At its general meeting on June 4, 2013, the Waianae Neighborhood Board heard a report from Ken Takemoto, Chief Liquor Control Investigator of the Honolulu Liquor Commission (LIQ). He voiced concerns about the high volume of liquor sales and liquor selling establishments on the coastline. The gross liquor sales totaled $218,120, which excludes the Ko`Olina resort, for the fiscal year July 2012-June 2013. This amount includes liquor dispensing establishment sales, real establishment sales, miscellaneous licensees and a vessel licensee. In order to prevent violent crimes and accidents related to drinking alcohol in the area, the LIQ aims to provide educational programs to reduce underage and unsafe drinking as 70% of all underage minors receive alcohol from family members and friends. Takemoto reviewed other rules and regulations such as the hours allowed for liquor service in establishments with licenses. LIQ is able to revoke licenses if liquor is served after 2:00 A.M. Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) businesses must discontinue liquor consumption after 12:00 midnight if they do not have licenses.
Elisa Yadao, Senior Vice-president of HMSA, was present at the meeting to discuss the HMSA connection with the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) and to introduce Dr. Steven Bradley, the Medical Director of WCCHC. Yadao reported that negotiations are still ongoing with WCCHC to reach an agreement with QUEST provisions for its patients. The board was also informed that there is an outreach program for substance abuse and that a child psychologist is available in the clinic and the emergency room. Suggestions were made to cut HMSA costs to its members: discontinue their magazine and eliminate mail-out surveys to participants.
Other community concerns were expressed at the meeting. One resident complained about the high price of campsite fees which costs $125 a day and puts a strain on families’ budgets. Another resident addressed the mooring of boats in Pokai Bay which obstructs canoe paddling activities. State Director Aila of the Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) indicated that a marine events permit may be secured to prohibit boats from mooring in the bay during paddling season.
More community news was reported:
- Abandoned Tire Task Force met last May and heard a presentation by AES which started a tire to energy project at Kalaeloa.
- City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is planning to construct a coastal rock revetment at Mauna Lahilahi Beach Park in Waianae.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) will be reducing existing speed limit on Farrington Highway in the vicinity of Makaha Beach Park from 35 MPH to 25 MPH.
- Kaupuni Stream Bridge was inspected in January, 2013, and found to be structurally sound.
- As part of the State Early Education/School Readiness Program, a total of 12 new classrooms are projected to be built at the Ka Pua Project on St. John’s Road.
The Waianae Neighborhood Board will meet again on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at the Waianae District Park Multi-purpose Room, 85-601 Farrington Highway, starting at 7:00 P.M. New business on their agenda includes a presentation on the Hawaii State Coalition against Domestic Violence by Christoper Yanuaria, MSW, program coordinator. Also on the agenda is a resolution requesting the Honolulu Emergency Services Department to obtain a second private ambulance service provider as a backup to the present one. The public is invited to attend and present questions and opinions.
