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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting MAY 2022 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 6/15/2022.

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

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

May 2022 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

KAPALAMA HALE CONFERENCE ROOM 269 and ZOOM APPLICATION

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Quorum was not established with

five (5) 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, Lori Yamada, Jason DeMarco, Travis Saito, Becky Gardner (appointed at 6:50 p.m.); Kelsie Aguilera (appointed at 6:50 p.m.)

Guests - Firefighter Kana Usado (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Taro Nakamura and Sergeant Adam Lipka (Honolulu Police Department); Bryan Kimura (State Department of Transportation); Executive Director Nani Barretto (Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization); Calvin Hara (Kaimuki Business & Professional Organization);Renee Espiau (Complete Streets Administrator); Francisco Acoba (Trees for Kaimuki); Councilmember Calvin Say; Representative Jackson Sayama; Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Jeannie Lum, Barbara DeBaryshe, Eric McCutcheon, Patrick Watson (Residents); and Thomas Baldwin (Neighborhood Commission Office).

ROLL CALL The Neighborhood Assistant conducted a roll call.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Firefighter Kana Usado reported the following:

April 2022 Statistics: There were 2 wildland/brush fires, 1 cooking fire, 4 activated alarms, 35 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle crash/ collision, and 2 ocean rescues.

Safety Tip - Emergency Preparedness: Firefighter Usado provided fire sprinkler safety tips. Visit https://fire.honolulu.gov/ for more information.

Yamada arrived at 6:32 p.m. Quorum was established with six (6) members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Lieutenant Taro Nakamura and Sergeant Adam Lipka submitted the following report:

May 2022 Statistics: There were 10 motor vehicle thefts, 9 burglaries, 37 thefts, 17 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, and 7531 calls for service. Statistics can be found at www.honolulupd.org.

Safety Tip - Home Security Tips: Lieutenant Nishimura shared Home Security Tips:

https://www.honolulupd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HomeSecurityTips-1.pdf

Board of Water Supply (BWS): No representative was present; no report was given.

FILLING OF BOARD VACANCY: Chair Schneider listed two (2) open vacancies in Sub-district 2 and one (1) in Sub-district 3.

Chair Schneider nominated Becky Gardner to fill the vacancy in Sub-District 3.

Sub-District 3: Resident Becky Gardner volunteered to join the board, citing her recent membership on the Neighborhood Board from 2017 - 2022 in Sub-District 2. Residency was verified outside of the meeting by the Neighborhood Assistant.

The Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 appointed Becky Gardner to fill the vacancy in Sub-District 3 by ROLL CALL VOTE; 6-0-0 (GARDNER: Schneider, Hoe, Kang, Yamada, DeMarco, Saito NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None.)

Chair Schneider nominated Kelsie Aquilera to fill the vacancy in Sub-District 2.

Sub-District 2: Resident Kelsie Aguilera volunteered to join the board, discussed her engagement with neighborhood issues, prior work with board members, and desire to be a formal member. Residency was verified outside of the meeting by the Neighborhood Assistant. Vice Chair Hoe asked and Aguilera responded that she has lived in Kaimuki since 2019. Gardner lauded Aguilera's contribution towards addressing monster home issues in Kaimuki. Yamada inquired and Aguilera responded that she is a professor of Anthropology at Leeward Community College (LCC).

The Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 appointed Kelsie Aguilera to fill the vacancy in Sub-District 2 by ROLL CALL VOTE; 6-0-0 (GARDNER: Schneider, Hoe, Kang, Yamada, DeMarco, Saito NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None.)

6:45 p.m. The Neighborhood Assistant administered the oath of office to Gardner and Aguilera. Gardner and Aguilera joined the meeting with eight (8) members present.

PUBLIC INPUT

State Department of Transportation (HIDOT): Bryan Kimura of HIDOT requested community concerns for follow-up.

Lot 2: Chair Schneider reported that DDC is expected to move forward Lot 2 development is expected to move forward in June 2022.

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization: Executive Director Nani Barretto of Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) discussed the organization's role as a hub for wildfire mitigation and education in the state. They are developing a fire protection plan for East Honolulu through community workshops on August 16, 2022 . These workshops are intended to learn about wildfire trends and document concerns and priorities to help create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This plan will inform future wildfire mitigation programs and funding. She requested the Board assist in distributing invitations to these workshops.

Kaimuki Business & Professional Association (KBPA): Calvin Hara of the Kaimuki Business & Professional Association (KBPA) discussed the status of Queen's Theater, indicated that announcements for recipients of the $1500 Kaimuki high school senior scholarship will be in June 2022, and announced a Kaimuki Community Park Cleanup on July 9, 2022. He noted that discussion is still ongoing for a Kaimuki Christmas Parade.

New Construction Run-Off: Resident Jeanie Lum requested the Board's support in addressing the negative impacts of run-off from new construction on adjacent properties. Chair Schneider discussed her conversations with the Storm Water Utility group to see what influence they have on the issue. Yamada expressed support for these efforts. Resident Lum requested the Board pass a resolution.

Permitting: Resident Barbara DeBaryshe expressed concerns with a permit proposed from a residential property owner to add a third floor to their home. She expressed concerns with what appears to be a circumvention of floor-area-ratio requirements through a legal loophole.

PRESENTATION

Upcoming Roadway Rehabilitation and Complete Streets Safety Improvements: Complete Street Administrator Renee Espiau of AICP gave a presentation and reported the following:

Complete Streets: Espiau reviewed the Complete Streets law that mandates consideration for all roadway users when streets undergo maintenance, rehabilitation, repaving, or are newly created.

Upcoming Roadway Rehabilitation: Espiau reviewed two (2) roadway rehabilitation projects for the Kaimuki area with an accompanying map, reporting that the project is in the design phase.

Guides: Espiau reviewed the plans that guide where roadway changes are to be made, including the O'ahu Bike Plan and the O'ahu Pedestrian Plan.

Safe Street Designs: Espiau reported that safe streets have dedicated facilities for non-vehicular travel and limit opportunities for speeding.

Planned Improvements: Espiau reported on the following planned improvements:

18th Avenue - Kilauea Avenue to Diamond Head Road: Narrower travel lanes to provide space for a striped bike lane buffer.

22nd Avenue - Kilauea Avenue to Diamond Head Road: Walkway improvements on the Diamond Head/ residential side and improving drainage. Pedestrian Plan Tier Two (2) Priority.

Harding Avenue - 17th Avenue to 21st Avenue: Walkway improvements for the school/park side and improving drainage. Pedestrian Plan Tier One (1) Priority.

22nd Avenue and Malia Avenue: Adding Edge-of-Lane lines clearly delineating travel lanes from the shoulder to control speeding and separate vehicles from bicyclists in lieu of a bike lane.

Kilauea Avenue - Hunakai Street to 22nd Avenue: Conversion from four (4) lanes to three (3) lanes to better align with traffic volume, parking to remain at the curb, and adding buffered bike lanes.

Kilauea Avenue - 22nd Avenue to 18th Avenue: Repurposing the second Ewa-bound travel lane for recommended standard bike lanes and walkway improvements as well as safer uncontrolled school crossings.

Kilauea Avenue - 18th Avenue to Makapu'u Avenue: Fill in missing sidewalk gaps and an uphill bike lane if space permits.

Nearby Improvements: Sidewalk improvements for Kaimuki Avenue from Kapahulu Avenue to 6th Avenue; additional space for walking/biking and strollers from vehicles, where space permits on Diamond Head Road; address missing crosswalks and crosswalk upgrades for Monsarrat Avenue.

More Information: Those seeking more information were encouraged to visit www.honolulu.gov/completestreets/diamondhead-kaimuki-kapahulu or follow Complete Streets on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hnl.compltestreets.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Improved Tree Coverage: Board Member Gardner inquired into opportunities to improve tree coverage along the sidewalks slated for improvements. Espiau responded that there are only limited opportunities to improve tree coverage during Complete Streets projects. She noted that generous right-of-ways on 22nd Avenue and Harding Avenue might be suitable for improved vegetation.

2. Diamond Head Road - Pedestrian Crosswalk: Board Member Gardner expressed concerns with speeding on Diamond Head Road by Triangle Park and Kapiolani Community College (KCC). She added that the pedestrian crosswalk there does not feel safe to use. Espiau responded that this repaving project would be a good opportunity to make safety changes.

3. Diamond Head Road - Diamond Head State Park: Chair Schneider expressed concerns with limited Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access on Diamond Head Road by the Diamond Head State Park. She cited narrow sidewalks pushing residents onto the bike path. Espiau responded that improving ADA compliance is within the purview of their projects.

4. Electric Scooters: Resident Eric McCutcheon inquired and Espiau responded that the City and County does not have specific ordinances addressing the use of electric scooters on public sidewalks/roadways. She added that their department is currently discussing these concerns.

5. Yield Streets: Resident Patrick Watson asked and Espiau clarified that they do not plan to stripe "yield streets", or streets where drivers must yield to oncoming traffic.

Trees for Kaimuki Spring Update: National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.: Francisco Acoba gave a presentation and reported the following:

Tree Mapping: The Citizen Forester team mapped 1300 trees in the city's right of way in Kaimuki and identified 260 planting locations. Work is being done with City officials to get trees planted in Kaimuki. Kaimuki has a tree canopy coverage of 17%, well below the city's goal of 35% canopy coverage.

Events: In March 2022, Trees for Kaimuki and Common Grace hosted an event at Mau'umae Nature Park, the first in a series of events that Trees for Kaimuki are doing that focus on building a relationship between the community and their parks.

Outreach: Trees for Kaimuki has developed a survey to better understand how people use the parks, identify opportunities and issues that the organization can assist with, and to better understand the needs of local parks.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Information and diagrams at this link: https://bit.ly/KaimukiNBMeeetingFlyers.

Reminder: Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Diamond Head State Monument will be hosting their annual Kids to Parks Day event, a national day of outdoor play celebrated by parks, cities, and towns nationwide. And as always Parking is free for all Kama ina in the park."

Coffee with a Cop: There is a scheduled "Coffee with a Cop" at Zippy's Kahala on May 27, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with the District 7 Community Policing Team. Flyer and recent crime statistics at the above link.

Kaimuk Library: The Kaimuk Library is postponing their presentation of their plans for updating the landscaping of their Kokohead Frontage to make it more inviting with trees, native plants and benches. We will update you when they will present their plans.

Project 14D: We will invite the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) to give an update to Project 14D at the next Board Meeting. This is in regards to the resurfacing of Sierra Drive/Maunalani Circle, 3600 Block of Sierra Drive and the lower part of Wilhelmina Rise. They are in the process of awarding the contract and obtaining permits.

Neighborhood Bike Leaders Program: The Honolulu Bicycling League is starting a Neighborhood Bike Leaders Program. They will support our neighborhood Association in implementing our priority bike project. The planned projects are at the Oahu Bike Plan. The projects are listed on pages 57-81 by neighborhood. We suggest you discuss with your board and neighbors to identify your top bike project. On the projects pages you'll find the neighborhood in the last column and the maps identifying these neighborhoods on pages 42-55. We will discuss under Board Business.

ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative - No representative was present; no report was given.

City Council Chair Tommy Waters - No representative was present; no report was given.

Councilmember Calvin Say (City Council District 5): Councilmember Say submitted a newsletter which included information related to the Aloha Community Shed Program, recognized the Aloha Harvesting Program, and help for unsheltered homelessness. The budget process is ongoing and the City Council has approved eight (8) of nine (9) collective bargaining agreements for City and County employees.

Governor David Ige's Representative - No representative was present; a report was distributed.

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

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

Representative Jackson Sayama: Representative Sayama highlighted legislation that passed the most recent session: housing projects; restoration of funding to Departments and programs that saw reduced funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior fiscal year; the catalytic converter bill; HB2510 relating to the minimum wage; establishing a retirement savings program; investments in schools facility authority to expand pre-kindergarten facilities and air conditioners for classroom; SB2821, the menstrual equity bill, mandating DOE schools provide menstrual products free of charge; $600 million investment into DHHL.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Appreciation and Future Discussions: Resident Watson expressed appreciation for the passage of the catalytic converter bill. He requested future discussions regarding the impact of mask wearing for children in schools.

Representative Bert Kobayashi: Representative Kobayashi distributed two (2) newsletters and discussed the following related to the State budget: $500 million were appropriated to the rainy day fund, bringing it and the hurricane relief fund to a total of $997 million; at the end of the fiscal year, the State will see over $1 billion in carry over savings; $11.5 million was appropriated to the Waikiki aquarium for Clean Water Act compliance; $3 million to upgrade the book tagging system from barcode to radio frequency identification; $15 million originally allocated for planning of the replacement of the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) was removed from the budget.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Surplus: Resident Watson asked and Representative Kobayashi reported that the cost savings of position cuts with higher than expected tourism arrivals and expenditure lead to the $500 million surplus.

United States Representative Ed Case: No representative was present; no report was given.

BOARD BUSINESS

Discussion on hosting Candidate Forums, establishment of Permitted Interaction Group (PIG)

There were no volunteers interested in forming a PIG.

Formation of Planning and Zoning Committee and Recommendations

Membership: Chair Schneider asked and Committee Chair DeMarco reported that Board Member Aguilera and Resident Watson have expressed interest in working with the committee. Watson asked and the Neighborhood Assistant clarified that attendance of the regular board meeting is not a prerequisite for committee membership.

Discussion on forming Committees to address community issues - Transportation, Environment

There were no volunteers to form committees.

Discussion on whether to participate in the Neighborhood Bike Leaders Program

Resident McCutcheon volunteered to provide regular updates to the board on behalf of the Neighborhood Bike Leaders Program.

Discussion on having live or hybrid meetings in the future: Vice Chair Hoe clarified that those seeking locations to host the board meeting should ensure the host is comfortable not signing hold harmless language. Alternate available locations were discussed.

Approval of Wednesday, March 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes; Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes.

The Wednesday, March 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes WERE ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS by UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Amendments were as follows:

March 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes

Page 1: Strike redundant punctuation; "Yamada arrived at 6:456:35 p.m. �"

Page 2: "...Resident Sarah Chinen requested that Kaimuki Town�"

Page 3 - : "...Lead LEED�"; "Good Will Goodwill"

Page 4: Correct punctuation.

Page 5: "...March 16 April 20�"

Hearing no objection, the Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes were deferred to the next regular meeting.

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report - Kang reported a remaining of balance of $235.16

Members' Attendance at Other Meetings: No report was given.

Next Meeting: The next Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 Regular Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in person and / or Zoom Application.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Submitted by: Thomas Baldwin, Neighborhood Assistant

Final approval by: Lori Yamada, Chair

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting MAY 2022 Minutes

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

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