Speakers Bring Attention To Livability Issues At Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Monthly Meeting

Livability, in a variety of forms, was a topic of conversation during our November 17 meeting. Here are highlights:

Counting The Homeless: K.C. Connors of the Windward Homeless Alliance told us about the upcoming Oahu Point-In-Time Count, scheduled for January 22-27, 2017. The Alliance is seeking volunteers to conduct the annual survey, which is used to secure federal funding for services and housing for the homeless. 

Point-In-Time volunteers receive
training before conducting the survey.

A small turnout of volunteers is thought to have been a factor in a low count on the Windward side for last year's survey. This year, community members may volunteer to count as individuals, groups or businesses. Volunteers will be trained to administer a one-page survey to each homeless individual they encounter during the census.

Also regarding the homeless, we were told that Neighborhood Watch is reporting an increase in Windward Homeless numbers as individuals leave the rapidly developing Kakaako area of Honolulu.

Sharing Rides: We learned about a new vanpool program called Rideshare by Enterprise that is now serving our area.

In the program, volunteer drivers form vanpools of seven to 15 riders who have similar schedules and commute to the same geographic area each day. Each driver receives a monthly subsidy of $500 to cover van costs. Drivers also have use of their vans after working hours and on weekends. Vanpool riders pay $100 per month.

The Legislature provided the city $1 million over two years to support the program, with a goal of getting 1,050 drivers off the road. Enterprise representative Kanani Iaea, responding to a question from a resident, said the program does not affect funding for The Bus service. She also said the intent of the program is to offer another transportation solution, not to hurt Bus service.

Sharing Good Food: The Blue Zones Project is launching a campaign that combines healthy eating and socializing. The Potluck Moai campaign holds its organizing event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 1, at Bay View Golf Course, 45-285 Kaneohe Bay Drive.

Blue Zones describes potluck moais as “social groups of 5-8 people who gather at least 5 times during the course of 10 weeks to share healthy recipes and conversation in a potluck setting.”

For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Vanessa Stewart at Vanessa.Stewart@healthways.com or call 808-564-4767.

We welcome your comments, in person and online

Comments on this blog are welcomed. To add a comment, please click on the link below. Also, please like us on Facebook and join us for all of our meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may provide testimony online and contact Neighborhood Board members directly.

Vanpool, Senate Outreach, Mosquito Control On Agenda For Kaneohe Neighborhood Board

The agenda is set for our meeting on Thursday, November 17, and we hope you will join us. Details are below. To review the complete agenda online, click on this link.

Follow the banner to our November meeting.

Rideshare by Enterprise: Account Representative Kanani Iaea is scheduled to describe a new vanpool program that the city hopes will get 1,050 drivers off the road. In the program, the city will provide $1 million for two years to help motorists form vanpools that use Enterprise vehicles. Vanpool riders will pay $100 per month.

Senator’s Constituent Services: Kathy Bryant, an outreach liaison for Senator Brian Schatz, is expected to give a brief presentation about the senator’s office services and youth programs.

Mosquito Control Study Resolution: Our vice-chairman, Bill Sager, will present a revised resolution supporting research on eliminating mosquitos from the state. The resolution will ask the Legislature to authorize the University of Hawaii to do the research. The resolution was revised after Board members raised questions at our October meeting. The revised version clarifies that mosquitos represent a threat to humans as well as wildlife, and that the study should encompass the entire state. A decision on the resolution is expected at our meeting.

Other Business: Our agenda always includes time for reports from the Fire and Police Departments, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, elected officials from the state and local levels, community organizations, and our Board committees.

Vacant Seats: Three seats are currently open on the Board. They represent Sub-District 4, Keahala; Sub-District 8, Kapunahala; and Sub-District 12, Pikoiloa. The Board is authorized to fill vacancies by appointment. Community members may indicate their interest by contacting Board Chairman Mo Radke or by attending a Board meeting. A map of the district is available online, as is a street index that is organized by sub-district (search for District 30 in the index, then find the sub-district).

Details: The Board meeting will take place in the cafeteria of Benjamin Parker Elementary School, 45-259 Waikalua Road, starting at 7 p.m. 

Click on the highlighted links above to read the full agenda and find more information about agenda topics. The minutes of our October meeting also are now available. Click on the highlighted link to read them.

Issue Update – Charter Amendments: The results of the vote on 20 proposed amendments to the city charter are available online. Our Board passed a resolution in September urging the Honolulu Charter Commission to inform residents about the amendments to help them decide how to vote. Sixteen of the 20 amendments passed.

We welcome your comments, in person and online

Please join us for all of our meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may provide testimony online and contact Neighborhood Board members directly.

Comments on this blog are welcomed. To add a comment, please click on the link below. Also, please like us on Facebook and comment there.