Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34
August 16, 2000
What is OMPO?
OMPO, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, in accordance with Federal Regulations, has been designated the metropolitan planning organization, MPO, responsible for planning within the transportation management area, TMA, of OAHU.
The Policy Committee is the decision-making body of OMPO. This thirteen-member body consists of three State senators and three State representatives serving on the Transportation Committees, including the Chair of each committee, five City council members including the Chair of the committee responsible for transportation, the DOT Director, and the DTS Director. I have been privileged to serve you as a Policy Committee Member since elected to the House in 1996. Prior to that I served on the OMPO Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for several years.
Oahu Regional Transportation Plan ORTP
The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO), held a continuation of the ORTP Funding Priorities Workshop on August 8, 2000. Some issues discussed were:
Highway Special Maintenance - I advocated for reducing the gap between what is
needed and what we funded. I asked that the "needs" be further investigated to
determine if the conditions in Hawaii have different affects on materials than those
on the mainland. Then we must determine if we can fund the needed maintenance
to protect our investments, and if not what are the costs of such inaction.
Geographic Priorities - We agreed that we would:
° Address growth & achieve system balance
Second Access - We agreed on areas that are in need of a second access:
This is a major plus for our Region as this enhancement coupled with the North-South Road will allow many Makakilo, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach residents to enter and exit H-1 between the current Makakilo/Kapolei and Waipahu ramps, but maybe even more importantly, we agreed it will serve as the access to the UH West Oahu Campus.
The North-South Road - is not included under the second access category as it is categorized as a High Priority Project. This project is needed as a second access Kapolei and Ewa Beach as well as an additional entrance and exit to H-1. We agreed that as this project is already funded, and the portion above H-1 that can serve as a second access to Makakilo, and as access to UH West Oahu Campus must be planned and built as a separate project. We are now proceeding toward that goal.
Second Special Session 2000, Twentieth Legislature
The members of the Senate and the House of Representatives convened at 10:00am, on Monday August 7, 2000, for the purpose of amending staggered terms for the Senate and privacy of health care information.
Concerns on H.B. NO. 1 Staggered Terms for the Senate
On 9 August, I rose in support with reservations to H.B. NO. 1, Proposing an Amendment to Article IV, Sections 7 and 8, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, to Stagger Senate Terms After Reapportionment.
Commenting on the fact that the language of the amendment should include the word
"Majority" when discussing the residents of any new district, and referring to comments
by the Judiciary chair that we (the legislature) should not direct the Reapportionment
Commission what to do, I provided that it is not only our place, but in fact it is our duty
to provide guidance, as we are the lawmakers of this state. The Judiciary Chair also
commented that our intent is clear in the committee report, to which I offered that, if it is
so clear in the committee report, what is the harm in putting the language in the bill?
The language in the Bill is in part…the commission shall assign the two-year terms
to senate seats so that the resident population of each senate district…
Our amendment would add the word "majority" before the word "resident". We
would have it read…the commission shall assign the two-year terms to senate seats
so that the majority resident population…
This is necessary because not each and every resident of the new district will have been
a resident of the old district, therefore it is impossible for the Commission to comply
with the requirement that "the resident population" which refers to all the resident
population.
Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill
Public comments regarding the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill Expansion has been extended
from July 7, 2000, to August 21, 2000 and your comments can be submitted to: City and County of Honolulu, Refuse Division, 650 South King Street, Hon. HI, 96813.
At the last Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board meeting (July 19, 2000) the board voted against expanding a landfill in Kahe Valley because of several concerns. Some important issues brought up included odor, litter from the landfill blowing across Farrington Highway, the city not looking at other alternative sites nor alternative methods of disposal, and all waste products cannot possibly be recycled. As it stands, the landfill could reach its capacity in two or three years. Call Mr. Joseph Hernandez of Waste Management of Hawaii, Inc. at 668-2985. (see attached)
2000 Little League Baseball Hawaii State Champions
The undefeated Ewa league 11 and 12 year olds District 8 Division Tournament Team won the Hawaii State Tournament which was held on July 27, 2000 at Kapaa, Kauai. This All-Star Tournament Team will be advancing to the Western Regional Tournament, competing with 12 other State Champions
(4 from Hawaii) and representing Hawaii at San Bernardino, CA on Friday, August 4 through August 17, 2000. Congratulations, Good Luck, and may you promote the Spirit of Aloha to your competitors. (see attached)
Ewa Orchid Society
The Ewa Orchid Society celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Waipahu High School cafetorium on the weekend of August 4, 5, and 6, 2000. This is their way of "giving back to the community" by presenting an Orchid and Plant Show. Since 1950 they have been actively promoting orchid culture and appreciation for Leeward area residents. The members are always eager to share their knowledge and plants from all around the island. Meetings are open to the public and held at 7pm, on the fourth Thursday of every month at the 'Ewa Beach Elementary School, New members are welcome. For more information, contact club president Rick Simafranca, at 689-0566.
Family Night
About 30 people attended the family fun filled night at the Boys and Girls club of Ewa Beach, on Tuesday August 8, 2000. Events included a Lomi Lomi demonstration by Kalei Kahilihiwa, games for keiki, a presentation by HPD DARE officer Tom Tomingbang, and a final workshop for Project Pau (Project Against Under-age drinkers). A group of volunteers will be putting together a visionary packet for businesses in the Ewa Plains district to address the problem of alcohol usage by under-age drinkers. For more information page Tessie Antoque at 641-3366. (see attached)
Ewa Water Recycling Ceremony
A partnership ceremony celebrated the grand opening of the Honouliuli Reclamation Facility - Ewa Water Recycling on August 8, 2000. This facility is located behind the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Facility at 91-1010 Geiger Road. About 150 people including the employees of Board of Water Supply, USFilter, and RCI Environmental (Robinson Construction Inc.) attended this event. Ewa Water Recycling is a new water reclamation facility that will bring high quality water to communities. Recycled water is used for industrial processing and boiler feed, irrigates local non-food crops, and used in parks and greenbelts (medium strips). Two city golf courses, Ewa Westloch and Ewa Villages have applied to keep their golf turfs green. The R.O. (reverse osmosis) Water Plan should be completed by the end of September. For more information call: Mike Street or Ken Windram at 681-5353. (see attached)
Ewa-Kapolei-Makakilo Vision Team Meetings
There are 19 vision teams on Oahu and each team is given a team number. As of the latest meeting, August 1, 2000, Vision Team No. 4 should have held approximately one caucus meeting per month which is spread out between the above three communities. The purpose of the August meeting was
to discuss and select proposed priority projects for Fiscal Year 2002. The other agenda items for
discussion were, Time Capsule and Updates on Year 2000 and 2001 Projects. If you have any questions call: Cheryl Soon 523-4125, Bill Belfour 527-6343, Attilio Leonardi 831-7771, or log on
to www.co.honolulu.hi.us, then click on news and events for the community vision schedule.
Aloha Airlines Doubles AlohaPass
One can "expect more" extravaganza flying from Hawaii to the San Francisco Bay area on Aloha Airlines. The interisland airline is offering travelers a chance to earn 4,818 United Mileage Plus miles and 20 AlohaPass credits. To purchase a roundtrip electronic ticket from Hawaii to the Oakland International Airport, or to book a reservation, you can log onto Aloha Airlines at www.alohaair.com, or call 484-1111. (see attached)
Voice of the Majority
Do you have any issues? What's on your mind? Every Saturday morning 7:00 to 8:00am you can call "The Voice of the Majority" on KWAI 1080AM on your radio, at 524-1080 to voice your concerns.
GOOD THINGS DON'T JUST HAPPEN - THEY ARE MADE TO HAPPEN
TOGETHER WE DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!