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McCully - Moiliili Neighborhood Board # 8
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2007
Chair Pro tem Lockwood brought the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. with a quorum of eight present. He asked everyone to silence their cell phones and pagers. Before starting the meeting he read some of the rules and regulations for Board members.
Members Present: Mimi Gans, Les Hata, John Kato, Serena Kyi-Yim, Betty Lou Larson, Ron Lockwood, Shaunna Tabor, Marijane Carlos (elected tonight and joined the Board after taking the oath), Clifton Takamura.
Members absent: Gordon Furuto.
Vacant Seats: Two vacancies in Sub District 1 and three vacancies in Sub District 2.
Guests: Keith Ishinaga (Board of Water Supply), Mark Oto (Mayor’s Representative, Senior Advisor, Department of Customer Service), Jim Manke (University of Hawaii at Manoa), Capt. R. Amano (McCully Fire Station), Capt. R. Green, Sgt. G. Maekawa, Sgt. L. Dabaluz, Sgt. H. Roberts, Officer D. Valoroso (Honolulu Police Department), Senator Carol Fukunaga, Representative Scott Saiki, Representative Kirk Caldwell, Sandra Kunimoto (Governor’s Representative, Department of Agriculture), Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Susan Miyao (Senator Taniguchi’s Office), Tom Heinrich, Daisy Murai, Sandra Fulton, Klement Kondratovich, Gary Omori, Lillian and Carl Novak (McCully Citizen’s Patrol), Bonnie Trustin (
The oath of office was administered to Board members Tabor and Larson who were not at the June 2, 2007 training and installation.
Election of Chair: Kato moved and Kyi-Yim seconded to elect the Pro Tem Lockwood as Chair. Being there were no other nominations Lockwood was elected by acclamation.
Election of First Vice-Chair: Kyi-Yim nominated Tabor for first vice-chair and Larson seconded the motion being there were no other nominees. Tabor was elected by acclamation.
Election of Second Vice-Chair: Tabor nominated and Takamura seconded Kyi-Yim for second Vice-Chair. Being there were no other nominees the Board elected her by acclamation.
Lockwood noted that the Board in the last term was left without a Vice Chair for a period of time due to circumstances.
Election of Secretary: Takamura moved and Larson seconded to nominate Gans as Secretary. Kyi-Yim nominated Hata and Tabor seconded the motion. Gans received six votes (Hata, Lockwood, Larson, Tabor, Gans, Takamura). Hata received three votes (Tabor, Kyi-Yim, Larson). Mr. Hata withdrew his nomination and Gans was elected by unanimous consent.
Election of Treasurer: Larson nominated Hata seconded by Gans. Kyi-Yim nominated Kato who declined. Hata was elected by unanimous consent.
Meeting Date, Time and Place – Kato moved and Larson seconded to maintain the meeting as before for date, time and place. The vote was unanimous supporting the motion.
Months to Recess for Meetings – The Board could not come to a consensus on months to recess. Gans moved and Takamura seconded the choosing of months to recess be deferred until later. The motion was passed unanimously.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY LIAISON (35 MINUTES)
Tip for the Month: With brush fire season upon us, remember to maintain a 30 foot wide clearing in between any vegetation and structure. Recent rains may have overgrown vegetation in some places. Independence Day is just around the corner so consider leaving fireworks to professionals and enjoy one of the many fireworks displays around town. To use fireworks follow warnings and instructions. Youngsters should never be given fireworks. Older children should only use fireworks under the direct supervision of adults. Have a happy and safe Independence Day celebration. There were no questions.
Honolulu Police Department - Sgt. G. Maekawa, District 7, East Honolulu Station distributed their statistics for May with a new format showing the type of offense and where it is located on a map of each beat as follows:
Beat 753 bounded by University Avenue on the diamond head side, South King on makai side, Punahou on the ewa side and H-I east bound on the mauka side had 4 burglaries, 6 thefts and 8 unauthorized entries of motor vehicles.
Beat 754 (bounded by
Beat 755 (bounded by the Manoa Stream on the diamond head side, the Ala Wai canal on the makai side,
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. HPD is aware of the random, island-wide break-ins of cars and encouraged not giving the perpetrators the opportunity so please keep valuables out of sight and your cars locked.
2. Kato is concerned about the commercial vehicles parked in residential area and wants them cited.
3. Abandoned cars are supposed to be marked. Officers go back and monitor the car by checking the odometer to see if it is the same car however new cars with digital odometers make it harder to get the reading and consequently harder to know whether it is the same car that was marked.
4. Capt. Green announced that
Officer Valaroso of Honolulu area District 1 has one beat in the McCully-Moiliili area, Beat 178 bounded by South King on the mauka side, Hauoli on the
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. If you witness a near collision with a pedestrian, call 911 and ask the pedestrian to remain at the scene to fill out a Near Collision Report. This document when filed would indicate the area is unsafe and HPD may require other safety measures be provided. If a license plate number is obtained, HPD can go and talk to the driver.
2. It’s good to take a license plate number of an illegally parked commercial vehicle in a residential area and call it in which directs the officer to exactly where the vehicle is located. The time starts when the vehicle is marked, not when the call is made.
3. Beat 178 is down
4. Cars parked on the corner of
5. Call 911 to report this dangerous situation. HPD is working with the property owner and the City; since this is on private property that goes up to the sidewalk there are limitations. This is an ongoing issue in District 1 and other agencies are being asked to join them in solving the problem.
6. Oto reported the area along the street has no sidewalk and has enlisted the help of the police chief in areas where the City has control. Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM) is installing “Absolutely No Parking” signs along
Officer Peters is the newly assigned detective to District 7 handling car break-ins, burglaries and felony thefts. He is actively looking for the person committing the break-ins to cars in McCully,
1. The new campus announcement system for security with the emergency text and voicemail messaging is operational and will be expanded when school begins in August. UH has added seven bicycle patrols that can go between buildings. A private contractor will install PA speakers in campus security vehicles so they can advise people on campus as they move along.
2. The new Chancellor, Virginia Hinshaw, will be moving into Hawai’i Hall July 1 and taking over the duties from the current interim chancellor, Denise Konan. Manke could ask Hinshaw to address the Board once she’s had some time to learn about the campus and community interactions.
3. There will be new deans for the Departments of Education and Architecture for the upcoming school year.
4. The Board of Regents has authorized the new
5. The centennial celebration continues with the “Celebrate our Present” phase including several programs that are part of the Children’s Film Festival every weekend and an International alumni reunion in August.
6. He distributed the current issue of Malamalama magazine. There is an appeal inside it for financial support because they are concerned the increase in postage and printing costs could eliminate the publishing of this magazine.
Questions, answers and concerns;
1. Manke reported that Frear Hall is still scheduled to open in the autumn of 2008.
2. The older circular dorms on campus have a phased plan for renovation and construction. When the new dorm opens that will offer flexibility to shuffle people around. These older dorms could be closed and /or possibly torn down. They will do the projects one at a time.
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS – There was no report because they are out of town.
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Mark Oto gave phone numbers so people can use them to report their problems personally. For abandoned vehicles call 733 -2530; their 24 hour hot-line is 532-7700 ext. 250.
Call 768-7777 to report potholes.
The answers to last month’s questions are as follows:
1. The Department of Facilities Management (DFM) and Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will start patching potholes in areas between Citron to the University and in the future will address the major road problems into their work plan in the area.
2. The City gives no money for recycled tires but the State law requires dealers to accept tires for recycling and city recycling centers do accept tires.
3. The street sign at the intersection at Waiola and Lokahi will be replaced.
4. DFM will resurface the entire length of
5. On
6. The fire department reported that the fire hydrant in front of
7. The Mayor’s Midterm Report was distributed which includes phone numbers for city departments, the council members, other frequently called numbers, the state website, pedestrian safety information, suggestions for hurricane preparedness and more.
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. A pilot project for recycling is slated to be available in Hawaii Kai, Mililani and
2. Oto will assist a resident who has had a long term complaint about a neighbor who puts out their trash the night after the weekly trash pick up and it flies all over the yard. The Board of Health told her wherever the rubbish lands, that person is responsible for it.
3. Kyi-Yim wanted it noted that it is possible to get a building permit for a house in a week with the Mayor’s help when it involves the show “Home Makeover.”
4. Oto reported in 1998 the housing department was discontinued by the charter so there is no housing director. Therefore, duties related to housing are apportioned to several city departments: Cindy Aylett in the Mayor’s office handles existing housing on City owned lands; DFM handles the maintenance of City owned housing; and Oto’s department of Community Services handles plans for special needs housing. The Mayor is establishing a housing advisor with funding Councilmember Kobayashi helped to fund available July 1.
5. Takamura reported on
6. A resident requested the city paint a stripe in front of
7. Heinrich suggested the McCully/Moiliili Neighborhood Board get involved and give input to Representative Karl Rhoads on the revamping of the bus routes.
8. Chair Lockwood asked those with requests for the Mayor’s representative to fill out and turn in the form provided by the Neighborhood Assistant so the particulars of your request are clearly noted and your request properly addressed. List your name if you want to be contacted.
GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Sandra Kunimoto reported on the following questions from the last meeting:
The State Department of Transportation recommended there be no parking between Beretania and Bingham on McCully Street since the road is only 18 -19 feet wide and parking there would leave about 10 feet which wouldn’t accommodate garbage trucks and the like. Sight distance would be a problem especially for cars going
to and from
Coyne and Bingham would only provide six stalls and weighing the benefits and safety issues they didn’t agree to it.
1. She requested the tires under the freeway be moved right after the May 3rd meeting and was told 100 tires were removed two weeks before but they would check it again. She went back June 4th and the tires were cleared. Hata reported a neighbor had seen a person using that location to dump rubber tires.
2. She will contact Senator Kokubun as the legislative representative and ask why the minutes and agenda from the latest
3. She will investigate for Senator Taniguchi’s constituents the activities of the State Department of Transportation regarding the Punahou and University interchange and the possible closing of the
4. The Department of Agriculture is trying to eradicate the nettle caterpillar which was isolated to
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY – Keith Ishinaga reported there were no main breaks in May.
Water Tip of the Month: - Don’t forget this week is Detect a Leak Week so please make sure you check for any water leaks you may have with the dye tablets we have brought for you tonight. You can receive these at City Mill and our main office near Beretania and Punchbowl.
Questions, answers and concerns:
Lockwood thanked the Board of Water Supply for putting the words “Harmless if swallowed” on their tablets to detect leaks in toilet tanks that they are distributing.
COUNCILMEMBER ANN KOBAYASHI – Councilmember Kobayashi congratulated the new Board members and gave highlights of her report that was circulated:
1. Yesterday the City Council passed the new budget and property tax rates. She voted against the latter because it didn’t do enough for residents lowering it by only $.30 per $1,000. Sadly we increased the commercial property tax rate which we all will end up paying for as businesses pass the increase on to customers. Hopefully we won’t loose too many small businesses because we have lost so many already.
2. The City Council passed legislation to set up a fund for affordable housing. Those monies will start being collected in July, 2007.
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. Since the City doesn’t currently have a housing department they won’t be building the units paid for by the monies from the Affordable Housing Fund. The Charter Amendment provides one half a percent off the top to go into the Affordable Housing Fund and one half a percent to go into the land preservation fund but the City isn’t involved in either of those areas. In the first year they expect to collect around $7 million, $3.5 million will be used to build new housing and $3.5 million go into preservation.
2. The City Council passed Resolution 07-190 providing for the City to build a bowling alley affording seniors another place to exercise and socialize. There are only two other public bowling alleys on the island after another one closes soon. She has gotten many calls from seniors saying the City has baseball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, many golf courses, tennis courts, supports canoe paddlers clubs, but no municipal bowling alley so she asked for the administration to look into this because the existing bowling centers are too crowded.
3. Heinrich announced that on Saturday, October 13 the annual area recycling effort will be held at
4. The City Council hasn’t heard about the City sale of their affordable housing projects. The sale requires the Council’s approval and they promise that any sale must state the housing will stay “affordable within a certain income range.”
5. The City Council members know the bowling alley will be expensive to build and maintain it. After introducing the Resolution, someone called representing a company on the mainland who offered to build and operate the lanes and give the City a percentage so hopefully it won’t be a loosing proposition for the City, but their talks are very preliminary.
6. Chair Lockwood feels the impending closing of a bowling alley will bring increased fund raising sought by the bowling leagues at Kaimuki, Kalani, and Roosevelt High and other schools as they move look for other places to bowl. He hopes their teams of 20 children, per school, can be maintained during this time when a declining number of lanes are available.
7. She responded to a senior resident who wants to use the McCully swimming pool but it has been closed more than it has been open and is slated to reopen in 2010. Therefore the City Council is looking at the Stadium Bowladrome as a possible pool site to afford the closing of the current McCully pool, but the land is owned by the State Department of the Hawaiian Homelands.
8. The sewer rate increase was supposed to go up 10% for next year but the administration said they needed a total 25% increase so we gave it to them for this coming year and the following year they are projecting an increase of 15%. The Council projects that by 2011 the sewer fee will be $90 per month but that is the only way we can pay for all the sewer repairs that must be done.
9. Discover Moiliili Day is October 6, 2007 and it was suggested a map and survey asking for input from people about what they want to see in Moiliili be distributed.
10. There will be a June 12th meeting at
REPRESENTATIVE KIRK CALDWELL – Representative Caldwell reviewed some highlights from his report that he distributed about the legislative bills:
1. Much effort was put into a bill that was passed addressing global warming with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.
2. The Deposit Beverage Container Bill passed so recycling centers will take containers up to 68 oz. and redemption centers in high density areas must stay open at least 35 hours per week including at least five hours on Saturday and Sunday.
3. The Invasive Species Bill is up before the Governor to collect $1.00 per marine commercial container, collecting around $1 million dollars to inspect our containers and crack down on invasive species that are hurting so much of our environment.
4. The Department of Education’s operating general funds were increased by $53 million more than the Governor’s biennium request and we added $75 million to their repair and maintenance budget.
5. We worked with the Governor on bills that deal with innovation many of which she signed this afternoon. Her office takes a lead in this area.
6. The tax breaks and credits the Legislature provided when added all together were about $280 million of which $150 million were credited to small businesses for unemployment insurance.
7. We are hoping the Governor will sign the Gas Tax Credit bill into law on July 1 and he looks forward to the gas companies passing this savings on to the consumers.
8. The Food/Excise Tax Credit provides a sliding scale income tax credit for low-to-middle income earners. Since it is based on exemptions, larger families get more tax relief.
9. The Income Tax Credit benefits people on the lower economic spectrum.
10. Passing the Keiki Health Insurance bill makes
11. Regarding affordable housing, we have funded a purchase of
12. We provided significant funds to
13. We passed measures on pedestrian safety appropriating funds to protect people in crosswalks and make the laws more strict in that regard which will hopefully save many seniors from being injuried. We passed a bill regarding financial crimes against the elderly and passed bills to support family caregivers so the elderly can stay in their own homes.
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. He is not aware of the Quest program coverage being expanded.
2. Kato requested the legislature, through the Legislative Reference Bureau or the Auditor’s Office, send out a survey to health insurers asking if they honor all claims submitted. He will be willing to draft a resolution to address this at the next legislative session.
3. He thinks ethanol being blended with gas for fuel is probably here to stay. There are some questions about it and the problems it creates, but there are plans to grow sugar again to convert it to ethanol.
Chair Lockwood took an item out of order, Filling of Vacancies, and there were no objections.
FILLING OF VACANCIES – Marijane Carlos came forward to fill a vacancy in Sub District 3. Larson moved and Gans seconded that Carlos be elected. The Board elected her unanimously. There were no further volunteers to fill the two vacancies in Sub District 1 and three vacancies in Sub District 2. At 8:50 p.m. the meeting took a brief recess to administer the oath of office to Carlos and Kyi-Yim left the meeting.
REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT NISHIMOTO – Representative Nishimoto did not attend the meeting but Representative Saiki distributed his report.
REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SAIKI – Representative Saiki attended the meeting. He reported Puck’s Alley has a new management company so if you want to report anything please contact Colliers, Monroe, Friedlander.
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. Much time and energy was spent on the bill to provide the housing trust fund for affordable housing for next year but since it was so open ended it did not pass. The Chair of the Human Services and Public Housing Committee, Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, is focused on having a good package to support it for the next session.
2. He joined Councilmember Kobayashi in discussions about a possible land swap for the Bowladrome with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) but they are currently focused on their third building in Kapolei - they have just broken ground on their new headquarters building. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
has a very broad mandate. They have 200,000 acres of land designated for development, much of it lacks water, sewers and roads which is a big challenge but the way they are approaching their projects serves as a model for development and their creativity with it is a model that could be used for the rest of the state to follow.
3. DHHL is aware there are security issues at some of their properties and from his own experience they respond when people call them. If you want to report a problem at one of their properties, you can call Representative Saiki’s office and he’ll forward your concern.
SENATOR CAROL FUKUNAGA – Senator Fukunaga reported this is a busy season for the legislators and highlighted the following:
1. We funded the Innovation Initiative Program for this year that will enhance the programs already in place in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
2. There are a growing number of technical companies that are creating exciting new technologies in
3. She encouraged Board members to be involved in some of the transit-oriented community planning that is going on. Their next meeting will be next Tuesday, June 12 at
Questions, answers and concerns:
1. Of the remaining lease hold condominium units still available, most coming up for lease renewals are in the older neighborhoods; many of these projects were developed by one or two developers. The Leasehold Conversion Bill gives fee owners the opportunity to sell the fee by providing them a different alternative to the 1031 Land Exchange. Typically many of the land owners are not sophisticated developers who are going to develop more properties so this bill lets them invest the sale of the property for the benefit of their families. We hope something similar could be adopted at a federal level.
Monarch Properties’ research has shown that most of the larger condo projects have been converted. A
2. The series of transit-oriented community development meetings is funded by the City Council as part of a pilot project to show other committees that early community planning in concert with the Department of Transportation Services and ongoing transportation efforts are a good combination. There weren’t funds for all the communities affected by transit on the island to be involved so they started with some of the older communities which are not always heard from and hopefully this effort can be expanded later.
SENATOR BRIAN TANIGUCHI – Senator Taniguchi’s report was distributed and he had representatives present if there were questions for him.
PRESENTATIONS: Chair Lockwood reported the following:
1. The July presentation on UH-Manoa’s Long Range Development Plan has been rescheduled to the August meeting after the Transportation Services presentation based on the workshop that the Board attended with AARP a couple months ago.
2. Department of Transportation Services will present what they want for our neighborhood. Chair Lockwood asked the attendees to prepare to tell them what we need and where we need crosswalks and sidewalks noting the locations as you travel the neighborhood.
HOUSEKEEPING:
1. The Neighborhood Commission met on May 21st and approved changing the number of Board seats to five for each Sub District for our Neighborhood Board for a total of 15 members. With Gordon Furuto absent tonight we were still able to have quorum due to this change.
2. The Board members received a packet of information reviewing parliamentary procedure and the Sunshine law as well a certificate for completing the Sunshine Law training. The next Commission meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 28th at Kapolei Hale. For their agenda and minutes go to www.honolulu/gov/nco/coinfo.htm.
3. The Neighborhood Task Force met May 21 before the Neighborhood Commission meeting. They will report to the City Council in December with their findings after doing an audit of the Neighborhood Board system and considering testimony given and doing research. More information is at the Task Force link on the Neighborhood Commission website under the Neighborhood Board heading with the bouncing arrow..
4. Stream Status – The next clean-up of the Makiki Stream will be August 11, 2007.
5. The last OMPO meeting was May 16, 2007. Chair Lockwood is looking for a representative to take his place on this Board whose meetings are at 3:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. You can read their schedule of events at OMPO001@hawaii.rr.com
6. The Transit Oriented Community-Based Development Project meeting was held May 15, 2007. Meetings will continue twice a month for the core groups and if anyone wants to join Chair Lockwood, please talk to him about it.
7. Multi-Cultural Day at
8.
9.
10. The
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:
McCully Chop Sui Sign - A resident asked Oto to check on the status of the McCully Chop Sui Sign for which he will have a report at the next meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1.
2. The Mental Health Care Resolution for the Incarcerated – This subject was tabled at our last month’s meeting. There will be no action taken.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. McCully Fire Station – Capt. Amano told Heinrich hookups for water and utilities were accomplished but the date of moving is not known. This location is on Date Street across the bridge on the golf course side, just past
2. The Homeless in
Mr. Novak suggested a homeless park be created.
Resident Killan suggested writing a letter to the Advertiser on their blog to let people know about the situation.
Mrs. Novak’s friend lives at
MINUTES – Additions and Corrections for May 3, 2007:–
Resident Lillian Novak presented written corrections for the minutes on page 2 as follows:
At the top of the page under “Questions, answers and concerns” Item number 3 should read:
“Mrs. Novak, head of the McCully – Moiliili Citizen’s Patrol, asked for the support of the
find out where the mats are going. The homeless also seem to have been climbing into the swimming pool area and there is graffiti that fills a large area in the bathrooms. He hopes police will flush them out.”
The Board accepted the minutes as corrected.
TREASURER’S REPORT – The report was read by Chair Lockwood. The operating budget at the end of May was $1,291.17. The Board encumbered and spent $2,083.57 and the refreshment account is approximately $33.00 because there are some charges not expressed here. This will be filed subject to audit.
COMMITTEE REPORTS ACTIONS AND NEXT MEETINGS:
Chair Lockwood suggested the following: To keep the Affordable Housing Homeless Committee as is, chaired by Larson and she agreed to that with meetings resuming in the fall. Planning and Zoning will combine with Transportation to be chaired by Kato assisted by Carlos. Public Safety and Legislative Affairs committees will combine with Gans as chair assisted by Takamura. School Liaison and Outreach chaired by Tabor assisted by Chair Lockwood.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Bon dancing starts around the first week of July; look for the banners outside the Moiliili recreation center.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Submitted by
Bonnie Trustin
Neighborhood Commission Staff