Neighborhood Board #6 Palolo 2020 Minutes

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Neighborhood Board #6 Palolo 2020 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

PALOLO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 6

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020 PALOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Randolph Hack called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum WAS ESTABLISHED with nine (9) members present. Note: This 13-member board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Shane Albritton, Frank Farm, Joshua Frost, Randolph Hack, Darlene Nakayama, Beverly Mau, Rusti Onishi, Earl Shiraki, Richard Skizewski, and Jessica Welch (Arrived at 7:08 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Jesus Arriola.

Guests: Captain Jason Katada (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant N. Peipman, Lieutenant T. Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Cliff Kaneshiro, Councilmember Ann Kobayashi (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office; Ross Sasamura (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Cat Awakuni Colon (Governor David Ige's Representative); Senator Les Ihara Jr.; Jackie Conant (Congressman Ed Case's representative); Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say; Walden Au (Pacific Resource Partnership); Dave Watase, Jackson Sayama, Jay Ishibashi, Barbra Armentrout, Celeste Roberts, Becky Gardner, Stacie Robinson, J. Chivers, James McKate, Sidney Lynch, J. Iezzi, Barbara Hayashi, Barbara Suzuki, Mary Mitsuda, Jesse Christenseu, Philip Tom, Julia Allen, Dave and Vel Pursel (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): Captain Jason Katada reported the following: February 2020 Statistics: There were 37 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle crash, and 1 mountain rescue. Safety Tip: Home Fire Sprinkler Safety: Home fire sprinkler tips were provided.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Christopher Lowell reported the following: February 2020 Statistics: There were 5 motor vehicle thefts, 15 burglaries, 26 thefts, and 14 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV). There were 5,892 total calls for service. Safety Tips: Coronavirus (COVID-19): COVID-19 tips were provided, noting two (2) confirmed cases.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:  1. COVID-19: Shiraki provided figures of the flu and COVID-19. Sergeant Freeman responded that COVID-19 is highly contagious and Shiraki noted that we should be careful. Resident Celeste Roberts noted that it is 10 times more lethal than the flu and suggested that Trump stop travel from Europe. 2. Mufflers: Shiraki inquired and Sergeant Freeman responded that they enforce loud mufflers, however it is difficult to catch violators.

Welch entered the meeting at 7:08 p.m.; 10 members present.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Chair Hack read the BWS report. Main Breaks: Saturday, February 8, 2020: 18-inch cast iron at 2296 Waiomao Road. WaterSmart Web Portal: BWS recently partnered with WaterSmart Software to offer a digital portal so customers can access information about their household water use. To make an account, visit www.honolulu.watersmart.com then enter your BWS billing account number and email address. The portal allows residents to access their water consumption data; compare their water usage to similar sized households; access customized recommendations to save water and money; and signup for leak alerts.

ATTENDANCE AT OTHER CITY MEETINGS: Mau attended Diamond Head Neighborhood Board's meeting in February 2020 regarding Topgolf, noting that the Chair used the gavel on some audience members. Topics include the pros and cons of Topgolf; purpose to generate revenue; and light, noise, parking, and future maintenance concerns.

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

Chair Hack recessed the meeting at 7:13 p.m.  Chair Hack returned the meeting back to order at 7:16 p.m.

Kuahea/Waiomao Road Earth Movement Permitted Interaction Group (PIG): Albritton reported that next month the Department of Design and Construction's (DDC) new Director, Mark Yonamine, will be attending so he updated the community about the earth movements at Kuahea and Waiomao Roads. Albritton gave a history of the land as a basalt Quarry in the past leading up to the neighborhood it is now. He provided data that showed signs of the land being unstable due to being built on quarry waste. Albritton presented the chain of land possession history of how these Hawaiian Crown Lands ended up the City's property through lawsuits and buying out the property owners.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:  1. Surveys: Resident Evan Anderson reported that the most recent geological surveys are under wraps due to the lawsuit. Albritton responded that the PIG is aware of the survey but they have a lot of information to process. 2. Quarry: Upper Kuahea resident Feltch Chismar inquired and Albritton responded that Kuahea Place would be part of the quarry. Resident Chismar noted that the Geolabs report just contains data and not an analysis.

ELECTED OFFICIALS Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Councilmember Kobayashi distributed her newsletter and reported the following:  Kuahea/Waiomao: The City does not like talking about Kuahea and Waiomao Roads because of the liability and the budget, adding that the same thing occurred in Manoa and the City took responsibility.  Parking Lot: Kaimuki parking lot needs work and businesses are worried about losing business, noting that it takes time to plan these projects. Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered (HONU): HONU is helping address homeless in Old Stadium Park. It has a five (5) mile enforcement radius and will move after 90 days

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:  1. Parking Lot: Shiraki noted and Councilmember Kobayashi responded that the work done previously was only repaved and now they will fix the lot. Shiraki suggested to get more people on the job to expedite the job. 2. Topgolf: Shiraki noted that people do not favor Topgolf and that they use half of the parking lot. Councilmember Kobayashi expressed concerns with closures with Topgolf construction. 3. Smart Meter: Resident Barbara Armentrout noted that Topgolf is not giving enough money for such a long lease, noting that the parking lot will be equipped with smart meters to detect the presence of a car.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Ross Sasamura, Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Director, reported: 2020 Census: Information was provided because it helps allocate Federal funding. Refer Kuahea/Waiomao Road: Please refer issues to when Director Yonamine attends.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:  1. Waialae Traffic Requests: Shiraki inquired and Sasamura responded that he will follow up with DDC to contact him about previous requests on Waialae Avenue. 2. Parking Lot: Sasamura noted that the lot was temporary relieved by in-house crew and safety issues need to be addressed. Nakayama noted that due to the COVID-19 situation, now would be a good time for repairs and Sasamura noted that the contractor can make claims with delays. Farm suggested that work be done in three (3) sections with 2/3 of the parking lot available and Sasamura responded that it is subject to change. 3. Smart Meter: Resident Armentrout inquired and Sasamura responded that smart meters have sensors to detect vehicle presence, adding that it cannot exceed the two (2) hour maximum time even if it is fed more money. Shiraki inquired and Sasamura responded that they will be fined if the time expires because the plan is to cycle the stall to promote commerce and business.

Skizewski departed the meeting at 8:00 a.m.; nine (9) members present.

Governor David Ige's Representative: Cat Awakuni Colon, Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), distributed handouts and reported the following: Highlights: Colon highlighted the newsletter and provided COVID-19 tips, noting that there are currently two (2) confirmed cases. The 2020 Census begins tomorrow.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:  1. Telework: Chair Hack inquired and Colon responded that they are working with Department of Human Resources Development for telework if necessary. 2. Cruises: Albritton inquired and Colon noted that the Governor is on board to pause cruises docking in Hawaii. 3. Census: Shiraki noted that the purpose of the Census is for federal funding and the number of elected seats.

House Speaker Emeritus (HSE) Calvin Say: HSE Say distributed a newsletter and reported the following: Champs HI Sports Bar: A liquor application update was provided for Champs HI Sports Bar. Capitol: The Capitol is under sub-quarantine due to a COVID-19 case. Kuahea/Waiomao: An update was provided and the engineering company contract was received. 2020 Census: The 2020 Census resolution from Kaimuki Neighborhood Board was provided. First Crossover: Bill highlights were provided to check their status and progress. Parking: A parking update along Waialae and Harding Avenues was provided from DTS. Helicopter Legislation: They are looking to address small aircraft issues with legislation. Jarrett Middle School (JMS): Funds are being released for improvements to JMS. Certificates of Participation (COP): A presentation regarding the Senate-introduced COPS bill for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ala Wai project was provided. Kaimuki Parking Lot: HSE Say noted that his office is attempting to attain more parking from other businesses in the area because of the parking lot project.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Senate Bill (SB) 2322: Resident Sidney Lynch inquired and HSE Say responded that bills like SB 2322 are dead on arrival when it goes through four (4) to five (5) committees, adding that the House does not want the Governor to use COPs.

Senator Les Ihara Jr.: Senator Les Ihara reported the following: Legislation: Senator Ihara noted that they had crossover last week and Senate is reviewing House bills and Friday, March 12, 2020 it goes on to the final committee. Kuahea/Waiomao: Senator Ihara met with the Board of Realtors because they are obligated to disclose information they are aware of when selling the property. An association had a lawsuit against the City, however the jury could not find a definite cause so the City was not held liable because residents settled. COVID-19: The State was handling the COVID-19 situation blind because test kits were botched and we should know if we have community spread in a few weeks.

Congressman Ed Case: District Director, Jackie Conant, noted the mobile office schedule at public libraries to provide service assistance. She reiterated importance of the Census because it allocates funding to help the community.

Questions, comments, and concerns:  1. Jones Act: Farm inquired and Kane responded that there is no movement yet on the Jones Act. 2. Harbors: Albritton inquired and Kane reported that they are exploring the option of shutting down cruises.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS Island Updates: Resident Dave Watase reported USACE's meeting schedule with various communities including the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2020. USACE has paused the project and updated modeling shows that basins do not work and Manoa still floods. Two (2) basins are considered for removal and USACE is looking at alternative solutions. He concluded with Resolution 20-21 regarding Ala Moana Beach Park improvements and the amendments to remove the playground, dog park, and parallel parking.

Trees for Kaimuki: Resident Becky Gardner noted Envision Kaimuki partnering with Trees for Kaimuki for an event on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at The Shop to increase the tree canopy to 35%.

PRESENTATIONS

HI Perspectives: Walden Au, Pacific Resource Partnership, provided HI Perspectives Spring and Fall 2019 reports to paint a picture of the economic levels in Hawaii.

Ranked Choice Voting: Jeff Kim of Young Progressives Demanding Action explained that ranked choice voting works by ranking your choice of candidates, if no candidates meet the majority vote then the least voted candidate is dropped and votes are tallied again with the next choice of the eliminated candidate until the criteria is satisfied. For more information, please visit YPDAhawaii.org/rcv.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: 1. Nonpartisan: Chair Hack noted that the Board is nonpartisan.  2. Voting: Albritton inquired and Will Caron replied that the method is diminished if there are only two (2) candidates left, however it plays importance in early voting if you voted before your choices are dropped.

BOARD BUSINESS

Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW): If anyone is interested in NSW, please contact the Community Policing Team.

Approval of Minutes of the February 2020 Meeting:

Farm MOVED and Shiraki SECONDED the Motion to approve the February 2020 Minutes as written. The Motion was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS VOTE, 9-0-0; (AYE: Albritton, Farm, Frost, Hack, Mau, Nakayama, Onishi, Shiraki, Welch; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Treasurer Report: There is a remaining balance of $257.00.

ANNOUNCEMENTS The P lolo Neighborhood Board's Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at P lolo Elementary School Cafeteria. 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 8:51 p.m.

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

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Neighborhood Board #6 Palolo 2020 Minutes

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