Kaneohe Neighborhood Board

MEMBERS PRESENT: Louis Mansanas, Bill Russell (late), Patricia Yamashiro, Roy Yanagihara and Larry Zdvoracek.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Christi Conroy, Wendell Lum, Sam Moku, Clyde Morita, Philip Mowrey and Danny Smith.

GUESTS: Vicki Kneisley (Councilmember Steve Holmes' Office staff), Councilmember Steve Homes', Maria Okamura (Governor's Office), Lieutenant John Thompson and Sergeant Barry Chang (Honolulu Police Department), Fire Fighter 3 Darryl Kong (Honolulu Fire Department), Denise DeCosta (Board of Water Supply), Paulette Tam, Timothy Wong, Joe Kim, Linda Liu (Department of Parks and Recreation), Dottie Lee Kwai, Elwin Spray (Mayor's Representative and Neighborhood Commission Office staff), Alison Sugimoto (Kaneohe Social Services Coordinator), Lono Correa, Rocky and Jerry Kaluhiwa and Liko Halualani Hee (Na Iwi Ola), Jacqueline Parnell (KRP Info Services), Robert Purdie, Jr. and Valerie Hirano (GKO and Associates), Tyler Sugihara (Department of Design and Construction), Sarah Fry (Marine Corps Base Hawaii), Shannon Wood (Koolau News), Daniel Spain and Daisy Nasau (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

OATH OF OFFICE: At this time, Neighborhood Assistant Nasau administered the oath-of-office to the members who weren't present at the installation ceremony.

At this time there was a moment of silence for one of the Board member's son who has passed away following a motorcycle accident.

ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS: Chair Pro tem Yamashiro stated that the Board couldn't elect officers due to a lack of a quorum.

At this time Bill Russell arrived.

FILLING OF VACANCIES: The following people were interested to fill vacancies in the subdistricts:

     SUBDISTRICT 4: Dan Wilkins and Joe Kim.
    SUBDISTRICT 6: Denise DeCosta.
    SUBDISTRICT 7: Daniel Spain.
    SUBDISTRICT 9: Paulette Tam.
    SUBDISTRICT 10: Timothy Wong.
    SUBDISTRICT 12: There were no interested candidates.

At this time all candidates gave a brief description of themselves.

No action by the Board could be taken due to a quorum not present.

RATIFICATION OF PRE-ESTABLISHED REGULAR MEETING DAY OF THE MONTH, TIME AND PLACE TO HOLD MEETINGS: No action due to lack of quorum.

KANEOHE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 30
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2001
PAGE 2

APPROVAL OF THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2001 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: No action due to lack of quorum.

APPROVAL OF THE MAY 2001 TREASURER'S REPORT: No action due to lack of quorum.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR COMMITTEES: No action due to lack of quorum.

PUBLIC INPUT:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Fire Fighter III Darryl Kong reported the following: (1) Last month the station responded to 3 structure, 1 rubbish, and 1 vehicle fire; 65 medical emergencies and 31 miscellaneous calls. (2) Fire Fighter's Safety and Health Guides for Senior Citizens are available free to the general public at all fire stations, medical facilities, the City store (located in the Ala Moana Shopping Center), Costco, City and County of Honolulu senior centers, and the State of Hawaii Executive Office on Aging. The information provided in this pamphlet is beneficial to all ages. Pamphlets may also be obtained by contacting our Community Relations Office at 831-7747. (3) Fire safety tip of the month: Check all electrical cords to ensure that they are in good condition. Replace frayed or cracked cords. Remove cords from under carpets or furniture. Avoid overloading extension cords.

Discussion followed: (1) Kong stated that the cause of Kokokahi Place has not been determined yet. (2) Kong stated that the fire truck would be able to go over the parking curbs.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lt. John Thompson distributed his report, introduced Sgt. Barry Chang, and highlighted the following: (1) Police are trying to address two major issues, one being property crime and the other being motor vehicle collisions which have been on the rise and police are trying to do everything they can. (2) Distributed police report on all of District 4. (3) Police attend the meetings to answer any questions and receive comments on how the Police are doing, so please feel free to voice opinions. (4) Sorry to hear about the motorcycle incident with your Board member's son, but in the Kaneohe area motor vehicle collisions really are not that bad. There will be an increase in Police presence due to a Traffic Initiative 2001 project. (5) Nalani Su who is another officer is looking into ways to make a special area for a skateboard park. (6) Thanked Councilmember Homes who helped the Police department fund money to renovate the Kahuku Station to better serve juveniles.

At this time Sgt. Chang reported the following: (7) In regards to the question last month about speeding on Kuala Road the police gave three citations. (8) Police are checking on Kaneohe District Park and Waikalua Beach Park. (9) Gave a Neighborhood Security Watch presentation to Koolau Village. If anyone has interest in a presentation for their neighborhood to have a Security Watch call 529-3351.

Discussion followed: (1) Yanagihara thanked the officers especially Lt. Thompson for all the extra effort in preparing the statistics. (2) Lt. Thompson stated that most of the graffiti in the Kaneohe area is from kids trying to copy gang art, but real gangs usually don't graffiti, but usually deal with drugs, prostitution, and gambling. The only real gang out this side is the “Abyss.” When they do graffiti, Police do all they can to find out who they are and stop them.

MARINE CORPS BASE LIAISON: Sarah Fry distributed a report and highlighted the following: (1) There will be a lot of plane activity from the Friday, July 6, 2001 through Sunday, July 8, 2001. (2) On Thursday, June 21, 2001 Marine Corps Base Hawaii will host the annual retiree luncheon event at the MCBH Officers' Club, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All local retirees are welcome and encouraged to attend. (3) On Wednesday, July 4, 2001 the MCBH will have a parade and the Color Guard will support this annual parade. The Marine Forces Pacific Band will also be a march and a performance. (4) On Wednesday, July 4, 2001 the Marine Forces Pacific Band will be performing at the Dewey Square at 6:00 p.m. as part of the base's 4^th of July celebration. This is open to the public. (5) From Friday, July 13, 2001 to Sunday, July 15, 2001 is the 12^th Annual Bayfest Celebration will be held at MCBH.

KANEOHE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 30
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2001
PAGE 3

RESIDENTS' CONCERNS:

        (1)    Daniel Spain stated that he is concerned with the people parking on the basketball courts, it might break the sewer line and if that should happen, his house is the first house to be flooded. He also stated that he has notified Councilmember Steve Homes and the Director of Parks and Recreation. Also that the courts were not made for parking, but made for the children. He doesn't mind the cars parking on the courts but there needs to be some stipulation. He stated that he wasn't notified of the construction at the Senior Community Center.
        
        (2)    Dottie Lee Kwai stated that her concerns get brushed off and no one gives her an answer if something can or cannot be done about them.
        
        (3)    Rocky Kaluhiwa stated that her concern regarding the Heeia State Park. She's not sure if the Park is within the Kaneohe or the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board District. She is also wrote a letter to the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board stating that the caretaker's home at Heeia State Park has been unoccupied and no live-in caretaker is currently employed. She is requesting that the Department of Land and Natural Resources reevaluate the Heeia State Park status and put in enforcement division personnel to patrol the windward area since crime rates are so high. She also stated that this is a state concern but would like to have the support of the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board.

ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS:

MAYOR'S REPRESENTATIVE: Elwin Spray reported the following: (1) Saturday, July 21, 2001 opening of the Central Park from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2) Monday, June 25, 2001 at the Neal Blaisdell Center from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Neighborhood Board Orientation. (3) Saturday, August 4, 2001 at the Hawaii Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon an Island Wide Vision meeting.

Discussion followed: Spray stated that the first act of business for the Board's initial meeting of the new term must be with a quorum to elect a chair and without a quorum this can not be done.

COUNCILMEMBER STEVE HOLMES: Councilmember Holmes distributed his report and highlighted the following: (1) The Kaneohe Civic Center parking lot went into redesign due to the fact that the soil in area is soft. Now the new solution will expedite the project and save money. Japer Glover who is the contractor will break ground mid October. (2) The Bay View Park project is moving forward to the City Council for Shoreline Management Area Permit for a public hearing Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 10:30 a.m.

Discussion followed: (1) Liu stated that the basketball courts at the Senior Community Center are only being to handle the overflow parking. (2) Councilmember Homes stated that Mansanas missed the traffic-calming meeting on Punahala and the money that he put in budget will be available Sunday, July 1, 2001 for Pua Ina. (3) Councilmember Homes stated that the Mayor has proposed to plant 1,000 trees for the island of Oahu. Tam stated that she is only concerned with Kaneohe. Councilmember Homes stated that there are people who maintained the trees, a beautification group, and Department of Facility and Maintenance. (4) Councilmember Homes stated that the City is using topar, a chemical, to help prevent roots from spreading. (5) Spray stated that the park structure is on Kaneohe side and the pier structure is on Kahaluu side.

GOVERNOR'S REPRESENTATIVE: Maria Okamura reported the following: (1) Will notify the Governor regarding the use of the caretaker's house at He'eia State Park. (2) In regards to the concern last month about the barriers at H-3, Okamura has contacted the Oahu District office and they said that they would take care of it. (3) Hand outs on the back table to grab. (4) There are handouts on the back table should anyone need one.

Discussion followed: (1) Wood stated that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will not be attending any more Neighborhood Board meetings and DOT will hold their own meetings. Okamura stated that DOT personnel get paid over time and was concerned about the cost control.
KANEOHE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 30
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2001
PAGE 4

At this time there were no State officials present.

CITY AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS:

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (DPR): Linda Liu reported the following: The Summer Fun Program started Wednesday, June 13, 2001 and will run through the end of July 2001.

Discussion followed: Mansanas thanked Liu for following up with the concern about the hill.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS): Denise DeCosta reported the following: (1) She hopes that DOT changes their mind about not attending Neighborhood Board meetings. (2) On Thursday, May 24, 2001, BWS publicly asked all water users to monitor their water consumption and practice conservation measures at home and at work. Persistent lower than normal annual rainfall has led to a decline in water levels. It is important that businesses and government agencies understand that their cooperation is also being requested. Periodic reports will be made through the media on the condition of our water sources. Call 527-6126 for brochures. (3) In regards to the concern with the desalination plant in Ewa Beach, it was a State facility, but the plant has not been in use since 1985. (4) The same on going projects in the area.

Discussion followed: (1) DeCosta stated that she will check and follow up next month if the construction on Likelike Highway is up to date and the anticipated completion date is around by the end of the year. (2) DeCosta stated that she has no information from the water commission office.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

AHUPUA'A RESTORATION OF HE'EIA: Mary Brooks to have complied with the recommendations of the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board to enlist residents in environmental restoration projects and provide advice to governmental agencies in He'eia to help them coordinate their policies and programs in friendly ways to integrated resource management.

NEW BUSINESS:

KOKOKAHI DRAINAGE: Bob Purdie, from GKO and Associates, distributed hand outs and highlighted the following: he and Jackie Parnell, from KRP Information Services, who is helping with the Environmental Assessment (EA), are here tonight to inform the community about the project to improve storm drainage.

Purdie stated that the project would collect storm runoff water on Kokokahi Place and discharge it into Kaneohe Bay. The project should take about six months. They will notify the residents when construction starts. As part of the EA they will find out if this project is feasible and the City will fund the project. Purdie stated that he has not studied the existing water flows, but it could cause erosion and the pipe flows may decrease. Perge stated that in general the rate of discharge has increased over time because population has increased.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(1)    Sunday, July 1, 2001 there will be an Independence Day Parade in the Kaneohe area.
        (2)    If there are any interested candidates to help with the Kaneohe Ho'olaulea on Saturday, September 29, 2001. Please give Louis Mansanas a call.
        (3)    Legends of Famous Places Tour will meet on Saturday, July 7, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call Denise DeCosta at 234-6703.
        
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Submitted By: Daisy Nasau, Neighborhood Assistant

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