Meeting Summary of the

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization

 

CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 3:30 p.m.
Mayor’s Conference Room 301, Honolulu Hale
530 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

 

Members Present:                                                                        

Land Use Research Foundation

David Arakawa, Chair

NB #34 Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale

Michael Golojuch, Vice Chair

AARP

Mary Protheroe

American Planning Association Hawaii

John Valera

American Society of Civil Engineers

Tiffany Hamada

Citizens for a Fair ADA Ride

Ronald Pike

Committee for Balanced Transportation

Joseph Magaldi

E Noa Corporation

Tom Dinell

Eye of the Pacific

Twila Lai

Hawaii Bicycling League

Janice Marsters

Hawaii Centers for Independent Living

Charlene Ota

Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers, Local 996

Michael Costa

Honolulu Community Action Program

Kristina Copeland

Hui Kupuna VIP

Louise Horio

Institute of Transportation Engineers

I. Robert Nehmad

Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association

Debbie Luning

Mestizo Association

Arvid Youngquist

NB #01 Hawaii Kai

Greg Knudsen

NB #02 Kuliouou-Kalani Iki

Linda Starr

NB #03 Waialae-Kahala

Lester Fukuda

NB #05 Diamond Head-Kapahulu-Saint Louis Heights

Bert Narita

NB #07 Manoa

Tom Heinrich

NB #09 Waikiki

Michael Peters

NB #10 Makiki-Lower Punchbowl-Tantalus

Charles Carole

NB #11 Ala Moana-Kakaako

David Hilea, Jr.

NB #13 Downtown

Tom Smyth

NB #21 Pearl City

Cruz J. Vina, Jr.

NB #22 Waipahu

Blaine Tsugawa

NB #26 Wahiawa-Whitmore Village

Joseph Francher

NB #29 Kahaluu

David Henkin

NB #35 Mililani Mauka-Launani Valley

Pamela Young

Waikiki Residents Association

Daisy Murai

 

Members Absent (Reps):

Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii

Dean Minakami

League of Women Voters

Piilani Kaopuiki

NB #08 McCully-Moiliili

Ron Lockwood

NB #12 Nuuanu-Punchbowl

James Marn

NB #18 Aliamanu-Salt Lake-Foster Village

Lorene Godfrey

NB #23 Ewa

Coby M. Lynn

NB #25 Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu

David Aki

NB #30 Kaneohe

Glenn Ida

North Shore Chamber of Commerce

Gil Riviere

Pacific Resource Partnership

Josh Magno

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

Lowell Kalapa

 

 

Guests Present:

Jackie Boland

AARP

Julia Belesario

Citizens for a Fair ADA Ride

Tammy Mori

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)

Rachel Roper

HDOT

Ken Tatsuguchi

HDOT

Nick Poulos

Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS)

Chris Sayers

DTS

Rose Pou

Hui Kupuna VIP

Nancy Nishikawa

Kimura International

Robert Whitaker

NB #7 Manoa

Bob R. Smith   

NB #24 Waianae Coast

James K. Manaku, Sr.

NB #36 Nanakuli-Maili

Doug Chun

Office of Council Services

Tom Berg

Office of Representative Kymberly Pine

                                               

OahuMPO Staff Present:  Brian Gibson, Randolph Sykes, and Marian Yasuda

 

Vice Chair Michael Golojuch called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.  Chair David Arakawa arrived at 3:40 p.m.  

 

1.  New Business

1.A. “Bike Plan Hawaii Implementation Plan”

Chair Arakawa introduced Ken Tatsuguchi, Program Manager, Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Nancy Nishikawa, Kimura International.  Mr. Tatsuguchi introduced the project consultant, Nancy Nishikawa and Rachel Roper, project manager for the Bike Plan Hawaii Phase 2.  Bike Plan Hawaii was finalized in 2003 and is ready for an update and reprioritization of projects in the Plan.  This process will involve project assessment reports, a reevaluation of the project priorities and criteria used in that prioritization, and consultation with stakeholders statewide. 

 

Once the stakeholder meetings have all been completed, the two or three projects receiving the highest priority will be moving forward.  To assist with identifying priority projects, the project assessment reports will contain cost estimates; challenges, such as right-of-way acquisitions required; and the scope of the project. 

 

Discussion Highlights:

[Unless noted otherwise, questions were answered by Mr. Tatsuguchi.]

·        In response to a question by Linda Starr: Stakeholders for Bike Plan Hawaii meetings were identified by utilizing available stakeholders from the 2003 effort, as well as adding new members to the list.  The stakeholder meetings are open to the public; meeting announcements have been distributed to the media.  HDOT maintains a distribution list for their press releases that can keep interested parties informed via email messages.

·        In response to a question by Brian Gibson: The five criteria used in the development of the plan are: connectivity, mobility, and accessibility; user considerations; safety; implementation; and context.  The methodology used can be provided to those interested upon request.

·        In response to a question by Chair Arakawa: The criteria and weighting of those criteria have been approached differently on a regional or district level.

·        In response to a question by Tom Dinell: Stakeholders have provided great insight into the importance of the different criteria and projects to their individual lifestyles as well as the connection between safety, connectivity, and land use.  Ms. Nishikawa clarified that the existing plan and its project list is being refreshed and deals only with bicycle projects that are under State jurisdiction.

·        In response to a question by Blaine Tsugawa: There is no current listing of the projects that have been implemented since the 2003 Bike Plan was developed.  Mr. Tsugawa commented that the presentation was lacking significant information.

·        In response to a comment made by David Henkin regarding a bicycle project along Kahekili Highway which has funding, community support, and is consistent with the Kahaluu Master Plan, Mr. Tatsuguchi said that Bike Plan Hawaii is for unbudgeted projects.  Since this project has funding, it would not be included in this Bike Plan.  He will look for information regarding that project.

·        In response to a question by Mary Protheroe: Dozens of projects in the original plan have been completed and remaining projects are being reprioritized.  Project assessment reports will be developed to help expedite remaining projects moving through the process.

·        In response to a question by Tom Smyth: Bike Plan projects may receive a higher priority as a result of being eligible for federal stimulus monies.  Tammy Mori, HDOT Administrative Assistant for Public Affairs, stated that those involved in the planning process are not always aware of the design and construction phases of projects.  All new road construction will accommodate all users of the roadway.  

·        In response to a question by Tom Heinrich: CAC members and the community at large may become involved by attending the Oahu stakeholders meeting tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in the Pan Am Building on Kapiolani Boulevard.

·        In response to a question by David Hilea: Public outreach is a challenge.  For this effort, bicycling groups have been contacted and relied upon for spreading the word about meetings. 

·        In response to a question by Tom Berg: Information regarding the implementation of the Leeward Bikeway is outside of the purview of planning efforts.

·        A comment by Greg Knudsen expressed displeasure with the lack of information and the unproductive use of the CAC’s time.

·        In response to a question by Arvid Youngquuist: Since the passage of Proposition 8 in the City Charter, the City Bicycle Coordinator, Chris Sayers, has been consulted and invited to the stakeholders meeting.  The State is looking to enhance connectivity by looking at the Oahu Bike Plan and the entire network on non-State facilities.

·        In response to a question by Jackie Boland: The bicycle projects in this plan will not be included in the update of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for FFYs 2011-2014.  The projects may be placed in the TIP through revisions of the TIP.

 

1. B.  “Meet and Greet”

Chair Arakawa introduced the new OahuMPO Executive Director, Brian Gibson.  Mr. Gibson said that he had spent the previous nine years as the Senior Transportation Planner with Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG), which is the MPO for Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota.  His role included coordination between states, counties, and federal government agencies in using public monies in the best and most efficient manner.

 

[Unless noted otherwise, questions were answered by Mr. Gibson.]

·        In response to a question by Ms. Starr: Getting to know local people and the culture will be an important aspect of his job as Executive Director of the OahuMPO.

·        In response to a question by Joe Magaldi: After spending the last 33 years in North Dakota, Mr. Gibson felt the Executive Director position was a perfect opportunity to broaden his horizons and create new experiences.  Priorities for the OahuMPO are to ensure fiscal responsibility as a public agency.  As he learns more about the operations and relationships within and around the MPO, improvements and changes develop.

·        In response to an offer by Ms. Boland on behalf of AARP and One Voice for Livable Islands: A walking tour around Oahu would be enjoyable.  Mr. Gibson requested follow-up on that offer.

·        In response to a question by Mr. Hilea: Meeting people at various functions will be an important tool for becoming acquainted with local customs and performing well in his position as Executive Director.

·        In response to a question by Mr. Youngquist: Mr. Gibson has taken the Amtrak train to various spots in the upper Midwest, including Minneapolis and Chicago.

·        In response to a question by Mr. Smyth: Neighborhood Board involvement is and will be an integral part of the operations at the OahuMPO.

·        In response to a question by Louise Horio: Transit is Mr. Gibson’s current mode of transportation; he would be happy to ride TheBus and TheHandiVan with Ms. Horio.

·        In response to a question by Mr. Berg: The expansion of the Policy Committee to include a member of the CAC and the TAC will be explored. 

·        A comment by Ms. Protheroe stated that frustration was evident regarding the difficulty in getting current, accurate, and detailed information.  She offered a comment prepared by AARP on the draft FFYs 2011-2014 TIP in an effort to get pertinent and comprehensive information in a format that is approachable and understandable.  Mr. Gibson eagerly looks forward to involving citizens in the transportation decision-making process.  Facilitation of that process is very important – a challenge he will take seriously.

·        A suggestion offered by Mr. Dinell was to look at giving credibility and a level of importance to the CAC by looking into citizen representation on the Policy Committee and integration into the process.  Mr. Gibson replied that citizen involvement is a sacred duty of the MPO and is important to him.

·        Mr. Magaldi expressed his pleasure and offered a warm welcome.

·        In response to a question by Chair Arakawa: The Policy Committee did respond to the CAC’s concerns at their last meeting and absolutely treated their concerns with due respect.  As the Executive Director of the OahuMPO, Mr. Gibson is tasked with following the direction of the Policy Committee as it relates to the OahuMPO.

 

2.   OahuMPO Meeting Highlights - Policy Committee & Technical Advisory Committee

Marian Yasuda announced the following:

  • The Policy Committee met on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in the State Capitol conference room 309.  At that meeting, they:

o       Approved the FY 2011 Overall Work Program,

o       Accepted the CAC membership application from Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board #11,

o       Heard a presentation on the draft FFYs 2011-2014 TIP, and

o       Deferred the proposed amendment to the Bylaws of the CAC

Chair Arakawa explained the deferral of the CAC bylaws amendment by the Policy Committee.  The Policy Committee seemed favorable toward the amendment to the bylaws, but requested that the Attorney General concur with the Deputy Attorney General’s letter regarding the CAC and the Sunshine Law prior to acting on the bylaws amendment. 

 

3. Announcements

Chair Arakawa announced that surveys on future presentation topics and on meeting dates and locations are available today.  The surveys will be emailed or mailed to those members not in attendance.

 

4.  Approval of the May 19, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Hearing no objections, the approval of the meeting minutes was tabled.

 

5.  Other Business

Chair Arakawa introduced Ms. Protheroe from AARP to speak about the comments provided to the OahuMPO on the draft FFYs 2011-2014 TIP.  Ms. Protheroe summarized the highlights of those comments with the following:

·        The current TIP format does not provide adequate information for informed review,

·        Funding omissions are questioned, and

·        Information is necessary for the CAC to be an effective advisory body and meaningful participants in the process.

 

Mr. Dinell moved and Mr. Magaldi seconded that the AARP submission be referred to the staff for consideration in incorporating those changes and presenting the TIP to the CAC.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

The AARP comments will be an agenda item for the July CAC meeting.  Ms. Yasuda will distribute the AARP’s comments to the entire CAC.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.