Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item
Powered by MBC NewsMaker
Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2021 Minutes
Tweet

NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 6/16/2021.

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

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

May 2021 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021

ZOOM APPLICATION

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 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 - Sharon Schneider, Paul Hoe, Brian Kang, Eric McCutcheon, Marilyn Moniz, Hamed Dehnavi (arrived at 6:41 p.m.), Rich Thompson, Becky Gardner, Molly Pierce, and Lori Yamada.

Board Members Absent - Kehau Watson.

Guests - Acting Fire Captain Jonathan O'Neill (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Mark D. Wong (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Bryan Kimura (State Department of Transportation Representative); State House Representative Bertrand Kobayashi, Roy Amemiya (City Councilmember Calvin Say's Office); Davin Aoyagi (Council Chair Tommy Waters' Office); Jackson Sayama (State House Representative, District 20); Randall Kurashige (Department of Design and Construction, Facilities Division); Carol Hoshiko (Kapi'olani Community College, Community Liaison); Residents Calvin Hara, and Zoe Finn; and Brandy Clark (Neighborhood Commission Office). 25 participants were in attendance.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Acting Captain O'Neill read the following report:

April 2021: There were four (4) structure fires, three (3) nuisance fires, seven (7) activated alarms, 64 medical calls, three (3) motor vehicle collisions, and two (2) mountain rescues.

Safety Tip: Firefighter O'Neill noted hiking safety tips.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Location: Resident Zoe Finn inquired of the location from where the hikers were rescued.

Dehnavi arrived at 6:41 p.m., 10 Board members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Lieutenant Nakamura read the following report:

• April 2021 Statistics: There were 16 motor vehicle thefts, 23 burglaries, 41 thefts, and 22 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMVs). Total calls for service were 9,000.

• March 2021 Statistics: There were 13 motor vehicle thefts, 23 burglaries, 36 thefts, and 38 UEMVs.

• Safety Tip: Lieutenant Nakamura noted active shooter tips.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Business Burglarized: Yamada asked which businesses in Kaimuki were burglarized due to $20,000 discovered in a vehicle prior to Friday, May 14, 2021.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Heller gave report, which included one (1) water main break on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 on Sierra Drive; also reported water conservation tips.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Presentation: Gardner inquired if Heller had the stormwater utility presentation to show to her landlord; Kang responded he can forward the recording of the last meeting to Gardner.

PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Bryan Kimura, HDOT Representative: Kimura updated the Board on repairs to Koko Head Bridge and the results of the mango tree overhang on the westbound off-ramp of the H-1 Freeway.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Location: Chair Schneider inquired and Kimura responded to where the location of the tree was. Kimura noted further the tree has been trimmed as of Thursday, April 1, 2021.

2. Mango Tree: Yamada mentioned she was the individual who spoke up about the mango tree, and noted the tree was removed safely due to deterioration from the inside. Yamada thanked Kimura for handling the tree removal safely.

3. Pu'u o Kaimuki Park: Gardner requested the chain link for the entrance/exit to the park be painted yellow or to utilize reflective tape for safety reasons. Chair Schneider commented that issue is not under State DOT jurisdiction and suggested to ask 808 Cleanups to do this work.

Resident Calvin Hara: Hara reported House Bill (HB) 1238 is en route to the Governor and explained bill supporting first responders' training to treat individuals diagnosed with dementia, also mentioned another bill that supports financial relief to elderly caregivers.

Carol Hoshiko, Community Liaison, Kapi'olani Community College: Hoshiko reported free classes to those with no computer literacy; for more information, call 808 734 9211. Hoshiko also reported a virtual town hall meeting taking place on Thursday, July 1, 2021 concerning capital improvement project updates.

PRESENTATIONS

Pu'u o Kaimuk Mural Project - 808 Cleanups: No representative was present, no presentation was given.

Update on Kaimuki Municipal Parking Lot #2, Road Work on Wilhelmina/Maunalani Heights - Department of Design and Construction (DDC), Randall Kurashige: Kurashige explained issues behind completion updates of the parking lot, stated the date for completion will be November 2021.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Plans: Chair Schneider stated that the plans to the parking lot look different. Kurashige responded the plans are the same but the project was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chair Schneider asked and Kurashige replied the plans for the old parking meters were to be re-installed but DDC will be putting in underground conduits to avoid ripping up concrete foundation in the future.

2. Sidewalk Concerns: Chair Schneider addressed sidewalk concerns, Kurashige answered portions of sidewalk were narrow and light poles will be installed.

3. Charging Stations: Dehnavi asked and Kurashige answered that there is one (1) charging station in front of Jose's Restaurant on Koko Head Avenue. Dehnavi stated if the State is looking to reach its goal of renewable energy by 2032, there should be multiple charging stations installed. Dehnavi inquired and Kurashige responded there is a separate initiative to install multiple charging stations. Gardner echoed Dehnavi's statement concerning charging stations.

4. Construction Start: Hoe inquired and Kurashige answered the start of construction began in February 2021. Hoe commented that it does not seem the work has progressed, that it has been three (3) months since the public has awaited completion of construction, and mentioned the perception of the public is that there is little that has been done. Hoe queried how frequent the work is being done. Kurashige responded the initial work has been electrical and explained the installations of light poles along the sidewalks in detail. Kurashige explained further the trenching and underground work performed but stated the project cannot be completed until the electrical work has been laid out. Kurashige noted the first section will be completed in late June 2021 due to installing permeable pavement.

5. Trees: Chair Schneider asked and Kurashige responded the trees were removed due to its roots uplifting the pavement. Kurashige noted further the trees present are doing well and not at risk for removal.

6. Infrastructure: Chair Schneider inquired about the stormwater infrastructure and why there is no irrigation in the construction completion.

7. Paving Concerns: Chair Schneider queried about the paving on 14th Avenue and Maunalani Heights, Kurashige replied he is not on that project and is speaking about the Municipal Parking Lot.

8. Encouragement: Chair Schneider encouraged Kurashige to think about addressing people who utilize multimodal transportation in Kaimuki, also encouraged Kurashige to install more charging stations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. EnVision Kaimuki: POSTPONED - EnVision Kaimuki will host a more detailed discussion on the results of the Design/Tank presentation after our next Neighborhood Board Meeting. A confirmed date will be announced at the Neighborhood Board meeting. This covers responses to Covid-19, small projects to improve the streetscape and pedestrian safety measures.

2. Tree Giveaway: Trees for Kaimuki, a collaborative effort of EnVision Kaimuki, the National Park Service, Smart Trees Pacific, and Trees for Honolulu's Future, is sponsoring a tree giveaway on Saturday, November 6, 2021. We now have a firm list of the trees we will be growing for the giveaway.

3. Fort Ruger Pathway: There has recently been an ongoing effort to rejuvenate the trees along the Diamond Head Fort Ruger pathway. There is support from the state and an interest by the volunteers to continue this work on a regular basis. There will be a call for volunteers to sign up for the workdays which will be held every 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Workdays will kick-off starting on Saturday, May 15th, 2021). For more information, go to the following website: https://kanuhawaii.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=586541

ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative - Director of Department of Information Technology Mark D. Wong was present and gave the following report:

• Letter from BWS: Director Wong read letter from BWS, which included the construction details for Monterrey Drive and Sierra Drive.

• Charging Stations: Director Wong stated to address any charging station concerns to the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR).

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Vaccine Finder Map: Pierce informed Director Wong, the Board and Community of a City Vaccine Finder Map, for more information, to visit oneoahu.org/find-vaccine.

2. Charging Stations: Dehnavi asked about the process for reporting broken charging stations, Pierce responded there is a charge point application free to download if it is owned by the City. Dehnavi inquired and Pierce replied the efficient way to report a broken charging station if owned by the City is to call 808-768-CITY (2489).

3. Honolulu 311 App: Hoe inquired about the route of concerns from the Honolulu 311 application, Director Wong responded it is preferred to route concerns to the Mayor's Office. Director Wong explained further that DIT receives the concerns and those concerns get routed to the appropriate offices. Pierce noted that concerns related to COVID-19 and/or economic recovery related get routed back to the Office of Economic Revitalization.

City Council Chair Tommy Waters - Legislative Aide Davin Aoyagi read report, which included two (2) bills introduced, both of which are headed to City Council. Aoyagi also reported a City auditor position that is extended through Friday, June 4, 2021. No questions were asked.

Councilmember Calvin Say (City Council District 5): Legislative Aide Roy Amemiya reported two (2) new people working under Councilmember Calvin Say (Janel Denny and Brandon Sekiya), treatment of the homeless population, which included collaboration between the Neighborhood Board, the Neighborhood Security Watch, and HPD.

Governor David Ige's Representative - No representative was present, no report was given.

Senator Stanley Chang - No representative was present, no report was given.

Senator Les Ihara: No representative was present, no report was given.

Representative Jackson Sayama, District 20: Representative Sayama gave a summation of the legislative session, which included two (2) house bills and budget highlights for three (3) schools. No questions were asked.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: Representative Kobayashi reported a summation of the legislative session, mentioned the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is substituting general funds to balance the budget and stated there is growing dissatisfaction with the negative impact tourism has on residents.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Trend: Gardner asked and Representative Kobayashi answered the trend seen concerning dissatisfaction on the negative impact tourism has on the residents is a result of surveys taken by said residents for 15 years. Gardner stated she has friends on the mainland invested on coming here, Representative Kobayashi replied he is reporting on resident dissatisfaction.

2. Tourists: Moniz queried and Representative Kobayashi responded six (6) million tourists have come to Hawaii in comparison to 10 million tourists in 2019.

3. Education: Thompson inquired and Representative Kobayashi answered that HTA started reaching out to the Community more with a budget of $78-$79 million. Representative Kobayashi noted further the HTA attempting to follow the pillars, which include educating tourists about protecting the culture and natural resources. Chair Schneider queried if HTA is rethinking the tourism model, Representative Kobayashi responded there has been low coordination between HTA, State and City parks, with the suggestion for permits only available for State parks.

4. Survey: McCutcheon mentioned a survey for the Community to participate in that is part of the Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP), those interested have two (2) days to respond.

United States Representative Ed Case -- Jacqueline Conant: No representative was present, no report was given.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of the Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes

Gardner noted the following amendment:

• Page 3, under section "questions, comments and concerns followed": strike "useful" and add "helpful".

Hoe MOVED and Thompson SECONDED the MOTION to ADOPT the Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes AS AMENDED, the motion was ADOPTED with UNANIMOUS CONSENT. (10-0-0) (Aye: McCutcheon, Pierce, Gardner, Hoe, Schneider, Kang, Dehnavi, Thompson, Moniz, Yamada; Nay: None; Abstain: None.) The amendments are as follows:

• Page 3, under section "questions, comments and concerns followed": strike "useful" and add "helpful".

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report - Treasurer Kang reported a balance of $149.94.

Members' Attendance at Other Meetings: Nothing to report.

Report of Environmental Permitted Interaction Group: Pierce reported the next meeting will be on Thursday, May 27, 2021 via Zoom.

Report of Planning and Zoning Permitted Interaction Group: Nothing to report.

Report of Transportation Permitted Interaction Group: Nothing to report.

Next Meeting: The next Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 Regular Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom Application.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.

Submitted by: Brandy Clark, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Lori Yamada, Secretary

Final approval by:

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

Like Our Facebook

Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2021 Minutes

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item