighborhood Board No. 5 Minutes Posted For LAST MONTH (Octrober 8, 2015)

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Diamond Head, Kapahulu, Saint Louis Neighborhood Board No. 5 Minutes Posted For LAST MONTH (Octrober 8, 2015)
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

Diamond Head/ Kapahulu/ St. Louis Neighborhood Board No. 5

DRAFT -- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015

ALA WAI CLUB HOUSE

DRAFT -- REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015

ALA WAI CLUB HOUSE

CALL TO ORDER -- Chair George West called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting. A quorum was established with 11 members present. Note -- This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present -- Julia Allen, Barbra Armentrout, Victoria Mathieu (arrived at 6:34 p.m.), Michelle Matson (arrived at 6:56 p.m.), Barbara Miller, Bertha Naho'opi'i, Bert Narita, Keolu Peralto, Don Persons, Laura St. Denis, Bryn Villers, Jerry Wanager (appointed at this meeting), George West, and Linda Wong.

Members Absent -- George Waialeale.

Vacancies -- There was one (1) vacancy in Subdistrict 1 (St. Louis Heights).

Guests -- Senator Sam Slom, Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Representative Scott Nishimoto, Walea Constantinau (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative, Honolulu Film Office); Councilmember Ann Kobayashi and James Larson (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office); Francis Choe (Councilmember Trevor Ozawa), Deputy Director Mark Garrity (Department of Transportation Services), Captain Brett Mau (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Howard Jackson (Honolulu Police Department, District 6), Lieutenant Clinton Sukekane and Sergeant Allen Ishida (Honolulu Police Department, District 7); Ann Wong (Board of Water Supply); Daisy Murai, Tom Schnell (PBR Hawaii), Carol Hoshiko (Kapi'olani Community College/Culinary Institute of the Pacific), Beverly Frost, Ed Kemper and Kathleen Stofocik (Epilepsy Foundation), Jessica Hardway (Local 5/Kapahulu Raiders), Ku'ulei Omura (Kapahulu Raiders), Devon Nekota and Mia Noguchi (Community Outreach Associates), Lesi Leao, Yvonne Perry, and K. Russell Ho (Neighborhood Commission Office).

MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR BOARD MEMBER LEE MANFREDI: Chair West asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Board member Lee Manfredi. Information about the services was listed on the agenda.

Mathieu arrived at 6:34 p.m.; 12 members present.

FILLING OF VACANCY ON BOARD: One (1) in Subdistrict 1 (St. Louis Heights) -- Chair West asked for any candidates to fill the vacancy in Subdistrict 1. Jerry Wanager offered to fill the vacancy in Subdistrict 1. Armentrout mentioned that Wanager had worked on the St. Louis Heights Association. Miller and Armentrout nominated Wanager to fill the vacancy in Subdistrict 1. Chair West called for a recess. The Neighborhood Assistant verified Wanager's residency. Chair West called the meeting back to order. Villers asked for some background information. Wanager mentioned that he is a retired seaman and is on the St. Louis Heights Association. Instead of a roll call vote, Narita suggested that as there were no other nominations and no objections, the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 APPOINTED Jerry Wanager to fill the vacancy in Subdistrict 1 by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 12-0-0 (AYE: Allen, Armentrout, Mathieu, Miller, Naho'opi'i, Narita, Peralto, Persons, St. Denis, Villers, West, and Wong; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

The Neighborhood Assistant administered the Oath of Office to Jerry Wanager; 13 members present.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), (Waikiki Station) -- Captain Brett Mau reported the following:

• September 2015 Statistics -- There was 1 fire, 123 medical emergencies, and 14 false alarms.

• Fire Safety Tips -- Fire Prevention Week -- Fire Prevention Week is celebrated nationally during the week of October 9th. In Hawaiʻi, Fire Prevention Week will be observed from Monday, October 5, 2015 to Saturday, October 10, 2015. The focus will be on keeping the family and the community safe. School children will be given useful information and parents are encouraged to make a plan and practice it.

Comments followed:

1. Barbeque Fire -- Captain Mau noted that last month there was a barbeque fire.

Paint Fire Hazard -- Villers and a resident asked about other hazardous materials. Captain Mau mentioned that paint and products with chemicals may be considered hazardous. Captain Mau also mentioned a fire on the roof of On Stage Bar on Kapahulu Avenue.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD), District 6 (Waikiki/Diamond Head) -- Sergeant Howard Jackson reported the following:

• September 2015 Statistics -- There were 11 robberies, 235 thefts, 35 unauthorized entries into a motor vehicle (UEMV), 19 speeding citations, 338 parking violations, and 15 loud mopeds. District 6 had 4,025 calls service for September 2015.

Comments followed: Shooting Chickens -- St. Denis reported that a neighbor witnessed that people were shooting at the chickens near Leahi Avenue and Paki Avenue. HPD advised to call 911.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD), District 7 (Kapahulu, St. Louis Heights) -- Lieutenant Clinton Sukekane reported the following:

• August 2015 Statistics -- There were 15 motor vehicle thefts, 6 burglaries, 26 thefts, and 14 unauthorized entries into a motor vehicle (UEMV).

• September 2015 Statistics -- There were 7 motor vehicle thefts, 13 burglaries, 33 thefts, and 13 unauthorized entries into a motor vehicle (UEMV). District 7 had 6,526 total calls for service.

• Safety Tips

• Smart 911-- Lieutenant Sukekane reminded everyone to sign up for the new telephone app at -- www.smart911.com,

• Halloween Safety Tips -- Lieutenant Sukekane advised to inspect the Halloween candy, light up the costumes, and to be safe.

Comments followed: HPD Website -- A resident asked about the HPD website at honolulupd.org/d7.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- Ann Wong reported the following:

• Water Main Breaks -- In September 2015, there were no water main breaks in the Diamond Head/ Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 area.

• Watershed Management and Protection -- Drinking water is the most precious resource and an essential part of daily lives. The replenishment of the drinking water supply is heavily dependent on Oahu's Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges as two of Oahu's vital watershed areas.

A handout explaining the characteristics of the watersheds is available online at www.boardofwatersupply.com. For more information, call the BWS Communications Office at 748-5041.

• Watershed Protection Tips:

• Keep to trails when in the watersheds. Straying from trails can cause erosion and destroy native plant life.

• Participate in projects that remove invasive plants and animals and to know the recovery of native plants and animals.

• Conserve water every day, all year long. Water conservation reduces the need to use ground water that is essential for healthy watershed forests and stream ecosystems.

• Kapahulu Water Systems Improvements -- Mega Construction, Inc., will be working to replace approximately 4,700 feet of waterline in various streets in Kaimukī. The anticipated start timeframe is January 2016. For questions or concerns, contact the BWS Construction Section at 748-5730 or by emailing contactus@hbws.org.

Comments followed:

1. $8 million -- Armentrout asked about the $8 million the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not give to the State Department of Health (DOH). Ann Wong noted that the $8 million was to replenish the State Revolving Water Fund for improving the infrastructure and BWS does not rely solely on this funding source.

2. Board of Water Supply (BWS) Fence/Gate -- St. Denis reported that the BWS fence and gate were installed at Collins and Kepa Streets.

3. Waiʻalae Avenue -- Vice Chair Wong mentioned there were five (5) water main breaks on Waiʻalae Avenue since repaving. Vice Chair Wong inquired if there was City/BWS coordination on repair and repaving projects and requested that BWS inspect the 50-year old pipes. Ann Wong will follow up.

PUBLIC EVENTS

Epilepsy Foundation/Sharon's Ride, Sunday, January 31, 2016 -- Ed Kemper mentioned that the walk will start at Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC), go to the Diamond Head Crater, then to the Triangle Park, and back to KCC. The bikers will ride various distances (25 K, 50 K, and 100 K), the longest to Kaneohe, and back. The bikers leave at 7:00 a.m. and may return between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The walkers will take about 15 -- 20 minutes and should be done by 9:30 a.m.

Matson arrived at 6:56 p. m.; 14 members present.

Kapiʻolani Community College/Culinary Institute of the Pacific Public Open House -- Carol Hoshiko invited the Board to the open house on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Comments followed: Clarification -- Armentrout wanted to know where the open house will be. Hoshiko noted that activities will be around the Culinary Institute of the Pacific cafeteria by the Great Lawn and that there will be tours. Mathieu asked and Hoshiko responded that the tours will not be walk-intensive.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure -- Chair West reminded everyone that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at Kapiʻolani Park.

REPORTS OF MEMBERS' ATTENDENCE AT OTHER MEETINGS

Ala Wai Canal Project -- On Wednesday, September 30, 2015, Board members Armentrout, St. Denis, and Matson attended the Ala Wai Canal Project Meeting. Armentrout mentioned the website, some proposals, and a possible temporary flooding of the Ala Wai golf course.

• St. Denis provided an Army Corps of Engineers aerial illustration of the Koolau Mountains to Waikiki with their projected extent of a 100-year flood with 1% chance of occurrence, and noted the bridges in Mānoa.

• Matson explained that the Ala Wai Canal is a protected historic site listed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places, and pointed out that the plan proposes industrialization of the Ala Wai canal and golf course with construction of new 4-to-5 ft. high walls along both sides of the length of the Ala Wai Canal and three (3) 40-ft. tall by 60-ft. wide pump station structures, with other proposals including using Kanewai Park in St. Louis Heights as a drainage basin. Matson suggested that the Board should take this up as Board Business and form a committee to review this major public works proposal in the Board's district and submit comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by their November 9, 2015 public comment deadline.

• Murai added more comments about the proposals and noted that the public comment period was extended from October 7 to Monday, November 9, 2015.

• Vice Chair Wong noted that the Board should look at other comments. Matson noted that Historic Hawaii Foundation is developing comments. St. Denis added that the construction is proposed to begin in 2017 and that may be too late. Matson suggested that the Board request an extension of the November 9 deadline and request a presentation from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Villers moved and Mathieu seconded that the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 invite the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to come to the Board and make a presentation and for the Board to ask the USACE to extend the public comment period to a later date. As there were no objections, the motion was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 14-0-0 (AYE: Allen, Armentrout, Mathieu, Matson, Miller, Naho'opi'i, Narita, Peralto, Persons, St. Denis, Villers, Wanager, West, and Wong; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None). Chair West will contact the USACE by e-mail.

• Villers requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) make a presentation with boundary maps at the Board's January 2016 meeting and Mathieu requested that the presentation be placed on the January 2016 agenda. Matson pointed out that recent City Council Bills 57 and 58 boundary maps showed that Waikiki includes the Ala Wai Canal --, with the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 boundary on the mauka side of the Ala Wai Canal, and requested using the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) map, where the boundary is down the center of the Ala Wai Canal. Armentrout had talked with the USACE at the September 30 public meeting and a spokesperson said that boundaries are down the center of the Ala Wai Canal.

• Chair West asked Matson if she would write the boundary map resolution. Matson replied that she would not be available, and noted that Armentrout had agreed to do this when asked by Chair at the August 2015 meeting as reflected in the August corrected minutes. Chair West asked if there is a timeline for this. Matson replied that further communication with DPP is recommended to resolve the ongoing boundary issues.

RESIDENTS'/COMMUNITY CONCERNS

BWS Property, Kepa/Collins Streets Update -- Chair West noted that resident Ballantine, who brought this item to the Board's attention, sent pictures. The BWS fence is in place and Ballantine is satisfied.

Winam Street/Charles Street Dumping Update -- Bryn Villers reported that Winam Street has a high turnover of residents, so it is still a dumpsite. Mathieu asked if bulky items are not picked up, then who can people call. The answer given was the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) at www.opala.org.

Crane Park Maintenance Issues -- Leslie Leao, a resident of the area and other parents, reported that there is no maintenance crew at the Crane Park. Parents and neighbors have painted the building, cut and clean the grass, and clean the restrooms in preparation for the children's ball games. Leao was put in contact with Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative Walea Constantinau. Councilmember Ann Kobayashi added that for two (2) years park maintenance has been terrible and funds have been appropriated.

Palolo McDonald's Incidents -- Yvonne Perry reported on fighting, drugs, traffic problems, and homeless people at the Pālolo McDonald's. The restaurant is more dangerous. Perry has called everyone and has written the corporate offices, but has gotten no response. Perry was advised to communicate these issues directly with HPD at the Palolo Neighborhood Board's next meeting.

St. Louis Heights Phone Service -- Narita asked for assistance from public officials to remedy the absence of telephone and data service in St. Louis Heights since Tuesday, August 25, 2015. He reported that 1,000 residents were denied telephone service because rains leaked into the trunk line, so the trunk failed He added that this problem was compounded by the Waialae Avenue paving contractor dumping rubble into the manholes, adding weight to major trunk lines and causing them to fail, so supplemental overhead trunk lines were then required to be placed along Waialae and Harding Avenues. Narita stated that nearly 500 St. Louis Heights residents remain without phone service and the telephone utility needs help from the Public Utilities Commission and the Legislature because the aging infrastructure is failing.

Civil Defense Sirens - Narita reported that Civil Defense sirens are not audible in St. Louis Heights or have been removed, and Civil Defense now wants to install sirens in the public parks. The Corp Council informed them that a title search is needed to determine if this use is allowable; Narita asked for assistance from the mayor's office and other elected officials.

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)/NextEra Merge -- Matson reported that there will be only one (1) Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meeting on O‘ahu to listen to the public's concerns relating to the Florida NextEra power utility's bid to take over Hawaiian Electric Co,, and this public meeting will be on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at McKinley High School at 6:00 p.m. She recommended that Board members attend.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Walea Constantinau reported the following:

• Rose Garden -- Regarding the asphalt cracking by the rose garden across 3628 Leahi, the rose garden area is maintained by Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) will investigate and report back.

• Diamond Head Road Naupaka Overgrowth -- The Diamond Head Road lookouts are maintained by DPR. However, the area along Diamond Head Road where the naupaka plants are growing is not on City property, and is under State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

• St. Denis added that residents are trying to keep up with the overgrowth along the roadway but more work needs to be done and help is needed. Matson noted that this issue was presented at the Diamond Head Citizens Advisory Committee meeting in August, but the DLNR Diamond Head Coordinator has been unresponsive.

• Matson asked for Senator Les Ihara's assistance to encourage DLNR to help the City properly control the naupaka overgrowth along this Diamond Head State Monument roadway as this is a traffic hazard and a liability for the State and the City. She added that this situation is also of concern to the State Department of Transportation (HDOT) Scenic Byways Program's Diamond Head Scenic Byway Committee.

• Kapahulu Avenue Crosswalk Lights -- Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is finishing up studying three options: overhead lights, embedded lights, and Rectangular Rapid Fire Beacons (RRFB) as approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The RRFB type utilizes a bright light flashing in a "wig-wag" fashion when manually activated.

• Car Sharing -- Chair West had invited DTS Deputy Director Mark Garrity back to follow up on the CarShare Program. Chair West requested that Deputy Director Garrity respond to the RRFB item and wait until later on the agenda for Car Sharing.

• Kapahulu Avenue Crosswalk Lights (Continued) -- Deputy Director Garrity mentioned that DTS was looking at the RRFB system and it looks promising.

• Villers requested a website for more information on the RRFB. He stressed again that the community does not want overhead flashing lights, as the importance is at the street level and the crosswalk in front of Safeway between two stop lights. Villers emphasized the serious pedestrian hazards on Kapahulu Avenue, and noted that he was in the crosswalk and nearly hit by a vehicle a few nights earlier, and that his young family and the community are at risk.

Deputy Director Garrity mentioned the DTS Complete Streets studies around the island that included two segments of Kapahulu Avenue, and offered to return to the Board to share the their ideas drafted for Kapahulu Avenue.

• Matson noted that there was limited community participation in the Complete Streets Program's Kapahulu Avenue Walk Audit that included a checklist for participants, and wanted clarification of the RRFB as compared to the community's preferred embedded crosswalk lights. Deputy Director Garrity explained that the flashing signs are similar to the new curbside pedestrian crosswalk signs.

• Matson asked if DTS has scientific studies showing the success rate for the three sign alternatives. Deputy Director Garrity did not know. Matson encouraged getting these studies form the mainland, because the embedded crosswalk lights are being used very successfully there. Deputy Director Garrity responded that DTS has had problems with the embedded lights, like seepage of water and dirt. Matson noted that these were likely installation problems.

• Vice Chair Wong and Chair West also wanted clarification on the RRFB "wig-wag" flashing lights and Matson had additional comments. Chair West asked Deputy Director Garrity to send the Board information on all three options; Deputy Director Garrity agreed to do this.

• Date Street Repaving -- Constantinau reported that the bid opening date for the repaving of Date Street is Monday, November 23, 2015, with construction estimated to begin in summer of 2016.

Villers welcomed the news and added that the Board had passed a Resolution on Date Street and requested that the Board receive in writing the decision made by the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) that road repairs following the planned infrastructure work had restored Date Street to its original or better condition per the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS). Constantinau will follow up. Villers explained that it would be a public concern if the contractor had not restored the roadway to its original or better condition but the City claims this has been done, as the government should be held accountable for the contractors' work. Constantinau said there is a contract to repave Date St. starting Nov. 23, 2016.

• Signs on Kapahulu Avenue -- DTS will issue a work order (reference Paint & Sign Work Order 132648) to the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to install "No Bicycling Skateboarding Rollerskating on Sidewalk" signs on both sides of Kapahulu Avenue between Date Street and Harding Avenue.

• Fence Near St. Louis Drive -- The fence was fixed by St. Louis Drive. The City thanked the Board for noting the fencing concern, so appropriate action could be taken.

• Request for a Crosswalk between the Community Garden and Kapi'olani Park -- The DTS contractor completed the installation of the mid-block crosswalk on Paki Avenue between the community garden and Kapiolani Park on Friday, August 7, 2015. St. Denis added that the crosswalk increases safety in the community, especially for the community open market held in the Monsarrat Avenue parking lot on Wednesdays.

Comments followed:

1. Bicycling Signs -- Armentrout had requested more signs prohibiting bicycling on the sidewalks from Date Street to Leahi Avenue. Constantinau will follow up.

2. Pualei Circle Streetlight -- Vice Chair Wong had e-mailed Constantinau about a streetlight. Constantinau noted that the e-mail cc.ed Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Director Ross Sasamura, who responded and gave a direct number for streetlight issues. Constantinau will check if Vice Chair Wong was cc.ed on the response. Vice Chair Wong had not received the response. Chair West will forward the response to Vice Chair Wong.

3. Pualei Circle Tree-trimming -- Constantinau responded to Vice Chair Wong that this item needed more time to follow up.

4. Department of the Corporation Counsel (COR) and Civil Defense Sirens -- Narita requested follow-up on the St. Louis Heights Civil Defense siren issue and the related Department of the Corporation Counsel (COR) opinion.

5. Kapahulu Avenue Paving -- Narita noted that after the gas main fire during the Kapahulu Avenue road reconstruction project, the section between Campbell and Harding Avenues will be repaved with another layer of asphalt on top of the existing road. As the built-up crown of road will be too high, tall tour buses may tilt and hit shrubbery, signs, or poles, if using the side lanes. Constantinau will follow up. Matson added that trolleys and tour buses are too wide for the traffic lanes on Kapahulu Avenue, and often use two (2) lanes to stabilize, which causes more traffic congestion. Armentrout mentioned that many City buses use the right lanes on Kapahulu Avenue, and now that DTS plans to integrate bike sharrows with these lanes, it will make it more dangerous.

Chair West thanked Constantinau.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi -- James Larson distributed Councilmember Kobayashi's newsletter and Councilmember Kobayashi highlighted the following:

• Pedestrian Safety -- Pedestrian Safety was a much-discussed topic at the Mānoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 last night, Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Near misses are a problem, as it is on Kapahulu Avenue where the crosswalks are in the dark. Councilmember Kobayashi noted proper lighting at the overhead lights on a six (6) lane-wide South King Street by Time's Super Market. The embedded crosswalk lights are now being tested in Kalihi.

• Light-emitting diodes (LED) Lights -- Councilmember Kobayashi was not satisfied with the old technology of "blue" light-emitting diodes (LED) to be used in the City streetlights. Astronomers from the University of Hawaiʻi -- Mānoa testified against these lights, and it has been noted that people are getting sick from these lights. The Requests for Proposals (RFP) mentioned only this type of light. Two (2) companies, that favored a different light, were disqualified for not filing forms on time. The Council asked for a report on how this was allowed to happen.

• Recycling/Clean Up Event -- The 12th annual Community Clean Up at Kaimuki High School will be on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Comments followed:

1. Light-emitting diodes (LED) Lights -- Matson asked if the Ethics Commission should get involved in investigating the contract, and noted the City could be liable for the public health impacts. Councilmember Kobayashi responded that she asked for the report.

2. Gas Company Metering --A resident was concerned about the Gas Company's and HECO's smart meters causing electrical fires, and many residents do not want them installed. Councilmember Kobayashi responded that this is the responsibility of these utility corporations and not a City decision. She noted that the City and County of Honolulu (C&C) pays a $55 million electricity bill a year and should be looking at alternative energy sources for everything from rooftop solar to solar sidewalks and windows. Councilmembers Kobayashi and Ozawa introduced a bill to encourage energy alternatives to reduce the amount of this high expense to the City.

3. Bill 25, Sponsorships at the Zoo -- Armentrout mentioned that Bill 25 passed third (3rd) reading and would allow logo signs in the Zoo acknowledging private zoo sponsorship. Armentrout noted this is within Kapiolani Park Trust property and concerns the Attorney General's Office and the Kapiʻolani Park Trust. Councilmember Kobayashi mentioned that sponsorship signage was not considered by the City's Corporation Counsel to be advertising, and that rules have to be made. Matson noted there is a potential for a lawsuit stemming from advertising on Kapiolani Park Trust Lands. Councilmember Kobayashi responded this is why the term sponsorship was used to attract revenue for the Zoo to maintain accreditation.

4. Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- Villers asked if there had been any investigation of HART as discussed for the last two (2) years. Councilmember Kobayashi responded that an audit of HART had just begun because the Auditor had other audit jobs to do preceding this audit, and Councilmember Kobayashi will share the report with the Board when it is completed.

5. Bill 25 -- Matson had addition comments. Councilmember Kobayashi does not know if logo signs will be used inside zoo.

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa -- Francis Choe distributed Councilmember Ozawa's newsletter and was available for questions:

• Special City Council Meeting for Bills 57 and 58 -- Matson referred to a Special Council Meeting notice for Wednesday, October 14, 2015 and a 120-day extension request for Bills 57 and 58, relating to rezoning Waikiki mini-parks and apartments to mixed use. Choe responded that the re-committal of Bills 57 and 58 to the Zoning and Planning Committee was requested by Councilmember Ozawa. The next Zoning and Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2015, and Choe assured the Board that the parks are intended to remain Public Precinct. Vice Chair Wong requested an update on the results. Armentrout restated her concern about Waikiki boundary map issues. Choe responded that different boundary maps are used, and the Department of Planning and Permitting is now trying to produce uniform maps. Armentrout explained that the new map attached to Bill 58 shows the mixed-use re-zoning going into the middle of Kuhio Avenue.

Governor David Ige's Representative -- There was no representative present and no report available.

Senator Les Ihara, Jr. -- Senator Ihara reported the following:

• Legislative Session -- The 2016 Session will begin on Wednesday, January 20, 2015.

• Judges -- The Senate will have a Special Session to confirm two (2) district judges and one (1) circuit judge.

• Kupuna Caucus -- Senator Ihara is a co-convenor of the Senate's Kupuna Caucus that works on senior citizens‘ issues, and the Kupuna Caucus Legislative Family Caregiver Working Group Committee is working on hospital discharge policies and legislation for caregivers to be properly trained so patients do not have to return to the hospital.

• Gold Coast Seawall -- The Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled against Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), which has asked the State Supreme Court to consider reviewing the their appeal. Senator Ihara gave a brief history of the public access to the beach and the State not wanting additional maintenance cost, as this will set a precedent for other coastal properties.

• St. Louis Heights Telecommunications Outage -- The Public Utilities Commission is looking into the loss of telephone and data services in St. Louis Heights and Senator Ihara offered his assistance to the Board as needed.

• St. Louis Heights Civil Defense Sirens -- Senator Ihara will follow up on the sirens in the State parks.

• Diamond Head Road Naupaka Overgrowth -- Senator Ihara will work with Senator Slom to follow up on the naupaka plants in the roadway up to 3222 Diamond Head Road. He noted that the DLNR is stretched on resources and is now hiring union workers for this work this instead of private contractors. Senator Ihara mentioned that he no longer represents the area due to Senate reapportionment but will work with the DLNR Deputy to assist with Diamond Head Advisory Committee concerns.

Extension of Meeting Time - Chair West mentioned that he checked and was recently informed that there was no rule or need to formally request an extension of the time limit to beyond 8:30 p.m.

Senator Sam Slom -- Senator Slom distributed his printed report, assured the Board that he will work in a non-partisan way with Senator Ihara on the Board's concerns, and highlighted the following:

• Rail Construction Issues -- Senator Slom was concerned that the rail system construction is over-budget and not on time. He said people need to be concerned that the hundreds of millions and billions of dollars being spent on the rail project is being diverted from needed funds for highways, sewers, water, bridges, tunnels, and other needed areas.

• United Public Workers (UPW) Settlement -- A recent news article reported that the State contract with the UPW was settled, which actually happened on June 29, 2015, and this means that the State is now reducing privatization efforts and hiring more public union workers at higher cost and lower quality of services. The emphasis of the agreement is on maintenance and landscaping, but there are three (3) pages of new job descriptions.

• University of Hawaiʻi -- Mānoa (UH) Education Building/Department of Education (DOE) -- There were recent news articles about the UH Education Building being in serious despair, and the lack of fans or air conditioning in the DOE public schools. Senator Slom noted that the UH building has been rat-infested, unsafe, and unhealthy for years, and these conditions are not caused by the absence of Legislative funding, but the by the spending priorities of the Department of Education (DOE) and other departments.

• Public Utilities Commission Listening Sessions -- The next "Listening Session" by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on the HECO/NextEra sale will be on O'ahu, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at McKinley High School at 6:00 p.m. Neither HECO or NextEra are planning to be there. There will also be formal hearings between the parties that the Board should be aware of.

• Hawaiʻi Health Connector -- After $200 million of federal funds was spent by the State, the State will spend more state funds to keep the Hawaiʻi Health Connector operating until it will be closed down and be placed under the federal program next October 2016. When the Affordable Care Act first came out, many promises were made, including keeping your own doctor and present health plan, and saving up to $2,500 annually per family. Senator Slom noted that none of these claims were kept, and the State Insurance Commissioner just approved a 27% increase for HMSA and a 34% increase for Kaiser as of January 2015.

House Speaker Emeritus (HSE) Calvin Say -- Armentrout noted that House Speaker Emeritus Say was on the mainland and there was no report available.

Representative Bert Kobayashi -- Representative Kobayashi was not present. However, the newsletter was available.

Representative Scott Nishimoto -- Representative Nishimoto reported that the Community Clean-up and Recycling Project will be on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Kaimuki High School from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. He noted that if items need to be picked up, this might be arranged depending on the size.

Comments followed:

1. Ala Wai Canal Project -- Armentrout noted Senator Nishimoto was at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ala Wai Canal Project public meeting on September 30, 2015, and asked what he thought of their proposal to flood the golf course and build pumping stations, etc. Representative Nishimoto noted that there were many concerns expressed, and hopes the USACE will take these under advisement. Murai added a few comments.

2. McCully-Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board No. 8 Special Meeting -- Resident Murai noted that the McCully-Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board will have a Special Meeting on moped noise and other community issues on Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Washington Middle School Cafeteria, 1633 South King Street. Representative Nishimoto confirmed he would be there, and pointed out that he has introduced moped noise bills at the Legislature nearly every year.

PRESENTATIONS

Proposal for a Denny's at Kapahulu/Kuhio Avenues -- Tom Schnell of PBR Hawaiʻi, representing the property owners, presented plans for a Denny's family restaurant at Kuhio and Kapahulu Avenues, for which an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Waikiki Special District (WSD) Permit are required by the Department of Planning and Permitting.

The restaurant is planned on a 13,500 sq. ft. lot that has been vacant since the 1980s. It is zoned resort mixed-use with a 220 feet height limit.

• The developers are proposing a single-story 5,000 sq. ft. restaurant building with outdoor seating along Kuhio Avenue, secure surf board racks in the back for the employees, and a banquet room.

• Property owner Don Horner envisions a "Hawaiian sense of place" theme, with a green tiled roof and large windows, and a sustainable design that includes a well-insulated structure, sustainable tropical landscaping, and a recycling area.

• There will be 11 parking spaces for the 200-seat restaurant, with right turns only to enter and exit the property from Kuhio Avenue

• The restaurant's main entrance will be very visible on Kapahulu Avenue..

• The Environmental Assessment (EA) will include a traffic study and an engineering report on drainage, water and sewer capacity in the area.

• The archaeological inventory survey results show no findings of archaeological features.

• The EA is expected to be completed in mid-November, 2015, and will be followed by a 30-day public comment period.

• The Waikiki Special District Permitting process will follow and also requires public comment opportunities at the City level.

• The Department of Planning and Permitting's Design Advisory Committee will also have a public hearing on the project.

• Construction is estimated to begin around October 2016.

• Schnell's presentation to the Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 received favorable comments.

Comments followed:

1. Parking Capacity - Armentrout was concerned about the commercial restaurant parking using the Zoo's parking on Kapiolani Park Trust property. Persons asked if the building could be elevated with parking placed underneath. Wong suggested placing a time limit of 1 to 2 hours on the 11 parking stalls. Schnell responded that 24/7 walk-in traffic is expected from area residents, and on-site parking capacity will meet Department of Planning and Permitting requirements.

2. Security -- Mathieu asked about the provision of security measures. Schnell responded that this franchise owner is different from the other franchise owner who operated the Denny's on lower Kapahulu Avenue, and security will be provided as needed.

3. Kapiʻolani Park Trust -- Matson provided a zoning map and GIS overlay and pointed out that the map shows that the corner of the property is part of the Kapiolani Park Trust lands.. Schnell confirmed being recently informed of this and that there are three (3) parcels in question. Matson suggested realigning the main entrance and contributing appropriate park landscaping to this small area of 630 sq. ft. for public use. Schnell was already aware of the Trust issues, and mentioned that Horner wanted to confer with Matson.

4. Villers noted the unobtrusive building design and considered it to be a good fit with the neighborhood.

5. A resident asked if the project will have Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. Schnell replied that an application has not been submitted for the Certification, but the project design standards will be close to the requirements.

Anela Garden Chapel Update -- Devon Nekoba distributed a handout for advertising the services and provided statistics on the chapel's weddings and receptions for 2014 and 2015 to date. There were 564 ceremonies and 349 receptions, with the highest counts at 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm, and others at 4 pm, none at 6 pm, and a few from 7 to 9 pm. There will be no transfer of license to operate if the property is sold.

Comments followed:

• Villers requested the highest number of guests attending a ceremony in one month.

• Mathieu noted that she used to live next to the Anela Garden Chapel and had no issues with them. Nekoba replied that Anela Gardens wanted to earn the community's respect.

• Vice Chair Wong wanted and Nekoba provided clarification on the statistics.

• Murai noted that Anela Gardens wants the liquor license to sell liquor for large parties.

Car Sharing -- Deputy Director Mark Garrity, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) reported since his last visit to this Board that the Car Sharing bill was passed and that DTS is working on the rules. Deputy Director Garrity had mentioned that there are two (2) types of car sharing programs: residential parking would have up to 50 off-street parking spots leased to car share vehicle companies in public lots; and one (1)-way trips with "free floating" parking spaces would allow renters to drive the vehicles one-way in the Honolulu urban area. DTS is hoping to complete the car sharing rules by the end of 2015 and have a public hearing on the rules early in 2016.

Comments followed:

• Villers requested updates on the rules, especially for the locations of the off-street lots; and asked how many vehicles would be involved in the one (1)-way program for urban Honolulu, and where the funds would be allocated. Deputy Director Garrity estimated 175 total vehicles, and stated that the fees for the parking spaces go into the highway fund.

• Matson asked if any of the commercial car share enterprise's leased parking spaces are proposed for Kapiolani Park. Deputy Director Garrity responded that none are planned in Kapiolani Park.

BOARD BUSINESS

As there were no objections, Chair West changed the order of the agenda.

Date Street Resolution Distributed -- Chair West noted that the Date Street resolution, written by Villers and L. Wong was distributed by the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO).

Bill 60/Parade Law Update -- Vice Chair Wong reported that she attended the City Council Transportation Committee Meeting and succeeded in adding into Bill 60 2015 CD1 that DTS will continuously post on their website "Legacy Parades" so Major Parades on Kalakaua will be able to be counted regarding the Parade Law. Vice Chair Wong requested Board authorization to represent the Board when working with the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) to count 60, not 28 parades, on Kalakaua Avenue. As there no objections, the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 appointed Vice Chair Linda Wong to represent it when working with the DTS on the number of parades in Waikiki by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 14-0-0 (AYE: Allen, Armentrout, Mathieu, Matson, Miller, Naho'opi'i, Narita, Peralto, Persons, St. Denis, Villers, Wanager, West, and Wong; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Picture Taking of the Neighborhood Board -- Miller and Vice Chair Wong wanted to take the picture at this meeting. Chair West decided to move forward on the agenda.

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report -- Armentrout reported that in September 2015, $35.15 was spent for the printing and mailing of the agenda and minutes, leaving a balance of $2,345.46. The Treasurer's report was filed.

Annual Board Newsletter -- Armentrout wanted to submit the Board picture tonight and have Board members send articles to Secretary Mathieu to put out the newsletter by November 2015. Peralto favored the Board revisiting 'Olelo taping of Board meetings on the November 2015 agenda. Chair West mentioned that the Board had previously voted to not participate in the 'Olelo Broadcast program, but will reconsider next month. Armentrout will still work on an article for the newsletter.

Subdistrict 1 (St. Louis Heights) -- Julia Allen reported that there was no meeting this month. The next meeting of the St. Louis Heights Association will be on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the Hokulani Elementary School.

Subdistrict 2 (Kapahulu) -- Bertha Naho'opi'i had no report.

Subdistrict 3 (Diamond Head) -- Laura St. Denis had reported on the Naupaka problem on Diamond Head Road.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO) Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) -- Bert Narita reported that due to a staff re-organization at OahuMPO, there was no agenda/minutes posted. Next month he will send his report to the NCO and interested people can ask the Neighborhood Assistant for a copy.

CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lot at 755 Kapahulu Avenue -- Chair West reported that for the lot at 755 Kapahulu Avenue (Kapahulu Avenue/Winam Street triangle intersection) in 2014 McDonald's had applied for a permit, but is no longer interested. Starb

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