Kuliouou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board

MEMBERS PRESENT: Gerhard Hamm, Anthony Chun, Sheridan Spangler, Ted Ashworth, Bob Chuck, Rebecca Sanada, Linda Starr, Grace Tamanaha-Parker, Mark Terry, Daniel Grounds, Jamal Siddiqui, Michael Melcher and Edward Schell. Note: Bernie Boltz and Al Andrews filled in vacancies in Subdistrict 5 and 8 respectively.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mel Yap and Warner Kimo Sutton.

GUESTS: Sgt. Kevin Tomita & Officer Mike Arnone (Honolulu Police Department), Captain Ed Pablo (Honolulu Fire Department _ Wailupe Station), Scot Muraoka (Board of Water Supply), Cindy Schultz, Duke Karsten (Holomua Hawaii), Jeremy Low (Representative Barbara Marumoto's Office staff), Peter Hirai (Oahu Civil Defense), Elwin Spray (Neighborhood Commission Office), Melvin Ah Ching (Senator Sam Slom's Office staff), Dick Stephenson (Oahu Trans 4 All), Kevin Mulkern, D. Little, John Clark (Mayor's Representative), Suzanne Roig (Honolulu Advertiser), Brandon Yamamoto (Councilmember John Henry Felix's Office staff), Robert Parker (President, Aina Haina Community Association), Carol Dang (Representative Bertha Leong's Office staff), Lucinda Pyles (Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3), Tom Kam, D. Kay, Ira Rohter (Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa), Jay Riddle (Councilmember Duke Bainum's Office), Michelle Matson (Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5) William Thompson (Professor, University of Nevada at Las Vegas) and Kelley Santiago (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Elwin Spray, Neighborhood Commission Office, reported that the Neighborhood Commission will be reviewing the Board's redistricting plan at its upcoming meetings and public hearings will follow.

2. Newspaper articles regarding the future of Neighborhood Boards were available for interested persons to review.

3. Thanked Linda Starr for her assistance in reviewing the draft minutes.

4. Material has been received from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee, that the Board may loose its due to lack of attendance by its representative to the meetings. Starr and Spangler are the Board's representatives and will attend the meetings. If they are unable to attend, Chair Terry will attend the meeting.

RESIDENTS' CONCERNS REGARDING POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS: None.

CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT _ Officer Arnone reported statistics for January compared to December included: 4/16 burglaries, 4/6 thefts from vehicles, 2/2 vehicle thefts, 7/9 other thefts, no/no robberies, 6/7 major and 22/21 minor motor vehicle collisions, 1/2 major non traffic and 2/3 minor non traffic accidents.

There were no questions from the Board or guests. Sgt. Tomita and Officer Arnone were thanked for attending the meeting.

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT _ Captain Pablo reported the following:

1. Statistics for last month included 1 structure, 2 brush, 2 rubbish and 2 vehicle fires, 56 medical emergencies and 35 miscellaneous calls.

2. The safety tip of the month is every home should have a smoke detector in each bedroom and on every level. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be located in or near living areas, such as family rooms, or dens.

As cooking vapors and steam may set off a smoke detector, locate the detector away from the kitchen or bathroom.

Position wall-mounted detectors 4 _ 12 inches below the ceiling and away from air vents.

Detectors should be tested once a month and cleaned regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Under the Uniforms Fire Code, approved numbers or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings in such a manner as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property. Said numbers shall contrast with their background.

This will aid responding fire, police and ambulance personnel in locating addresses quickly.

It is recommended that homeowners display the house number on both sides of the mailbox.

There were no questions from the Board or guests. Captain Pablo was thanked for attending the meeting.

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION _ With no department representative present, Siddiqui read the following written report:

1. Spring programs are ongoing.

2. Construction of the Kamiloiki Skate Park is on hold due to excessive moisture and ADA compliance.

3. The Computers in the Park Center is open at Koko Head District Park, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30 _ 5:30 p.m.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY - Scott Muraoka, from the Board of Water Supply, reported the following:

1. There was one main break in this area last month in Waialae Iki.

2. Construction will begin January 15 on installation of a water main on Hawaii Kai Drive, between Pohoiki Place and Pepeekeo Street, and is scheduled for completion in June 2002

3. Detect-A-Leak Week is March 3 _ 9, 2002. All Oahu water users are requested to check their plumbing fixtures for leaks. Dye tablets to detect leaks in toilet tanks will be available at satellite city halls. There will be a drawing for 50 residents to win a free leak detection inspection. Entry forms will be available in newspapers.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Water is a limited resource, and water from recent rains can take years to reach the water table. A demonstration desalinization plant in Honouliuli is in the planning stages. Also, reclaimed water from sewage treatment plants in being used for industrial and irrigation purposes in the Campbell Industrial Park area.

2. Hotels do have a program to install water saving devices.

Muraoka was thanked for attending the meeting.

FILLING OF VACANCY, ONE SEAT IN SUBDISTRICT 5, WAILUPE PENINSULA _ Bernie Boltz introduced himself and expressed interest in filling the vacancy. He provided brief background on himself . There were no other interested candidates present. Hamm moved and Tamanaha-Parker seconded that Boltz be appointed to fill the vacancy. The motion carried unanimously, 11-0-0. Neighborhood Assistant Santiago administered the oath of office to Boltz.

FILLING OF VACANCY, ONE SEAT IN SUBDISTRICT 8, KULIOUOU _ Chair Terry reported that Al Andrews has expressed interest in filling the vacancy, but was not present. Action on this matter was deferred to later in the meeting.

APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 6, 2001 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES _ The following corrections were made:

. Page 3, under Approval of October 4, 2001 Regular Meeting Minutes, the date should read November 1, 2001.

. Page 6, under New Business, the second paragraph should read “.Chuck moved and Siddiqui seconded.”

Siddiqui moved and Ashworth seconded that the minutes be approved. The motion carried, 11-0-1. Tamanaha-Parker abstained.

Starr arrived at this time.

FURTHER RESIDENTS' CONCERNS:

CITY'S BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROGRAM - Dick Stephenson, representing Oahu Trans 4 All, reported on the organization's opposition to the City's Bus Rapid Transit Program which will convert existing lanes of traffic to lanes for the exclusive use of buses. This will only benefit bus riders, increase the traffic congestion on the roads, and that there should be a demonstration of this plan by coning off lanes before it is implemented. The Environmental Impact Statement is in progress.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Stephenson suggested the City do a demonstration of this plan before it is implemented, but said the City will not pursue such a demonstration.

2. The Environmental Impact Statement is in progress, and a public hearing is part of the process.

3. Opposition to the project was expressed due to concerns about ADA accessibility, limitations on what passengers can carry on the buses, and loss of traffic lanes.

4. Several types of vehicles are being considered, including 60-foot long electrically powered vehicles from a hidden track and the vehicles will be able to travel off the tracks for several miles. Federal funding is being sought for this project.

5. The routes are still being revised.

This matter will be placed on next month's agenda for a more extensive presentation.

GOVERNOR'S REPRESENTATIVE _ No representative was present.

Board member Schell arrived.

MAYOR'S REPRESENTATIVE _ John Clark reported the following:

1. Distributed a list of area Capital Improvement Projects from the City Department of Design and Construction, and reported that the projects include: a) relocation of the archery range to the Koko Head Rifle Range, b) construction of the Aina Haina community sign has been delayed due to concerns by landowners of the Aina Haina Professional Building who must approve the project. The work will be done simultaneously by the same contractor doing the community sign in Hawaii Kai. No date was available as to when the owners might approve the project.

2. The City has hired a consultant to determine the feasibility of the City purchasing the Maunalua Bay Tennis Club property and converting into a community center. Interested persons may contact the consultant, Bill Chang at 941-3488. It was suggested that Chang be invited to a future meeting to update the Board.

Discussion followed where it was noted that: a) previous attempts to purchase the $7 million property by other parties, including the YMCA, have been unsuccessful, b) the owner may be seeking a Conditional Use Permit to allow resumption of tennis activities, c) the property was previously rezoned to R-10 residential which does not permit the tennis activity with the intention of pursuing some type of residential development.

COUNCILMEMBER JOHN HENRY FELIX _ Brandon Yamamoto, from Councilmember Felix's Office, distributed the monthly report and highlighted the following:

The traffic study for East and West Hind Drives is in progress.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

The traffic study will include whether or not speed limits should be changed.

COUNCILMEMBER DUKE BAINUM _ Jay Riddle, from Councilmember Bainum's Office, was available for questions.

1. Councilmember Bainum's campaign for Mayor is not interfering with his City Council duties.

2. He had no specifics on Councilmember Bainum's position regarding speed enforcement cameras.

Riddle was thanked for attending the meeting.

SENATOR SAM SLOM _ Mel Ah Ching, from Senator Slom's Office, reported the following:

1. Earlier today, the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee, heard testimony on the speed enforcement camera program. Senator Slom opposed the program when it was first proposed.

2. Other matters of interest being discussed include bills on tax increases, and the Felix Consent Decree task force investigation.

Ah Ching was thanked for attending the meeting.

REPRESENTATIVE BERTHA LEONG _ Carol Dang, from Representative Leong's Office, distributed the monthly report and was available for questions.

Dang was thanked for attending the meeting.

REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA MARUMOTO _ Jeremy Low, from Representative Marumoto's Office, distributed the monthly report and highlighted the following:

1. There will be a community meeting sponsored by the State Department of Transportation, on the Kalanianaole Highway Resurfacing Project held on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Kalani High School Cafeteria. Night work is being considered for the project and will be discussed at the meeting.

2. Representative Marumoto opposed the speed enforcement camera program when it was first proposed.

Low was thanked for attending the meeting.

REPORTS FROM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS:

AINA HAINA _ Robert Parker reported the following:

1. They are monitoring the community sign project.

2. Contribution of articles to their newsletter are welcome.

3. They are opposed to the State Department of Transportation policy of not attending community meetings and suggested that the Board reiterate its position in opposition to this policy. This matter will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Parker was thanked for his report.

WAIALAE IKI RIDGE _ Hamm reported the following:

1. A traffic calming device is being considered for Laukahi Street, near Kalanianaole Highway.

2. Work on the Laukahi Slopes Park is coming along well.

Hamm was thanked for his report.

WAIALAE GOLF COURSE _ Chair Terry reported that he has not received the Draft Environmental Impact Statement from the Waialae Golf Course Country Club on the poles for the nets.

WAILUPE PENINSULA _ No report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS:

PROJECT IMPACT, MAKING MORE DISASTER REISISTENT COMMUNITIES _ Peter Hirai, Oahu Civil Defense Agency, presented a short video on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Project Impact. The City has received federal funds to start a program here to deal with hurricane preparedness,

develop long-term projects, including a community based mitigation plan; locally-based programs; and cost sharing programs with private partners. The agency had a booth at a disaster preparedness fair at the State Convention Center earlier this month.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

GAMBLING OR GAMING - Dr. William Thompson, a Professor from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and a gambling industry consultant, spoke against the introduction of gambling in Hawaii as the economic benefits favor the industry will little being returned to the local economy and the adverse social impacts.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Concern was expressed about drunk driving as the casinos proposed would be in an area you would have to drive to reach, and with the casinos serving of alcoholic drinks to customers who after gambling and drinking would be driving home.

2. Concern was expressed about problem gamblers who would have to commit crimes to finance their habits.

3. Concern was expressed about the proposal for only two casinos would open the door to more casinos.

4. Casinos do not provide their employees with adequate pay nor benefits.

Siddiqui moved and Spangler seconded that the Kuliouou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board strongly urge the State legislature to reject all efforts to legalize gambling in Hawaii which would have the following adverse effects: a) revenues would be diverted away from local restaurants and retailers resulting in a net loss of revenues for state and local governments, b) increased social and economic costs including divorce, domestic abuse, family breakups, welfare, incarceration, work absences, homelessness, and bankruptcies, c) corrupting influence on government that would lead to more cases involving thefts, embezzlement, money laundering and scandals among government officials, c) additionally gambling among teens has let them to engage in various illegal activities including stealing, shoplifting, selling illegal drugs and prostitution. Furthermore, the Board urges all House and Senate legislators to reject proposals including placing this item on a referendum. Discussion followed . The motion carried, 12-1-1. Yeas: Chun, Spangler, Boltz, Ashworth, Chuck, Sanada, Starr, Tamanaha-Parker, Grounds, Siddiqui, Melcher, Schell. Nays: Hamm. Abstain: Terry.

FLUORIDATION _ Spangler moved and Ashworth seconded that the Kuliouou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board opposes any efforts to fluoridate water in Hawaii.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

Board members and guests expressed opposition to the adding of fluoride to the water supply in an effort to prevent tooth decay in children. It was noted that fluoride, while less toxic than arsenic, is added to water supplies at 700 parts per billion, while the allowable level of arsenic is 10 parts per billion; and lead, which is less toxic than arsenic, is allowed at 750 parts per billion. The fluoride added to water supplies is labeled as poisonous, is an industrial by-product, contains some lead and arsenic and cannot be dumped by industries into rivers and other bodies of water.

People in Hawaii are already exposed to fluoride found at levels sufficient to cause mottling of teeth, and that fluoride accumulates in the body and can cause crumbling of bones, cancer, genetic damage, hip fractures, and low thyroidism. Both the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control say that only topically applied fluoride is useful in preventing tooth decay, which is not addressed by

fluoridated water. Prevention is better addressed by education, good dental hygiene practices, and other preventative measures.

The motion carried, 12-1-1. Yeas: Chun, Spangler, Ashworth, Chuck, Sanada, Starr, Tamanaha-Parker, Terry, Grounds, Siddiqui, Melcher, Schell. Nays: Hamm. Abstain: Boltz.

Chair Terry deferred the agenda to return to Filling of Vacancies. There were no objections.

FILLING OF VACANCY, ONE SEAT IN SUBDISTRICT 8, KULIOUOU _ Al Andrews expressed interest in filling the vacancy and provided a brief background on himself . Schell moved and Ashworth seconded that the Board appoint Andrews to fill the vacancy. The motion carried unanimously, 14-0-0. Neighborhood Assistant Santiago administered the oath of office to Andrews.

The order of the agenda resumed.

TRAFFIC CAMERAS _ Discussion followed pro and con on the State's plan. Siddiqui moved and Hamm seconded that the Kuliouou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board supports any efforts by State legislators to repeal the camera speed enforcement program as currently implemented by the State Department of Transportation. Discussion followed.

Sanada moved and Chuck seconded to amend the motion to read that the Kuliouou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board urges the State legislature to enact legislation to limit the use of traffic cameras to cite motorists who run the red light, to be operated by any appropriate government entity (State Department of Transportation, City Department of Transportation Services and/or the Honolulu Police Department). The amended motion carried, 10-0-5. Yeas: Spangler, Boltz, Chuck, Sanada, Starr, Terry, Grounds, Siddiqui, Andrews, Melcher. Nays: None. Abstain: Hamm, Chun, Ashworth, Tamanaha-Parker, Schell.

The main motion carried, 14-0-1. Yeas: Nays: Hamm, Chun, Spangler, Boltz, Ashworth, Chuck, Sanada, Starr, Terry, Grounds, Siddiqui, Andrews, Melcher, Schell. None. Abstain: Tamanaha-Parker.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Siddiqui reported the following for the month of January, Operating Account balance is $1001.26, the Publicity Account balance is $1629.00, and the Refreshment Account balance is $120.00.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Submitted by,

Dean Chu
Neighborhood Assistant

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