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
Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2022 Minutes
Tweet

NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 12/9/2021.

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

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

January 2022 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

6:00 P.M.

Video recordings of Regular Meetings may be found at:

https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html

Written materials for this Regular Meeting may be found on OneDrive at:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!BIst49_N_u8YbJVHY5DlpKNlBnk?e=NbFRm1 with password "SchoolStarts"

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Andrew Salenger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with 12 members present via Webex Application. Note - This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Julia Allen, Rafia Hasina, Margaret Murchie, Bertram Narita, Bruce Wong, John Beutel, Wendell Murakawa, Keolu Peralto (arrived at 7:00 p.m.), George West, Andrew Salenger, Michelle Matson, Laura St. Denis, Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Don Persons, Mela Kealoha Lindsey.

Guests: Captain Ken Oishi (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Patricia Liu and Lieutenant Leonard Nishimura (Honolulu Police Department); Chair Bill Hicks (Kailua Board No. 31); Ann Wong (Board of Water Supply); Director Roger Morton (Department of Transportation);Council Chair Tommy Waters and Keola Fisher; Janel Denny and Councilmember Calvin Say; Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Representative Jackson Sayama; Taylor Date (Representative Scott Nishimoto); Senator Les Ihara, Jr.; Senator Stanley Chang; Wayne Chung Tanaka (Sierra Club of Hawaii); Earl Hurrey (Historic Programs); Jing Zheng, Robert Fox, Arleen Velasco, Daisy Murai, Dana Bergeman, Amanda Morales, Cory Chun, Carol Hoshiko, Anna Kerr, Winston Welch; Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Commission Office). Names not included will not be provided. 39 attendees total.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department: [6:00 p.m.] HFD Acting Captain Ken Oishi reported the following.

• December 2021 Statistics: There was one (1) structure fire, six (6) nuisance fires, four (4) activated alarms, 71 medical emergencies, five (5) motor vehicle crashes, one (1) mountain rescue and one (1) hazardous materials incident.

• Fire Safety Tip: Residents were advised to only plug a single heating appliance at a time. Major appliances must be plugged directly into a wall, not though power strips or extension cords. All electrical work must be administered by a licensed electrician.

Honolulu Police Department District 6: [6:02 p.m.] HPD Lieutenant Patricia Liu reported the following.

• December 2021 Statistics: There were 13 robberies, 21 burglaries, 221 thefts, 27 unauthorized entries of motor vehicles, 35 assaults, six (6) sex crimes, 89 citations for bicycle/skateboards, six (6) speeding citations, 2509 parking citations, two (2) loud muffler citations, 23 park closure warnings, 89 park closure citations, one (1) park closure arrest and 5,706 total calls for service.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: [6:07 p.m.] HPD Lieutenant Leonard Nishimura reported the following statistics.

• December 2021 Statistics: There were 19 motor vehicle thefts, 11 burglaries, 37 thefts, 14 unauthorized entries of motor vehicles and 7,334 total calls for service.

Ocean Safety Division: [6:15 p.m.] There was no representative.

Neighborhood Security Watch: [6:15 p.m.] Resident Fannie Cline reported an increase in homeless individuals in the Diamond Head area, with City and County of Honolulu CORE services assisting. Homeless individuals have been reported on Waialae Avenue near the Bank of Hawaii building.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi: [6:16 p.m.] There was no representative. A memo was provided with the following information.

• Helicopters: Board requested updates regarding HPD helicopter activity on December 9, 2021 on Kapahulu Avenue. HPD responded that it was a routine training flight, practicing formation flying with two helicopters.

• Food Trucks: Board requested updates regarding vehicles being broken into on Leahi Avenue. HPD responded that from Sunday, August 1, 2021 to the present, the District 6 (Waikiki) Burglary-Theft Detail has had no documented food truck-related Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicle cases that occurred on Leahi Street. In June 2021, there was a Burglary in the Second Degree case generated for a food truck located on Cartwright Road. That case was conferred with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, but it was declined for prosecution.

• Landslides: Board requested updates or reports of landslides along Diamond Head road. Emergency Services (HESD) reported that during the "Kona Low" event on December 6, 2021, the City received reports of boulders on Diamond Head Road. There were no additional reports of damage or work required.

• Leahi Avenue: [6:22 p.m.] Department of Transportation (DTS) Director Roger Morton reported that the City and County of Honolulu has taken measures to acquire Leahi Avenue from private owner Safe Leahi LLC. A proposal will need to be forwarded to committees, then forwarded to Department of Design and Construction (DDC) for land acquisition.

Governor David Ige's Office: [6:17 p.m.] State Director of Taxation Isaac Choy reported that residents may visit https://governor.hawaii.gov/category/capitol-connection/ for updates regarding Governor's Capitol Connection.

Hearing no objection, Chair Salenger had the Agenda Item 2022 Reapportionment Commission Update at this time.

2022 REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION UPDATE

[6:49 p.m.] Kailua No. 31 Chair Bill Hicks raised concerns regarding the current proposal for the 2022 Reapportionment due to shifting House Districts. Chair Hicks proposed amendments to the Reapportionment proposal which would align House Districts to Senate counterparts. His plan may be found on the OneDrive link above. More information may be found at https://www.honolulu.gov/elections/reapportionment.html.

Peralto arrived at this time. There were 13 Board members present.

Hearing no objection, Chair Salenger had Agenda Item Board of Water Supply at this time.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): [7:22 p.m.] BWS representative Ann Wong reported the following.

• Conservation: Residents may visit https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/conservation for information regarding water conservation.

• Red Hill: Water sourced near the Red Hill fuel storage facility has been shut off due to concerns. Department of Health (DOH) has instructed the Navy to cease operations at the Red Hill storage facility.

RESIDENTS INTERESTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS

Fort Ruger Market: [7:26 p.m.] Resident Jing Zheng raised concerns regarding Fort Ruger Market's dumpster placement, stating that they are too close to residences and have refuse collection at pre-dawn hours. Councilmember Tommy Waters responded that his office would look into the situation.

Leahi Avenue: [7:35 p.m.] Resident Marilyn Mick raised concerns regarding Safe Leahi LLC allegedly landscaping on private properties and on Kapiolani Park areas. Matson requested updates from Kapiolani Park Trustees.

CITY AND STATE ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

Council Chair Tommy Waters: [7:38 p.m.] Council Chair Waters reported the following.

• Reapportionment: His Council District may extend more into Kaimuki and Kapahulu, with Councilmember Calvin Say absorbing more of Ala Moana and Kakaako.

• Council Bills: He introduced Bill 48, which would regulate underground storage over 100 thousand gallons, requiring a City and County of Honolulu permit. Upcoming tax relief for Honolulu residents has also been proposed as the budget process is forthcoming.

Councilmember Calvin Say: [7:57 p.m.] Councilmember Say reported that upcoming concerns include Ala Wai Watershed Management, electric scooter concerns and homelessness in the Diamond Head area. His report was uploaded to the OneDrive and may also be found at https://calvinsay.wordpress.com/.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi deferred at this time to Representative Jackson Sayama.

Representative Jackson Sayama: [8:14 p.m.] Representative Sayama reported the following.

• 2022 Legislative Session: A Bill is being worked on by House and Senate regarding catalytic converter theft. A Resolution has been introduced to audit ports for illegal fireworks. Surfing may be added to school team sports.

• Red Hill: Representative Sayama reiterated concerns regarding Red Hill.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: [8:20 p.m.] Representative Kobayashi reported that the 2022 Legislative Session will open without in-person attendance or testimony. Residents may register to testify at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/.

Representative Scott Nishimoto: [8:21 p.m.] Taylor Date of Representative Nishimoto's office reported that residents may attend a free tax clinic at the Hawaii State Capitol on Saturday, January 22, 2022 and Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Residents may call (808) 451-4351 for appointments.

Senator Les Ihara, Jr.: [8:22 p.m.] There was no representative yet.

Senator Stanley Chang: [8:22 p.m.] Senator Chang reiterated concerns regarding catalytic converter theft, stating that it requires Legislative action. Bills to support affordable housing have also been proposed. Senator Chang raised concerns regarding the recent arrest of a former Corporation Counsel, adding that a Bill has been proposed to have an independently elected Corporation Counsel for the City and County of Honolulu.

U.S. Representative Ed Case: [8:30 p.m.] There was no representative.

PRESENTATIONS

Red Hill Water Contamination: [8:30 p.m.] Wayne Chung Tanaka of the Sierra Club of Hawaii reported the 180 thousand gallons of fuel has spilled so far from the Red Hill storage facility. Projections show that a catastrophic spill could inundate Oahu's water system with fuel, forcing the population to rely on imported potable water. Tanaka raised concerns regarding the Navy's lack of response to the State of Hawaii's requests to cease operations of Red Hill. Residents may view updates and Sierra Club of Hawaii's petition to President Joe Biden at https://sierraclubhawaii.org/redhill.

At 8:51 p.m., Chair Salenger inquired if there was a Motion to extend Meeting time.

West Moved and Linda Wong Seconded to extend Meeting time. [8:52 p.m.] The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 13-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Murchie, Narita, Bruce Wong, Beutel, Murakawa, Peralto, West, Salenger, Matson, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None). [8:52 p.m.]

Vietnam Veteran's Day Parade: [8:52 p.m.] Historic Programs representative Earl Hurrey reported that the Vietnam Veterans Day Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Saratoga Street, ending at Kapiolani Park. More information may be found at https://www.vietnamveteransparade.org/.

BOARD BUSINESS

Red Hill Closure By Proposed Resolution: [8:55 p.m.] Chair Salenger inquired if there was a Motion to support a Letter requesting the closure of Red Hill fuel storage. The Letter was Adopted at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 between Manoa No. 7, Makiki No. 10 and Kalihi Palama No. 15. It is available on the OneDrive link above.

Peralto Moved and Linda Wong Seconded to Adopt a Resolution that supports the Letter from the Special Meeting. [8:57 p.m.] The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 13-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Murchie, Narita, Bruce Wong, Beutel, Murakawa, Peralto, West, Salenger, Matson, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None). [9:00 p.m.]

Neighborhood Assistant departed at 9:00 p.m.

Reapportionment mapping assistance from Neighborhood Board No. 5 Sub-Districts or other Reapportionment related proposed Resolution(s): [9:00 p.m.] Chair Salenger inquired if there was a Motion to support the plan presented earlier by Bill Hicks.

Matson Moved and West Seconded to Support Bill Hicks' plan and any Amendments that he makes to it. [9:01 p.m.] The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 13-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Murchie, Narita, Bruce Wong, Beutel, Murakawa, Peralto, West, Salenger, Matson, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None). [9:01 p.m.]

Formation of a Council of Neighborhood Organizations made up of Neighborhood Board No. 5 by proposed Resolution(s): [9:01 p.m.] Robert Fox proposed that the Board adopt his resolution, available on the OneDrive link above, to create and join a Council of Neighborhood Organizations, for the reasons stated in the resolution.

Matson Moved and Peralto Seconded to Adopt the Resolution by Robert Fox, which, after discussion and amendment, was amended to the Formation of a Council of Neighborhood Boards, with its semantics changed to conform to the standards of the City and County of Honolulu, to avoid confusion with neighborhood associations. [9:16 p.m.] The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 13-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Murchie, Narita, Bruce Wong, Beutel, Murakawa, Peralto, West, Salenger, Matson, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None). [9:26 p.m.]

Illegal commercial activities ongoing at Kaimana Beach: [9:26 p.m.] Hearing no objection, this item was deferred.

Hearing no objection, Chair Salenger returned to Senator Ihara at this time.

Senator Les Ihara, Jr.: [9:26 p.m.] Senator Ihara reported that the Legislature started pre-filing many bills yesterday, which will not be published until their First Reading. He invited neighbors to contact him or his office staff, who are highly experienced, including his office manager, Heather Bowland. He recalled participating in a 1991-1992 House committee which formed a Conference of Neighborhood Boards, and how that led to political pitfalls with power-sharing between elected representatives and constituents expecting deliberative democracy. He advocated for more online transparency by the Legislature, which is exempt from the Sunshine Law.

Questions:

• Public Access: Boardmember Murchie asked if the Legislature, which is closed to the public now due to COVID-19 precautions, is also closed to the lobbyists. The Senator responded that it is closed to everyone, but visits can be arranged, if appropriate.

• Neighborhood Board Minutes: Boardmember Matson asked Senator Ihara to change the Statute to force the Neighborhood Commission to post on its website the revisions of the minutes that are adopted by the Board. The Senator suggested getting an attorney.

The rest of the agenda items were deferred, and the Meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.

Submitted by Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: J. David Beutel, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No. 5

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Community Relations Specialist

Final approval by:

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

Like Our Facebook

Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2022 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item