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MILILANI/WAIPIO/MELEMANU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2004MILILANI RECREATION CENTER III CALL TO ORDER – Chair Poirier called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with a quorum was present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. MEMBERS PRESENT – Grace Abatayo, Michelle Kidani, Carl Medeiros, Laura Brown, Carole Siegel, Linnel Nishioka, Barbara “Pua” Iuli, Dick Poirier, Doug Thomas, Elizabeth Andrews, Josie Kaanehe, MaryAnne Selander, Jessie Weinberger, Keith Hamada, William Brizee, Patti Chun, William Bass, Charlie Remington, and Hallah Nilsen, MEMBERS ABSENT – David Bremer, Marie Abatayo, Mary Segura, and Noel Araki. GUESTS – Jessica Wisneski, Lt. Kurt Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department, Wahiawa Station), David Aki (Teamsters), Thomas Young (Board of Water Supply), Nick Kakaroukas (Mayor’s Representative), Representative Marilyn Lee, Don Robbins (Ka Nupepa), Captain Kevin Dunham (U.S. Army – Schofield Barracks), Robin McCulloch (Chief, Emergency Medical Services Division), Donnie Gates (Assistant Chief EMS Operations), Jason Kaneshiro (EMS), Mindy Norris (LOTMA), Lori Kunioka (Councilmember Nestor Garcia’s Office), Ryan Yamane, Richard T. Bissen, Jr. (First Deputy Attorney General/Governor’s Representative), Randy Prothero (Representative Guy Ontai’s Office), Tim Warren, Councilmember Nestor Garcia, and Nola Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff). APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 2004: The minutes were approved as submitted. COMMUNITY FORUM: HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) – No representative was present. HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) – Lt. Kurt Nakamura reported statistics for the month of July included 26 burglaries, 24 UEMV (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle), and 30 thefts. Questions, answers and comments: In response to Nilsen’s question regarding mobilization to active military duty of police officers from this area, two officers have been mobilized for approximately six months. One or two other officers may be mobilized in the near future, so the department is running short. However, the department will run with at least eighty percent of officers on patrol. BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS) –Thomas Young reported the following: General Water Announcements:
Questions, answers and comments: Selander asked if the sewage and water charges on the bill the same, and if not how are the two determined. Young replied that BWS does the billing for the sewage department. Follow up will be done. LOTMA (Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association) – Mindy Norris distributed new fliers informing riders and the community that the LOTMA pick up point has moved to the Mililani Mauka Park and Ride. Questions, answers and comments: 1) In response to Brizee’s questions, there is no drop-off to the University of Hawaii; however, riders can be provided with a free transfer to TheBus. 2) Effective August 2, 2004, the new LOTMA pickup point for riders is at the Mililani Park and Ride. Feedback from the Mililani Town Center regarding the move was mixed. A few riders were lost, but new riders signed up. After ten years at the Town Center, it was time to move on. Approximately 50-60 Mililani residents utilize the service and 20-30 from the Waipio area. MILITARY – Captain Kevin Dunham reported the following:
1) Operation Iraqi Freedom – Approximately 5,000 soldiers are currently deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and have just passed the six-month mark. The unit recently suffered their sixth OIF fatality with the death of SPC Joe Henderson of Alpha Co., 1-27 Infantry. Updated deployment photos taken by the 25th ID (L) Public Affairs Soldier deployed to Iraq may be found on the Divisions web site at: www.25idl.army.mil. 2) Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan –The 25th ID (L), “Tropic Lightning Division” has deployed approximately 5,000 soldiers to Afghanistan for 12 months to Operation Enduring Freedom. The mission for the brigade combat team is to conduct stability, sustainment and combat operations. They are currently helping prepare the country for its upcoming elections in October. 3) Army Transformation – The Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was approved for the transformation of the 2nd Brigade, 25th ID (L) to a Stryker Brigade Team on July 7, 2004. Within the next few months, the proposed military construction projects presented in the FEIS to include negotiations for land easements from Schofield to Helemano, the south rangeland acquisition and a training range complex on Schofield Barracks will commence. 4) Makua Military Reservation Training Environmental Impact Statement – Approximately 150 Marines participated in live-fire training exercise at Makua Military Reservation from August 16- 20. A Makua Draft Environment Impact Statement (DEIS) is being compiled. 5) Community Outreach/Support to the Military – Adopt-A-Platoon – Adopt-a-platoon is a program coordinated by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to assist our deployed soldiers. They will connect various volunteer organizations with platoons via email. Soldiers will let sponsoring their sponsoring organization know of their needs, from small comfort items such as soap, lip balm, coffee, reading material, or letters to a soldier who is not receiving mail. AUSA is looking for organizations to adopt platoons of soldiers. For more information contact Mr. George Vickers at: vickersg001@hawaii.rr.com.
6) Participants were thanked for visiting the Stryker vehicle display at Schofield. Visitors were also given rides in the vehicles. OTHER COMMUNITY CONCERNS: MILILANI TOWN ASSOCIATION SECURITY WATCH – Jessica Wineski reported that 32 Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW) meetings were held this past year. On August 3, 2004 a “National Night Out” was held at the Town Center. She announced that she would be leaving MTA and the Neighborhood Security Watch to work for the Hawaii Elections Project, regarding campaign and public options. She requested to be placed on the September agenda to report on the Hawaii Elections Project. Questions, answers and comments: 1) this Saturday, August 28, 2004 MTA will be sponsoring a Fun Expo at Recreation Center V. 2) On Tuesday, September 21, 2004 NSW is sponsoring an Identity Theft Workshop, 7:00 p.m. at Recreation Center III. PUBLIC FORUM: PROVISION OF COUNTY EMS FACILITIES AND SERVICES – Robin McCulloch, Chief of the Emergency Medical Services Division, introduced Donnie Gates, Assistant Chief of EMS Operations, and Jason Kaneshiro, District Chief. Mr. McCulloch reported the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was organized and started in 1911, and has been in the City’s system since 1978 providing services under contract for funding with the State’s Department of Health (SDOH). The SDOH decides the specifics of the number of ambulances and where they will be placed. Planned expansion of services must go through the normal SDOH process. EMS is low on the priority list. This last year Mayor Harris introduced a bill to the legislature, which resulted with the addition of three EMS units (Nanakuli, Honolulu, and Kaaawa). Kaaawa will have a rapid response unit in the area several times a week for a limited time. The unit would be manned by one EMS worker who can call for transport in an emergency if need be. A negotiation for a lease and placement in Kaaawa has started. EMS supports the legislative bill process.
It was suggested to seek area legislature assistance in drafting a bill for EMS service. A good way to start would be with a rapid response unit. Questions, answers and comments: 1) Selander commented that 50-60,000 residents have been waiting 30 years for emergency service. McCulloch reiterated that SDOH has a top-ten priority list. EMS agrees that service needs to be expanded. There are currently 18 EMS stations versus 40 fire stations. Although EMS generates revenue, the money goes into a State pool. Seventy percent of emergency cases are done by EMS. 2) Although HFD and HPD are under other funding, EMS receives contract funds from the State’s General Fund. The military’s MAST (Medical Assistance Safety and Traffic) division assists with medical helicopter evacuations, free of charge to the State. McCulloch suggested starting off with a rapid response unit, which would have one paramedic responding, but does not transport patients. He encouraged Board members and the community to work with area legislatures to draft a bill regarding emergency services for Mililani. Grace Abatayo arrived during the above portion of the meeting. (19 members present) UPDATE ON THE USE OF PROLIFERATION OF “POCKET BIKES” AT PUBLIC PARKS – Nick Kakaroukas reported at a meeting with the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the discussion was that the rules are being revised to prohibit pocket bikes at public parks. DPR is also working with the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) regarding enforcement of these rules. Per Mr. William Balfour, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, pocket bikes may be allowed at certain parks, such as the Waipio Soccer Park, so that riders could be controlled. Safety and nuisance is the issue.
Questions, answers and comments: Call 911 if one witnesses riding of motorized bikes on sidewalks, which is illegal. MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Nick Kakaroukas, representing Mayor Harris reported the following: 1) A new dog park located adjacent to H-2, between the mauka district park and the Park and Ride will be opening next month. Community volunteers for an advisory committee are being sought. For more information or to volunteer contact Neil Yamashiro, Mililani District Park at 623-3170. 2) Construction of the comfort station at the Mililani Mauka Community Park, located next to the middle school, is scheduled to start September 18 and completed in six months. 3) Fliers were sent out to participants of the Mililani Recycling Project pertaining to the container now that the project is over. 4) Call 692-5656 to report illegal dumping. Questions, answers and comments: 1) Follow-up would be done regarding the recurrence of the mud problem on the sidewalk near the tennis courts stairs at Mililani Waena Elementary School. 2) Iuli expressed concern about that road repaving done in Waipio Acres, but the work was not completed. One side of the road has been repaved and the other side patched only. She stated that there are enormous potholes from Kamehameha Highway to Waihao Street. She was told that all the valley roads were to be repaved. Lori Kunioka representing Councilmember Garcia said that their office has received calls regarding repaving and the repaving around the manholes. She mentioned that the entire area should be on the priority list due to storm patchwork done on the potholes. Iuli said that the road is uneven. Kakaroukas will follow up with the City’s Road Division. 3) Regarding the Kalani Gardens Apartments and the crumbling hillside, Iuli mentioned that there is a 10-foot right-of-way owned by the City. The area is a hazardous situation with an accident waiting to happen. Lori Kunioka from Councilmember Garcia’s office said they are working on the problem. Kakaroukas will follow up. 4) LAND USE VIOLATIONS AND IMPACT PROBLEMS IN KIPAPA GULCH – Resident Tim Warren reported land use violations in Kipapa Valley. He said that the area is zoned for agriculture 1, but is turning into an industrial area. Activities such as car mechanic work, cement yard work, and sandblasting, etc., are ongoing. After speaking with a person at the Department of Transportation Services, he received a letter informing him that the Kipapa Bridge will be expanded. Questions, answers and comments: Brizee thanked Warren for coming to the Board with this problem because the Board brought the issue about a year and a half ago. Chair Poirier asked both the Mayor and Governor’s representatives to follow-up. REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS: COUNCILMEMBER NESTOR GARCIA – Lori Kunioka distributed Councilmember Garcia’s monthly report and apologized for him not being in attendance at this time. She highlighted/added the following: 1) Transportation Safety Summit – A first ever Transportation Safety Summit was held yesterday at Neal Blaisdell Center, which was a joint effort by the Honolulu City Council’s Transportation Committee, the City Department of Transportation Services and the State Department of Transportation, to discuss important transportation issues. 2) Neighborhood Security Watch – The Mililani Town Anti-Drug Committee participated in the “National Night Out” Neighborhood Security Watch event was held on Tuesday, August 3 at the Mililani Town Center with approximately 200 in attendance. Dayna Wada, a first-grader at Mililani Iki Elementary School won the grand prize of four arena floor tickets to the American Idol concert, which were donated by Councilmember Garcia. 3) Mililani Town Association’s “Keiki Fun & Fitness Expo” – The Keiki Fun & Fitness Expo will be happening this Saturday, August 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Recreation Center V. This will be a hand on expo that focuses on health, well-being and fun of being a child. Keiki identifications will be available, as well as displays and a Diaper Crawl event. For more information contact MTA at 623-7300. 4) The Oahu Arts Center will be having a fundraiser event at the Mililani Golf Course on Saturday, September 11th, from 6:00 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and $25 for children under 13. Please call 779-3756 to purchase tickets or for more information. 5) Bill 6, relating to real property tax exemptions for low- income seniors, proposes to grant qualified low-income seniors from the age of 75 and older, property tax relief, is pending action by the Budget Committee. 6) Rusti the Orangutan – At the August 11 Council meeting, Councilmember Garcia voted against the acceptance of a gift of $200,000 from the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) for the following reasons: a) When first acquired by OFI, Rusti was allowed a six- month emergency stay at the Honolulu Zoo. However, that initial six-month emergency stay has become a seven-year residency. b) Although a resident at the zoo, he remains the property of OIF, who has not allowed the City the authority to properly care for the animal over that duration, which would include a physical to determine the condition the orangutan. Questions, answers and comments: Brown asked why Councilmember Garcia voted against the ethics bill. She mentioned that testimonies given by the unions won out over the community. She stated that she was disappointed with his vote. GOVERNOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – Rick Bissen, Jr. distributed Governor Lingle’s weekly report and reported that Governor Lingle is off island to share as the temporary convention chair for the 2004 Republican National Convention. He was available for questions. Questions, answers and comments: 1) Chair Poirier asked if the State Departments of Transportation, Department of Health Environmental Hazardous Waste Division and the county could check in to the Kipapa Gulch issue regarding possible illegal violations. Follow up will be done. 2) Follow up will also be done regarding assistance with getting ambulance service in the Mililani area through the Department of Health’s budget. 3) Kidani expressed the following concerns: Near accidents and accidents are occurring when drivers are exiting from Kipapa Valley onto Kamehameha Highway. She asked if Rod Haraga, Director of the State Department of Transportation would consider a u-turn at Lanikuhana Avenue for drivers from the valley needing to go town bound. Follow up will be done. She asked if the merging lane from Kamehameha Highway (fronting Sam’s Club), approaching the H-2 on-ramp could be extended because of the extended stack lanes, it is hard to see the amount of traffic going in the Mililani direction until one is already in the traffic. Follow up will be done. REPRESENTATIVE MARILYN LEE – Representative Lee distributed her monthly report and highlighted/added the following: 1) The “National Night Out” hosted by the Mililani Town Association’s Neighborhood Security Watch Program was a success. 2) The State Department of Transportation has pruned trees on Kamehameha Highway through Mililani, keeping our well-used pedestrian sidewalk on Kamehameha Highway free of debris and safer for pedestrians. 3) An alternate site has been recommended for the civil defense siren fronting Kipapa Elementary School. Representative Lee has asked the State Civil Defense to contact the Neighborhood Board to arrange a presentation at their meeting. 4) Request letters and responses asking for the release of funding for the Mililani High School’s ten-classroom building were attached to her report. 5) Start of the legislative action committee will be in September and everyone is welcome to join. Questions, answers and comments: 1) Hamada asked Representative Lee for her support in drafting a bill to get ambulance service in Mililani. 2) The non-profit Mililani Teen Support organization received two $1,000 grants. REPRESENTATIVE GUY ONTAI – Representative Ontai distributed his monthly report and reported that the State Department of Transportation (SDOT) proposed, and $1.5 million has been appropriated to study and develop plans to widen Kamehameha Highway at Kipapa Gulch to four lanes. SDOT Director Rod Haraga hopes to begin construction by 2007. SENATOR RON MENOR – Senator Menor circulated his monthly report and applications for the Hawaii Rx Plus program and encourages those who qualify to sign-up for the program. Questions, answers and comments: 1) Nilsen asked for his support for an ambulance service in Mililani. Senator Menor will get together with the other area legislators to work on this issue. 2) Brown commented that the Department of Health announced spinal meningitis outbreak. COMMITTEE AND OTHER REPORTS: All committee and other reports were deferred. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION REGARDING MILILANI PILOT RECYCLING PROJECT CLOSURE – Thomas moved seconded by Brizee that the Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board No. 25 urges the City and County of Honolulu and the UPW to reach an agreement to resume curbside recycling in Mililani at the earliest opportunity. Discussion followed: Bass amended that the sixth whereas of the resolution be deleted, which was agreed upon by both Thomas and Brizee. The motion carried unanimously, 19-0-0. MOTION ON LAND USE VIOLATIONS AND IMPACT PROBLEMS IN KIPAPA GULCH – Thomas moved seconded by Brizee that Neighborhood Board No. 25 requests that the State of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu investigate reported activities in Kipapa Gulch in land zoned for agriculture that may violate applicable zoning and environmental regulations and report their respective findings at the Board’s September meeting. Discussion followed – The motion was amended and both Thomas and Brizee agreed adding at the September meeting. The motion carried unanimously, 19-0-0. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BANNING THE USE OF CERTAIN MOTORIZED VEHICLES AT THE CENTRAL OAHU REGIONAL AND OTHER PUBLIC PARKS – Kidani moved seconded by Remington in support of banning the use of certain motorized vehicles at the Central Oahu Regional Park and other public parks. Discussion followed. The motion carried 15-3-1, with Brown, Selander and Siegel voting no, and Chun abstaining. MOTION/RESOLUTION REGARDING “ADOPT-A-PLATOON” PROGRAM – Deferred. DICUSSION/MOTION REGARDING CITY AND COUNTY POLICY ON BOARD MEMBER MOBILIZATIONS: Discussion ensued with follow up to be done by Mayor’s representative Kakaroukas regarding any ruling in the Neighborhood Plan about mobilized military deployment. ANNOUNCEMENTS – Next Board meeting will be on September 22, 2004, at Mililani Recreation Center III, at 7:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further Board business, Chair Poirier adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Submitted by, Nola Frank Neighborhood Assistant |
| Friday, September 17, 2004 |