PEARL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD 

MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2003

PEARL CITY LIBRARY AUDITORIUM 

CALL TO ORDER:  Chair Albert Fukushima called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. with a quorum present. 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Sheila Fukuda, Albert Fukushima, David Howton, May Imamura, J. Joshua Kaye, David Lemon, James Pickard, Nathan Takeuchi (left early). 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None. 

GUESTS:  Deputy Director Claire Nakakmura (Governor’s Representative - Department of Public Safety), Robert Sato (Councilmember Gary Okino’s Office staff), Senator Cal Kawamoto, Captain Carl Chigami (Honolulu Fire Department – Pearl City Station), Floriana Cofman (Pearl City Public Library), Daniel Durbec (Pearlridge Satellite City Hall), Chancellor Mark Silliman (Leeward Community College), Lan Yoneda (Board of Water Supply), Breene Harimoto (Board of Education/Mayor’s Representative/Aiea-Pearl City Vision Group), Herb Lee (Wal-Mart), Ken Fong, Mike Cheffy (HECO); Bill Decker (Rooney Engineering), Palani Judd (Citizens Against Reckless Development), Kevin Loo-Chan, Mark Nagasawa and Vernon Sato (Boy Scouts of America – Troop 75); Edith Ellis, Beverly Kaneshige, David Pagan, Francis and Joann Fukumoto (Trinity United Methodist Church), Grace Lee, Sol Ray Duncan, Richard Mori, Al Torres, Lois Miyashiro, Vashti Davis, Phyllis Higa, R. Braunskill (Olelo), Mahealani Hanohano (Neighborhood Commission Office staff). 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  Lemon led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS:  Board members introduced themselves at this time. 

APPOINTMENT TO FILL FOUR (4) VACANT AT-LARGE BOARD SEATS:  There were no interested candidates. 

ELECTION OF BOARD SECRETARY:  Fukuda was appointed interim Board Secretary. 

REMINDERS OF TIME LIMIT POLICY AND PROCEDURES ON INPUT, COMMENTS, RESPONSES AND PRESENTATION OF AGENDA ITEMS:  Chair Fukushima explained the policy as follows:  Individual citizen input and Board members’ comment - ONE MINUTE; oral input/reports from organized groups, legislators, government officials - THREE MINUTES (written reports are recommended); formal presentations - those that have previously made presentations to Committee - FIVE MINUTES.  Those making presentations for the first time - TEN MINUTES; follow up questions - ONE MINUTE; and responses to follow up questions - TWO MINUTES.  All follow up questions and responses will be made AFTER the presentation is completed.  Other time limits are noted on the published agenda.  Persons who wish to give input must go up to the provided microphone, be recognized by the Chair and introduce themselves, prior to giving their comments.  He requested that all cell phones and pagers be turned off or switched to “quiet mode”. 

COMMUNITY REPORTS: 

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT – Captain Carl Chigami of the Pearl City Station reported the following for the month of October 2003:  1) There were 2 structure, 3 brush, 2 rubbish and 3 vehicle fires, with 80 medical emergency related calls for response.  2) A brush fire near Momilani Elementary School resulted in the burning of a nearby residence but little damage was done.  It is suspected that Pearl City High School students maliciously started the fire and security guards are looking into the matter and some of the surrounding brush will be cleared.  3) Fire Safety Tip:  “When there is a fire in a high-rise building, always use the stairs to exit the building.  Should there be a power outage, the elevators will trap the occupants or possibly open the doors on the floor with the fire.”  4) During the month of September, HFD distributed Fire Fighter’s Safety and Health Guides to various elementary schools.  Workbooks were also distributed to kindergarten to sixth grade students to turn in fire evacuation plans, color and complete the workbooks for prizes.   

It was the consensus of the Board to take the agenda out of order at this time. 

PRESENTATIONS: 

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION – Publicity and Refreshment Committee Chair Imamura presented Certificates of Recognition to Pearl City High School math teacher Dewey Gottlieb and Moanalua High School band teacher Elden Seta for being the Hawaii State awardees of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award and the recipients of $25,000 each. 

The order of the agenda resumed. 

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) – There was no representative present. 

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS) – Lan Yoneda announced the following:  1) There were no water main breaks in the month of September 2003.  2) Progress on the Manana Well Project is about 30% complete and the contractor is still working on the roof of the control building.  3) The Komo Mai Drive Water Systems Improvement Project is about 30% complete with work being conducted on Komo Mai Drive.  After this work is completed, the mains on Aapi Way and Aapi Place will be installed.  The contractor is hoping to complete the project by March 2004.  4) There is still no commencement date for the Hoolaulea Street Water Project.  5) A new project to replace water mains on Nanakai, Puu Kipa and Hooheke Streets will go out to bid this summer.  6) Two months of voluntary restrictions on irrigation and other conservation measures have resulted in lower water consumption by Oahu residents.  Our latest water use report for the week ending October 1, 2003 shows a consumption rate of 162.22 million gallons a day (mgd).  That’s below the five-year average of 165 mgd.  While the conservation practices have resulted in a marked decrease in water use, ground water levels continue to be lower than they were a year ago.  Residents and businesses need to continue to aggressively conserve all water use, so our ground water resource can be replenished.  7) Government water consumers are trying to decrease potable water use for irrigation purposes.  The City uses recycled wastewater to irrigate common areas in West Loch Villages, West Loch Fairways, Ewa Villages, as well as Shoreline, Ewa Mahiko and Asing Parks.  The City also sells the recycled water to Ewa Villages, Kapolei and West Loch Golf Courses.  The State uses non-potable water on landscaping in Fort Weaver medial strip as well as the highway corridor from Lagoon Drive to Halawa.  Non-potable water users are not required to the voluntary irrigation schedule because their sources do not affect the ground water supply.   

PEARLRIDGE SATELLITE CITY HALL – Daniel Durbec reported the following:  1) The hours of operation for the Pearlridge Satellite City Hall is Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  2) Statistics of September 2002 compared to September 2003 respectively – Total transactions were 8,382/8,362:  Motor vehicle transactions – 6,572/6,794; other miscellaneous transactions – 1,810/1,568.  There were 12 bus passes sold in September 2003 and 323 sold in September 2002 due to the bus strike.  3) Due to the closure of the Waipahu Satellite City Hall, there has been more business at Pearlridge; residents are encouraged to renew their motor vehicles renewals online at www.hiplates.com.  4) The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has been responsible for renewing senior bus passes and has set up several temporary efficient offices to do these transactions.  Satellite City Halls have not yet received the new senior bus passes for distribution. 

LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (LCC) – Chancellor Mark Silliman reported the following:  1) Some 8,000 persons attended the very successful LCC Family Fun and Craft Fair on October 25, 2003.  2) The stage play “Manoa”, under the direction of Dr. Paul Cravath, will be held on November 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. and November 9, 2003, 4:00 p.m. and tickets are $15-20.  3) The LCC Guitar Concert will be held on Sunday, November 16, 4:00 p.m.  4) “La Tania” and her flamenco dancers and musicians will perform on Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15-22.  5) Michael Moschen, master manipulator of objects, will perform on Saturday, November 22, 2003, 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $15-22.  6) LCC Holiday Choral Concert will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2003, 4:00 p.m.  7) “Full Moon Madness”, with LCC students from the Arts and Humanities department, will be held on December 6, 2003, 7:00 p.m.  8) Hawaii Ballet Theatre’s “Nutcracker” will be held from December 13 to 21, 2003.  Call the LCC box office at 455-0385 for ticket information. 

FRIENDS OF PEARL CITY LIBRARY – Pearl City Library Branch Manager Floriana Cofman reported the following:  1) Nationally renowned master storyteller, author and educator, Baba Jamal Korma will perform on Monday, November 14, 2003, 3:00 p.m.  2) The free adult informational program called “Growing Older, Aging Akamai” is being conducted.  The second series, “Alzheimer’s Disease and How to Care For Family Members with this Ailment”, will be held on Monday, November 10, 2003, 6:00 p.m.  3) “Christmas Ideas Demonstrations 2003” sponsored by the Oahu Association for Family & Community Education will be held on November 17, 2003, 7:00 p.m.  4) The Friends of the Pearl City Library Book Sale held on October 19, 2003, was successful and raised $1,900.  Residents were thanked for their donations.  The announcement banner was stolen. 

AIEA/PEARL CITY VISION GROUP – Breene Harimoto reported that the next meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at Waiau District Park to discuss future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project recommendations.  Due to budget constraints, monies were not allocated specifically for Vision Groups, but prioritized recommendations should still be submitted.  Vision Group meetings are open to the public. 

BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) – Harimoto reported the following:  1) Jo Ann Schindler was formally appointed State Librarian on October 16, 2003.  It was noted that Schindler began her years as a librarian at Pearl City Public Library and used to run the bookmobile.  2) Eldon Seta of Moanalua High School and Dewey Gottlieb of Pearl City High School are the Hawaii Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award recipients.  Gottlieb also received the 2004 Leeward District Teacher of the Year Award.  3) BOE is currently discussing adjusted graduation requirements and will conduct public informational meetings.  Harimoto directed all questions regarding this matter to the future public meetings.  4) A list of military school partnerships was distributed and Harimoto noted that eight out of the 10 public schools in the Pearl City Complex had partnerships with the military.  5) The next BOE meetings will be held on the following dates:  a) Thursday, November 6, 2003, 3:30 p.m. on Molokai; and b) Thursday, November 20, 2003, 3:30 p.m. on the Big Island.  6) Harimoto will send a list of the schools that have not met the benchmarks set for the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report, as well as additional information and categories that they are failing to Board member Lemon.  7) Most of the Pearl City schools are on a Calendar “B” schedule. 

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE – There was no representative present. 

Chair Fukushima acknowledged leaders and members of Troup 75, Boy Scouts of America that were in the audience. 

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: 

MANANA COMMUNITY PARK, PHASE II CONSTRUCTION – Robert Sato of Councilmember Okino’s Office reported the following:  The overall project is approximately 70% complete and the project should be completed by mid-December 2003.  The change order that has been approved will provide an additional eight light standards with less brightness in the parking lot, so that they do not disturb surrounding area residents. 

PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – Sato reported the following:  Due to community concerns, the City is considering reversing a prior decision to remove the lighting component of this project.  Until a decision is made, the start dates for construction is undetermined.  A contract has already been awarded for this project and the monies have been encumbered. 

OTHER CONCERNS: 

PEARL CITY WAL-MART STORE UPDATE – Herb Lee, consultant for Wal-Mart reported the following:  Wal-Mart submitted a building permit application to the City on June 16, 2003.  So far, they have only received permit approvals for grading and sewage connection, but not for the building and “off-site traffic” improvements.  They are hoping to acquire the building permits within 45-60 days. 

Discussion followed:  Sato reported that all parties involved in the Kamehameha Schools lawsuit have agreed to the extended contract agreement period and therefore no action needs be taken.  If there was disagreement in the lawsuit provisions, the City Council would need to take action to extend the contract agreement period. 

KOMO MAI DRIVE CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS – Edith Ellis reported the following:  Some years ago, the State bought property on Komo Mai Drive near the Children’s House in Waimano Gulch, across from Leeward Community Church, due to the safety concern regarding the ingress and egress into the property.  At that time, it was agreed that the City would look very closely into plans to construct anything on the lower portion of the property.  She requested information on the construction activity that is currently occurring on the property. 

The matter was referred to the Mayor’s Representative and Councilmember Okino’s Office. 

APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2003 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:  The following corrections were made: 

Page 2, 2^nd paragraph, item 5), the 1^st sentence should read:  “Since the August 2, 2003…” 

Page 2, 4^th paragraph, item 7) should read:  “…10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Toys R Us parking lot…” 

Page 2, last paragraph, the 2^nd line should read:  ”Aiea-Pearl City Gateway Projects...” 

Page 3, 2^nd paragraph, item 3), the 4^th sentence should read:  “The existing C-130 aircraft…” 

Page 5, item 4), the last line should read:  “…supposed to be in operation at Waimano for one-year.” 

Page 6, 4^th paragraph, the 5^th line should read:  “There are 6,000-7,500 total units…” 

Page 6, 8^th paragraph, the last line should read:  “…commence sales of housing units at the end of 2007.” 

Page 6, 9^th paragraph, item 2) should read:  “Kodama indicated that the Department of Education’s use of a formula…” 

Page 7, 1^st paragraph, the 3^rd line should read:  “…and an informed decision can be made…” 

Page 8, under Approval of August 2003 Treasurer’s Report, the last paragraph should read:  “The August 2003 Treasurer’s Report was approved, subject to audit.” 

Page 10, under Mayor’s representative, item 5) should read:  “…-ewa corner of Hookanike and Hoohiki...” 

Page 10, under Councilmember Gary Okino, item 2), the 2^nd sentence should read:  “…$6.8 million in recent cuts and prevent additional cuts…” 

Page 10 under Councilmember Gary Okino, item 4), the 3^rd sentence should read:  “…it was planned on the basis that…” 

Page 10, under Senator Cal Kawamoto, the 2^nd line should read:  “…threat for Homeland Security is on Asian countries.  2) The Pearl City/Aiea Vision Group met…” 

Howton moved and Pickard seconded that the Board approve the September 23, 2003, Regular Meeting Minutes, as corrected.  The motion carried unanimously, 8-0-0. 

APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 2003 TREASURER’S REPORT:  Chair Fukushima noted that the Neighborhood Commission Office did not have the September 2003 Treasurer’s Report available. 

YARD OF THE MONTH AWARD FOR OCTOBER 2003 –Publicity/Refreshment Committee Chair Imamura announced that Irene and Carl Takeshia of Komo Mai Drive in Momilani is the October 2003 Yard of the Month awardee. 

PRESENTATIONS (CONT): 

UPDATE OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC FUEL OIL PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION FROM CAMPBELL INDUSTRIAL PARK TO WAIAU POWER PLANT – Project Manager Ken Fong of HECO introduced Bill Decker of Rooney Engineering and reported the following:  HECO will be installing a fuel pipeline from Campbell Industrial Park to the Waiau Power Plant Fuel Base Facility.  HECO will not be renewing its contract with Chevron at the end of December 2004 and therefore the new pipeline is necessary.  The route of the pipeline will follow the State energy corridor.  The route of the corridor begins at Campbell Industrial Park and goes along Farrington Highway through Kapolei and through Waipahu and Waiau to Honolulu.  The fuel line will be 13 miles long.

Bill Decker, of Rooney Engineering, described the proposed route of the fuel line in Pearl City as follows:  The pipeline will be installed alongside two existing pipelines in the State Energy Corridor, an easement established by the State specifically for fuel transport.  The route starts in Campbell Industrial Park, follows Farrington Highway into the West Loch of Pearl Harbor where the route then joins the old OR&L railroad right-of-way.  It follows the OR&L through Waipahu and then turns mauka into the area behind Waipahu High School and Leeward Community College.  The route then crosses Waiawa Stream and the H-1 Freeway into UH Urban Gardens.  It turns and parallels the H-1 Freeway along 2^nd Street and when it reaches the end of 2^nd street, crosses under the H-1 again and then parallels the bike path into the HECO Waiau Generating Facility. Construction has started and is scheduled to end in July 2004.  There are various permits that still need to be obtained for the project, including a COE permit to cross Waiawa Stream. 

Fong and Decker made the following statements inn response to questions asked by Board members and guests:  1) In the area east of Waimano Stream, the pipeline will cross over onto HECO's property and be elevated above the watercress farm area but will be under the top of the slope and will be hidden from Kamehameha Highway.  2) The hotline for concerns and complaints is 543-5665.  3) During the construction, there will be times when the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail/Bike Path will be closed for safety reasons; proper notification will be made.  4) The Board will be notified of any changes to the project.  5) The pipeline will impact the lands of Bishop Estate makai of LCC, but residents will still have access to their homes.  6) Although the areas to be trenched are only two feet wide, partial lane closure is necessary for the equipment and other safety precautions.  7) Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (LSFO) would be carried in 8-inch pipes using new high-strength steel coated with polyurethane.  The steel retains the heat in the pipe to transport the fuel efficiently.  A fiber optic communication system would be used to monitor, control and detect any malfunctions that may occur.  Remote control “block valves” that are a safety system that would shut down the pipeline and isolate the leak to minimize the damage will be used.  8) There are currently no plans to underground the existing HECO power lines.  9) An updated presentation will be made at the January 2004 Regular meeting. 

COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRALS: 

EXECUTIVE:   Chair Fukushima reviewed the following: 

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE OFFICERS – Lemon was appointed as TT Committee Chair. 

ATTENDANCE OF BOARD MEMBERS AT COMMITTEE AND REGULAR MEETINGS – Board members were encouraged to attend both Committee and Regular meetings to be kept up-to-date on action, future activities and issues and concerns of the community.  It is important to attend Committee Meetings because full presentations most of the Board’s discussion and actions are made for recommendation to the full Board and not take up too much time during Regular Board meetings.  He requested that Board members notify him before leaving a meeting early.  

F.Y. 2004 BOARD AND COMMITTEE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES – Chair Fukushima requested that Committee Chairs organize and elect their Officers and set their goals and objectives for fiscal year 2004. 

HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE (HEW) COMMITTEE:  Committee Chair Pickard reviewed the following: 

PEARL CITY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE – The Joint Venture Education Forum has appropriated the following for Hawaii schools:  Total - $11.6 million:  $1.7 million for textbooks; $2.99 million for technology upgrades; $900,000 for playgrounds; $1.7 million for Hawaii 3Rs (Repair, Remodel and Restore) Program; and $812,000 for military partnerships.  Pickard will work on organizing a partnership program for Highlands Intermediate School, although there are limited personnel due to the war in Iraq. 

ADDITION OF PERIMETER PARKING LOTS ALONG WAIMANO HOME ROAD FOR MANANA COMMUNITY

PARK – A letter was sent to Director William Balfour of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) requesting that additional perimeter parking be constructed to connect the existing Kuala Street area with the lower lot along Waimano Home Road.  The matter was acted upon based on complaints of park users and neighboring residents that the facility has inadequate amount of stalls during events at Manana Community Park.  Residents have also complained about noise and drinking after these events.  There has been no response from DPR regarding this matter yet. 

WAIMANO JUVENILE SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT FACILITY (JSOTF) UPDATE – Governor Lingle’s Administration has ordered a $1 million study of treatment centers that includes determining the future use of the current Waimano Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Facility (JSOTF).  It is looking into whether the facility could be expanded to include or replaced by a juvenile substance abuse rehabilitation program.  The community has been opposed to any type of detention facility near area schools for many years.  Governor Lingle’s Administration has suggested that the community lobby the Legislature for funding to move the program.  The Department of Health (DOH) indicated last month that they would attend tonight’s meeting, but were not present. 

Discussion followed: 

1)                   Chair Fukushima stated that Special Assistant Michelle Hill of the Behavior Health Administration and Chief Christina Donkervoet of the Adult and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the DOH indicated that they would provide the Board with the details of the consultant’s contract, but the details have not been forthcoming.  Director Chiyome Fukino, of DOH, also indicated that they would provide a timeline of their plans.  Chair Fukushima read the motion that the Board passed last month requesting that DOH: clarify the scope of work for the community involvement process; provide a copy of the Consultant’s contract regarding the planning study for the Waimano Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Facility; and present an updated report of the time-line for the project at the October 28, 2003 regular meeting.  Claire Nakamura stated that she would relay the Board’s request to Governor Lingle. 

2)                   Chair Fukushima indicated that a revised master plan will be developed for Waimano Home. 

3)                   Board members and guests questioned the sincerity of the Governor’s Administration to consult the community in this matter.  Chair Fukushima stated that DOH had made a request for input from the community since July 2003, but because the scope of the consultant’s work has not been specified, the community does not have anything to comment on. 

4)                 Kaye reiterated his statement that previously Kimura International was hired as a consultant to look for alternative sites.  A report was published that listed several locations that were more deemed more appropriate for a JSOTF than Waimano, making another study unnecessary.  At last month’s meeting, he requested that the new Consultant review the old report and since then DOH has announced that they have hired a consultant for $1 million.  He suggested that the community draft the plans and that the $1 million be used to move the program.  Pickard pointed out that the $1 million for the consultant was appropriated in June 2003 but the matter was not disclosed to the community. 

5)                   Board members and guests suggested that the JSOTF be relocated to Kalaeloa (old Barber’s Point), due the many unused buildings. 

6)                   Residents were encouraged to attend the Pacific Palisades Community Association meeting on November 6, 2003, 7:00 p.m., at the Pacific Palisades Community Center that Lieutenant Governor James Aiona will be attending. 

7)                   Francis and Joann Fukumoto, of Trinity United Methodist Church, stated that they too have concerns and grandchildren that attend Momilani Elementary School, but expressed compassion towards the sick children in the program, having visited them as mentors.  There have been no escapes or big problems from the facility since its opening.  They noted that the children in the program are also part of the community.  Pickard applauded the Fukumotos for volunteering as mentors, but noted that there is still public fear due to the facility being so close to a school.  He stated that “incidents” usually happen years after being in a facility, once routines and operations are known. 

The Board recessed from 8:20 to 8:30 p.m.  Takeuchi left at 8:30 p.m. (7 members present). 

NIGHT CLOSURE OF PUBLIC PARKS:  BILL 55 – Bill 55 was referred back to the City Council Parks Committee due to strong community opposition. 

MEMBERSHIP IN STATE OAHU SERVICE AREA BOARD ON ADULT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE – The majority of the Adult Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board members are doctors and the HEW Committee recommends that the Neighborhood Board not seek membership, unless a Board member has the expertise to participate and discuss such matters. 

TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION (TT):  Committee Chair Lemon reviewed the following: 

OAHU METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (OMPO) CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT – The only matter discussed at the last OMPO CAC meeting was the H-1 Waimalu Viaduct Widening Project.  

IMPACT ON AREA ROADWAYS DUE TO H-1 WAIMALU VIADUCT WIDENING – Pickard will request that Director Rodney Haraga, of the State Department of Transportation (DOT), attend the next Regular Board meeting to discuss the matter. 

KOMO MAI DRIVE – EXCESSIVE SPEEDING IN WAIAU GULCH – The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) only response to the Board’s concern regarding excessive speeding on Komo Mai Drive in Waiau Gulch was to re-stripe the area.  Lemon will request that the DTS make a presentation at the November 2003 Committee meeting to provide additional measures to mitigate the problem. 

PROPOSAL TO CREATE “FOUR-WAY STOP INTERSECTION” AT LEOMELE AND NOELANI STREETS – There have been three major accidents at the Leomele and Noelani Street intersection in Manana within the past year.  A physical examination of the intersection markings showed that the stop lines are severely deteriorated due to wear and erosion and may be a contributing factor in driver unawareness of the downhill stop sign on Noelani Street.  The topography is also suspected to be contributing to the high accident rate as the varied vertical sight distance condition of the subject intersection restricts visibility and encourages speeding in the downhill direction. 

Lemon moved for the Committee that the Board submit a letter to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) to:  a) investigate the feasibility of making the intersection of Leomele and Noelani Streets a four-way stop; b) request immediate restriping of the intersection to clearly identify the stop lines; c) have traffic engineers look into the feasibility of installing warning signs to advise the drivers of the approaching stop signs.  The motion carried unanimously, 7-0-0. 

ADVERTISING FLYERS POSTED ON PUBLIC STREETS AND HIGHWAYS – Community concern has been expressed regarding event promoters posting announcement banners and posters on public property.  HPD has indicated that these types of activities are illegal and they will investigate and cite the promoters.  A new law holds the person that pays for the fliers accountable for any fines. 

PEARL HARBOR TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS – Navy flight restrictions over Pearl Harbor are forcing arriving and departing aircraft to converge “head-on”, right over Pearl City residences, schools and hospitals.  Following the September 11, 2003 attack on the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued orders to ground all aircraft.  Once special security measures were put into place, the President ordered the agencies to return to normal operations.  Normal flight operations were restored, with restrictions.  At that time, the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii requested that FAA temporarily restrict all aircraft from flying over Pearl Harbor.  It has been two years since the attack and the temporary flight restriction (TFR) continues.  The Navy has assured Governor Lingle and State DOT that there are no terrorist threats to Pearl Harbor and there has been no public rationale for the security measures. 

Lemon moved for the Committee that the Board support writing a letter to FAA requesting that the TFR over Pearl Harbor be removed and request an explanation to the community if they are not willing to remove the TFR.  The motion carried, 7-0-0. 

DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ZONING COMMITTEE:  Committee Chair Kaye reviewed the following: 

PRIMARY URBAN CENTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN - FINAL REVIEW DRAFT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – The Committee reviewed the Primary Urban Center Development Plan Executive Summary and has no significant objections to it, except that 120 comments were received from various Neighborhood Boards, but action was only taken on about 20% of those comments.  Kaye will request that a presentation be made at the next Committee meeting. 

WAIMALU – BEST BUY REZONING APPLICATION – The Board had previously reviewed the zoning change along Kamehameha Highway requested by Best Buy and supported the approval of that change with conditions.  Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) has recommended denial of the request.  The next public hearing on this matter will be held tomorrow.  The Committee reviewed the DPP findings, and notes the following dissenting opinions:  1) DPP states they “found no significant demand for additional commercial space” as a rational for denial.  The Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21 believes managing the supply and demand is not a function of DPP and should be outside the scope of their review.  Limited new construction and developments along the commercial corridor are needed to keep the commercial district fresh and vitalized.  2) DPP states “the revised Primary Urban Center (PUC) Development Plan (DP)… proposes open space for the area.  Prior drafts of the PUC DP designated the Kamehameha Highway Corridor as the primary commercial center.  The site is surrounded by commercial facilities, and presently is occupied by a large building and is zoned I-2 Intensive Industrial.  Given, due to the high cost of a purchase or taking of the site by the City and as the site is a poor land choice as a park, open space is a highly unlikely future use of the site.  Thus between the choices of:  a) leaving the site as a used car lot with storage tenants; b) building intensive industrial on the site as permitted by present zoning; or c) Allowing IMX rezoning with conditions which enhance the view and to landscape the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, rezoning is the best alternative. 

Kaye moved for the Committee that the Board reiterate its support of the proposed rezoning for a Best Buy Store at Waimalu, based upon the above rationale.  The motion carried unanimously, 7-0-0. 

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING SESSIONS – The Office of Environment Quality Control (OEQC) will hold Environmental Training Sessions for community groups on the following dates at OEQC:  1) November 14, 2003, 1:00 p.m.; and 2) December 12, 2003, 1:00 p.m.  Call 586-4185 to register. 

LEGISLATIVE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (LCIP):  Committee Chair Fukuda reviewed the following: 

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS INPUT AT PUBLIC WORKSHOPS – The Committee is waiting to review the third draft. 

PUBLICITY/REFRESHMENTS (P/R):  Committee Chair Imamura reviewed the following: 

YARD OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER 2003 – Imamura moved for the Committee that the Board award Site Manager Norm Hangman of the Wailuna Condominium Association of Apartment Owners off Kaahumanu Street for the November 2003 award.  The motion carried unanimously, 7-0-0. 

ELECTED OFFICIALS: 

GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Deputy Director Claire Nakamura of the Department of Public Safety distributed the “Governor’s Update” Report and highlighted the following:  1) Children of Parents in Prison:  Impact on the Innocent Children Conference, sponsored by Children and Family Services and Child Welfare League of America will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2003, 10:15 a.m. at the Japanese Cultural Center Ballroom.  2) DOH may not have realized the need to attend tonight’s meeting and forwarded the following comments regarding misquotes that were printed in the newspaper regarding the Juvenile Sexual Offender Treatment Facility (JSOTF):  a) It is premature to say that Lieutenant Governor Aiona will place a Juvenile Drug Treatment Program at the current JSOTF site at Waimano, as the program has not been relocated.  b) Governor’s Spokesman Russell Pang did not state that the facility would increase by 20 beds.  c) Special Assistant Michelle Hill of the Behavior Health Administration and Chief Christina Donkervoet of the Adult and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the DOH promised to come to the Board when there was new information.  Nakamura will request that they meet with the Board before the next Regular meeting to discuss the scope of work for the consultant, CDS International.  Although there have been instances where patients ran away during an “outing”, they were returned to the facility within 24 hours.  Nakamura noted that if it were not for the program, “these juveniles would be in public schools.” 

Discussion followed:  1) Fukuda expressed sympathy for the patients in JSOTF, but noted that it is an injustice that the community was not allowed input on the matter.  She noted the need for these types of facilities, but indicated that the Administration needs to abide by regulations and processes that they create.  2) Nakamura noted the misfortune of the lack of community input when the facility was built.  3) Pickard requested a tour of the JSOTF. 

MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Deputy Director Breene Harimoto of the Department of Information and Technology (DIT) reported the following:  1) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project requests for fiscal year 2005 are due on November 30, 2003 and should include maintenance and repair projects only.  Funding has not been allotted for these projects, but the City Administration will determine what to include in the budget after reviewing all prioritized requested projects.  2) Due to the Police Union arbitration ruling for significant salary increases, the Mayor has proposed the following motor vehicle weight tax increases:  a) increase passenger vehicle rate three fourths cent (from .0125 to .02 cents per pound); b) increase commercial vehicle rate by one half cent (from .02 to .025 cents per pound).  3) Sunset on the Beach will be held on Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2, 2003, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the koko head side of Kuhio Beach.  Movies:  Saturday – “The Ride” and Sunday – “Whale Rider”.  5) Harimoto assisted a resident in getting information regarding cleanup of the lower Lehua Avenue area. 

Discussion followed:  1) Pickard noted that green waste was left on the sidewalk of Komo Mai Drive after a cleanup.  2) Pickard reiterated his concern regarding the need for repair of the broken plexi-glass pane of the No. 53 bus shelter on the mauka side of Komo Mai Drive, ewa of Waimano Home Road.  Pickard also requested that the Haole Koa trees be removed instead of trimmed from the bus stop areas to prevent their growth into the shelters.  Imamura requested the use of herbicide to prevent weed growth.  3) Richard Mori noted graffiti on the electrical box at the Kalauao Bridge in the ewa-bound direction of Kamehameha Highway.  Imamura noted graffiti on the wall on Kaluamoi Place near Neal Blaisdell Park.  The Graffiti Hotline is 523-CITY.  4) Chair Fukushima asked the Governor’s Representative to make an inquiry about the transfer of ownership of Hookiekie Street from the State to the City.  It was noted that the matter has been delayed because the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), Division of Public Works has not completed inspections of the improvements to bring the roadway to City standards.  Robert Sato noted that the streetlights on Hookiekie Street are not working.  5) Pickard suggested that a “No Right Turn” sign be placed at the Waimano Home Road driveway to First Hawaiian Bank at the Pearl City Shopping Center.  6) Harimoto will request that the City’s maintenance contractor remove the debris from residential properties on the sidewalk of Moanalua Road. 

COUNCILMEMBER GARY OKINO – Robert Sato distributed Councilmember Gary Okino’s monthly report and highlighted the following:  1) The next meeting of the Pearl City Task Force will be held on November 19, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at the Manana Community Park Multipurpose Room to discuss skate park rules and regulations.  Call 547-7008, to be added to the mailing list.  2) The City Council Transportation Committee approved Resolution No. 03-289 that expresses support of a work plan, in coordination with the Governor’s Task Force on Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, to define a grade-separated fixed-rail transit system.  The matter will go before the full council on November 5, 2003.  The proposed system would start at Kapolei, run along Farrington and Kamehameha Highways, link with Nimitz Highway and terminate in Iwilei.  Until the fixed-rail system is built, the State will move forward with plans to build a two-lane reversible “flyover” above Nimitz Highway to deal with traffic congestion.  3) Councilmember Okino opposed the City Council’s veto override regarding Bill 40, CD1, to establish a program to provide training to members of City boards, commissions and committees on the Sunshine Law.  4) Bill 45, CD1, FD1 that restricts the possession of intoxicating liquor in public places unless it is in the manufacturer’s sealed container. 

SENATOR CAL KAWAMOTO – Senator Cal Kawamoto thanked the Board and community for their continued support over the years and wished everyone a Happy Halloween. 

SENATOR DAVID IGE – There was no representative present. 

REPRESENTATIVE ROY TAKUMI – There was no representative present. 

REPRESENTATIVE K. MARK TAKAI – There was no representative present. 

COMMUNITY INPUT: 

PEARL CITY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (PCCA) AND PCC YOUTH – A free Halloween Bash sponsored by PCCA, PCC YOUTH and the Pearl City Foundation will be held on October 31, 2003, 6:00 p.m. at the Momilani Community Center. 

PEARL CITY FOUNDATION – Harimoto reported the following:  1) The summer program was successful.  2) They are currently conducting the following community programs:  swimming, line dancing and karate.  Upcoming programs include the following:  Tai Chi, hula, “Senior Gathering”, boxing, “Parents Night Out”.  3) The Pearl City Foundation does not duplicate services provided for the public by a City or State agency. 

Pickard suggested that a prisoner “work line” be organized to maintain the Momilani Community Center. 

PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (PPCA) – Howton reported that Lieutenant Governor James Aiona will be attending the next PPCA meeting on November 6, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at the Pacific Palisades Community Center.  The gathering is open to the public. 

MANANA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Fukushima reported the following: 1) “Make a Difference + 1 Day” was held on October 26, 2003 and included painting of the bus shelter on Waimano Home Road near Komo Mai Drive; and bus benches in the community.  2) A Christmas Craft Night will be held on November 13, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at Manana Elementary School Multipurpose Dining Room. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

1)         The next Committee meetings are scheduled for TUESDAY, November 18, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at Pearl City Library Auditorium. 

2)                   The next Regular Board meeting will be held on TUESDAY, November 25, 2003, 6:30 p.m. at the Pearl City Library Auditorium. 

3)                   Lemon announced that the public hearing on Resolution No. 03-242 relating to increasing the minimum required dimensions of a standard-sized automobile parking space will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 9:00 a.m. at City Hall, Committee Meeting Room. 

ADJOURNMENT:  Without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. 

Submitted by: 

Mahealani Hanohano

Neighborhood Assistant