Printable version (copy and paste into browser):

  http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb9/06/09_2006_10Min.PDF

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

OCTOBER 10, 2006

WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order by Chair Finley at 7:03 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jo-Ann Adams, Les Among, Tom Brower, Ray Gruntz, Jim Poole, Mary Simpson, Louis Erteschik, Bob Finley, Walt Flood, Kevin McDonald, Bert Benevento, David Chen, Jeff Merz, Mike Peters, Jeff Apaka.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jo-Ann Adams, Jack Myers (excused).

MEMBERS’ SEATS VACANT:  One seat in subdistrict 3.

GUESTS:   Carol Ohmura, Nancy Hall, Walter Lewis, C. Francis Chun, Norman Duncan, M. Duncan, Mary Little, William Paluch, Blythe Woodward, Sonya Lee (Representative Anne Stevens’ Office), Emily Reed, Lori Wingard (Councilmember Charles Djou’s Office), Corey Dillman, Cory Beall (The Beall Corp.), Capt. Ron Iwami (HFD-Waikiki Station), Joan Nagawa (WCC), L. Ranney, Kaui Yamane (Senator Gordon Trimble’s Office), Helen Carroll (WRA), Rex Saunders, Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association), Officer M. Chu (HPD-Waikiki Station), Keith Rollman (Mayor’s Office), Marsha Weinert (Governor’s Office) Cliff Slater, Dean Chu (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

ESTABLISH A QUORUM:  A quorum was present.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Chen reported for the month of September the Operating Account balance was $1239.83, the Publicity Account balance was $2732.67, and the Refreshment Account balance was $120.00.

CONFERENCE FEE FOR TRANSIT CONFERENCE – Chair Finley reported he appointed Board Transportation Committee chair Merz to attend the City’s transit conference last week and requested the Board authorize a reimbursement for Merz paying the conference fee.  Flood moved and Among seconded that the Board authorize paying the conference fee.  The motion carried unanimously.

RECOGNITION OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTED OFFICE – Chair Finley recognized Anne Stevens, Rex Saunders, Tom Brower, Louis Erteschik, and Mike Peters, for being candidates for House seats in the Primary Election and congratulated Stevens and Brower for advancing to the General Election.

BOARD MEMBER RESIGNATION – Chair Finley reported Gerald Katahara has resigned creating a vacancy in subdistrict 3.  Filling of the vacancy will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

At this time Chair Finley relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Erteschik who presided over the remainder of the meeting.

CITY AGENCIES:

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT – Capt. Iwami, from the Waikiki Station, reported the following:

1.       Last month the station responded to 9 structure fires, 97 medical emergencies, 1 search and rescue for a missing swimmer, and 4 miscellaneous calls.  There was one major incident, a structure fire at 3334 Brocaw Street.

2.       The Safety Tip of the Month is:  When selecting Halloween costumes, ensure that they are flame resistant, made of lightweight fabric, brightly colored, and clearly visible to motorists.  Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape.  Keep the length of costumes short to prevent tripping.  A natural mask of cosmetics is better than a mask that may restrict breathing or obscure vision.  Children should carry flashlights to light their way and to be seen my motorists.

3.       The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) would like to remind the community that HFD prov8des assistance to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Department (HESD) by responding cooperatively when the need for emergency care arises.  Due to the HFD’s 42 fire stations and the HESD’s ambulance units, we are able to respond expeditiously in a very short amount of time to provide quality patient care and protect the citizens of the City and County of Honolulu.

There were no questions from the Board or guests.  Capt. Iwami was thanked for attending the meeting.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT – Officer Chu distributed a written report and highlighted/added that statistics for September compared to August show a decrease in thefts, assaults, thefts from motor vehicles, and harassments; there was a 58 percent increase in citations for loud music and a 63 percent increase in citations for loud vehicle mufflers.  Overall crimes are down and citations are up.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.       In response to Gruntz, prostitution is being addressed by regular patrol officers, undercover officers making arrests using various methods.  Penalties include geographic restrictions on violators as Waikiki is a prostitution free zone.

2.       In response to Gruntz, work is being done to deal with on-line pedophiles is not publicized, arrests have been made.

3.       Flood requested and follow up will be done on providing monthly statistics comparing this year and last year’s statistics.

4.       In response to Among, the area by Discovery Bay and Holiday Inn, is being monitored for persons not cleaning up after their dogs.

5.       In response to a resident, the loud music citations show 29 in August and 46 in September, and the loud muffler citations show 36 in August and 59 in September.

6.       A resident suggested the upcoming Street Bikers United parade would provide an opportunity to identify motorcycles with too loud mufflers.  Follow up will be done and it was noted the parade is part of a toy drive for the under-privileged children.

7.       A resident reported hostels on Lemon Road are causing a variety of problems including noise, drinking – including by underage persons, drug use, etc.  Traffic problems with illegal parking and drivers using this road as a shortcut.  Additional discussion on these problems will be done outside the meeting room.

8.       In response to a resident who witnessed an arrest near a bus stop, the number of officers present may seem excessive, but they are needed to take witnesses’ statements, secure the scene, direct traffic, and assure the safety of everyone in the area.

9.       Among noted an increase in graffiti at Ala Wai Boat Harbor.

10.   In response to Flood who noticed a person dumpster diving and suspected the person was looking for material to commit identity theft, the landlord or property owner has to request police to respond if the dumpster is on private property.  Witnesses need to work with police responding to the scene.

11.   In response to Gruntz, citations are issued for vehicles having expired safety or registration stickers.  Sometimes the expired stickers are due to drivers’ oversights and not necessarily an attempt to avoid paying insurance, etc.

Officer Chu was thanked for attending the meeting.

7:30 p.m.

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY – No representative was present.

CITIZENS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS:

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS – A resident reported he spoke with the Department of Transportation Services and Councilmember Djou’s Office on suggestions to solve some traffic problems and was willing to share them with interested persons.

FORMER JACK IN THE BOX RESTAURANT SITE – Among suggested concerned persons be alert to possible redevelopment of this site.

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

MAYOR’S OFFICE – Keith Rollman, representing the Mayor’s Office, provided the following responses to questions from last month’s meeting:

1.       Regarding a water ponding problem by Discovery Bay and the McCully Street bridge, the City Department of Facility Maintenance inspected the site and determined the problem was extensive, exceeding 250 in length, and has been referred to the Department of Design and Construction as a design solution is required to determine a suitable course of action and the most effective remedy for the problem.  Among thanked Rollman for the follow up.

2.       Potholes on Paki Street on the mauka side of the zoo have been patched.  The patching is only a temporary measure until resurfacing can be done.

3.       Information on specifications used to purchase buses and handi-vans were provided to McDonald.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1.       Gruntz requested painting of lines on the walkways at Magic Island for pedestrian use and remove bikes, etc.

2.       Gruntz noted all the lights were on in the Honolulu Municipal Building on a Saturday morning.  Rollman reported that the building has sensors that turn the lights on only when people are in the building.

3.       Pot hole patching was requested on Lemon Road, but it was determined the road is privately-owned and the City is not responsible for maintenance.   A resident noted the owner cannot be located and questioned if property taxes are being paid.  Rollman will follow up.

4.       A resident questioned if hostels are required to pay the transient accommodations tax and it was noted this matter is under State jurisdiction.

Rollman was thanked for attending the meeting.

COUNCILMEMBER CHARLES DJOU – Lori Wingard, from Councilmember Djou’s Office, distributed the monthly newsletter and highlighted/added the following:

1.       The newsletter includes a list of proposed City Charter amendments that will be on the General Election ballot for voter ratification, and Councilmember Djou’s comments on the amendments.

2.       In response to a resident’s complaint about a noise problem on Seaside Avenue, the City has an exemption from noise ordinances to do the emergency work on the sewer system.  The resident elaborated that the noise problem of real concern is from a parking structure at 436 Seaside Avenue where jack hammering of the concrete is being done to repair reinforcing bars.  Follow up will be done.

3.       A Lemon Road resident: a) reiterated problems with the hostels, b) suggested the road which is used as a public road, but since it is privately-owned, be restricted to residents only, c) the hostels are not ADA compliant, including lacking elevators – Vice Chair Erteschik will follow up with the resident, d) construction work may have been done without permits – it was suggested that the City Department of Planning and Permitting website be checked to see if permits were obtained, e) hostel owner is renting and selling mopeds, and renting cars and questioned if this is a permitted activity.   Follow up will be done.

SENATOR GORDON TRIMBLE – No representative was present.

REPRESENTATIVE ANNE STEVENS – Sonya Lee, from Representative Stevens’ Office, distributed the monthly newsletter and highlighted/added the following:

1.       HPD has issued citations for noise violations to moped riders and the Hardrock Café.

2.       Falls can cause injuries, so fall prevention seminars being held, the next one is scheduled for November 17.  For more information call the office at 586-8520.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

The HPD check of the Hardrock Café for noise problems was in response to a complaint from Century Center.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT NISHIMOTO – Kaui Yamane, from Representative Nishimoto’s Office, reported the annual community clean-up is October 14, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  All types of unwanted recyclable materials will be accepted, proceeds will benefit the Kapahulu Senior Center, Kaimuki High School, and the Moiliili Community Center.

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

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE – Marsha Weinert, representing the Governor’s Office, distributed the weekly bulletin and highlighted/added the following:

1. The 2005 Visitor Satisfaction and Activity Report was released earlier this month and show that two-thirds of U.S. visitors found their most recent trip excellent, and 49.4 percent of Japanese visitors answered that they were likely to return to Hawaii in the next five years.

August visitor spending rose 3.5 percent and visitor expenditures for the first eight months of the year are up by 4.5 percent compared to last year.

2. In response to a question posed earlier in the meeting, hostels are required to pay the transient accommodations tax.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. The State and City are working on plans to deal with a highway closure such as happened last month on the H-1, west-bound.

2. At Honolulu International Airport parking in the structure is free for the first 30 minutes.  Persons can park in the lot, then wait for a phone call from an arriving passenger, then, if exiting within 30 minutes pay nothing on their way to pick up the arriving passenger(s).  This serves the purpose of cell phone parking done at other airports.

3. The State’s airports are to undergo $2.3 billion in improvements, including $1.4 billion for Honolulu International.  Benevento suggested that the walkway paving surfaces be changed to something smoother as the current surface is too rough.  In response to Gruntz, the improvements will include moving sidewalks.

4. In response to Erteschik, work on addressing the homeless problem includes development of transitional housing on the Waianae Coast.

Weinert was thanked for attending the meeting

8:05 p.m.

WAIKIKI IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION – Rick Egged reported the following:

1. The most recent Sunset on the Beach where the season premier of the television show Lost was shown, was a success.

2. The International Film Festival is scheduled for October 20, 21, and 22.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

Flower baskets on Kuhio Avenue street light poles are being phased out due to maintenance costs.  Artificial flowers were suggested, but they also have replacement costs.

PRESENATIONS:

BEACHWALK PROJECT – Cory Beall and William Paluch reported that the project at 280 Beachwalk is for a single-story, 36-foot high building, providing seven, separate and distinct store fronts with different roof treatments and facades extending the Kalakaua Avenue shopping experience.  A model, architectural renderings and sample materials were shown.  Permits are being sought and plans are to open for business in the summer of 2008.  The project will cover 17,500 sq. ft. of a 30,000 sq. ft. parcel, and includes landscaping with palm trees along the street.  The height limit in this area is 300 feet.  The individual stores will vary from 800 – 3000 sq. ft. in size.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. In response to Flood and Among, deliveries will be via Saratoga Road to an area behind the stores.

2. The existing two-story garage is part of this project and provides 50 stalls for employees and customers, but the focus is on pedestrian traffic.

3. In response to Merz, there are no plans to close Beachwalk and convert it to a pedestrian mall.

4. Poole complimented the architecture of the project.

5. In response to Flood, specifics on possible tenants could not be made available at this time.

Finley moved and Among seconded that the Board supports the concept of this project.  The motion carried unanimously.

8:24 p.m.

OUTRIGGER BEACHWALK PROJECT – Eric Masutomi reported that phase I of the project should be completed in approximately two months with the Embassy Suites Resort, Fairfield Hawaii timeshare, and entertainment retail complex projects.  Ongoing work includes road and sewer improvement work.   Thanks were extended for everyone’s understanding in bearing with the impacts of the construction.  Phase II of the project involves the Trump International Hotel and Tower project.  Demolition for this project begins this month and construction will take approximately 18 months.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. In response to Finley, phase I of the project has reduced the number of rooms from 3,000 to 2,200 as smaller units were consolidated into larger ones.

2. In response to Poole, Outrigger sold the property for the Trump project to another company which is in a partnership with Trump, but Outrigger is responsible for the master permit.

3. In response to Flood, no on-site employee parking is provided, current off-site parking arrangements will continue.

4. Merz commended the design of the parking structure.

5. In response to Poole, other projects include:  a) Ocean Tower, renovations are being done, b) Pacific and Diamond Head towers are to be done.

6. In response to Peters, various entertainment options are being developed.

7. In response to Among, some other properties have been sold, and there are no development plans for some other properties.

8. In response to Flood, Masutomi is aware of problems with undesirable activity at the end of Lewers Street, and work with other hotels, Liquor Commission, etc. is being taken to resolve them.

It was noted that no Board action would be taken on this matter as it has already supported the projects.

8:44 p.m.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

TRANSPORTATION – Merz reported he attended a City-sponsored transportation conference last week which focused on mass transit alternatives.  There was a lack of balance though, as there was a lack of other alternatives presented.  He noted a great deal of statistics were presented, and acknowledged the statistics could have been slanted to favor a certain position. Speakers included former mayors of Houston and Phoenix, where rail systems have been developed under budget, attributable to federal government oversight.  Also presented was the Victoria Transport Policy Institute analysis that the cost of road construction is very expensive and cost per rider is significantly more with roads that rail.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. Gruntz noted the lack of other transportation alternatives being presented.

2. In response to Peters, Merz noted seeing members of the Makakilo/Kapolei Neighborhood Board at this meeting and they wanted to know what Waikiki residents thought about the rail proposal.

3.  In response to Among, different types of rail systems were shown at the meeting.

Cliff Slater spoke on the costs of maintaining a rail system exceeding the costs to build it, declining riderships on existing rail systems, the tax increase being insufficient to maintain the rail system, cost over runs to build a system, and an upcoming Highway User’s Alliance meeting that will present alternatives not covered in the City’s meeting.

Questions, answers and comments followed:

1. In response to Brower, Slater stated that a two or three lane, elevated HOT lane for buses, van pools, and toll paying private vehicles, running from the H-1/H-2 area, along Kamehameha Highay to Nimitz Highway, to Pier 16, is the highway solution to the highway problem.

2. In response to Gruntz, a HOT lane is less expensive as a nine-mile one in Florida was built for $320 million.

3. Slater reported he has statistics to back his position and challenged anyone to refute them.

4. Merz and Slater debated HOT lane topics, including costs to use it, access being limited to only those who can afford it, costs to develop compared to rail, rail needed to get people out of their cars.

5. Gruntz suggested the Board form a permitted interaction group, consisting of more than two, but less than a quorum of Board members to attend upcoming transportation related meetings in order to comply with sunshine law requirements.  Vice Chair Erteschik noted he saw no need to form a permitted interaction group as the Board has already taken a position opposing the rail spur into Waikiki, and that it was unlikely the Board would discuss this matter further.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2006 REGULAR MEETING – Flood moved and Gruntz seconded to approve the minutes.  The motion carried unanimously.

CHAIR’S REPORT: No additional.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  No additional.

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Submitted by,

Dean Chu

Neighborhood Assistant