Research Reserve, Dog Park And Traffic Study Earn Support From Kaneohe Neighborhood Board

We approved resolutions supporting three Kaneohe-area projects during our March meeting. The projects focus on the environment of Kaneohe Bay, providing off-leash space for dogs and combatting speeding through a residential neighborhood. All three resolutions passed on 9-0 votes.

Here are highlights of the resolutions:

Kaneohe Bay Environment: This resolution, offered by Vice Chairman Bill Sager, supports the He’eia National Estuarine Research Reserve and state funding to match federal funding for the project. The new reserve will provide research and a mix of traditional and scientific practices to keep the 1,385 acre He’eia estuary healthy. The Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology is to manage the reserve.

The federal government has committed approximately $700,000 to the project, and the state needs to provide approximately $400,000. The resolution includes a provision that the manager of the reserve make twice-yearly reports to the Neighborhood Board. The provision was added at the request of Board Member Felipe San Nicolas, who wants assurances the project is meeting its goals.

Legislation to provide the state funding (Senate Bill 1178) passed the Senate on a 25-0 vote and is in the House.

Off-Leash Space For Dogs: Offered by Vice Chairman Sager, this resolution supports the work of the Windward Dog Park Hui to build a fenced enclosure where dog owners can let their pets roam. The facility would cover about an acre and would have separate areas for large and small dogs.

Janine Tully (left) and Emily Vergara presented the
case for an off-leash dog park on the Windward side

The Hui’s president, Janine Tully, and vice president, Emily Vergara, told us that 56 percent of Windward residents own dogs. They said area residents have been trying to open an off-lease park for 20 years. The Hui leaders said their group picked up the effort three years ago and has been working with legislators and city officials to move the project forward.

In response to a question from Board Secretary Jonathan Hanks, Ms. Tully said that cost of the project has not been determined. She said Hui members hope to secure donations and city funding, as a similar group in Hawaii Kai did in 2008.

Residential Speeding: Introduced by Board Member Deborah Collins, this resolution asks the city Department of Transportation to reconsider a request to install traffic calming measures on Pua Alowalo Street between Pua Inia and Makalani Streets.

The resolution says residents feel threatened by an unusually high volume of traffic on Pua Alowalo, tied to cars seeking a fast way to return to the Kamehameha Highway from the Windward City Shopping Center. The resolution also says speeding is a problem shortly after school lets out and in the evening.

The resolution notes that the Transportation Department studied the issue briefly a few months ago but recommended no action. The resolution asks that the department return for more in-depth study and that it consider traffic-calming measures that are “effective and self-enforcing.”

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.

Construction, Research Reserve, Dog Park, Traffic On Agenda For Neighborhood Board Meeting

The agenda is set for our meeting on Thursday, March 16, and we hope you will join us. Details are below. To review the complete agenda online, click on this link.

Anoi Road Water System Improvement Project: Bryan Gallagher and Sean Shigenaga of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply are scheduled to give a presentation of the upcoming work. The project will replace more than a mile of pipe that was laid from the 1930s to 1950s.  It will involve daytime lane closures on roads including the Kamehameha Highway.

Ahuimanu Wastewater Pretreatment Facility Improvements: James Nearman of the City and County of Honolulu is scheduled to give an update on this project. It is part of the Kaneohe-Kailua Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment Facilities Project, which is designed to reduce sewage pollution in Kaneohe Bay. A map of the Ahuimanu facility is available by clicking on this link  and scrolling to Page 4.

Board Resolution: Our vice-chairman, Bill Sager, is scheduled to introduce a resolution about the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve for consideration and decision-making. The new reserve will encompass 1,385 acres of Kaneohe Bay. The Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology will manage the reserve.

Windward Dog Park Hui: Janine Tully and Emily Vegara are scheduled to present information about establishing a fenced area as an off-leash dog park on the Windward side. Mr. Sager is scheduled to present a resolution about the issue for consideration and discussion.

Pua Alowalo Street Resolution: Board member Deborah Collins is scheduled to present the resolution for discussion. Residents say speeding drivers threaten pedestrians and crash on the road. They believe drivers are using the road as a thrill ride and shortcut from Windward City Shopping Center back to Kamehameha Highway.

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.

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 February meeting also are now available. Click on the highlighted link to read them.

Board Vacancies: There are three vacancies on the Board. They represent Sub-District 2 (Windward Mall area), Sub-District 6 (Waikalua) and Sub-District 12 (Mokulele). 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).

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.