Mikilua Valley Community Meeting July 11 at 5pm

Message from Sophie Flores:

I would like to invite you to be a part of the initial planning addressing Illegal Dumping on Paakea Rd. We’re going to start with Paakea and work our way to other streets in the valley i.e. Kaukama, Mailiili etc.etc.

Ka Wai Ola O Waianae will be sharing their “Beautification Plan” project for Paakea to address the out-of-control antics of Illegal Dumping.

Aloha – hope to see you there. Food will be served.

Sophie
sophiem@hawaii.rr.com

Mikilua Valley Community Meeting

Who: Residents concerned with Illegal Dumping

 When: July 11th, 2012 – 5pm (Wednesday)

 Why: Heads-up – Be part of the plan

Voice your concern

 Where: 87-1117A Paakea Rd.

 (Behind Mikilua Grocery Store)

Contact: Sophie Flores 668-7026

__________
Update 7/14/12: Sophie Flores: Next Mikilua Community Meeting re Illegal Dumping 7/31/12

Photos of Ka Waihona o ka Na’auao Summer School Program 6/28/12

On 6/28/12, Maile was a member of a panel of people from various fields who addressed Ka Waihona a ka Na’auao public charter school summer school students in grades 7 & 8.

Photos from Ka Pa’alana Preschool Graduation 6/21/12

Maile was the keynote speaker on 6/21/12, when preschoolers from Ka Pa’alana celebrated their graduation at Our Lady of Kea’au.

Preschoolers lined up to be honored on stage.

Maile posed with hard-working Ka Pa’alana staff.  L-R: Danny Goya, Sen. Shimabukuro, and Jan Dill, president of Ka Pa`alana’s parent organization, Partners in Development.

Ka Pa’alana graduates.

Senator Shimabukuro delivering the keynote.

Pa‘i‘ai Pa‘ina: Celebrate pa‘i‘ai at this fundraiser to promote kalo culture

NOTE: This event is on SUNDAY JULY 1 AT 4:00PM. Please click on link below for more information.

Pa‘i‘ai Pa‘ina: Celebrate pa‘i‘ai at this fundraiser to promote kalo culture – Biting Commentary – June 2012 – Honolulu, HI.

Governor releases Veto List

http://hawaii.gov/gov/newsroom/press-releases/governor-sends-notice-of-intent-to-veto-19-bills

 

 

Army Repeats Operation to Eradicate Invasive Weed

Aloha Leeward Coast Community Leaders:

The U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii (USAG-HI) will conduct a second aerial spray operation, June 28-29, to eradicate a population of fountain grass found in Makua Valley.

Oahu Army Natural Resources Program (OANRP) will continue treating plants in a 9.6 acre zone on Makua Military Reservation. The operation is part of the Army and Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) joint effort to keep the destructive, non-native grass from spreading across the Waianae Coast.

The initial aerial spray operation, which was conducted in late May, treated approximately 300 plants, however the operation was halted due to rising winds. Aerial application of an herbicide will be conducted again on individual plants using a small helicopter equipped with a suspended spray ball. Operations will only take place in optimal (low wind/rain) weather conditions, which may be limited to only a few hours tomorrow. During application, a helicopter may be visible from Farrington Highway near Makua Valley.

There are no rare or endangered plants within the treatment area, and the application does not pose a risk to ground or ocean waters, springs, or wells of Makua Valley.

The invasive species management activity is not expected to impact area motorists or hikers. For more information or concerns about this effort, please contact U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Community Relations at 656-3158 or 656-3159.

BACKROUND:

Fountain grass is a state-listed noxious weed, ecologically adapted to fuel brushfires. In December, the OANRP conducted a small-scale, ground-based eradication effort of fountain grass, after a population of the weed was discovered on the cliffs above Kaneana cave along Farrington Highway.

A majority of the plants are located on very steep terrain, making it too dangerous to control by hand, aerial treatment was the next critical step to control the entire population, according to Army biologists.

The plants are scattered on approximately 30 acres of Army and neighboring land, however the operation targets a concentration of plants on approximately 9.6 acres of Army property.

Fountain grass is well-established elsewhere on Oahu, notably Diamond Head and Lanikai. Community members can help stop the spread of invasive seeds by washing boots after each hike, and if found, contact OISC for proper disposal at 808-266-7994 or www.oahuisc.org.

Mahalo-

Amy L. Bugala

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, Public Affairs Chief, Community Relations

314 Sasaoka St. BLDG 300, RM 105, WAAF Schofield Barracks, HI 96857

p:808-656-3158 // f:808-656-3162

amy.bugala@us.army.mil

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE

Hamburger Steak Plate Fundraiser & Yard Sale for Aspiring Waianae Student July 7 & 8

Please help support Manny Miles’ college tuition at Universal Technical Institute. He wants to learn to become a diesel mechanic operator so that he can come back and fix farm equipment and farm. He needs to raise $5,000.00 for his trip to CA in Sept.

Manny Miles, center, with First Lady Michelle Obama when she visited MA’O Farms in Nov. 2011.

Pick Up Dates & Times: 86-024 Glenmonger Street, Wai’anae

Saturday, July 7: 10a-1:30p, 4-8p

Sunday, July 8: 10a-1p, 4-6p

**if order 6 or more, and live in Wai’anae, we can deliver!

Cost: $7.00

For $7.00 you will get Aunty Malia’s famous 2 hamburger steak patties smothered in homemade gravy, 2 scoops of rice, 1 scoop of macaroni salad or tossed greens.

Place an Order:

e-mail:summerls@hawaii.edu with your orders: # plates, day & time of pick up/deliver, kind of salad want, name & contact information or call 478-1927 (Manny’s cell), 721-6592 (Summer’s cell).

Yard Sale July 7-8: 86-024 Glenmonger Street, Wai’anae

A yard sale will be held at the same time to raise money for Manny. We are seeking yard sale donations. Call 478-1927 (Manny’s cell) or 721-6592 (Summer’s cell).

[Note: Manny Miles is Sen. Shimabukuro’s brother-in-law]

Star-Advertiser 6/27/12: Homeless to Work on Kalihi Church’s Waianae Farm

[Note: The following excerpts, photos, and captions are from the 6/27/12 Star-Advertiser. Click here to read the complete article.]

Kalihi Church’s Plan Draws Applause, Questions

Homeless Tapped to Work Waianae Farm
By Dan Nakaso
Photos by Dennis Oda
Jun 27, 2012

Included in the Waianae property purchased by Hawaii Cedar Church are four homes, three of which are in this photo. The homeless workers would live in a 12-bedroom house that needs to be renovated.

Hawaii Cedar Church is buying 4 acres in Waianae Valley on which two dozen homeless people currently residing on the Kalihi church’s grounds will be sent to live and farm the land. Sookie Haymes, a team leader in the church’s homeless/drug treatment project, stood Tuesday on part of the property – which is in escrow — overlooking land on which bok choy is being grown.

A Korean Assembly of God church in Kalihi that currently houses 35 homeless people in tents on its grounds plans to move two dozen of its homeless clients to help run a farm in Waianae Valley in the next several weeks.

State lawmakers who have been wrestling with homeless issues from Waikiki to Kalihi to Waianae had not heard of the plan by Hawaii Cedar Church on Kamehameha IV Road, but offered praise Tuesday after the church’s announcement.

State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro (D, [Kalaeloa-Ka’ena Point]), said, “If it’s legal, it sounds like a good idea.”

Her only concern was that the farm would be used to help homeless people coming from Kalihi, rather than Waianae homeless people who also need housing.

“These people are coming from outside Waianae into Waianae,” Shimabukuro said. “It would be nicer and better if they were from Wai­anae.”

State Rep. John Mizuno (D, Kalihi), who has unsuccessfully pushed for the creation of a homeless “safe zone” somewhere on Oahu, said Hawaii Cedar Church’s plan can serve as an example for other churches and nonprofit organizations concerned about Hawaii’s homeless.

“Government can’t address homelessness alone,” Mizuno said. “Our church in Kalihi is taking the initiative. They’re not waiting for government and all the red tape and it’s a great idea. I’m hoping they’re completely successful.”

The Rev. Duk Whan Kim said through a translator Tuesday that the church is in escrow to buy four acres and four homes on Waianae Valley Road for $400,000 from Mountain View Dairy Inc.

Three of the homes are currently being rented and the fourth, which has 12 bedrooms, was built in 1934 and needs to be renovated.

But within a month to six weeks, Kim hopes to have two dozen homeless people living in the vacant house and working the land raising organically grown yams, Korean cabbage and mulberry.

Eventually, Kim hopes to buy adjacent 15 acres and build a kim chee factory and a store that would sell its produce and could employ as many as three dozen homeless people in the entire operation.

Many of the key details still have not been worked out yet, Kim said, such as how much produce and revenue the farm could yield — and whether it can be financially self-sustaining.

Asked wether[sic] the church has all of the necessary government approvals for the property, which is zoned for agriculture, Kim said, “Right now the city doesn’t know about it.… God will provide the things that we need.”

City Councilman Tom Berg, who represents Waianae, had not heard of the project but said he generally supported the idea.

There would be concerns about how many people can live in a single residence, Berg said.

“It depends on the size of the house,” Berg said. “You can only have so many unrelated people living in a home. … But, in general, we in government should get out of their way. Government is in their way. These homeless people just want to get on the farm and get their hands dirty and take pride and build themselves up.”

Hawaii Cedar Church still needs to raise $30,000 to renovate the house on Waianae Valley Road where the homeless clients would live. So the church plans to sell mandoo from July through August, in addition to holding a Koala Moa chicken fundraiser planned for Aug. 18.

Roberta Searle, chairwoman of the Waianae Neighborhood Board’s economic and development committee, operates two plumeria and pikake farms in Waianae where homeless people have lived and worked.

“I’m not sure how well this is going to fit with the community,” Searle said. “Even if it happens on private land, it still needs to come to the board’s attention.”

Searle has had homeless people beat their alcohol and drug addictions on her farms. She’s also had homeless people “who were dismissed from the job as well as from the property.”

Having homeless people living and working on a farm can lead to “all kinds of disastrous results,” Searle said. “There’s already enough crime in our community based on addictive behaviors. If the goal is to rehabilitate and get them back to be productive citizens, then by all means go ahead and do so. If they’re going to be monitored and evaluated in terms of making progress, then I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

Colin Kippen, who just started his new job as Hawaii’s homeless coordinator, had not heard of Hawaii Cedar Church’s idea, but applauded the concept.

“More power to them,” Kippen said. “I’m just delighted to see what’s going to happen with this. Implementation aways raises concerns in terms of whether they’re safe and well-nourished and given proper care. But it sounds like they have all of the big pieces they need to be successful.”

[Click here to read the complete Star-Advertiser article.]

‘The Lorax’ – Free Movie & Discussion with Sen. Shimabukuro and the Hawaii Institute for Human Rights, July 25

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

 

Summer at the Waianae Library

CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE

 

Update re: ‘Clean and Sober’ & ‘Halfway’ Houses

Senator Maile Shimabukuro

I often receive calls from residents concerned about “clean and sober,” “drug rehab,” or other similar group living “halfway” homes which are either already located, or proposed to be located, in their neighborhoods.  The following is general advice regarding these types of group living homes.

If you know the address of the halfway house, you can try calling the Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) at 768-8000 to ask what, if anything, you and your neighbors can do to protest the permit application.  Generally speaking, stricter requirements for halfway houses are triggered when there are 8 or more residents.

The Legislature passed a bill this session, SB2536, which forms a Task Force to come up with recommendations about how to improve our laws regarding Clean and Sober homes.  Here is a link to the bill, testimony, committee reports, status, etc:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2536

The laws governing halfway houses are found at Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section 46-4.  Here are some of the relevant sections of the law:

…(d)  Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit group living in facilities with eight or fewer residents and that are licensed by the State as provided for under section 321-15.6, or in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the community for persons, including mentally ill, elder, disabled, developmentally disabled, or totally disabled persons, who are not related to the home operator or facility staff; provided that those group living facilities meet all applicable county requirements not inconsistent with the intent of this subsection and including building height, setback, maximum lot coverage, parking, and floor area requirements.

(e)  No permit shall be issued by a county agency for the operation of a halfway house, a clean and sober home, or a drug rehabilitation home unless a public informational meeting is first held in the affected community.  The State shall provide notification and access to relevant information, as required, under chapter 846E.

A clean and sober home shall be considered a residential use of property and shall be a permitted or conditional use in residentially designated zones, including but not limited to zones for single-family dwellings.

(f)  For purposes of this section:

“Clean and sober home” means a house that is operated pursuant to a program designed to provide a stable environment of clean and sober living conditions to sustain recovery and that is shared by unrelated adult persons who:

(1)  Are recovering from substance abuse;

(2)  Share household expenses; and

(3)  Do not require twenty-four-hour supervision, rehabilitation, or therapeutic services or care in the home or on the premises;

provided that the home shall meet all applicable laws, codes, and rules of the counties and State.

“Developmentally disabled person” means a person suffering from developmental disabilities as defined under section 333F-1.

“Disabled person” means a person with a disability as defined under section 515-2.

“Drug rehabilitation home” means:

(1)  A residential treatment facility that provides a therapeutic residential program for care, diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation for socially or emotionally distressed persons, mentally ill persons, persons suffering from substance abuse, and developmentally disabled persons; or

(2)  A supervised living arrangement that provides mental health services, substance abuse services, or supportive services for individuals or families who do not need the structure of a special treatment facility and are transitioning to independent living;

provided that drug rehabilitation homes shall not include halfway houses or clean and sober homes.

“Elder” means an elder as defined under section 356D-1.

“Halfway house” means a group living facility for people who:

(1)  Have been released or are under supervised release from a correctional facility;

(2)  Have been released from a mental health treatment facility; or

(3)  Are receiving substance abuse or sex offender treatment; and

are housed to participate in programs that help them readjust to living in the community.

“Intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the community” means an identifiable unit providing residence and care for eight or fewer individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Its primary purpose is the provision of health, social, and rehabilitation services to the individuals with intellectual disabilities through an individually designed active treatment program for each resident.  No person who is predominantly confined to bed shall be admitted as a resident of such a facility.

“Mental health treatment facility” means a psychiatric facility or special treatment facility as defined under section 334-1.

“Mentally ill person” has the same meaning as defined under section 334-1.

“Totally disabled person” means a “person totally disabled” as defined under section 235-1.

“Treatment program” means a “substance abuse program” or “treatment program”, as those terms are defined under section 353G-2.

Here is a link to the entire section of the HI Revised Statutes 46-4:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol02_Ch0046-0115/HRS0046/HRS_0046-0004.htm

Waianae Shopping Center outdoor warning siren to be tested tomorrow from 8:30AM to 1:00PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the Department of Emergency Management City and County of Honolulu

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Waianae Shopping Center outdoor warning siren to be tested tomorrow

The City Department of Emergency Management in conjunction with Hawaii State Civil Defense will test an outdoor warning siren on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The siren is located at:
     Waianae Shopping Center

The test is being conducted to ensure that the siren is operating at full power and providing optimal audible range.

Residents and businesses in the surrounding communities may hear the steady tone during the test and should not be alarmed.

Hawaii State Civil Defense funds the purchase and installation of these sirens. Once they are installed, they are released to the City for monthly testing and emergency activation.

Address/Location Department of Emergency Management             650 S King St Honolulu, HI 96813

Contact                                     Emergency: 9-1-1                Non-emergencies: 808-723-8960

Input Request for Nanakuli Public Library – Deadline July 31

Kimura International is soliciting public input for the Environmental Assessment: Nanakuli Public Library Early Consultation. Comments from the general public are welcomed. Send them to Kimura International, Inc., 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1610, Honolulu, HI 96814. Fax: 808-941-8999. For more information, call 808-944-8848

[Note: Click here for the updated announcement. The deadline was originally July 11, 2012.]

Update on The Bus re Routes/Services

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Zion Ipuka Aug. 3 Golf Tournament to Benefit Homeless on Westside

Click image to enlarge.

Click here to visit the website.

Star-Advertiser (6/10/12): ‘Victims Have More Time to Sue for Past Sex Abuse’

Victims Have More Time to Sue for Past Sex Abuse: Groups Vulnerable to the Longer Statute of Limitations Have Criticized the New Law

By Derrick DePledge
Star-Advertiser, June 10, 2012

Victims of childhood sexual abuse in Hawaii will have more time to bring civil lawsuits under a new state law that recognizes that many are often too afraid or ashamed to confront their abusers sooner.

The law provides victims who have been unable to file civil lawsuits because the statute of limitations has expired a two-year window — or until April 2014 — to go to court. Victims can sue their alleged abusers and churches, community groups or businesses that were grossly negligent at preventing sexual misconduct.

“I think it’s critical because the amount of time it takes — especially a child — to realize what’s happened to them and to then have the courage to come forward is really unimaginable.” –Maile Shimabukuro, State senator who sponsored the statute of limitations bills.

The law also extends the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits to eight years from the victim’s 18th birthday or three years from the time the victim discovers his or her psychological injuries are related to past abuse. State law had previously set the statute of limitations at two years under both circumstances.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed the law in April. The governor had vetoed a similar bill last year because it would have eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits and included the state among the entities that could be sued. The administration warned that the bill could have threatened due-process rights and exposed the state to unknown liability.

State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Ko Olina-Makua), who sponsored both bills, said the new law is a compromise.

“I think it’s critical because the amount of time it takes — especially a child — to realize what’s happened to them and to then have the courage to come forward is really unimaginable,” she said.

Sex abuse treatment experts believe the new law, modeled after laws in California and Delaware, will give victims a chance to obtain justice while also exposing long-hidden abusers.

A Honolulu man has filed suit under the law, alleging that he was abused as a 13-year-old Damien Memorial School student on a retreat in the 1980s by the Rev. Gerald Funcheon, then the school chaplain. Funcheon has been the target of several sexual abuse lawsuits on the mainland.

A victim who sues must file a certificate of merit that includes a statement from a psychologist, therapist, counselor or social worker concluding that there is a reasonable basis for the abuse claim. A defendant who is falsely accused would be entitled to attorney’s fees if the court finds there was no basis in fact for the allegation and the suit was filed with malicious intent.

The Hawaii Catholic Conference, the public-policy arm of the Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii, opposed the new law, arguing that it could cause substantial problems for churches, camps, youth programs and other nonprofits that work with children and teenagers.

Click here to read the rest of the article at the Star-Advertiser site.

Pasteles, Kalua Pig, LauLau

Sen. Shimabukuro To Participate in “Talk Story” on June 20

Westside Service Provider Network Group “Talk Story” with Legislators

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012
9:00AM to 11:00AM
Waianae Neighborhood Community Center (aka Satellite City Hall)
85-670 FARRINGTON HIGHWAY Waianae, HI 96792

Light refreshments to be served

For more information, contact:
Raelene Tenno—Provider Liason
Westside Service Provider Network Group
westsideserviceprovidernetwork@gmail.com
808-368-3657

Community Concerns: Makaha Homeless, New Waianae Harbormaster, Fishing Permit for Keawaula Bay, Contacting President Obama

Senator Maile Shimabukuro

Aloha!  Here are my responses to some recent community concerns that have come to my attention:

What is being done about the homeless near Mount Lahilahi and the bus stop across Makaha Marketplace?
Around mid-May, the City Parks Department inspected the Turtle Beach and Lahilahi areas.  The City reported that they did not observe illegal tents or structures in those areas. However, the City did observe individuals “hanging out” around the Lahilahi comfort station and bus stop during the day, which in itself is not illegal.  HPD is aware of the community’s concerns about these areas, so please contact them right away if you observe illegal activities occurring.

Who is our new harbormaster?
Congratulations to John Swift, who was appointed as our new Waianae Harbormaster in March 2012.  John is the son of Norman and Bonita Swift, co-presidents of Waianae Boat Fishing Club.  Harbormaster Swift reports that there are still a few slips available at the harbor, and the cost depends on the size of the boat.  If you have any harbor-related questions, or questions about the upcoming Ahi Fever Fishing Tournament over Father’s Day weekend, contact Harbormaster Swift at Waianae.harbor@hawaii.gov or 697-7095.

How do you get a fishing permit for Keawaula Bay, aka, Yokohama Bay?
You may apply for a fishing permit at Keawaula Bay at the Waianae Boat Harbor on a first-come, first-served basis.  Permits last for one year, and cover the hours of 9pm-4am (ie, when the park is closed).  One  permit covers groups of up to 10 people.  Only use of portable canopies with 1 or 2 sides, eg, “lean-to” type tents, are allowed.  No sleeping bags, cots, commercial activities, alcohol/drugs, and vehicles on the beach, are allowed.  Applicants need to bring a valid ID card to the Waianae Boat Harbor to apply for a fishing permit, during the hours of 7:45am-4pm, Monday through Friday.  For more information, contact Harbormaster John Swift at Waianae.harbor@hawaii.gov or 697-7095

How do you contact President Obama?
The most reliable information on how to go about sending a letter to the President of the United States can be found at this link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call#write

To call the President, dial 202-456-1111 (comments), or 202-456-1414 (switchboard).  For hearing or speech-impaired individuals needing TTY/TTD assistance, call 202-456-6213 (comments), or 202-456-2121(Visitors’ Office).

To write a letter to the President, here are a few simple things you can do to make sure your message gets to the White House as quickly as possible.

1. If possible, email us the White House via their website, http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments.  This is the fastest way to get your message to President Obama.
2. If you write a letter, please consider typing it on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. If you hand-write your letter, please consider using pen and writing as neatly as possible.
3. Please include your return address on your letter as well as your envelope. If you have an email address, please consider including that as well.
4. And finally, be sure to include the full address of the White House to make sure you message gets to us as quickly and directly as possible: The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

Foreclosure Reform Passed in 2012

The Legislature passed reforms to Hawaii’s foreclosure law in 2011 (Act 48), and further amended the law in 2012 (HB1875).

Here are some articles highlighting the key changes:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2012/05/attorneys-say-hawaii-foreclosure-bill.html

http://hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/foreclosure-reform-bill-passes-final.html