Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001
MILILANI MAUKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Jeanette Nekota called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lily Canas, Tim Dittrick, Melissa Graffigna, Wade Kodama, Teresa Lau, Jeanette Nekota and Pamela Young.
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Ellis and Terry Gabriel.
GUESTS: Lt. Jose Gaytan & Sgt. Joseph Dowson (Honolulu Police Department), Captain Ron Smith (Honolulu Fire Department), Alan Arakawa & Tony Gaston (Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii); Lt. Colonel Doug Mulbury, Colonel Chuck Waggoner, & Sgt. Ricardo Baez (United States Army _ Schofield Barracks, 25th Infantry Division [Light]), Senator Ron Menor, Representative Marilyn Lee, Representative Guy Ontai, Deena Yoneda (Director, Cinema Tech Program _ Leilehua High School), Debbie Snyder (Board of Water Supply), Pat Nix (Mililani Town Association), Guy Oshiro (Department of Parks & Recreation), Frank & Helen Simutis, Neil Takeda, Gerald Hagino, Glenn Shigeta, Ruth Nakasone (Citizens for Pure Water), Russell Watanabe (Owner _ Watanabe Nursery), Jon Pharis (Pharis & Associates), George Tamashiro (Mayor's Representative) and Jamal Siddiqui (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mililani Mauka Boys Scouts Troop No. 664 Honor Guard posted the colors of the United States and the Hawaii State Flags. All present in the meeting rose to the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag. After the pledge was given, Senator Menor presented the Hawaii State Flag to Troop No. 664 and stated that the tragic events of September 11th have brought the American people closer together based on values and principles.
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2001: The following corrections were made:
. Page 3, paragraph 6, under Department of Parks & Recreation, under Discussion followed, should read: "(1) Construction of the Skateboard Park in Mililani District Park should be completed by the end of November 2001."
. Page 7, paragraph 3, under Education, should read: "(1) The Mililani Middle School's School Community Based Management (SCBM) Task Force Committee held its meeting on September 23, 2001. Members were informed that the required school reports and plans for SCBM were submitted to the Board of Education and should be approved by the Board of Education within a couple of months depending on the Board's schedule. (3) Lau stated that anyone in the community is invited to participate as a community representative. Please contact Lau by Friday, October 26, 2001 so that a meeting can be scheduled with facilitator Todd Watanabe, Vice Principal at Mililani Middle School, to select two community representatives for the SCBM Council."
Kodama moved and Graffigna seconded to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion carried unanimously, 7- 0-0.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Young reported the following: (1) Financial statement ending October 31, 2001 _ The previous operating account balance totaled at $1,199.38; expenditures for October were $328.15; total expenditures to date is $648.77; and the current balance-to-date is $871.23. The previous publicity account balance totaled at $1,178.00; expenditures for October was $100.00; total expenditures to date is $200.00; and the current balance-to-date is $1,078.00. There being no expenditures, the refreshment account balance remains at $120.00. (2) Board member Canas was reimbursed by the Neighborhood Commission Office for purchasing of leis and picture frames which were used to honor individuals at Board meetings. (3) Based on the current operating expenditures, Young expressed concern that the remaining $871.23 in the Board's operating account is low. Young asked Chair Nekota to see if updating the Board's mailing list as well as reviewing the high monthly rental rate being paid to Mililani Mauka Elementary School is possible. Without objections, the Board accepted the treasurer's report as filed subject to audit.
RECOGNITION OF COLONEL CHUCK WAGGONER: On behalf of the Board, Chair Nekota presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Colonel Chuck Waggoner for being an outstanding liaison representing who has taken into consideration the needs of both the military and the community, specifically to the use of the East Range.
COMMUNITY REPORTS AND RESIDENTS CONCERNS
HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Captain Ron Smith reported the following statistics from October 2001: Fires _ five structure, ten brush and one rubbish. Emergencies _ eighteen medical calls, eight miscellaneous and eleven hazardous conditions specifically in response to calls received regarding the presence of a white powdery substance in the Mililani Mauka, Launani Valley, Wahiawa and Haleiwa areas.
Discussion followed: (1) The brush fire that took place at Mililani Tech Park in Launani Valley was caused by a misuse of candles by an individual. (2) There have been no leads with regards to an arson incident that took place last month. The source of the arson originated from a fire on a white Toyota pickup truck.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Accompanied by Sgt. Joseph Dowson, Lt. Jose Gaytan reported the following: Statistics for October 2001: Mililani Wide: twenty-six burglaries, fourteen unauthorized entry of motor vehicles and twenty-eight miscellaneous thefts; Mililani Mauka: two burglaries, one unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and six miscellaneous thefts; and Launani Valley: two burglaries, one unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and two miscellaneous thefts.
Discussion followed: (1) Last Spring 2000, the community responded to the dramatic increase in fatal motor vehicle collisions by launching a public awareness campaign “Drive to Arrive Alive.” The program was a combined effort consisting of safety talks in our schools, continuous speed enforcement along more notorious roads and static displays of crashed vehicles along those same roads. (2) The new “Live and Let Live” campaign will commence during the first week of December. On Thursday, December 13, 2001 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., groups of volunteers will come out sign waving on the roadways of Mililani and Wahiawa to help raise public awareness regarding traffic safety especially during the holiday season. Everyone is invited to participate by forming volunteer groups with their own signs. Organizations participating in the sign waving campaign include Mililani High School and Leilehua Lions Club. For further information, please contact Sgt. Fay Tamura of the Wahiawa Police Station at 621-8442.
Discussion followed: Graffigna confirmed that Mililani Mauka Boys Scout Troop No. 664 will be sign waving on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at Wikao Street.
NOISE PROBLEMS FROM MOTORIZED SCOOTERS: Chair Nekota informed everyone that the Board's resolution that passed unanimously which asked the City to revise current traffic ordinances in order to help the police aggressively enforce anti-noise ordinances was distributed to the appropriate City departments/agencies including the Honolulu Police Department.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (DPR): Guy Oshiro informed everyone that the Winter Intersession at Mililani District Park takes place from January 3 to January 11, 2002. Session hours will run from 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Participants for the intersession will be from grades kindergarten to five. Registration will be on December 5, 2001 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. while on December 6 & 7, 2001, registration will run from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Lunch and afternoon snack must be brought from home. Cost of the program per participant is $45.00.
MILITARY: Lt. Colonel Doug Mulbury reported the following: (1) During the month of October 2001, the U. S. Army's 706th Ordnance Company had four off-post missions: helping various law enforcement and public safety agencies dispose explosive hazards that threaten personnel and property. (2) The U. S. Army Hawaii logged 64.9 flight hours, dropping 377 buckets fighting fires in Hawaii at no expense to the community. (3) During October 2001, the Military Assistance for Safety and Traffic's 68th Medical Company accomplished 8 missions, transporting 8 patients, logging 10.4 flight hours which saved the state approximately $17,680. For the year, the 68th Medical Company accomplished 197 missions, transported 232 patients, thus saving the state approximately $442,850. (3) Civilian patrons of Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities can obtain an MWR ID card and car pass valid for one year at the Leilehua Golf Course. (4) The U.S. Army spent $15,000 ($3,000 per school) on physical improvements in area public schools including Kipapa Elementary, Mililani Middle, Mililani Uka Elementary and Mililani Mauka Elementary.
INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM: Lt. Colonel Doug Mulbury reported the following: (1) The Afghanistan-based Al-Quaida terrorist network, under the leadership of exiled Saudi militant Osama Bin Laden chose the date September 11, 2002 for the suicide terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. because it coincided with terrorist related events that have taken place in September in the Middle East. (2) Al-Quaida's primary objective is to inflict mass casualties towards the United States and create a split between the
United States and its Arab/Muslim allies. In addition, Al-Quaida's terror cells operate all over the world. (3) Other targets include population centers, transportation hubs, and utilities. (4) If anyone notices any suspicious activities such as taking frequent photos at military sites, asking sensitive questions, then contact the Honolulu Police Department - the first line responders on the domestic front on the war on terrorism. The U.S. military through its Joint Rear Area Coordination (JRAC) Program will provide its military assets to help local law enforcement apprehend terrorists. (6) To win the war on terrorism, citizens should know your enemy, report suspicious activities to the police and most importantly be alert, not alarmed.
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Debbie Snyder reported the following: (1) There were no water main breaks for October 2001. (2) BWS would like to remind residents that they can apply for e-bill services through its website: www.hbws.org. BWS customers may apply for e-bill payment through Bank of Hawaii; brokerages through Charles Schwab, Merrill Lynch, and Prudential Financial; other online services include MSN bill payment, Quicken, Prodigy and Yahoo. The monthly service rates varies from $5.95 to $6.95 a month depending upon which server you select. In addition, BWS also offers automatic bill payment through your checking or savings account. Please call the Customer Care Unit at 527-6127 or 527-5246 to apply over the telephone.
MILILANI VISION TEAM: George Tamashiro announced that the Mililani Vision Team decided to allocate $1.5 million for construction of a performing arts center in Mililani. The project has the support of Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii. In addition, vision team members supported to allocate $500,000 in improving area parks. Chair Nekota stated her appreciation to Tamashiro for his help in getting these projects funded.
MILILANI TOWN ASSOCIATION (MTA): Pat Nix had no report. However, in response to inquiries raised at the last meeting, replied as follows: (1) Sprint has installed an antenna which will be located behind Mililani Recreation Center No. 5, and (2) operating hours at all Mililani Recreation Centers will not be extended to midnight from the current closing time of 10:00 p.m. due to costs and possible late night disturbances in residential areas.
OTHER RESIDENTS' CONCERNS: None.
REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS
MAYOR'S REPRESENTATIVE: George Tamashiro reported the following: (1) Honolulu City Lights commences on Saturday, December 1, 2001 in front of Honolulu Hale which will be accompanied by the Electric Light Parade. In addition there will be a second Electric Light Parade in Sunday, December 2, 2001 which is in conjunction with a Toys for Tot Parade in Waikiki. (3) This past weekend's Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki was a tremendous success in terms of the number of people attending the family-oriented event featuring food and entertainment including a 30-foot movie screen. The event takes place every Saturday and Sunday. (4) All four county mayors have joined forces in the www.FriendsinHawaii.com that has bargain rates to attract tourists to stay and spend in Hawaii which is designed to bolster the sagging economy.
COUNCILMEMBER RENE MANSHO: Melissa Graffigna reported the following: (1) Submitted a request for providing six speed monitors for the Wahiawa Police Substation to the Department of Budget & Fiscal Services for the fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003. (2) Submitted a request for a crosswalk and a “No Left Turn” sign at Mililani Uka Elementary School driveway. However, the Department of Transportation Services will conduct an investigation and respond shortly upon completion of their review. (3) The Central Oahu Regional Park Advisory Committee will hold their next meeting on Monday, December 10, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. in Mililani District Park. (4) The Mililani Military Affairs Advisory Council will be holding an on site demonstration on Saturday, December 8, 2001 from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M. at the East Range Training Facility.
GOVERNOR'S REPRESENTATIVE: Not present. Chair Nekota announced that Glen Okimoto has been recently been appointed by Governor Cayetano as the new State Budget Director. Prior to this recent appointment, Okimoto was Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation.
SENATOR RON MENOR: Senator Menor was present earlier in the meeting.
REPRESENTATIVE GUY ONTAI: Representative Ontai reported the following: (1) In the Third Special Session of the 2001 Legislature, legislation relating to residential and hotel tax credits passed, however bills relating to commercial tax credits were not even considered. (2) The Republican Caucus proposes a seven-day tax holiday _ customers pay no excise tax on purchases _ is needed to stimulate the economy. He noted that in these hard economic times, many of these small businesses have folded. (3) Voted against the $150 million for the relocation of the John A. Burns Medical School because
he feels monies being diverted from the tobacco settlement fund along with the use of eminent domain is wrong. (4) $17.5 million will be allocated for construction of Mililani Mauka Elementary School II in two phases. (5) Expressed concern with the use of funds from the State Foundation of Culture & the Arts' Special Funds used to purchase statues should be used instead to fix and repair public schools like Mililani Uka Elementary that is having a problem with land erosion. Ontai stated his agreement with State Auditor Marion Higa that the Culture & Arts Special Fund be eliminated.
(1) Graffigna expressed strong disagreement with Representative Ontai to eliminate the Culture & Arts Special Funds by pointing out that arts education is beneficial to students. She therefore asked Representative Ontai to look into it. (2) Chair Nekota informed everyone that the Mililani Complex has until Monday, December 10, 2001 to fully comply with the Felix Consent Decree _ granting equal education to special needs children.
REPRESENTATIVE MARILYN LEE: Representative Lee reported the following: (1) In the Third Special Session of the 2001 legislature, bills that passed included a 13 week extension of unemployment insurance, granting “emergency powers” to give the Governor the flexibility to help those devastated by the economic crisis since the tragedy of September 11th and extending temporary health insurance benefits for participants eligible under the Temporary Health Insurance for Unemployed Persons Program. (2) Announced that the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing Committee, Chaired by Senator Menor will be holding a hearing in two weeks on bioterrorism. (3) Noted that monies from the State Foundation of Culture & the Arts Special Funds were allocated to placing a mural at Mililani High School.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
BOARD ACTION ON HUB & SPOKE PROJECT: Young moved and Graffigna seconded that the Board support the following resolution in support of the Hub & Spoke Project:
WHEREAS, the City & County of Honolulu's Department of Transportation Services recently completed the Central Oahu Hub & Spoke Bus Route Plan; and
WHREAS, the Central Oahu Hub & Spoke Bus Route Project includes substantial bus service improvements in Central Oahu; and
WHEREAS, the proposal contains three new circulator routes in Mililani, a new CountryExpress! with limited-stop service to Ala Moana Shopping Center via Kamehameha Highway, and a new local route with service to Kapolei via Waipahu, all connecting at a proposed transit hub at Mililani Town Center; and
WHEREAS, the Mililani community will greatly benefit from the additional new bus routes designed to complement existing express and local routes; and
WHEREAS, some new bus services can begin in 2002 if sufficient funds are budgeted and suitable hubs can be developed; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 supports the general concept of the Central Oahu Hub & Spoke Bus Route Project including development of a transit hub at the Mililani Town Center along Meheula Parkway; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 urges the City & County of Honolulu to budget sufficient funds to implement the Central Oahu Hub & Spoke Project, to support the operation of the new bus routes and to expand existing bus service by adding earlier morning and later night trips; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 request timely briefings on the status of the Central Oahu Hub & Spoke project with particular attention to the Mililani segment and regular updates on he development of the Mililani Mauka Park and Ride Facility as part of the hub & spoke project.
The motion carried unanimously, 7-0-0.
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION/DECISION
UPDATE ON MAUKA 100 ACRES PRESENTATION: Alan Arakawa, representing Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii, Inc., reported the following: (1) The 100-acre site in Mililani Mauka was originally set aside for the University of Hawaii to build its West Oahu Campus. (2) Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii has submitted an application to the Department of Planning & Permitting requesting a zoning change from Agricultural (A-5) to Residential (R-5) in order to construct 750 units in its Mililani Mauka Phase III project. In addition, three acres of has been set aside for the construction of Mililani Performing Arts Center or for other non-profit use and a roundabout/traffic circle to area alleviate traffic congestion. (3) Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii submitted an amendment to the Central Oahu Development Plan in order for their Mililani Mauka Phase III project to proceed which was approved by the Planning Commission and the Honolulu City Council. Arakawa asked for Board support for the zoning change.
Discussion followed: (1) Concern was expressed that the proposed project would worsen traffic on Koolani Drive and Ukuwai Street. Arakawa pointed out that the ample parking space at the Mililani Mauka Park and Ride Facility would alleviate area traffic congestion. (2) The project should be completed by the middle of 2003.
Graffigna moved and Kodama seconded that the Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 support rezoning the Mililani Mauka 100 acres from Agricultural (A-5) to Residential (R-5) as presented by Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii. The motion carried 5-1-1. Ayes: Canas, Dittrick, Graffigna, Kodama, Nekota. Nays: Young. Abstain: Lau.
WATANABE FLORALS AT ANUENUE ESTATES: Accompanied by project architect Jon Pharis, Watanabe Florals owner Russell Watanabe, reported the following: (1) Watanabe Florals had in the 1970's a flourishing commercial rose nursery on 17.5 acres of land located on Makapipi Street until economic hard times along with health concerns _ use of chemicals like PCP forced the company to move to Kamuela on the Big Island where it has flourished since. (2) Plans to use the former rose growing plant to develop a new subdivision _ Anuenue Estates where there are plans to develop 50 single-family residential lots along with a landscape buffer at Anuenue Terrace, thus he asked for Board support for the zoning change.
Discussion followed: (1) With the existing sewage plant ceasing operations years ago, there should be no odorous effects on the proposed development site. (2) Plans are to make Anuenue Estates a covenant community similar to that of Mililani with the possibility of making it a gated community. (3) Land could possibly be under the jurisdiction of the Mililani Town Association however infrastructure would be the City's responsibility. (4) Concern was raised the new community would congest traffic on Lanikuhana Avenue therefore motorists would have to drive through Kipapa Gulch. Watanabe pointed out only 50 single-family residential units would be built with the majority of it being three-bedroom homes while some would be four-bedroom homes. Watanabe also mentioned that there is a private road on Lanikuhana Avenue for area farmers. (5) Once the rezoning plans are approved, development would commence in one year.
Graffigna moved and Kodama seconded that the Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 support the rezoning of Watanabe Nursery at Anuenue Estates from Agricultural (A-1) to Residential (R-5) as presented by Russell Watanabe, Owner of Watanabe Nursery and the project architect Jon Pharis. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0-0.
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: Chair Nekota announced that the school partnership program presentation has been rescheduled for the Board's next meeting _ January 15, 2002.
PRESENTATION BY REPRESENTATIVES FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER: Ruth Nakasone, representing Hawaii Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, distributed copies of anti-fluoridation material from various websites and reported the following: (1) The Citizens for Safe Drinking Water is adamantly opposed to plans by the State Department of Health to fluoridating Hawaii's public water system as an obsolete solution in terms of addressing the high rates of tooth decay among Hawaii's youth. (2) Fluoride is an ingredient used to make toothpastes, soft drinks and in even in 2% milk. Once the fluoride is placed in the public water system, there would be no choice for people but to consume it. (3) Consuming fluoridated water would be detrimental to children who in the long term develop fluorosis. In addition, it would harm ornamental plants such as Ti and Dracaena. (4) Pointed out that in many industrialized nations that do not fluoridate water, tooth decay is not a significant problem. (5) The primary factor for tooth decay among children is sweeteners that are placed in baby bottles.
Discussion followed: Legislation promoting fluoridation is in the House Finance Committee. To stop the fluoridation legislation, Nakasone stated that her organization is working on a resolution to generate support among Neighborhood Boards to urge the legislature to reject fluoridation.
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 35 VISION TEAM: Graffigna informed everyone that at the Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board submitted its list of area Capital Improvement Projects: (1) $1.5 million _ Mililani Performing Arts Center, (2) $250,000 _ Mililani Mauka Traffic Calming Study and (3) $250,000 _ Mililani Mauka Park Improvements.
OAHU METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION'S CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (OMPO CAC): Young announced that OMPO will be holding their next meeting on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 at the Downtown YWCA where they will be a presentation on traffic calming.
There were no other committee reports.
CHAIR'S REPORT: Chair Nekota reported the following: (1) AT&T has withdrawn its Special Use Permit Application to place an antenna site at the Mililani Mauka BWS plant citing health and safety concerns raised by nearby residents. (2) At a recent Neighborhood Commission meeting, commission members unanimously supported the resolution proposed by the Board to allow Neighborhood Board funds to be used for purchase of leis and picture frames. (3) Broadcasts of Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board meetings will soon be shown in a regularly scheduled time slot.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Nekota made the following announcements: (1) The Mililani Military Affairs Council will be holding on on-site demonstration on Saturday, December 8, 2001 at the East Range Training Facility. (2) The Honolulu Police Department's Annual Live and Let Live campaign will commence on Thursday, December 13, 2001 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. where volunteers will be sign waving on the roadways of Mililani and Wahiawa to raise public awareness to traffic safety especially during the holiday season. (3) The next Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 Vision Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2002 at 7:00 P.M., Mililani Mauka McDonalds, 95-1860 Meheula Parkway. (4) The next Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 Regular Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2002, 7:00 P.M., Mililani Mauka Elementary School Cafeteria, 95-1111 Makaikai Street. There will be no meeting in December.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:08 P.M.
Submitted by Jamal Siddiqui, Neighborhood Assistant
