P LOLO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 6

  December 2019 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019
PALOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Randolph Hack called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum WAS ESTABLISHED with 10 members present. Note: This 13-member board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Jesus Arriola, Frank Farm, Joshua Frost, Randolph Hack, Darlene Nakayama, Beverly Mau, Rusti Onishi, Earl Shiraki, Richard Skizewski, and Jessica Welch.

Board Members Absent: Shane Albritton.

Guests: Fire Fighter Aubrey Lovemen (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Won Jacobs, Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Cliff Kaneshiro (Councilmember Ann Koabayashi's Office; Ross Sasamura (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Cat Awakuni Colon (Governor David Ige's Representative); Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say; Dave Watase, Jackson Sayama, Jay Ishibashi, Barbra Armentrout, Judy Baltierra, Celeste Roberts (Residents); Lindon Valenciano (Neighborhood Commission Office). Name was not included if not legible on the sign-in sheet.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Fire Fighter Aubrey Lovemen reported the following:
November 2019 Statistics: There was 1 activated alarm (no fire), 27 medical emergencies, 2 motor vehicle collisions, and 3 mountain rescues.
Safety Tip: Holiday Safety: HFD provided Christmas and New Year's fire safety tips.
o Select a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched
o Add water to the tree stand daily.
o Use lights that are in good repair, and never use open flames, such as candles, to light your tree.
o Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving your home or going to bed.
o Remove the tree from your home immediately after Christmas or when it is dry. Dispose of it in your green waste bin or drop it off at any of the City's Refuse and Recycling Convenience Centers.
o Aerial fireworks and novelty items, such as sparklers and fountains, are illegal on Oahu.
o Firecrackers are legal on Oahu and require a permit to purchase and use them.
o Firecrackers are dangerous and are allowed to be used by a person 18 years of age or older.
o The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Taro Nakamura reported the following:
November 2019 Statistics: There were 11 motor vehicle thefts, 11 burglaries, 16 thefts, and 20 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV). There were 6,155 total calls for service.
Safety Tip - Holiday Safety: The following safety tips were provided:
o Lock the doors of your home and vehicle.
o Hide your belongings in your car with a blanket while out shopping. 
o Christmas trees are like a magnet for thieves, so do not show off too much.
o Remember to keep your trees from drying and burning.
o Walk with a buddy to reduce being a target of opportunity as robberies increase this time of year.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: 
1. Bombs: Resident Jackson Sayama inquired and Lieutenant Nakamura responded that it is difficult to cite firework violators because they need the exact location and culprit; adding that if is known, help HPD by reporting it.
2. Moped Regulation: Resident Barbara Aremtrout inquired and Lieutenant Nakamura responded that HPD is citing mopeds without licenses because it is now a law, noting that the sound bill is difficult to measure fairly. Lieutenant Nakamura noted that HPD can stop and cite mopeds that are too loud, having owners redo their safety checks.
3. Neighborhood Watch: Resident Arlene inquired and Lieutenant Nakamura responded that the neighborhood watch is one of the best ways for the community to be engaged and alert of the robberies occurring. He noted to contact the Community Policing Team to create a neighborhood watch. She reported that there are many robberies in the area including her own home multiple times while she was away at work.
Board of Water Supply (BWS): Dominic Dias distributed handouts and reported the following:
Main Breaks: There were no main breaks.
Be Wary of Scam Calls/Visits: The BWS is reminding its customers to be wary of potential scams involving fraudulent phone calls or visits from people claiming to represent the water agency, stating the account is overdue, and demanding immediate payment. This warning comes as scammers have approached customers using these tactics. Residents are encouraged to call the HPD at 911 if they encounter any suspicious activity. The community may also call the BWS at 748-5000 to file an additional report.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Red Hill Tanks: Shiraki expressed his concerns to remove the fuel tanks at Red Hill and Dias responded that he was unable to make the Red Hill meeting, however you can visit the BWS website to keep updated.

Crime in Palolo Valley Special Meeting: Chair Hack noted the special meeting regarding crime in Palolo Valley.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEATS: Chair Hack petitioned the public for a volunteer to fill the vacant Board seats, no volunteers came forth.

ELECTED OFFICIALS
Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Cliff Kaneshiro distributed a newsletter and reported the following: Crime Special Meeting: Kaneshiro reiterated the special meeting regarding crime in Palolo Valley will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Palolo Elementary School at 6:00 p.m.; noting that HPD and officials will be in attendance.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Ross Sasamura, Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Director, reported the following: Parking in City Lot: Regarding privately owned vehicles parking in City property, more information is needed to take action such as the address of concern.

Governor David Ige's Representative: Cat Awakuni Colon, Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) reported the following:
Year-end Newsletter: Colon highlighted the year-end newsletter regarding two (2) major solar projects and the DCCA is looking for volunteers to serve on state boards and commissions at www.boards.hawaii.gov.
Grants in Aid (GIA): She reported that the GIA process begins with reviewing of requirements. These are delegated to various departments who will distribute funds if all requirements are met, adding that it depends on the legislature in particular.
Consumer Protection: She noted that the holidays are when we are most vulnerable and provided some consumer protection tips such as being aware of look-a-likes and use a credit card to share responsibility.

House Speaker Emeritus (HSE) Calvin Say: HSE Say reported the following:
Work Completed Update: HSE Say thanked Sasamura for his efforts of putting up the ÔNo Parking' sign at 1823 10th Avenue. He also reported that the pothole at 1605 9th Avenue was filled and the ÔStop Ahead' pavement markings at Harding and 16th Avenues was installed.
Traffic Safety Concern: HSE Say received an email from Tim Hosoda, Vice Prinicipal at Aliiolani Elementary School regarding a traffic safety concern when vehicles exit the parking lot on to 6th Avenue.
Palolo Sewer Relief Update: HSE Say gave an update regarding the Palolo Sewer Relief project and that sewer work will not start on 10th Avenue until after the holidays. Until then, the contractor work will continue on 9th Avenue and they are looking at another staging area on 10th Avenue when the work gets closer to it.
Crooked Poles: HSE Say noted that HECO is aware of the crooked poles along Waialae Avenue.
Palolo Housing Update: Palolo Housing is in phase 4 of their new housing project to be completed August 2020.
Stablization Update: HSE Say gave an update regarding the Kuahea Street and Waiomao Home Road stabilization work, noting that they are beginning with the demolition of existing structures. Chair Hack inquired and Sasamura responded that Stan Kotsura, Division Chief of Civil Engineering Branch of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) signed the memo for former-director Robert Kroning.
Explosions: HSE Say noted to contact him regarding the fireworks and bombs exploding in the neighborhood.

Senator Les Ihara Jr.: No representative present; no report given.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Rail Rates: Armentrout noted her position on the Rate Commission and that they are reviewing the rail costs in December 2020 during interim service from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium, such as a frequent rider program.

Island Issues: Resident Dave Watase reported that the Mayor's letter to the Governor returning the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) was a big victory and he hopes to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for an alternative and to google ÔStop Ala Wai' and ÔProtect our Ala Wai Watershed' for more information. He reported that Red Hill is the most important issue on Oahu, noting that the Manoa Board passed a resolution regarding Red Hill and once it is finalized, he will distribute it to other Boards to take action. He noted attending the Red Hill meeting and felt that the community does not want the fuel near the aquifer, noting the due date for testimony is on Monday, December 16, 2019.

BOARD BUSINESS
Approval of Minutes of the November 2019 Meeting:

Mau MOVED and Welch SECONDED the Motion to approve the November 2019 Minutes as corrected. The Motion WAS ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS VOTE, 10-0-0; (AYE: Arriola, Farm, Frost Hack, Mau, Nakayama, Onishi, Shiraki, Skizewski, Welch; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Corrections: No corrections were provided.

Treasurer Report: Welch reported a remaining balance of $314.81.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The P lolo Neighborhood Board's Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at P lolo Elementary School Cafeteria following the recess in January 2020.
Bulky Trash Pick-Up: Appointment System Pilot Program for pick-up. Please visit http://www.opala.org or call 768-3200 for general information, then press "0" for appointment requests. 
Farmers' Market: Every Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. at P lolo District Park.
'Olelo Broadcast Slots: The P lolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meetings are tentatively aired on Channel 49 the first and third Sundays of the month at 12:00 p.m. and the 4th Thursday at 9:00 p.m. or online, anytime at http://www.olelo.org. 
Social Media: Join us informally at the "P lolo Valley Community" or "Palolo Neighborhood Board No. 6" pages or "Palolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 Friends" group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com. Also stay connected with the P lolo community at www.nextdoor.com. 
Agenda Requests: No Later than seven (7) days prior to meeting, contact Chair Hack at 753-0710.
Designated Board Members to Assist to Close-Up: Mahalo for your cooperation!

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

Submitted by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant 
Reviewed by: Jackson Coley, Public Relations
Finalized by: Randolph Hack, Chair

1. Back
2. Current News
   
3. News Archive