Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting February 2019 Minutes

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting February 2019 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 3/20/2019.

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019

KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP HALL

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Sharon Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:03 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 - Mark Hagadone, Sharon Schneider, Marilyn Moniz, Brian Kang, Nicole Evans, Becky Gardner, Paul Hoe, Molly Pierce, Lori Yamada, and David Farrell (Appointed at this Meeting).

Board Members Absent - Calvin Hara.

Guests - Director Mark Wong, Department of Information Technology (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative), Deputy Director Leonard Hoshijo, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (Governor David Ige's Representative), Lieutenant G. Sunada and Sergeant R. Jacobs (Honolulu Police Department); Firefighter III Vail Minn (Honolulu Fire Department); James Larson (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office); Senator Les Ihara Jr.; Ian Terayama (Senator Stanley Chang's Office); Scot Shimamura and Elton Fukumoto (Representative Calvin Say's Office); Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Councilmember Michael Formby and Kenny Amazaki (Councilmember Michael Formby's Office), Bryan Kimura (Hawaii Department of Transportation), Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College); Wai Lee and Rachael Cleveland (Smart Trees Pacific), Nate Gyotoku, Naomi Fein, Sophia Codella, (Kupu), Tom Dinell and Daniel Dinell (Trees of Honolulu's Future), Teri Skillman (Kamehameha Canoe Club), Raul Torres (Na Wahine), Gavin Hirokawa, Kelimia Medrick, Tae Kim, Dave Watase, Trevor Ozawa, Daniel Sherman, Sandy Park, Randall Mau, Raytan Vares, Lynn Nakagawa, Sean Nagamatsu and G Sugita (Residents); Christopher Naylon (Neighborhood Commission Office).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Firefighter III Vail Minn reported the following:

• January 2019 Statistics: There was one (1) wildland/brush fire, two (2) cooking fires, two (2) activated alarms, 81 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collision with a pedestrian, four (4) motor vehicle crash/collisions, one (1) mountain rescue, and one (1) ocean rescue.

• Safety Tip - Call 911: HFD reminds the public to call 911 first for an emergency. Do not drive to a fire station, as a fire company may be responding to another emergency. When you call 911, inform the operator if you need police, fire, or ambulance. After you have been transferred to the appropriate agency, give an accurate description of your emergency, address, or location. The operator will dispatch the closest available fire company to your emergency.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant Jacobs reported the following:

• January 2019 Statistics: There were seven (7) motor vehicle thefts, 10 burglaries, 32 thefts, 25 unauthorized entry of motor vehicles (UEMV) and 6,197 total calls for service.

• Safety Tip - Home Security Tips: Please visit http://www.honolulupd.org/downloads/HomeSecurityTips.pdf for the HPD handout on home security.

Questions and comments followed: Private Roads: Yamada noted her concerns about Noeau Street and stated that there is an issue with residents parking on both sides of the street. Yamada stated that the issue is persistent due to the amount of private roads in the region and creates an issue with garbage collection. HPD stated that there are jurisdictional issues with private roads. HPD noted that residents could band together to help regulate parking on these private roads. Chair Schneider asked about the implementation of signs on private roads and HPD stated that they cannot regulate private roads without the City and County of Honolulu adopting the road beforehand. A resident noted that vehicles are still parked within "No Parking" zones. Amazaki stated that the City and County of Honolulu can accept the street if it meets regulations.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - No representative was present, no report was given.

FILLING OF BOARD VACANCY: David Farrell introduced himself to the community.

Hoe nominated Farrell. Farrell was ELECTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT by HAND VOTE, (9-0-0). (Aye: Schneider, Hoe, Pierce, Gardner, Moniz, Kang, Hagadone, Evans, and Yamada, Nay: None, Abstain: None)

Chair Schneider called for a recess at 7:15 p.m.

Farrell was sworn into the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board NO.4 at 7:16 p.m.

Chair Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m.

Farrell joined the meeting at 7:17 p.m.; 10 members present.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND PUBLIC INPUT

• Honolulu Prosecutor Candidate: Tae Kim introduced himself to the community and stated that he is running for the Honolulu Prosecutor's office.

• Kapiolani Community College (KCC): Carol Hoshiko, Dean of KCC, gave the following report:

o Green Energy Initiative: Hoshiko stated that KCC is attempting to utilize 100% renewable energy by 2035. They are producing 3% of their energy through the use of solar while decreasing their dependence on fossil fuels by 11%. Hoshiko asked to give a presentation at the March 2019 meeting and stated that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be released in February 2019.

??? Envision Kaimuki: Yamada stated that Envision Kaimuki is a 501-c that focuses on the growth of the community while keeping the heart of Kaimuki. Envision Kaimuki has a historical lecture about Kaimuki planned for Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Da Shop bookstore from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please message Envision Kaimuki at https://www.facebook.com/envisionkaimuki/ for an invitation.

Questions and comments followed:

1. Presentation: Evans asked if the KCC presentation could be given during Community Concerns and Hoshiko stated that they are attempting to garner community input on the subject.

2. Green Energy Initiative: Hagadone asked about their percentage of green energy used and Hoshiko stated that new green energy technology could reduce their traditional energy use by 80%.

3. Envision Kaimuki: Hagadone asked when Envision Kaimuki will meet and Yamada stated that the meeting will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

PRESENTATIONS

Smart Tree Pacific: Wai Lee, Executive Director of Smart Tree Pacific, gave the following report:

• Urban Forestry: Lee stated that importance of community based urban forestry that has the community actively work on the plan for their region. With their efforts, communities are able to plan for a greener future. Smart Trees Pacific has done similar projects within Honolulu's urban core and stated that they are attempting to bring a similar project to Kaimuki with the assistance of Envision Kaimuki and the City and County of Honolulu. Smart Tree Pacific is attempting to create a legacy for future generations.

• Forestry Coalition: Lee noted that they have been attempting to create an urban forestry coalition since 2017.

• Citizen Forestry Program: Rachael Cleveland gave the report for the Citizen Forestry Program.

o Community Work: Cleveland stated that the program has individuals from the Federal, State, and City and County of Honolulu levels working in conjunction to train citizens in data collection methods. The citizens then use this training to collect data on trees within their community. The citizens then find and identify any issues with the tree. The program has been utilized within Kailua and is currently expanding. Smart Tree Pacific is looking for caring community members or groups that will assist in expanding the program into Kalihi and Kaimuki.

o Benefits for the Community: Cleveland stated that trees have many benefits for the community: physical, fiscal, and psychological. 90,000 acres of trees within Oahu have been lost in the past four (4) years. Cleveland stated that there is no formal inventory of Oahu's trees and noted that this is a hindrance in protecting these trees.

• Tree Plotter: Please visit https://pg-cloud.com/hawaii/ to see more information about all the trees that have been registered.

• Citizen Forester Training Times: Please email info@smarttreespacific.org with any questions or for more information.

Questions and comments followed:

1. Tree Removal: Hagadone asked if the program works with the City and County of Honolulu while removing trees and Lee stated that they work in conjunction with the City and County of Honolulu's Department for Urban Forestry while accessing trees. Smart Tree Pacific is attempting to give the community more power and knowledge about the trees within their community.

2. KCC: Hoshiko asked that Smart Tree Pacific give a presentation at KCC.

Kupu: Representatives from Kupu gave the following report:

• Details: Kupu is a 501-c based in Oahu that empowers young adults in hands-on conservation and sustainability practices. The program has had 3,500 alumni go through their program in the past 11 years.

• Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) Summer Program: The HYCC program offers individuals the opportunity to gain experience in a supportive team environment. Participants are assigned to a specific island and spend the summer months serving outdoors at various environmental organizations. The program last seven (7) weeks and includes 300 hours of volunteer work. The program has started registration. For more information please visit http://www.kupuhawaii.org/hycc-summer/.

• Citizen's Forestry Team: Kupu is working with Smart Trees Pacific in attempting to expand their Citizen's Forestry Team. They are utilizing a pilot program that last six (6) months and teaches their interns about being an arborist. Kupu has informed the community about their previous work in Palolo and stated that they are giving presentations to students from grades Kindergarten through 12th.

Questions and comments followed:

1. Presentations: Gardner asked about Kupu giving presentation at Liholiho Elementary and Kupu stated that they will be beginning their presentation in March 2019.

2. Jurisdiction: Hagadone asked how the trees' location is accessed for the program and Kupu stated that they only work with regions that are surrounding the freeways on City and County of Honolulu land. Kupu noted that this is their first attempt at a project within the urban core.

Hearing no concerns, Chair Schneider returned to Agenda Topic: Community Concerns.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Boca Hawaii: Raul Torres gave the following report:

• Hawaii Pacific Health Women's 10k/5k: There will be a Hawaii Pacific Health Women's 10k and 5k fun run on Sunday, May 5, 2019. For more information or to register, please visit https://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/health-wellness/events/hawaii-pacific-health-womens-10k/ or email info@hawaiipacifichealth.org with any questions.

• Na Wahine Triathlon: The 21st Na Wahine Festival will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019 in Kapiolani Park at 6:30 a.m. for more information please visit www.nawahineracinghi.com.

Kamehameha Canoe Club: Teri Skillman gave the following report:

• Details: The Kamehameha Canoe Club meets at Ala Wai Community Park near the McCully Bridge. Practices will be held in the Ala Wai Canal and will concentrate on spreading the traditional style of paddling. For more information, please visit www.friendsofkcc.org.

Hearing no objections, Chair Schneider returned to Agenda Topic: Elected Officials.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - Mark Wong submitted a report that stated the following:

• Tree Mapping Application: Wong noted the City and County of Honolulu tree mapping called Tree Canopy. The application can be found online at http://honolulugis.org/. Wong noted Mayor Caldwell's plans to plant 100,000 trees. Pierce noted that felled or fallen trees can be registered too.

• Motor Vehicle Registration: Wong stated that residents can now utilize kiosks in Safeway stores and the City and County of Honolulu's online registration process to pay for their motor vehicle registration. The City and County of Honolulu is attempting to utilize automatic registration in the future.

• 70th Mayor's Memorial Day 2019 Poster Contest: The Mayor's Memorial Day Poster Contest started on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 and will end on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The competition is open to all students, statewide, in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. All students in public, private, home, or charter schools may enter the contest. The contest is divided into three (3) categories: Kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth through eighth grade, and ninth through twelfth grade. First, second, and third place winners will be chosen in each category. Winning artwork will be made into posters to encourage the donation of flower lei to be placed on each gravesite at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

• Neighborhood Board Elections: The Neighborhood Board System was established in 1973 by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi as a way to spur civic participation and engage with city government. Currently, there are 33 Neighborhood Boards across Oahu, which are comprised of 437 elected volunteer board members. Any Oahu resident who is 18 years of age can become a candidate. The Neighborhood Board Election will be held online from Friday, April 26, 2019 through Friday, May 17, 2019. For more information call 768-3705 or visit www.honolulu.gov/nco.

• Sidewalks: The Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) noted that determination for the need of marked crosswalks on Pahoa Avenue between 16th Avenue and 22nd Avenue is performed by traffic engineers with the Department of Transportation Services (DTS). Inspection of the area indicated that the crosswalk pavement markings on Pahoa Avenue, between 18th Avenue and 22nd Avenue are in fairly good shape although the crosswalk at 21st Avenue appeared to be a bit faded. A service request has been prepared to repaint the faded crosswalk at 21st Avenue. DTS will perform an investigation, which will include crosswalk evaluations, site inspections, and a review of the traffic collision history and take appropriate action as warranted by our analysis. DTS will inform the board of the status of their investigation by June 2019.

• Parking Lot Plans: Wong disseminated plans from the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) for the future of the Kaimuki municipal parking lot. The plans utilize pavers in an attempt to mitigate flooding and repair times. Wong will report back on the plans for the parking meters.

• Ala Wai Canal Project: The DDC has asked that residents refer to the Corps of Engineers website at https://www.poh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Projects/Ala-Wai-Canal/ for the latest project information. The City and County of Honolulu, State and Corps of Engineers will be holding public information meetings in the near future.

• Unique Crosswalk: The Department of Permitting and Planning (DPP) asked that the response be sent to DTS.

Questions and comments followed:

1. Clearing of Refuse: Yamada asked about the clearing of refuse on Noeau Street, between 15th Avenue and 16th Avenue, has cars parked on both sides of the street. This makes it so the road is too narrow for trash collection. Is there any way the City and County of Honolulu could address the collection challenges.

2. Unique Crosswalks: Gardner asked for the locations of unique crosswalks.

3. Abandoned Lot: Gardner stated that there is an abandoned building project near her residence. Gardner noted the materials that were blown about during the recent storms and asked if she should call the DPP about the abandoned lot. Hagadone asked and Wong stated that this situation could be reported to the 311 App.

4. Parking Meter Rates: A resident asked whom should be contacted about the increase in parking rates and Wong noted that the DTS and City Council could assist them with their concerns. A resident asked and Wong stated that there is no precedence for the lowering of parking rates. Chair Schneider stated that the municipal lots have not been affected yet.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi - James Larson disseminated a newsletter.

Interim Representative Michael Formby - Interim Representative Michael Formby introduced themselves and gave the following report:

• Ala Wai Canal Project: Formby disseminated a letter from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that stated their work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in conducting a feasibility study for the proposed Ala Wai Canal Project. Formby stated that he is attempting to work in conjunction with the USACE and the community to finish the project. Formby stated that there will be a public forum for the project held in March 2019 to address the project.

• Contact information: Please contact mforby@honolulu.gov with any concerns for District 4.

Questions followed: Ala Wai Canal Project: Gardner asked when the USACE reports originated and Formby stated that the reports were from 2015. Formby noted that he does not have the most recent information from the USACE.

District 4 House of Representative Special Election: Tommy Waters and Trevor Ozawa introduced themselves to the community.

Governor David Ige's Representative: Leonard Hoshijo was present; the following report was given.

• Public Preschool: The Department of Education (DOE) is attempting to restructure schools that are presently composed of Kindergarten through 5th grade. The DOE is attempting to restructure the schools to be pre-k through 5th grade. 6th grade would then become part of the middle school program.

• Affordable Housing: The State is proposing legislation to build condominiums on State lands utilizing 99-year leases. This will include parcels along the transit route as well as on other underutilized State lands. The legislation will be critical in unlocking the potential of thousands of new affordable housing units to be built on State lands on all islands.

• Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT): The State will be asking Legislature to remove the current $103 million cap on the TAT and return the tax to how it originally functioned: allocating to the counties straight percentage of TAT funds collected.

• Point in Time Count: Hawaii has reduced their homeless population for two (2) consecutive years, for a total reduction of 18%. This includes decreases in every county, including key homeless groups such as families, children, and veterans.

• Raise in the Minimum Wage: There is an attempt to raise the minimum wage to a livable wage.

Questions followed: DOE Lands: Moniz asked about the DOE's plans to rent out underutilized DOE land within their district and the possible impact due to venue location. Hoshijo will report back.

Senator Stanley Chang - Ian Terayama reported the following:

• Session Focus: Senate Bill 1 (SB1) and Senate Bill 400 (SB400) establishes the ALOHA homes program to develop low-cost homes with 99 year leases to Hawaii residents on State-owned and City and County of Honolulu owned land near the rail stations of the Honolulu rail transit system. These homes will only be available to Hawaii residents, but there will be no first time home buyer requirement and no income restrictions. The State will keep 75% of all profits from all future resale.

Senator Les Ihara: Senator Ihara reported the following:

• Legislative Deadline: Senator Ihara noted that the deadline for submission of Bills will be Friday, March 1, 2019.

??? Marijuana: The House of Representatives has plans to decriminalize marijuana but is not planning to legalize the use of recreational marijuana.

• Minimum Wage: Senator Ihara noted their support of raising the minimum wage to a livable wage.

• Relative Investment Trust (RIT) Bill: The RIT Bill could bring $60 million into the State. The State has the highest RIT rate across the nation.

• All-Mail Ballots: Senator Ihara stated that the State is attempting to switch to all-mail ballots by 2020 or 2022.

Questions and comments followed: Mail-In Ballots: Hagadone asked about the issues with mail-in ballots in previous elections and Senator Ihara stated that there would need to be a system created to better regulate the ballots. Waters noted that there is an issue due to signatures on ballots not matching the signature from registration. Senator Ihara asked and Waters stated that a signature verification system, similar to the outer islands, would assist in the issue. Waters noted that this system would slow the ballot counting process.

Speaker Emeritus Representative Calvin Say: Representative Calvin Say's representative, Scot Shimamura, gave the following report:

• Abandoned Vehicles: Shimamura stated that 1,800 abandoned vehicles were removed from the roadway in 2018. Please contact 733-2530 to report any abandoned vehicles.

• Kaimuki High School: The repaving of the Kaimuki High School parking lot is awaiting the allocation of funds.

• Sierra Drive: Sierra Drive will soon be repaved by a contractor.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi - Representative Kobayashi reported the following:

• Fiscal Report: Representative Kobayashi noted that there has been an 80 million dollar lost in Fiscal Year 2020. State Office of Revenue report that an additional loss of 43 million dollars will occur in the next Fiscal Year.

??? Diamond Head Homelessness Enforcement: On Friday, February 1, 2019 the HPD and City and County of Honolulu conducted a homeless sweep along Diamond Head Road.

• Real Property Tax: Representative Kobayashi stated that no new Real Property Tax legislation has been introduced.

Congressman Ed Case - Congressman Ed Case's representative was not present; no report was given.

Hearing no objections, Chair Schneider added Agenda Item: Hawaii Department of Transportation.

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT): HDOT representatives gave the following report:

• Kokohead Avenue Off-ramp: HDOT representatives stated that the Kokohead Avenue off-ramp has timing issues that create traffic issues. This is due to the presence of one (1) controller and two (2) lights.

• Hawaii Road Usage Charge (RUC): The RUC is a per-mile fee that drivers pay to fund the upkeep of the roads instead of paying a tax on gasoline. RUC is similar to how we pay for other public utilities, such as water or electricity. Each driver pays for exactly how much they use. There will be regional RUC meetings in the following regions:

o Kapolei: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, location to be determined.

o Ainahaina: Tuesday, April 16, 2019, location to be determined.

o Kaneohe: Wednesday, April,17, 2019, location to be determined.

• Contact Info: Please visit www.HIRUC.com for more information.

Questions followed: RUC: Hagadone asked if 2000 volunteers will properly represent the residents of Oahu. HDOT stated that they are attempting to take a statistical cross section of the volunteers. Hagadone asked about the methods to test the project and HDOT stated that there are two (2) processes to test the project. Evans asked if any other states have introduced these taxes and HDOT stated that the Western States Coalition had similar studies conducted.

BOARD BUISNESS

Rezoning of Tax Map Key 1-3-2-014-009, 1041 12th Avenue, from Residential-5 (R-5) to Business-2 (B-2) - No representative was present; the following public input was taken:

• Strain on Infrastructure: A resident stated that the region cannot take an increase in traffic. The resident noted that previous infrastructural additions were denied due to the region being unable to handle an increased load. A resident noted a previous senior apartment project that was proposed in 2018 and denied due an inadequate infrastructure. A resident noted that there are issues in the area due to the dead end, lack of crosswalks and streetlights.

• Real Estate Speculators: Nakagawa stated that real estate speculators enter the region to create illegally operated businesses. Nakagawa stated that the Kaimuki Business Plaza continues to creep into the surrounding regions.

Questions followed: Contact with Applicant: Chair Schneider asked if the applicant has been contacted and the resident stated that the applicant has not been contacted.

Approval of Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes - Evans moved and Pierce seconded the MOTION to APPROVE the Wednesday, January 16, 2019, regular meeting minutes as AMENDED, 10-0-0. (AYE: Hagadone, Schneider, Moniz, Kang, Evans, Gardner, Hoe, Pierce, Ferrell and Yamada; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Amendments were as follows:

• On page five (5), under Fiscal Report, it should read," Fiscal Report: Representative Kobayashi noted that there has been an 80 million dollar lost in Fiscal Year 2020. State Office of Revenue report that an additio0nal loss of 43 million dollars will occur in the next Fiscal Year."

• On page two (2), under Ala Wai Canal Project, it should read," Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)."

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report - Kang reported an expenditure of $25.68 in January 2019 and a balance of $275.32.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Anna Pruitt is a graduate student at UH Manoa and has a survey out about Homelessness. A flyer is on the table with information and a link to take the survey.

B. Parking meter rates are going up to $3.00 per hour in the Urban Core and Waikiki and outside of the core to $1.50 hour. - This affects Kaimuki's Waialae Avenue, KokoHead Avenue and 12th Avenue.

C. EnVision Kaimuki is moving forward with its "Adopt-a-

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