Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2001
MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH
CALL TO ORDER: Chair John Breinich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Breinich, Betty Carter, Bob Chung, Larry Hurst, Bobbie Jennings, Joyce Kurtz, Dick Morris, Dyane Sih.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Karin Holma (excused).
GUESTS: Donna Kiyosaki (Mayor's Representative), Chris Ovitt (Council Chair Jon Yoshimura's office), Jenelle Frewen (Councilmember Andy Mirikitani's office), Councilmember Bainum, Rick Keller (Governor's Representative), Judy Gold (Senator Carol Fukunaga's office), Senator Rod Tam, Art Mori (Senator Tam's office), Fire Fighter III Wendell Soo (Honolulu Fire Department), Officer Marvin Freitas, Sergeant G. Shiraishi and Major Michael Tucker (Honolulu Police Department), Bert Koide (Department of Parks and Recreation), John Carroll (Liquor Commission), Tom Enomoto (Department of Transportation Services), Jan Yokota (HCDA), Kim Evans (Group 70), Mark Tonini (Meadow Gold), Pat Beter and Chester Gumban (UFCW Local 480), Tareq Hoque and Joanne Redoblado (Adtech), Su Shin (Joan Bennet and Associates), Pat Lee (Pat Lee and Associates), Mary Ann Barnard, Clarence Gephart, Roy Gritter, Weylin Hokutan, Lance Marugame, Doris Nakamura, David Pagan, Gordon and Sonia Trimble, Niti Villinger, Steve: (Neighborhood Commission Office).
HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Fire Fighter III Wendell Soo reported: 1) Safety Tip: “Install smoke detectors in your home. Place a smoke detector on each floor and near the bedrooms. Position wall-mounted smoke detectors 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from any air vents. Test the smoke detectors month.” 2) Both sides of the mailbox should be numbered to aid police, fire, and ambulance personnel.
Hurst asked about a medical emergency incident at the Neal Blaisdell Center that occurred last Friday. Fire Fighter III Soo answered the Kakaako Fire Station would have responded to that call.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Sergeant G. Shiraishi reported the following:
Jan Dec Nov Oct Sept
Robberies 3 6 8 7 3
Burglaries 24 25 24 24 16
Thefts from Vehicle 86 107 124 104 92
Auto Thefts 37 45 54 41 38
Aggravated Assaults 12 7 6 7 12
Simple Assaults 51 43 39 47 45
Motor Veh. Collisions 195 228 206 217 191
DUI 5 12 29 10 20
Graffiti 18 5 11 37 8
Family Offenses 5 11 4 5 5
Drug Offense 7 8 n/a n/a n/a
2) Last month, he distributed pedestrian safety information to the Board. Tonight, he has brought additional copies for the audience. 3) Beginning in March, HPD will be making apresentation to the Neighborhood Boards regarding the new 3 day-12 hour shift.
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Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Breinich asked the status of Swing Video. Sergeant Shiraishi answered HPD's Crime Reduction Unit has been making periodically checks on the establishment. A few arrests have been made. 2) Jennings asked for last month's HPD's report on the number of incidents and violations for bars. Sergeant Shiraishi will follow-up. 3) Morris asked for a map indicating the various HPD beats. Sergeant Shiraishi will follow-up. Hurst said he could provide the information. 4) Hurst asked about the incident that occurred last week Friday at the NBC when HPD used pepper spray. Sergeant Shiraishi answered a melee broke out. 4) Chair Breinich asked about the recent incident at Pago Pago. Major Michael Tucker answered by the time HPD arrived the stabbing victims were taken to the hospital. The attempted murder began in the establishment. An incident report goes to the Liquor Commission. 5) Major Tucker said HPD is trying to convince the U.S. Attorney to include Swing Video under the Weed and Seed program, since the business came from the Downtown/Chinatown area. 6) Jennings said she received a letter from the attorney of Swing Video indicating that they are working with HPD and is concerned about the problems. She asked if there was any representative from Swing Video present. The Board has invited Swing Video to the past six meetings to cooperate with the community and to report on their promised new security system. No representative has shown up. 6) Chung asked HPD to enforce bicycles that are chained to parking meters on Amana Street (this is an ongoing concern that still hasn't been addressed). Sergeant Shiraishi will follow-up. Kurtz added that two bicycle racks are needed in the area. 7) Sih asked about the Weed and Seed program for Ala Moana. Major Tucker answered the federal government won't include Ala Moana. 8) Kurtz said Do Re Mi does not have a liquor license, but they are a BYOB (bring your own booze) club. She asked who has jurisdiction. Major Tucker answered it's an HPD issue. The Liquor Commission deals with liquor establishments. Hurst added Liquor Commission inspectors have cited BYOB clubs after 2:00 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION _ Bert Koide stated Spring Program is ongoing and will continue until the end of April.
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS) _ Chair Brenich read the report submitted by the Board of Water Supply.
Morris asked the status of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Donna Kiyosaki answered the plan was met with a lot of opposition. Rather than trying to bring the entire island together, BWS will start at the grass-roots level. Currently, they are beginning in Wai'anae.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 23, 2001, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: The Board approved the minutes as submitted.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Bobbie Jennings reported on the Financial Statement for January 2001. The Operating Account expenses were $92.55, leaving a balance of $993.76. The Publicity Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $2,327.00. The Refreshment Account did not incur any expenses, leaving the balance at $120.00. The report was accepted subject to audit.
RESIDENTS' CONCERNS:
Parking Ban Request _ Mark Tonini, Meadow Gold, requested a parking ban at the 1400 block of Elm Street, near Sheridan Street. He has spoken with HPD and has submitted a request to the Department of Transportation Services. The removal of a few parking spaces would make it easier for trucks exiting McDonald's. Chair Breinich said this item would be on next month's agenda.
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Undesirable Businesses _ A resident asked when is the saturation point? (regarding liquor establishments, strip bars, and adult bookstores). Now that they are in the community, what can be done to prevent anymore of these businesses from opening?
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Breinich asked the resident to attend next month's meeting, where this item will be discussed further. 2) Hurst suggested calling HPD if there are any disturbances.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND KEY ORGANIZATIONS:
CHAIR'S REPORT: Chair Breinich said the Board usually recesses in the month of May. Since this item is not on the agenda, a two-thirds vote is required to add it to the agenda. He would like it to be added under New Business for discussion.
Jennings moved and Hurst seconded to add Board recess on the agenda, under New Business. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Bobbie Jennings reported: 1) A community briefing on the Kalakaua Pedestrian Bridge and other traffic/construction projects will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2001, Hawai'i Convention Center, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 2) Malama O' Manoa is asking to discuss renewable energy. She will pass this information to the Visioning Team.
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Kurtz said the Kalakaua Pedestrian Bridge project has been discussed for more than three years. She encouraged everyone to attend. Hurst said a number of streets would be closed during the day due to this project. 2) Morris said the Malama O' Manoa presentation is not appropriate for the Visioning Team. The Visioning Team deals with Capital Improvement Project (CIP) items. He suggested the presentation be made to the Board since it will affect this community. He will follow-up.
LAND DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION COMMITTEE: Chair Breinich had no report.
Hawai'i Community Development Authority (HCDA) _ Jan Yokota reported: 1) They are creating a four-way intersection on Ala Moana Boulevard. The project should be completed mid-2001. 2) Victoria Ward is constructing their entertainment center project. It also should be completed in mid-2001. 3) Construction on Ilalo Street should be completed at the end of next year. 4) There are several initiatives proposed for Kakaako: a medical center; an ocean science center; and Bishop Museum Science Learning Center. The projects are in the funding stage in the Legislature. 5) The Heritage Center proposal has not been brought before HCDA. It was the brainchild of Senator Tam. 6) HCDA is in negotiations with Adtech, for a five-acre parcel, ewa of the Food Distribution Center. Negotiations will take a couple of months. She will keep the Board abreast.
Chair Breinich said Adtech's presentation is informational only.
Adtech Presentation _ Tareq Hoque _ Hoque thanked the Board for the opportunity. This is a great opportunity for Adtech to be a part of a world-class waterfront park. A lot of people don't know about their company. Adtech is a Fortune 500 company and the largest technology company in Hawai'i. They will gross $200 million this year. The size of their company doubles every 15 months and two to three employees are added per week. Adtech is unable to add any new employees because of lack of space. The biggest challenge they face, is, as they grow, facilities become a
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challenge. They are looking to build a 200,000 to 250,000 square foot facility. Adtech is currently located in Kaimuki. Businesses in Kaimuki don't want them to leave. Adtech would like to be the anchor tenant at Kakaako Waterfront Park. They are asking for community input and community support. This process is only in the preliminary stage. There are no designs yet.
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Hoque stated they want to build the facility as soon as possible, but in Hawai'i things take longer. It will be two to three years before the facility is built. They are not asking the State to build the facility and put the burden on taxpayers. 2) Morris asked if Adtech continues to grow, will the five-acre site be adequate. Hoque answered they are currently housed in Kaimuki and Downtown. They could move growth to other areas. Adtech is not naïve to think that they will double their growth every year. At some point, they expect to slow down to 20 to 30 percent growth. 3) A question was asked about moving to Mililani Tech Park or the Big Island. Hoque answered the staff doesn't want to move. Also, they employ a dozen UH students. Adtech expects to continue the relationship with UH. 4) Hoque stated they are looking for people to understand their vision. The reason why Adtech is moving quickly to find another site is due to their growth. They haven't received any objections, yet. 5) Councilmember Bainum, who represents the Kaimuki area, said he's proud of Adtech's success. The community will miss them. 6) Chair Breinich thanked Hoque for the presentation. Hoque said he will keep the Board abreast.
The agenda was taken out of order. There were no objections.
Resolution 280 Follow-up (test of BRT dedicated bus lanes along Kapiolani Boulevard) _ Councilmember Bainum _ Councilmember Bainum stated he sent a letter to the Board indicating why the Resolution 280 would not be viable.
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Councilmember Bainum stated the BRT is a two-part system. 2) Jennings said she's mainly concerned about testing Kapiolani Boulevard. Councilmember Bainum answered you would have to test the whole system. 3) Councilmember Bainum stated the BRT will not improve automobile traffic and in some places it will get worse. 4) Chung said why don't you block off the whole system and see the “madness” it will create. Councilmember Bainum answered the test includes more than buses. It would have to include the changing of traffic lights, things that can't be replicated. 5) A resident said the BRT concept works in Portland, Oregon, a city of six million people. Councilmember Bainum stated that's why you have engineers and projection models. This system has been working in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for the past 30 years. The bottom line is that the BRT will change the face of Hawai'i. 6) Hurst said on today's starbulletin.com, the report (erroneously) indicated that the Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board supported the BRT. 7) Councilmember Bainum said we need the BRT. What is the alternative? 8) Morris said the BRT will take lanes away from traffic and will not result in a net gain. It will impact vehicle traffic, but will improve the bus system. Councilmember Bainum stated this is a way to solve our transportation problem. Currently, traffic on Ala Moana Boulevard and Atkinson Drive is at a standstill. The federal government is not looking at a rail system. Honolulu is perfect for this kind of system (BRT). 9) Jennings said the intent of the BRT is to take the center lanes of Kapiolani Boulevard and restrict it to the BRT. At all the community meetings that she attended the majority of resident were opposed to implementing the BRT on Kapiolani Boulevard. Councilmember Mirikitani introduced Resolution 280 to cone-off two lanes of traffic on Kapiolani Boulevard for a test. Councilmember Bainum stated coning off the road wouldn't solve the problem. The routes are set in stone. He asked that discussion be continued. 10) Jenelle Frewen, Councilmember Mirikitani's office, asked if there has been any study indicating that the traffic will get worse from the BRT? It's not going to get better. The purpose of the test is to see if traffic will get worse. She asked if there is a statistical model?
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Victoria Ward _ Kim Evans said traffic will be increased at Ala Moana Boulevard and Kamake'e Street and Auahi Street and Kamake'e Street because of construction.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE - Joyce Kurtz reported: 1) Construction to the Punahou Off-Ramp will begin in March and last nine months. Traffic will be impacted by this project. They can work at night, but it will impact other projects and it will be much louder. She will keep the Board abreast. 2) The BRT Task Force had concerns that the BRT doesn't adequately serve visitors from Waikiki to Aloha Tower. Councilmember Bainum had stated the routes are set in stone.
Morris said Ward Avenue will be closed for construction.
LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE _ Jennings stated: 1) The City Council voted on Bill 100 regarding the budget, but language relating to the Cancer Survivor Plaza in Ala Moana Beach Park was deleted. 2) She asked the Legislators to include co-ops in all bills and laws concerning condominiums. Judy Gold, Senator Fukunaga's office, will follow-up.
HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE _ Hurst circulated his committee report and highlighted
the following: 1) The employee arrested for procuring at Golden Dolls Showgirls was acquitted because he did what the liquor licensee told him to do. 2) The recent police bust of Exotic Nights should be cause enough for Victoria Ward to void their lease. 3) Blatant prostitution goes unchecked at Crystal Palace, Saigon Passion, and Exotic Nights. Sisters Offering Support (SOS), who claimed they would combat these places, is aligned with a liquor sales company for a wine-tasting fundraiser. 4) It's been four months since he complained about prostitution at Nite Lite, and he still hasn't received a response. 5) He questioned holding another Superbrawl event at the NBC because of the rioting that occurred after the event. Pepper spray had to be used. 6) Councilmember Cachola and Corporation Counsel are stalling the enforcement of the duly passed panoram law. 7) He has been reporting unsafe streets because of big rigs for the past year, but no Legislator has followed-up. 8) The Liquor Commission will not abide by its own rules regarding fingerprint requirements. 9) He sent in the Board's vote of opposition for Café Melody liquor license application. 10) The liquor license hearing for Liquorette Market is April 12, 2001. The store will be on the same property as Crystal Palace/Centerfolds. 11) Regarding Dyane Sih's letter to the Mayor, and why she hasn't received a reply, the question is whether the letter was referred to the Liquor Commission. 12) HB 441, relating to liquor law amendments appears to be dead, but SB 900 is still alive.
Concerns and comments followed: 1) Chair Breinich thanked Sih for writing the letter to the Mayor. 2) Sih introduced two individuals who have businesses near Swing Video. 3) Kurtz said it's the third time in six months that the Liquor Commission bypassed the fingerprint requirements. She asked if the fingerprints are taken at the Commission office or at HPD. John Carroll, Liquor Commission, answered the prints are taken at their office. Some individuals have no fingerprints (i.e. masons that have been working for years). Kurtz asked why a palm print isn't used. Carroll answered once they take the prints it goes to the Criminal Justice Center, then to the FBI. Along with the three individuals that could not be fingerprinted, there have been others in the other counties. The other option if they can't detect a fingerprint is to tell the applicant to get out of the system. If the Justice
Department can't read the prints then where do we go from there? Jennings asked if the three people could be fingerprinted again. Carroll answered the cases have already been waived. 4) Sih said Roy Nakamura has over 50 percent signatures from property owners opposing Café Melody.
Hurst moved and Kurtz seconded that the Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11 oppose the liquor license application for Liquorette Market.
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Discussion ensued: 1) Morris said he thinks it's bad to legislate something not knowing if there will be liquor license violations. It's free enterprise. 2) Kurtz asked if the parking lot is part of the liquor license. Carroll answered in the negative. 3) Jennings said it's free enterprise, but the community is trying to limit alcohol establishments. Morris said just don't patronize the establishment.
The motion carried, 7-1-0. Aye: Breinich, Carter, Chung, Hurst, Jennings, Kurtz, Morris, Sih. Nay: Morris.
Additional concerns and comments followed: 1) Sih said she hasn't received any response from the Mayor yet. 2) Chair Breinich said he submitted testimony on HB 441 and SB 900. The testimony indicated that the community has concerns about these issues (liquor establishments). 3) Lance Marugame, who owns a business near Swing Video, said he will not be able to make it to next month's meeting. He asked that the Board emphasis the severness of Swing Video. The SWAT Team has been called out to Swing Video. As soon as the police leave, the undesirable elements return. It's worse on the weekend. 4) Morris said the Visioning Team has proposed surveillance cameras for high-crime areas in Ala Moana. 5) Chair Breinich said the Board knows the concern about Swing Video; they are on the agenda every month. He asked Marugame to inform all the businesses to come to next month's meeting.
PARKS AND WATERWAYS COMMITTEE - Dick Morris said the bottle bill is currently before the Ways and Means Committee.
A resident was concerned about the lack of maintenance of Ala Wai Canal. There is debris and garbage in the area and the lights are on at night. Morris said the lights are on for safety reasons.
O'AHU METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (OMPO) CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(CAC) - Joyce Kurtz had no report.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Governor's Representative - Rick Keller made available “The Cayetano Administration: Guiding Hawai'i to Even Greater Heights, Supplement to the 2001 State of the State Address”, at the sign- in table.
Senator Carol Fukunaga _ Judy Gold circulated Senator Fukunaga's monthly report. Copies of this report are available by calling 586-6890.
Senator Rod Tam _ Art Mori circulated Senator Tam's monthly report. Senator Tam highlighted his written report. Copies of this report are available by calling 586-6450.
Representative Terry Nui Yoshinaga _ No report and no representative was available.
Representative Ken Hiraki - No report and no representative was available.
Mayor's Representative - Donna Kiyosaki reported: 1) The next Visioning Team meeting will be held on Monday, March 19, 2001, Mayor's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. 2) Meadow Gold has began the process to prohibit parking on Elm Street. 3) She thanked John Carroll, Liquor Commission, for attending tonight's meeting to address questions and concerns.
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Carroll stated: 1) Regarding Roy Nakamura's concern about public information for Café Melody, there was a miscommunication between Nakamura and the Liquor Commission staff person. They apologize for the undue delay. Nakamura was later given the information. 2) The investigation on the Golden Dolls Showgirls is complete. The report is now with Corporation Counsel. There were 19 violations. The Liquor Commission can't revoke or suspend a license before a hearing. 3) Café Melody withdrew their application. 4) Regarding the letter to the Mayor, a response should be forthcoming. 5) Some of the bars that Hurst brought up have been cited for prostitution.
Council Chair Jon Yoshimura - Chris Ovitt circulated Council Chair Yoshimura's monthly report. Copies of this report are available by calling 527-5816.
Councilmember Andy Mirikitani _ Jenelle Frewen circulated Councilmember Mirikitani's monthly report. Copies of this report are available by calling 527-5599.
NEW BUSINESS:
Decision to Recess May's Board Meeting _ Chair Breinich said the Board usually recess May's meeting. Also, a number of Board members will be unable to attend.
Jennings moved and Hurst seconded that the Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11 recess the May 22, 2001, Regular Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1) The next Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2001, Makiki Christian Church, 7:00 p.m. 2) A community meeting will be held on Monday, March 5, 2001, Karen Holma's office, 3:00 p.m.
Morris said Voyager Charter School, the only one in this community, has asked to be on the Board's agenda. Chair Breinich answered it would have to be on April's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: By consensus, the Board adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
Steve:
Neighborhood Assistant
