HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/2016 Council minutes COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order
by Council Chair Mel Rapozo at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Suite 201,
Lihu`e, Kauai, on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8:31 a.m., after which the
following Members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Gary L. Hooser
Honorable Ross Kagawa (present at 8:32 a.m.)
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
Honorable Mel Rapozo
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Councilmember Chock moved for approval of the agenda as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Chair Rapozo: Just as a reminder on the Transportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant item, the Administration
will not be here today. They are at the Planning Conference out in Po`ipu. That does
not prevent us from having discussion; just to let you know that they will not be here
today.
The motion for approval of the agenda as circulated was then put, and carried
by a vote of 6:0:1 (Councilmember Kagawa was excused).
MINUTES of the following meetings of the Council:
August 3, 2016 Council Meeting
August 17, 2016 Council Meeting
(Councilmember Kagawa was noted as present.)
Councilmember Kaneshiro moved to approve the Minutes as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Chock, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Next item, please.
COUNCIL MEETING 2 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
JADE K. FOUNTAIN-TANIGAWA, County Clerk: Chair, we have a request
by a member of the public to take item C 2016-199 off of the Consent Calendar so that
he could testify.
Council Chair Rapozo: The resolution will be coming right up, but if
there is no objection, can I get a motion to remove agenda item C 2016-199 from the
Consent Calendar?
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to remove C 2016-199 from the Consent
Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Chock.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion?
Councilmember Kagawa: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead.
Councilmember Kagawa: I think many times the Consent Calendar is
not being used by the entire public; it is being used by the regulars to take it off the
Consent Calendar and I think it is poor practice. We have an item coming up; it is a
very short agenda. You might be waiting five (5) minutes. Again, it is not for
somebody new, but for the regulars that show up who are asking for items to be taken
off the Consent Calendar. I think it is just poor practice, but I will support the
majority of the Council.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any further discussion?
The motion to remove C 2016-199 from the Consent Calendar was then put,
and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Can I get a motion to receive C 2016-200 and
C 2016-201?
CONSENT CALENDAR:
C 2016-200 Communication (09/06/2016) from Councilmember Yukimura,
transmitting for Council consideration, a Resolution Requesting The Renaming Of
The Kaniko`o Senior Housing Project To "Rice Camp Senior Housing."
C 2016-201 Communication (09/08/2016) from Councilmember Kaneshiro,
providing written disclosure of a possible conflict of interest and recusal
regarding C 2016-192 and Bill No. 2637, Office of Economic Development, Grant In
COUNCIL MEETING 3 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Aid for Special Events Security for the Koloa Plantation Days Parade, as he is a Board
Member and Parade Coordinator for the Koloa Plantation Days event.
Councilmember Chock moved to receive C 2016-200 and C 2016-201 for the
record, seconded by Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion or public testimony?
The motion to receive C 2016-200 and C 2016-201 for the record was then put,
and carried by a vote of 6:0:1 (Councilmember Kagawa voting no).
COMMUNICATIONS:
C 2016-199 Communication (08/30/2016) from the Acting County Engineer,
transmitting for Council consideration, a Resolution Establishing Traffic Lane
Modifications And Bicycle Lanes On Rice Street And Ho`olako Street; Establishing
Crosswalks On Rice Street, Ho`olako Street, Kalena Street, Ho`ala Street, And
Malama Street; And Repealing, Amending, And Establishing Parking Restrictions
And Bus Stops On Rice Street, County Of Kaua`i: Councilmember Kuali`i moved to
receive C 2016-199 for the record, seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Chair Rapozo: Who is the registered speaker?
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Mr. Glenn Mickens.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
GLENN MICKENS: Thank you, Council Chair. For the record,
Glenn Mickens. I understand what Councilmember Kagawa is saying, but many
times an agenda is very short and no matter how short it happens to be, it goes on
and on. I requested this item to be remove off the Consent Calendar so I will not have
to be here in the afternoon. You have a copy of my testimony and let me read it for
the viewing public. "This resolution amongst other things says to establish traffic
lane modifications and bicycle lanes on Rice Street and Ho`olako Street. Years ago,
we expanded Rice Street from two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes to alleviate traffic
problems and keep vehicles moving at a better pace.
With vehicle usage increasing, why should we even consider narrowing Rice
Street by reconfiguring it and adding bike lanes—bike lanes that I am still waiting to
hear what mandates or plan is pushing them. These lanes are seldom used by bikers,
are extremely dangerous when used by them, and exacerbates traffic by narrowing
the road for vehicles. Is there not a governing body, the Administration and the
Council, ever going to listen to the people, what they want and need and not what our
leaders want to give them? We do not need to be spending our time, money, and effort
COUNCIL MEETING 4 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
on the multimillion dollar beautification of Rice Street; the multimillion dollar multi-
use path; putting bike lanes down our roads that are not needed; spending millions
of dollars on the Hardy Street project; moving ahead with hundreds of housing and
business units before making sure that infrastructure is in place to handle the
vehicles coming out of these developments.
The public is screaming for a solution to our traffic, wider roads, and more
alternative roads to ease the problem; curbside recycling along with a Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF) to handle the materials; properly resurfacing all our roads
and not be raising our taxes, but by delving into the waste our government is
squandering money earmarked for road repairs, but is going elsewhere, and a County
Manager style of government that would address these issues and so many more.
All these problems need to be prioritized and make sure that the public does
the prioritizing and not our government who seems to be completely out of touch with
how our budget is used." This is my opinion and I think it is the opinion of many
people out there that are wondering, "What is going on?" Why are we spending
millions on certain projects? Why are we spending ten times more on bridges to be
rebuild and the other method is going to save us a lot of money? The button has
already been pushed and the public sits up here, testifying, but I am not sure if
anybody is listening. It is our right, this I know, and I know certain members respond
to it and I am very happy with that. I hope before the button is pushed to go ahead
with projects like this one, that we consider the long-term thing okay? Thank you,
Council Chair.
BRUCE HART: For the record, Bruce Hart. Mr. Mickens has
asked several times, "Why?" I think somewhere I read or you could answer this...that
if there are Federal grants attached to this, part of the grant process is that bike lanes
have to be built. That is part of the strings attached to acquiring the funds. I am not
sure if that is the case in this particular, but maybe it is the case in some of where
the bike lanes are being built. Last week, I testified that I ride my bicycle when my
back will allow it. Since I was a boy and I rode a bicycle, I do not ride with the traffic.
I do not know where you would put these bicycle lanes on Rice Street that I would
consider it safe. I know it is controversial, but I would love to have an alternate bike
route that you could travel everywhere. As we have discussed last week, where you
have the flow of traffic and bike lanes going each way, I am not going to do that. I
even thought about it. To take the expense to put up guardrails, as I was talking, is
too much. It is too much expense and it is going to narrow the road further. I do not
think it is Lyle or the rest of the people in the Department of Public Works, I have
this feeling that this is mandated somehow and that they are having to do this and
having to do it a certain way. You would know more about that than me, but I am not
for narrowing Rice Street. I agree with Mr. Mickens and many other people that I
have talked to, the traffic flow needs to keep going. Thank you.
COUNCIL MEETING 5 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Anyone else wishing to testify? If
not, I will call the meeting back to order. Further discussion?
There being no further testimony, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: As you have stated, Mr. Hart, that
Mr. Mickens has asked that question constantly and I have spoken to him before
today's meeting and that question has been answer. Unfortunately, sometimes the
answer is not the answer you want to hear, but the more you ask will not change the
answer. At the end of the day, you are right on target, some of these grants have
certain requirements that need to be accomplished and that is the bottom line. The
question is whether or not the Administration is satisfied or willing to accept that
requirement with the acceptance of the funds. I think the Administration is hearing,
as we have heard on many occasions, that maybe that is not the direction that the
County should be going when we are talking about a street like Rice Street. Maybe
we should be focusing on alternate bike routes that will keep bikes safe, but it is a
controversial issue. There are valid arguments on both sides, but at the end of the
day as Mr. Mickens asked me this morning before the meeting, "Who makes that
call," and at the end of the day it is the Mayor. The Council approves funding, but at
the end of the day the actual logistics of what will be planned and hiring a consultant
is their choice; it is not our choice. The consultant comes back with recommendations
and that is the Administration's prerogative to decide what they want to do. Often
times the Council will be accused of everything and are being asked, "How come you
folks are doing this or that?" What we did was we approved the application of a grant
because that has to come to us, but once we approve that, the administration of the
grant is with the Administration and not the Council. I agree with a lot of what you
folks are saying, but at some point, the people have to understand that it is the
Administration that makes the decision. With this process of the TIGER grant, this
Council will have a very tough decision, for some, I think, but for me, I believe we can
say no. Is that popular? No. Does it make the County look good in the Federal
government's eyes? No. However, is that a reason to support funding because we do
not want to upset the Federal government and we do not want to ruin our chances for
the next grant?That is where the discussion will be. I think there are valid arguments
on both sides of that issue, so I am not going to say I am right or wrong, but the
bottom line is at the end of the day the Council has their responsibility and the
Administration has theirs. I just want to make that clear. It is not that we have not
been answering the questions, because we have. I personally have, but again,
sometimes it is not what people want to hear, but it does not change the fact that that
is the reality of what is going on. Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Pardon me, but I may not have heard clearly
what you intend to do with this Resolution today.
COUNCIL MEETING 6 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: We are only on the communication right now.
What is going to happen is the Administration has requested that we move forward
for a public hearing October 5th. That is what the suggestion or recommendation will
be today. The presentation will be done next week at the September 28th Committee
Meeting. We will set the Public Hearing today, though, because we need the ten (10)
day notice, so we will have the presentation from the Administration on September
28th, Public Hearing will be on October 5th, then it will go back to the Committee for
discussion and action, and ultimately action by the full Council. That is the plan.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. I am glad it will go to the Committee
Meeting next week because I think some of these things have to be cleared up in
terms of whether it is bikeways or mandatory or not, that types of things, and people
will have a better basis on which to testify at the Public Hearing. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any further discussion? Seeing none, the
motion is to receive for the record.
The motion to receive C 2016-199 for the record was then put, and unanimously
carried.
C 2016-202 Communication (09/01/2016) from the Fire Chief, requesting
Council approval to accept a donation from the Kaua`i Lifeguard Association (KLA),
for a total value of $15,819.23, of one (1) Jet Ski ($13,189.51) and one (1) Jet Ski
Trailer ($2,629.72), to be utilized specifically for the Junior Lifeguard Program, to
enhance the safety of the Junior Lifeguard participants and assist the
Lifeguards/Coaches in demonstrating simulated rescues that can occur in the ocean:
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to approve C 2016-202 with thank-you letter to follow,
seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any discussion or public
testimony? Seeing none. I just want to say thank you to KLA. Chief, you do not have
to come up, but if you can at some point provide us a list of what they have done for
the County over the years. I think it is important to recognize KLA. They have done
a lot and they are providing our Ocean Safety people a lot of equipment and resources.
With that, Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I have a question for the Fire Chief.
Council Chair Rapozo: With that, I will suspend the rules.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
ROBERT F. WESTERMAN, Fire Chief: Aloha Chair and Members of the
Council. For the record, Robert Westerman, Fire Chief.
COUNCIL MEETING 7 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you, Chief. Is this a new Jet Ski and
new trailer?
Mr. Westerman: Yes.
Councilmember Kagawa: What is the plan for the Kauai lifeguards to
use with the Junior Lifeguard Program? Is it to show them how we use Jet Skis for
rescues?
Mr. Westerman: It is multifaceted; good question. We actually
use an on-duty Jet Ski now, which takes it away from service or it might have to be
pulled away. It helps when all of the kids are in the water that we have the Jet Ski
out there to support them and then they get training on how to get on and off the
rescue board and those type of things.
Councilmember Kagawa: So we are already using a Jet Ski and we are
borrowing it from somewhere else many times to support this program and now we
will not have to take away from somewhere else.
Mr. Westerman: Yes.
Councilmember Kagawa: How many total Jet Skis will we have?
Mr. Westerman: We will have six (6).
Councilmember Kagawa: Are we monitoring to make sure that the Jet
Skis are handled properly and we have internal controls in place to make sure that
horseplay and what have you is not going to be tolerated?
Mr. Westerman: Yes, in the Ocean Safety Bureau, we have a
program where the water safety officers have to go through a three (3) week long
training program in order to even be qualified to operate the Jet Ski. We have a
different one in the Fire Department and now we are combining them so that it
becomes a stronger program, more cohesive between the two (2) divisions. We do
have Jet Skis in the Fire Department side also and of the six (6) Jet Skis, one is
actually going to move over to Fire down into Hanapepe.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you.
Mr. Westerman: If I may say one (1) more thing, Chair. This is
a thank you to KLA, but it is sort of a pass-through from the Hawai`i Tourism
Authority. Hawai`i Tourism Authority gave KLA some money this year to help
support the Junior Lifeguard Program, and so part of that funding is also helping to
COUNCIL MEETING 8 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
support these Jet Skis. We will make sure that the Staff gets the right information
to help with the thank-you letter.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay. Thank you. Go ahead, Councilmember
Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Good morning, Chief.
Mr. Westerman: Good morning.
Councilmember Yukimura: The Lifeguard Program has six (6) Jet Skis
and the Fire Department has other Jet Skis?
Mr. Westerman: Well there are six (6) total.
Councilmember Yukimura: For the entire Department?
Mr. Westerman: Yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: Do you have enough places to store these Jet
Skis so that they are properly protected against the environment?
Mr. Westerman: Yes. We currently store two (2) down in
Hanalei in the Jet Ski hale, three (3) at the Koloa Jet Ski hale, and one (1) at the
Hanalei Station.
Councilmember Yukimura: What is the life of a Jet Ski?
Mr. Westerman: Good question. We are probably getting six
(6) years out of a Jet Ski and that is with good quality routine maintenance. Both of
our Fire mechanics are actually qualified to repair them and one (1) of our Water
Safety Officers is also qualified. We do pretty good maintenance. The men take care
of them and flush them routinely, so we get about six (6) years at least.
Councilmember Yukimura: That is good. Do you have, like with your fire
trucks, a replacement program?
Mr. Westerman: Pretty much the replacement program for the
Jet Ski is "as needed" because it is not so much every year that we really need to look
at replacing Jet Skis. We have actually been lucky with donations, almost every Jet
Ski we have right now has been donated in some fashion from the community or from
KLA.
COUNCIL MEETING 9 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay.
Mr. Westerman: But, no, we have not established a regular
routine. We just try to stretch them as long as we possibly can.
Councilmember Yukimura: Alright, thank you very much. We certainly do
appreciate the help from the community, the visitor association, and the Lifeguard
Association.
Mr. Westerman: Yes, thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any other questions for the Chief?
If not, thank you, Chief.
Mr. Westerman: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Chock.
The meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Councilmember Chock: The item is referencing KLA, but can we
ensure HTA is also included in the thank-you letter?
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes. In the future, Chief, could you put that in
the communication because it was completely left out. We thank both of the
organizations because we definitely appreciate the Jet Ski and the trailer.
The motion to approve C 2016-202 with thank-you letter to follow was then
put, and unanimously carried.
CLAIM:
C 2016-203 Communication (08/29/2016) from the County Clerk,
transmitting a claim filed against the County of Kaua`i by GEICO Insurance as
subrogee for Julie Sigler, for damages to her vehicle, pursuant to Section 23.06,
Charter of the County of Kaua`i: Councilmember Kuali`i moved to refer C 2016-203
to the County Attorney's Office for disposition and/or report back to the Council,
seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion or public testimony?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
COUNCIL MEETING 10 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to refer C 2016-203 to the County Attorney's Office for disposition
and/or report back to the Council was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Next item, please.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PUBLIC WORKS / PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE:
A report (No. CR-PWPR 2016-14) submitted by the Public Works / Parks &
Recreation Committee, recommending that the following be Received for the Record:
"PWPR 2016-13 — Communication (08/22/2016) from Committee Chair
Kagawa, requesting the presence of the Acting County Engineer, to provide an
update on the Puhi Road Construction Project,"
Councilmember Kuali`i moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Kaneshiro.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for approval of the report was then put, and unanimously carried.
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE:
A report (No. CR-BF 2016-21) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Received for the Record:
"BF 2016-09—Communication (08/02/2016) from Councilmember Chock
and Councilmember Hooser, requesting the presence of the Director of Finance
and Real Property Tax Manager, to discuss possible transient generating
revenue options for the County of Kauai, to help alleviate budget constraints,"
Councilmember Kuali`i moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Chock.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: A member from the public wanted to provide
testimony.
COUNCIL MEETING 11 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
Council Chair Rapozo: As I discussed last week, before we take
public testimony, it went out of control on the Committee Reports. The Committee
Report is a report that is generated after the prior Committee Meeting. The purpose
for this is for the Council to formally accept the Committee Report. Councilmembers
are expected to read the reports, make sure it is accurate, and to make sure if there
is any reference to what was said is accurate. It is not to rehash to bring that item
back up again and have the discussion. That matter has already been dealt with, so
if the community has testimony on the content of the Committee Report, we will go
ahead and accept that, but this is not another shot at the item of which we already
disposed of. I just want the community to understand that this is not a second bite
at the apple. That matter has been acted upon by the Committee and today is for the
formal acceptance of the actual report. Having said that, is there anyone wishing to
testify?
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for approval of the report was then put, and unanimously carried.
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution No. 2016-57 — RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING TRAFFIC LANE
MODIFICATIONS AND BICYCLE LANES ON RICE STREET AND HO`OLAKO
STREET; ESTABLISHING CROSSWALKS ON RICE STREET, PUA`OLE STREET,
HO`OLAKO STREET, KALENA STREET, HOALA STREET, AND MALAMA
STREET; AND REPEALING, AMENDING, AND ESTABLISHING PARKING
RESTRICTIONS AND BUS STOPS ON RICE STREET, COUNTY OF KAUAI:
Councilmember Kualii moved that it be ordered to print, that a public hearing
thereon be scheduled for October 5, 2016, and referred to the September 28, 2016
Public Works / Parks & Recreation Committee, seconded by Councilmember
Kaneshiro.
Council Chair Rapozo: We are going to Committee first on
September 28, 2016 and then the public hearing will follow on October 5th.
Councilmember Kagawa: Chair, which Committee?
Council Chair Rapozo: It is going to the Public Works / Parks &
Recreation Committee.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion before I open it up for public
testimony? Again, the Administration is not here today; they are at the Planning
Conference, so we are going to have some discussion, public testimony, and move to
send this over to the Committee next week. Any other discussion?
COUNCIL MEETING 12 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Kagawa: I will go after the public.
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay, with that, anyone registered to speak?
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: No.
Council Chair Rapozo: Anyone wishing to speak? This is the TIGER
grant Resolution.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: Further discussion? Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I think for the public, the difficulty with the
Council saying no and voting no on the TIGER grant is thirteen million dollars
($13,000,000) of federal TIGER grant moneys that were secured by the County
through a lot of months and a lot of hard work. The County is going to be providing
a two million dollar ($2,000,000) match, so the total project of which will pump our
construction industry is fifteen million eight hundred thousand dollars ($15,800,000).
It is very difficult for a Councilmember to vote no on the TIGER grant and cite traffic
congestion when we do not really know for sure if the changes are going to increase
traffic congestion. I believe that just by looking at the plan right now that there is
going to be some traffic congestion. Is that significant traffic congestion or not? That
is the question. If you look at the new plan, all Councilmembers individually have
been reviewed, or at least I have as Committee Chair, have met with the Planning
Director to show me what the changes are being requested in here. It is basically
going, in many areas, from four (4) lanes to three (3) lanes. The two (2) major causes
of congestion when you have a busy street like Rice Street, because Rice Street is the
only alternative besides going on Kuhio Highway. So, there are two (2) alternatives
for the cars. Kuhio Highway is plugged...during heavy traffic hours, it is plugged.
People have the alternative. If they wanted to go to a destination that can be achieved
through Rice Street, they will take Rice Street instead of Knhi`o, if it is plugged. The
two (2) main causes of traffic congestion are left turns while waiting for adequate
gaps in traffic and traffic lights. The problem with the traffic lights is that when you
have one (1) lane instead of two (2) lanes, it is reduced by half, the amount of cars
that can travel during heavy traffic. Therefore, during a green light if you have ten
(10) cars that can pass in one (1) lane, you will only have ten (10) when the changes
are made here. Whereas now during green lights, we have twenty (20) going through.
It is already half— on every traffic light, we will reduce the traffic flow by half and
that concerns me because Rice Street was changed only thirteen (13) years ago from
two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes. Thirteen (13) years ago, we decided that traffic
congestion on Rice Street is a problem and we widened Rice Street. We allowed it to
become two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes to accommodate traffic flow. Now, we are
changing it back, but we have an additional lane that we are calling it a "left-turn
lane." It is a shared left-turn lane, so both sides of traffic can use that lane, similar
to what is there now at Kapa'a Town. It is very concerning to me because I would not
want us to go backwards. We made a change and the change works beautifully for
cars. This change here will hopefully allow traffic to not be significantly impacted
and it will make biking and walking much safer. That is what we are putting fifteen
million eight hundred thousand dollars ($15,800,000) into. I have deep concerns
COUNCIL MEETING 13 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
about the final outcome, but for me sitting here with my vote, I have a difficult time
denying all the months of hard work from our experts; the Engineers, the Planners,
and say that traffic congestion is the reason why I am going to vote no because I
cannot prove it. That is where I am. It is a very difficult decision, but I hope that the
public will keep an eye on this because if our engineers are wrong, then I think we
have serious problems because you do not spend fifteen million eight hundred
thousand dollars ($15,800,000) to make things worse. I am hoping that we do not go
down that road. Thank you, Chair.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Anyone else? Councilmember
Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes. I want to just take off what Vice Chair
just said. Projects like this create a lot of jobs and if you recall the construction work
that was done on Hardy Street, that was months of paying families of construction
workers for creating what is a beautiful and much more functional street for all kinds
of users, not just car users. Smart growth creates jobs and I think we have to keep
that in mind. As far as traffic congestion—one of the ways to find out how things will
work is by a pilot project through restriping before you do the actual construction. I
know that there was a request during the community meeting, and I believe it is in
the record, for a pilot first. I think that would be helpful for us to judge; however the
one (1) limitation on the pilot project is the fact that congestion cannot be solved
without a major increase in bus service. That is the combination you need. Widening
alone cannot solve congestion and Rice Street now even maybe back when the
widening was done, it worked, but over time, the street is going to get congested
again. The bus service has to be part of the plan and I hope the Administration has
that, because if people can come and move around the Lihu`e area by using a bus that
comes every ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes, you will see that people do not need to
bring their cars into Lihu`e. Finally, we have forgotten what the main purpose of the
TIGER grant is, which is economic development. The "ER" in "TIGER" stands for
"Economic Revitalization." When we made Rice Street into a four (4) lane road, it
became a pass through area instead of a business district with storefronts and a lot
of economic activity, which is what Kapa'a is today. There is so much economic
activity in the town itself and that is what we need to remember that we are aiming
toward that. You see with the Kauai Beer Company, Ha, and others that if you get
good bus service so it does not require a lot of parking, you begin to redevelop the
businesses along Rice Street. That is where we will get the biggest advantage to this
project. That is the goal of the project—a walkable, bikeable, easily used, by cars as
well, place where people can come and do business. That is the vision and I think it
is a worthwhile vision.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Anyone else? Councilmember
Kaneshiro.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: We hear it a lot, "Why are we spending money
on Rice Street?" Again, as Councilmember Kagawa and Councilmember Yukimura
said, this is not a road improvement grant. The TIGER grant means "Transportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery" grant. Unfortunately, we cannot take
that money and put it elsewhere. We cannot put it to fix a bridge; we cannot go put it
anywhere. This money is specific to this project and it has to stay there no matter
what we say. Again, it is bringing in thirteen million dollars ($13,000,000) to the
County and two million dollars ($2,000,000) that the County has to chip in, which is
two million dollars ($2,000,000) of Bond Fund. It is not cash that is sitting around
that we can dump into it.As you saw in the budget, we do not have two million dollars
COUNCIL MEETING 14 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
($2,000,000) of cash sitting around. Two million dollars ($2,000,000) of Bond Fund,
and as we know, in the past we were able to use Bond Funds to repair roads, but I
think in an audit a few years ago, they said that we were not able to use Bond Funds
to repair roads and that you were only able to use Bond Funds to replace roads. That
put us in a bind and now we have to start using General Funds or whatever
transportation or road money we have to do all the repairs. Again, we are using two
million dollars ($2,000,000) of Bond Fund for this project. Yes, the purpose of it is not
to improve our degraded infrastructure, which I think we do need money for that also,
but this is the TIGER grant. There were a lot of counties that applied for it and we
were fortunate enough to get it. It is going to be very difficult for me to want to throw
away a thirteen million dollar ($13,000,000) project. Again, it is to increase the
economic activity in the area. We could say that we have other areas to do it, but this
grant is for Rice Street and that is the cards that we were dealt with and the decision
we have to make. Do we want to go forward and spend the two million dollar
($2,000,000) Bond Fund and bring a total of fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) to
Rice Street or do we want to say no because we wish it was somewhere else? We have
to think about that as we move forward.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: I know the Administration is not here today,
but I think I am along the same lines as Councilmember Kaneshiro here; however, I
think the question that was asked previously was that perhaps we can test run some
of the concerns and what that would entail. Maybe putting the three (3) lanes in and
see how it works. If it does not work for us, we can adjust it along the way. While
the Administration is not here, my questions for when we do meet is if that is feasible
and is there a chance that we might be able to see if it works for us to have a trial run
on it? Maybe in the key or main areas where the three (3) lanes are of concern and
see how the flow works and what that might cost us if we do it. We can adjust from
there if need be. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Councilmember Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: There have been some mistakes so far along
Hardy Street, such as the landscaping, and my hope is that we just learn from our
mistakes and do better as we move forward. As a whole, I do see this as an important
infrastructure investment in the long-term future of the Lihu`e Town Core. I see the
benefits for business and for the community revitalization. I think it is important that
we provide all modes of transportation for circulation within the town core. Especially
for bicycles and walking. We of course need to work on congestion and the streets, but
we need to add to that. I like this improvement right out here with the bus transit
station, I think it makes it easier for people to walk up to, wait for, get on the bus,
and it is right here in the mix of Civic Center; with the County Historic Building,
Administration, and all of that. This is not for the next five (5) or ten (10) years. This
is for the long future. Sometimes I look at some of the sidewalks and ask, "Do you
really need a sidewalk there?" We do not necessarily need it today because there is
not much traffic, but for in the future. If you want more people to walk, then you will
have to make it safe for them to walk. I remember when I participated with Hoola
Great Weigh Out and then with Get Fit Kauai. We did walking around town and this
is our main town, this is our city center. If you cannot walk here, where can you walk?
It is a nice town in the sense that you can live right in the middle of town too; like
Molokoa and neighborhoods like that. Therefore, you can walk out your front door
and walk right into the middle of the city. I just see it as a long-term investment for
our future.
COUNCIL MEETING 15 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: Anyone else? Seeing none. I guess for me, the
fact that everyone else competed for this grant and we won does not justify us doing
it. The fact that it took months and months of hard work and it is difficult to vote this
down because it is fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000)—yes, that is fine. The fact that
it is going to create many construction jobs, this is not a construction...this is not a
job creation grant, like it has been said. This is not a traffic congestion fixing grant.
This is an economic development grant, which is to create an environment for Rice
Street to boost and create more economic opportunities. Construction jobs are
byproduct of the project that we choose. I have to rewind a little bit. Before the
TIGER grant when the powers were sitting around the table figuring out what grant
we going after, with all the congestion issues we have on this island; Kapa'a and the
west side, why would we say let us focus the hundreds of hours, the thousands of
dollars on Rice Street? Why would we not be focusing our energies, resources, time,
and our consultants on areas that we can fix the congestion for Kapa'a and the west
side? Whether you fix the road on Rice Street or on a mauha bypass in Kapa'a or a
bypass parallel to Kaumuali`i, you will create construction jobs. Whether you do it in
Rice Street or Kapa'a is the same thing. My problem is not so much the fact that it is
a good project because Councilmember Kuali`i said it best, it is long-term. My problem
is the priority of it all. We have some major issues on this island and I am talking
health and safety issues with landfills, sewer plants, and transfer stations. It seems
like our entire focus over the last few years has been, "Hey, let us find grants that we
can make things nice." Hardy Street's mistakes are a mess. The landscaping is a mess
and it is costing us money. It is going to cost us money. I am going to support it going
through the Committee and the public hearing because I want to hear from the
community. I want to hear the Administration give certain assurances that the
community's needs are going to be met and it is not just a "pretty project." The other
thing is that when I met with the Department of Public Works last week and I
challenge the Councilmembers here to get a commitment from them it is only going
to cost us two million dollars ($2,000,000) because that is not true. That is not
accurate. This project is not going to be done in a year. Cost will increase. The grant
is not going to increase, but our portion, our match, will. If they can come up here
and tell me straight up and tell the public, no...they said it once and I know it is not
accurate. They came up here and said, "No, we will not spend more than two million
dollars ($2,000,000)," is a lie. We saw it with the bike...we see it with all our projects.
There are change orders. The rail in Honolulu is experiencing that right now. That
is just the nature of the beast. So, do not come up here and say, "It is only going to
cost the taxpayers two million dollars ($2,000,000)," because it will not. Anyone who
has been here long enough knows that. As costs increase and projects change, our
County match will change. I am just suggesting if we really considered the priority
and is that two million dollars ($2,000,000) or three million dollars ($3,000,000) or
whatever it will be, is that where it will be best spent? Should it be to our public
health and safety issues. That is all I am talking about. It is difficult to vote against
this grant. At the end of the day we are not here to create construction jobs, under
the guides of economic development grant. I want to see the projections. What are
these improvements going to do for the businesses on Rice Street? Kapa'a right now
is an active, bustling business core. It is amazing on what goes on in Kapa'a Town
right now with people walking—it is just a great place to hang out. Would it not have
made sense for us to improve the traffic flow in that area to really improve the
economy there, or maybe in Hanapepe? Councilmember Kagawa, you said it right.
We just spent a lot of money making it bigger and now we are going to make it smaller
because we got the TIGER grant and we won it. Everybody else lost, we won; just so
I can say, "We got the TIGER grant." For me, that is not justification to spend the
money. Councilmember Yukimura.
COUNCIL MEETING 16 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Yukimura: The money could not be used for bypasses
because bypasses do not create economic revitalization. In fact, many times they kill
the towns that they are bypassing. Kapa`a is a great place and that is a goal for Lihu`e
as well. Why should Lihu`e not have that goal as the County seat? Yes, we need that
everywhere and I think the Administration has been working with Hanapepe Town,
has been working with Kapa`a, and Lihu`e should be worked with as well. The focus
is not just to make things pretty. The focus is to create jobs, economic activity, and
that is what the plan is. It is perfectly reasonable to focus it, at least some of our
moneys and time, on Rice Street.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: What it brings up for me is the need for a lot
more shared priority discussions. Obviously, we get many requests for approvals to
write for grants from every department, every year. However, if we were clear about
the core services that we need to focus on and should not be veering from it, then
maybe we would have more direction from our leaders, the department, and
Administration to focus on those types of grants that we know need to be looked at.
That message needs to be clear about what it is we need to focus on and needs to be
prioritized, as you said, a head of time. That being said, at some time and I am not
sure when that approval came from the Council, maybe it was great, go for it, and see
what happens, but here it is now. I think the time has passed for us at this point to
turn back the clock and say, "Maybe that is not what we should have done." This is a
celebration in one sense because it gives us some of what Kauai needs, but is it really
where we should be focusing our time and energy right now, I think, is the question.
Council Chair Rapozo: Anyone else?
Councilmember Yukimura: Council Chair?
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes?
Councilmember Yukimura: So...
Council Chair Rapozo: You already spoke twice, Councilmember
Yukimura. Let us not go down this again.
Councilmember Yukimura: There are still important things to be said.
Council Chair Rapozo: We are done and your time as well,
Councilmember Yukimura. My time is up, I would like to say a lot more, but my time
is up as well. With that, anyone else? Councilmember Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Chair, I just wanted to say that I agree with
and thank you for many of your comments. The only thing I did want to say is that
one thing I for sure agree with yourself and Vice Chair Kagawa is that we need to
make sure all of these type of resources and investments are not just going to the
Lihu`e area. I was just driving in `Ele`ele yesterday and I realize how disconnected
`Ele`ele, Hanapepe, and the newer area now where Lima Ola is going to be and it
could use some investment there to connect that town center a little better. Thank
you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Hooser.
COUNCIL MEETING 17 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Hooser: Yes, Council Chair. A lot has been said and I
agree with much of it around the table and that is why I have not spoken earlier, but
I did want to add a few things. I share the concern about the changes. It is somewhat
counterintuitive to think that these changes are going to improve traffic flow, but I
did speak to the Engineers and Planners. They are professionals and I am trusting it
for now that things will get better, but I do have some reservations on that. I think
we should try to look at this as a "glass half-full" and not a "glass half-empty."
Councilmember Chock used the word "celebrate" and we should celebrate the fact
that the County was able to get this big chunk of money to improve, what
Councilmember Kuali`i said, was the city center. This is our main city. This is a place
that has job opportunities, employment opportunities, it is being designed to be a
walkable community, the airport is near, the harbor is near, and we have thousands
of potential residential units that can be developed. We should celebrate that we have
this money. The two million dollar ($2,000,000) County match is, as Councilmember
Kaneshiro said, borrowed money. It is not General Fund money. It is money that can
only be spent on buildings; it cannot be spent on paying people more money or
operating costs. It can only be spent on capital improvements. It is not taking away
from operations and I do not believe that this project is taking away from other parts
of our community. There is nothing keeping the Administration...and I am confident
that they are looking for other pools of money, and other grants available by the
Federal government to do other projects. As much as we are concerned about the
traffic congestion and why we are not using this money for other projects, I think it
is clear that we cannot use this money for other projects, so the community should
know that we cannot use it for other projects. Some years ago, there was a bucket of
Federal money that was identified that it could only be used for this type of project.
I applaud the Administration. They went out, secured the money, and is doing good
work with it. Again, I am concerned that the improvements will in fact make it better
in terms of traffic flow, but I think we should look at the positive of it and continue to
move forward and continue to work on this area in Lihu`e to make it the best it can
be in a real city-center that the residents can walk, shop, and live. To be able to come
out of your house and ride your bike or walk to shop or to work is just a great
opportunity. Again, I think we should support and celebrate this opportunity. Thank
you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Anyone else? With that, the
motion is to refer to the Committee on September 28th and have a public hearing on
October 5th. Roll call.
The motion that it be ordered to print, that a public hearing thereon be
scheduled for October 5, 2016, and referred to the September 28, 2016 Public
Works / Parks & Recreation Committee was then put, and carried by the
following vote:
FOR MOTION: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kuali`i, Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL — 7,
AGAINST MOTION: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
Council Chair Rapozo: Next item.
COUNCIL MEETING 18 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Resolution No. 2016-58 — RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE
RENAMING OF THE KANIKO`O SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT TO "RICE
CAMP SENIOR HOUSING:" Councilmember Yukimura moved for adoption of
Resolution No. 2016-58, seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: I would like to ask that the Resolution be
read.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Resolution requesting the renaming of the
Kaniko`o Senior Housing Project to Rice Camp Senior Housing. "Be it resolved by the
Council of the County of Kaua`i, State of Hawai`i, whereas, the Kaua`i County
Housing Agency acquired approximately 5.2 acres of a former plantation camp known
as `Rice Camp' located on Ho`ala Street in Lihu`e to develop affordable housing for
senior residents; and whereas, a 90-unit affordable senior housing community, now
known as Kaniko`o, is being built on the Rice Camp site by the Kaua`i County Housing
Agency for seniors who are 62 years of age. This rental housing complex will provide
much needed affordable housing for seniors; and whereas, the `Rice Camp' parcels
located in the ahupua a of Kalapaki, including the Kaniko`o property, were acquired
by the Rice family from Chiefess Victoria Kamamalu through a series of deeds. Three
generations of the Rice family—William Harrison Rice, William Hyde Rice, and
William Henry Rice—served as manager of the Lihu`e Plantation Company, a thriving
sugar and cattle plantation. Settlements of small homes were provided for
employees, many of whom emigrated from countries such as Germany, Korea,
Portugal, Japan, China, Philippines, and the South Sea Islands; and whereas, it
appears that Rice Camp and the surrounding area became the home for Japanese
workers and their families. Families with the following surnames lived and raised
children at that camp: Fujii, Koide, Miura, Mizuo, Morita, Murashige, Nakashima,
Oishi, Shimizu, Shinno, Shinseki, Sugihara, Taketa, Tamura, Tanaka, Yamahira,
Yamamoto, Yasuda, and Zaima. The Cox, Garcia, Jim, and Reynolds families also
lived in Rice Camp, reflecting the multi-ethnic integration that was beginning to
happen in Hawaii; and whereas, the families were and continue to be an integral
part of the community and history of Lihu`e; and whereas, Rice Camp was the humble
beginning of many of today's successful leaders, most notable being General Eric K.
Shinseki, USA (Retired), and Mr. Tom Shigemoto; and whereas, it is important to use
place names to perpetuate the history of an area and to maintain a connection
between the past and present; now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the
County of Kaua`i, State of Hawai`i, that it supports and requests the renaming of
Kaniko`o Housing Project to `Rice Camp Senior Housing,' to commemorate: the
significant contributions of the Rice family in establishing a thriving sugar plantation
on Kaua`i that beckoned immigrant laborers in search of a better means to provide
for their families; and the historical presence of the Japanese community in Lihu`e
and the beginning of Kaua`i's and Hawai`i's multi-ethnic communities; and the
humble beginnings of many of today's successful leaders who continue to shape the
future of Kaua`i and Hawai'i. Be it finally resolved, that copies of this Resolution be
sent to Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Housing Director Kanani Fu, and EAH
Housing." Introduced by Councilmember JoAnn A. Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you. May I say a few words, Chair? As
read, the Resolution is a request to the Administration to rename "Kaniko`o Senior
Housing Project," "the Rice Camp Senior Housing." In retrospect, it would have been
more accurate to request that the name of Rice Camp be restored because that was
the name of the Senior Housing Project to begin with. I am circulating a list of
COUNCIL MEETING 19 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
communications from the Housing Director to the Council from May 2013 through
March 2014. Throughout this time, as the Housing Agency sought Council approval
for the Senior Housing Project at various stages of its development, the project was
referred to as the "Rice Camp Senior Housing Project." You can see up on the screen
that there was a communication that requested site control be given to Vitus
Development, LLC (Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and you will see as
related to Rice Camp Senior Housing parcels. The second communication
recommended Council approval of Right-of-Entry to Shioi Construction, Inc., again,
as you can see for the construction of Rice Camp Senior Housing Project, and the
third communication requested Council approval for the Ground Lease with Rice
Camp Partners. In fact, the financers took on the name "Rice Camp Partners" for the
management and operation of Rice Camp Senior Housing. You can see from these
communications that the first name of the Senior Housing Project at Rice Camp was
Rice Camp Senior Housing Project. Then, during the blessing of Phase I, the Mayor
announced without consultation or notice that the name was being changed to
Kaniko`o.
Kaniko`o is a really charming name and when I spoke to Richard Keao
NeSmith, Instructor, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, who chose the
name, I marveled at his ingenuity and knowledge. But Kaniko`o is not the historic
place name and it does not connect the place to its history; the name Rice Camp does.
Keao said he understood how people were feeling about the name change to Kaniko`o
because he grew up in Kekaha and there was always "Filipino Camp" and he would
feel the same way if anyone tried to change that. Keao had a wonderful win-win
suggestion; he suggested that the name Kaniko`o be applied to the community's
gathering place within the housing project. The community room is already called the
Kaniko`o Community Room, so that could stay as it is if the name of Rice Camp is
restored to the project. I have learned so much from introducing this Resolution and
talking to people about Rice Camp. The research was done by our Legislative Analyst
Aida Kawamura and I want to acknowledge and thank Aida for her excellent work.
The stories I heard demonstrated to me how a name invokes memories and stories
and how these stories connect present to the past, and people to each other. If we can
keep the name Rice Camp, it is possible that a child visiting his grandparents at Rice
Camp Senior Housing will say, "Why is this place called Rice Camp?" Those stories
will begin to flow. I even learned that my ninety-five (95) year old dad lived in that
area as a boy. I always knew that my grandfather was a cook for Sherriff Rice, but I
did not know until a couple weeks ago that Sherriff Rice's home was in the vicinity of
Rice Camp. Anyway, full disclosure here. I also want to close by reading a portion of
Tom Shigemoto's letter; Tom grew up in Rice Camp. He states, "I lived in the Camp
for twenty-five (25) years in my youth and through early adulthood. I moved out after
marrying, but my parents continued living there until they were evicted many years
later. My memories of growing up in that environment is indelibly engrained in my
heart and mind. It was a simple and most cherished time of my life. Rice Camp then
means more than just a place name. It was home. Home to residents who shared
common values, who trusted and respected each other, who shared what they grew
on their plots of land, who enjoyed each other's company, and who took care of each
other. It was as close-knit of a community as you will ever find. It was by no means
a `modern' village, but no one cared that the streets were narrow and unpaved in
certain areas. As far as I could tell, everyone was simply very happy living there. By
today's standards, it would have qualified as a livable, walkable community as that
is what we all did, walk and bike to convenient mom and pop shops in the Camp. It
would be such an honor and a tribute to all the families listed in the Resolution if the
Rice Camp name were kept as part of the senior housing development there. I
understand that this sentiment may not be shared by everyone who does not have
COUNCIL MEETING 20 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
ties to my former stomping ground and home, but in terms of the history of Lihu`e
and its various housing sectors, it has tremendous significance. Thank you for your
kind consideration."
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I have a question for the Housing Agency.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any further discussion before we bring up the
Housing Agency and the public? Councilmember Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Councilmember Yukimura talked about Keao
NeSmith, but she never actually said what he said the meaning of Kaniko`o was.
Councilmember Yukimura: I can say that.
Councilmember Kuali`i: I would like to know that. I think it has
something to do with the place area.
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes it does. It describes a wind in Lihu`e and
the other level of meaning is the tapping of a senior's cane. I have to tell you that
living with three (3) people; my mom, my dad, and my father in-law, who are in their
nineties, that is a wonderful description of a senior. The tapping of the cane is a very
common thing. It is a beautiful name and I love that perhaps it could be used also.
Councilmember Kuali`i: I think it is important that we keep Hawaiian
names as much as possible and that if we ever rename places, we should be renaming
them with Hawaiian names. Hawaiian is the host culture and without all things
Hawaiian, none of us would be here. The Earth, the sky, everything founded here;
the culture. This Resolution is written very well. I like how it talks about Chiefess
Victoria Kamamalu, but why not use the name Kamamalu? Kamamalu was the
owner of the lands before the Rice family. Rice has the entire street. The multi-ethic
integration is so important too; all of our immigrants that came to work in the
plantations. I grew up in Puhi, so "Puhi Camp." There is no Japanese names there;
Shinseki, Shigemoto...I think it is important that we keep Hawaiian names as much
as possible. Thank you
Councilmember Yukimura: That is why I think the idea of Keao's is so
great, that "Kaniko`o Community Room" is a nice way to include different ways, a
Hawaiian name. Actually, it is already called"Kaniko`o Community Room"right now,
so that could be kept.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: My question to the Housing Agency is what is
the Administration's stance on this name change? I have been the author of several
name changes to park facilities and my first step was always to set up a meeting with
the Mayor and see if I could get agreement with him and that would lead to a much
smoother change.
Council Chair Rapozo: We will find out in a minute. Go ahead.
Councilmember Yukimura: I do want to say that I did speak to the Mayor,
way before this was put on the agenda. The Mayor was open to it. He did suggest the
COUNCIL MEETING 21 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
name "Kaniko`o at Rice Camp," but you have to consider the length of the name. You
are not going to write out a check "Kaniko`o at Rice Camp." I do not know since I
have talked to him what his position is, but I want to point out that we have renamed
places by resolution, but because I wanted this to be an effort that respected all
parties, I did not make a resolution that unilaterally changed the name. This
Resolution was written as a request to the Administration to consider all of this
information that is now coming forth and I do not believe it was considered at the
time that the name was changed. I want to say that the Administration started with
the name Rice Camp, as you saw, because that place is known as Rice Camp in Lihu`e.
Councilmember Kagawa: I understand. I had some similar concerns.
Whenever I see a Hawaiian name that has been specifically picked, I want to make
sure that...and I am open to changing, but if and when we ever decide to change a
Hawaiian name to an English-type of name, that we make sure we vet it properly.
We should make sure we respect the Hawaiian culture. I wanted to ask the Housing
Agency if they had an opinion. It is not to say that I do not support the Resolution. I
just wanted to see what the Housing Agency's take on the name change.
Council Chair Rapozo: With that. Housing Agency, please come
forward.
Councilmember Kagawa: If the answer is, you are not sure what the
Mayor feels or that he is open, then that is fine. I just want to hear if the Mayor...I
hope the Mayor and the Managing Director read the Council agendas and I hope that
they give you some direction as to their feelings of the name change. Again, like the
TIGER grant, it should be a joyous occasion if it is something that we all can agree
on and move forward.
Council Chair Rapozo: Welcome.
Councilmember Kagawa: What is the Administration's stance on this
proposed name change? If you have reservations, then what is the reason why
Kaniko`o is the name that you want to keep? What is the significance of the name
Kaniko`o?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
KANANI FU, Housing Director: Good morning. Kanani Fu, Housing
Director. For the record, the name change is ultimately up to the developer who owns
the project. At last speaking, I am not sure if she has been consulted by the Council
in regards to the name change. The name was chosen by the developer who owns the
project.
Councilmember Kagawa: So the developer does not know at this point
that the Council is proposing this?
Ms. Fu: The developer is aware of this Resolution
before Council.
Councilmember Kagawa: What did the developer say? Would they like
to be consulted or that they will just go along with...
Ms. Fu: She is aware of the Resolution.
COUNCIL MEETING 22 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Kagawa: Okay.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any other questions? Who is the owner?
Ms. Fu: Makani Maeva with Vitus Development,
LLC, or Makani Maeva is the Director of Vitus Development.
Council Chair Rapozo: Vitus Development, LLC?
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: So Vitus Development, LLC, is not even on
this Resolution, so we should probably...this is where it needs to go.
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: I was under the impression that the County
named the project. I was not aware that the developer did.
Ms. Fu: When Rice Camp was chosen through the
documents that were previously shown...procedurally, how we do it is we come up
with the place and name holder for our documents when developing a project. Rice
Camp was chosen by the author of the request for proposal (RFP), when we put it out,
and it continued to change. When the developer gets the rights to develop and the
developer gets the rights of the vertical building, they have the option of naming their
development project. It is similar to our other project happening in Kukui`ula
Workforce Housing, which you folks would have seen previously, the name has been
changed to Koae; it is the developers option. In this case with Rice Camp, the
developer chose to work with the Administration and with Keao in renaming Rice
Camp to Kaniko`o.
Council Chair Rapozo: Pardon my ignorance, the County has nothing
to do with that project at this point? Is that a contracted manager?
Ms. Fu: The County owns the land.
Council Chair Rapozo: It was our land.
Ms. Fu: Yes, and so we issued a Ground Lease to the
developer and the developer owns the vertical of the project.
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay.
Ms. Fu: They are responsible for the project.
Council Chair Rapozo: Right.
Ms. Fu: And they choose and oversee the management
of the project.
Council Chair Rapozo: Aside from the owning the Ground Lease...
Ms. Fu: Yes.
COUNCIL MEETING 23 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: The County has absolutely nothing to do with
that project.
Ms. Fu: We continue to help seniors or continue to
advocate for seniors, and we continue to work closely with the developer in programs
and things like that.
Council Chair Rapozo: Our name shows up nowhere, other than the
Ground Lease to the Lessee.
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Did the Mayor not recommend the name to
the developer?
Ms. Fu: Yes. The name was recommended at the
request. We got together and discussed that we wanted to use a traditional Hawaiian
name and we enlisted the assistance of Keao.
Councilmember Yukimura: So it was the County that initiated the name?
Ms. Fu: I was not here at the time, so I am unsure who
initiated the name. I know that the name was agreed upon by both the developer,
who owns the project, and the Administration.
Councilmember Yukimura: So if the Administration requested a name
change, could the Administration do that?
Ms. Fu: If we requested a name change?
Councilmember Yukimura: Could the Administration request a name
change given the concerns that have been raised?
Ms. Fu: We could request a name change, but it is
ultimately up to the developer to change the name.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay, so the request is to the Administration,
so if the Administration can do everything it can in its efforts, if we pass this
Resolution.
Council Chair Rapozo: It would be like asking the Kaua`i Marriott
Resort to change their hotel to the Rice Hotel. I am not trying to be funny, but at the
end of the day, that is who call the shots: the owner. I am glad we had this discussion
because I was not aware of that. I really thought the County still had a part of that.
That clears it up for me.
Councilmember Yukimura: Can you make available the Rice Lease
Agreement, please?
Ms. Fu: The Ground Lease, yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you.
COUNCIL MEETING 24 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: Any other questions for the Housing Agency?
If not, thank you.
Ms. Fu: Kaniko`o Phase II is opening up. Applications
are being accepted until September 23rd, so we encourage all...
Council Chair Rapozo: It is in two (2) days.
Ms. Fu: Yes. It has been open for some time, but it is
our last...we encourage people to apply for the next thirty (30) units that are coming
online, scheduled in January.
Councilmember Yukimura: May I?
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead.
Councilmember Yukimura: And there will be a lottery in the Kaniko`o
Community Room.
Ms. Fu: Yes, the lottery will be held there.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: Just a clarification, I heard earlier that
Kaniko`o was a name of a makani from the area.
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Councilmember Chock: What is the place name that Keao...do you
know?
Ms. Fu: I am not sure. Kaniko`o was used to symbolize
the kani, which is the wind and the ko`o, which is the tapping to simulate or to
represent a senior. The place name of the area, I am not familiar.
Councilmember Chock: Mahalo.
Councilmember Yukimura: I want to add that Keao said it is actually the
wind blowing through the rafters of an old Hawaiian.home. So then, there is the
correlation with the tapping of a cane, the sound.
Council Chair Rapozo: Caused by the wind, by the makani.
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: I live on Makani Road so that is why I know
the word "makani."
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes, it is interesting that the developer's
name is Makani, although I think she might have sold it. You can see that there was
a lot of thought that went into the naming. I really honor and respect that, but there
is also a lot of history that goes into the name "Rice Camp" related to the place.
COUNCIL MEETING 25 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I am troubled by something, and I do not
know if Gary can help with this, because it involves history, but I am concerned that
when you see the E-mails that come through, the significant names that have
provided strong testimony, I find it hard to believe that when Mayor Carvalho decided
to change the name from Rice Camp Housing that these members of the community
that have sent these E-mails did not voice their concern at that time. At least it would
have given us some thought on the Council that, yes, we did hear from the strong
voice from the original residents, the families, and the descendants; "however, we
went with Kaniko`o instead because of this" then I would feel comfortable with my
decision. It just seems that the people there that live and grew up there were not
consulted and their feelings were not heard. I find that difficult because we have
situations where the residents speak and we listen to the residents. In this case, the
residents seem to have spoken loud and clear with all the E-mails we have gotten
from the families, but I guess we went with a name that we just thought of on our
own that would symbolize elderly housing. I am concerned why we are even here with
this issue. I think if many of the residents have spoken to them, I think he may have
not changed the name in the first place, with his recommendation. Gary, do you have
any history of that?
Ms. Fu: When we develop a project, we give the
owners the opportunity to make that name. In moving forward, this is a good
example, we should consult with the community about the name change. The E-mails
that you have received is something that came out recently. It was not expressed.
Kaniko`o came online in 2015 and it started development in 2013, so ultimately as I
mentioned earlier, the developer of the project has that right to name a project. We
see it not only with our projects, but we see it with other projects around Hokua Place,
or Hokulei—it is their right. Now, if the Council is recommending that we do a
community outreach before changing names for projects, which is something we
should consider. We should put that in our ground lease and we should put that in
our development agreements with the developer that the County will require you to
consult with the community in order to name your project. That is a consideration we
need to make, we can be open to it.
Councilmember Kagawa: We would like to leave it in the hands of
management, as for me, but I guess when a project is right on the spot where an old
plantation camp of significance was there for many years, you would think that is
something that we generally would just check anyways. That is where I am coming
from. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Ms. Fu, on the weekend, when you are at your
house or at a family gathering and you are going to talk about Rice Camp, what do
you call that place?
Ms. Fu: I call it Kaniko`o.
Council Chair Rapozo: Really?
Ms. Fu: Only because I have been trying to continue
to utilize the name.
Council Chair Rapozo: That is fine.
COUNCIL MEETING 26 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Ms. Fu: I do that. Kukui`ula Workforce Housing is
renamed to Koae, so I try to use the name that is affiliated with the project because
I represent the Housing Agency.
Council Chair Rapozo: Only because I think if you polled everyone on
the island, nobody would know Kaniko`o.
Ms. Fu: Most say Rice Camp, yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: That will always be Rice Camp to me
regardless of what the developer chooses to call that building or that project. I think
it is always going to be Rice Camp.
Ms. Fu: And we neither agree nor disagree on the
name change. I just think we owe the developer the courtesy of having the dialogue
because a name change incurs signage cost. It is just a bunch of logistical things that
should not be taken up by us. It should be taken up with the developer.
Council Chair Rapozo: I agree and I think prior to today's discussion,
like I said earlier, I was under the impression that the County had that ability to
change the name. It was a good discussion and an opportunity and I thank
Councilmember Yukimura for bringing it up because I think it is something that if
this body agrees on, that is fine. I think the Resolution needs to be amended to be
sent to the owner. I do not see a problem with the Council saying, "Hey, we should do
a name change," or not and keep it at Kaniko`o because that is their project. Like I
said, I will always refer to it as Rice Camp. I do not care what they officially, formally,
or what the document say, I will always call it Rice Camp and I think most of us will.
It is a technical issue that has to be resolved. Councilmember Kualii and then
Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Ms. Fu, really with a lot of what the County
has been working on, the different projects, even though the name is being left to the
developer, most of the developers have...I do not know of any that is not a Hawaiian
name. They are all Hawaiian names, right? Do you think that is because there is
some type of...are they being encouraged by the county or the State? Is there any
kind of legal precedence for using Hawaiian names wherever and whenever possible?
I know that they do try to research the winds of the area, the rains of the area, and
the place name of the area. Is that why we are using Hawaiian names? Do you know?
Ms. Fu: I am not aware or sure why we have Hawaiian
names. I think particularly with this Administration, we have tried to use our
community liaison Keao to assist with naming projects. It is a preference. That is
all it is. It is not a requirement.
Councilmember Kuali`i: I used the word "legal," so I see the County
Attorney coming up, so maybe he can help.
Ms. Fu: It is a preference of this Administration.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Yes, as far as the County.
Council Chair Rapozo: Hang on. Councilmember Yukimura, did you
want to say something? Are you going to wait for a response? I am not sure what is
legal about this...
COUNCIL MEETING 27 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura is introducing a
resolution to change a name...
Councilmember Kuali`i: I asked if the County or the State, so there
might be something in place that says to use Hawaiian names whenever possible.
Council Chair Rapozo: I see what you are asking. I know years back,
we had a resolution that former Councilmember James Kunane Tokioka introduced
to ensure that we have to use the okina properly and spell it properly. I am not sure
if it extended to where we should use Hawaiian names wherever possible and that is
a very good question.
MAUNA KEA TRASK, County Attorney: For the record, Mauna Kea
Trask, County Attorney. In response to Councilmember Kuali`i's question, although
not directly on point, since 1978 the Hawaiian Renaissance, government, state, and
county, as well as federal government in Hawaii, the trend is to increase the use of
Native Hawaiian place names and names for the purposes stated by Councilmember
Kualii regarding the host culture. This is Hawaii and this is the only place that has
these types of names. Even members of the community, now you know, like Uncle
Theodore "Teddy" Blake uses all the...there is no real use of Hawaiian place names
on the south side, he uses those names. For instance, Shipwreck's, he refers it to
Keoneloa Bay. I do not even know what the real name is for the Sheraton is, but that
is the trend. Kauai County Code 1987, as amended, does encourage use of Hawaiian
names for streets. State, the same thing. Native Hawaiian is an official language.
Co-equal with English in.the State of Hawaii under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)
Section 1-13, as well as the Hawai`i State Constitution; and although not directly
related, the passage of Act 195 in 2011, which is the State's recognition of Native
Hawaiian people as the only indigenous people of the State of Hawaii. The purpose
of that is to provide and implement the recognition of Native Hawaiians, and amongst
other things, further promoting their cultural, heritage, entitlement, health,
education, and welfare. As stated, Kauai clearly reflects its diverse history including
sugar and prior industries, so it does not mandate it either way, but the trend is to
encourage, and increase use of Native Hawaiian place names so they are not
forgotten. Rice Street is there and they will never forget Rice Street. That is all.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Do either of you know the...because I look at
this as two (2) different things. There is a project, which is a building in a specific
are that is under the management of a developer and their management company.
Then there is an area or town center, a community area, or historical area—do either
of you know what the full boundaries are of this Rice Camp area and does it solely
represent just the area that is this housing project or a bigger or smaller area?
Mr. Trask: My understanding of that is that it is complex
because even in Kaua`i, the original Kaua`i place names are largely unknown. The
reason why is because in 1824, Liholiho sent over his General Kaikioewa to slaughter
Kaumuali`i's last son, Humehume, or captured Humehume and just decimated all the
royalty on Kaua`i in 1824. Kaikioewa was then instituted as the first governor of
Hawaii. He was from O`ahu, because he was a member of the Kamehameha royalty
group, and so that is where "Lihu'e" comes from. "Lihu'e" is actually an O`ahu place
name. It is in the district of Puna, but all those old Kauai names, specifically, had
been lost. We all know there is a distinction between Kaua`i Hawaiian/Ni`ihau
COUNCIL MEETING 28 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Hawaiian and the rest of the State. It is very deep and I think in the absence of
knowing what traditionally was used, going through a process and trying to identify
new Hawaiian names and appropriate place names for this area, "Kaniko`o" again,
according to the Hawaiian dictionary does mean an age person as well as a certain
type of rain with the wind. That is metaphorical reference to the use of the cane and
so it would be appropriate in that cultural context.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead, Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: But Kaniko`o is not a place name, right?
Ms. Fu: No, it is not.
Mr. Trask: Again, like I said, if you mean a traditional
place name used by...no one knows. The place name at this point is Lihu`e.
Councilmember Yukimura: And Kaniko`o is not a place name.
Mr. Trask: It is. It is a name of a place or it would be.
Councilmember Yukimura: But it is not a name of that place.
Mr. Trask: If named, it would be. I mean that is how
Hawaiian works. You can name it. You can speak to your kupuna, listen to our
`aumakua, dream, contemplate, research, and then you got the name.
Papahanaumokuakea—I mean that is a name.
Council Chair Rapozo: Please ask a question.
Councilmember Yukimura: Ms. Fu, where does it say that the developer
determines the name?
Ms. Fu: Where does it say it?
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes. What is the law that says the developer
determines the name?
Council Chair Rapozo: It is ownership's rights.
Ms. Fu: Okay...
Councilmember Yukimura: Is it not a County's project?
Ms. Fu: It is not a County's project...okay...
Councilmember Yukimura: Is it the County's Housing project?
Mr. Fu: No, it does not belong to the County.
Councilmember Yukimura: The land belongs to the County.
Ms. Fu: On a Ground Lease.
COUNCIL MEETING 29 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Yukimura: We created the project, did we not?
Ms. Fu: We assisted with the project.
Councilmember Yukimura: Wait a minute—we initiated the project. Did
we not?
Ms. Fu: We initiated the project, yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: So we went out for a request for proposal and
determined who should develop the project.
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: And we supported them in getting moneys
and we claim it as a County Housing Project in terms of the number of affordable
housing units that the County has developed.
Ms. Fu: Is that a question?
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes.
Ms. Fu: Oh, yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: So, it is a County Housing Project, right?
Ms. Fu: In partnership with the County, yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. We have great influence over this
project. In fact, we greatly influenced the naming of this project, correct?
Ms. Fu: That is your assumption.
Council Chair Rapozo: I think she said that earlier.
Ms. Fu: As I said, we have no position. We do not agree
nor disagree with the name change. Please give the courtesy to the developer, who
will be responsible for changing all of the logistical name changes, and have her weigh
in. She has not been consulted on this matter and she should be consulted.
Councilmember Yukimura: I left a message for her.
Ms. Fu: And that is where the Housing Agency stands
and that is it...
Council Chair Rapozo: Regardless of who owns it or what, this is a
policy statement of the Council. The Council cannot change the name of that project.
It is irrelevant who...we are taking this too far. Where is Mauna Kea? I had a simple
question. The project is just the building or buildings. The area...and I do not know,
I think Councilmember Kuali`i asked that question earlier, is there a definition of the
boundaries of Rice Camp or is Rice Camp just like Puhi Camp or Kealia Camp or all
these other camps that...is it even a legal camp?
COUNCIL MEETING 30 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Ms. Fu: What we do have available is when we
conducted the cultural impact assessment, and it was conducted for the two (2)
parcels, which Kaniko`o Phase I sits on and Kaniko`o Phase II. In the built
environment, the project area was known as "Lihu`e Ranch," which started around
1879. There was a dairy near here prior to plantation camp, so this is the research.
Shortly thereafter, stables and corrals existed on the parcel. Some refer to this project
area as Rice Camp.
Council Chair Rapozo: Right.
Ms. Fu: So that is the historical portion that we have
and that is it.
Council Chair Rapozo: The County did not buy that property from
Rice.
Ms. Fu: We did not.
Council Chair Rapozo: We bought that property from Mr. Bowman.
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: He was a private owner. The Rice Camp is a
designation that the community or island has given that area: Rice Camp. That is
why I asked you the question, Ms. Fu, because for me it is always going to be Rice
Camp. The "project" is Kaniko`o. That is the project's name. For instance, Costco calls
their building, "Costco," and McDonald's calls theirs "McDonald's." Is the County
going to say let us change McDonald's to a Hawaiian name? That is their prerogative.
We can do a resolution and we can ask them. I guess my question for Mauna Kea is,
is there a legal, defined boundary?
Councilmember Yukimura: No.
Council Chair Rapozo: It is not. So, Rice Camp will be Rice Camp.
Kaniko`o will be Kaniko`o, that building, that is the owner's building, and they
decided what they wanted to name it. I do not know if Rice Camp was ever changed.
I do anything ever changed the designation of Rice Camp. Rice Camp is still there. I
do not care what they call that building, and I am asking if I am wrong, but that is
still Rice Camp. The Resolution is asking to change the building, if I am reading it
correctly to Rice Camp. The project, itself, is the structure that we have facilitated to
put our elderly people in housing, but the area is still Rice Camp. Do you understand
what I am trying to say or am I confusing you? I guess what I am trying to say is
Rice Camp has not been changed. The fact that somebody developed a housing project
in the old Rice Camp does not change Rice Camp to the Hawaiian name. The project
is Kaniko`o, right now, and Rice Camp is still there, unless you see it differently. Do
you think that when the developer said we are going to name our project Kaniko`o
that, that all of a sudden changed the entire Rice Camp to Kaniko`o?
Ms. Fu: I do not think that was the intention of the
name change. It was the intention of the project so we could have and facilitate a
Hawaiian name for the project itself.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Hooser.
COUNCIL MEETING 31 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Hooser: It is not really a question for the Housing
Agency; it is more of a suggestion for the body, if I may?
Council Chair Rapozo: Sure.
Councilmember Hooser: I think according to what we heard, the
developer/owner owns the Ground Lease, which controls the use of that land for the
term of that Ground Lease which would include the naming, the structures, and the
project. I think it is appropriate, if this body feels so, to request the owner to consider
changing the name. I think that is perfectly acceptable to make that request to the
owner. What I want to suggest is that we consider possibly what feels like an obvious
collaborative compromise that we suggest that we name it Kaniko`o Rice Camp Senior
Housing, where we give up nothing and only add value to it. We retain the Hawaiian
thought, process, and value that that adds, and then you retain the historical name
as well. That is just a suggestion. It is not a formal amendment, but I think that is
something we would like to consider. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: I am developing an amendment that copies be
sent to...and I understand that there are two (2) different owners of Phase I and
Phase II. I want to say and I need your advice as to how I word this, instead of naming
a company, I want to say, "The developer or owner of the housing project." I want to
know what it should be, Ms. Fu.
Ms. Fu: I am going to have to pass on that question.
What you want it to be...or we can ask our legal...
Councilmember Yukimura: Who owns the property right now? I was told
that...
Ms. Fu: We can get that information for you and in
addition to the Ground Lease, which is what you have requested.
Councilmember Yukimura: So then, I should say "the owner."
Ms. Fu: Yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: Then it would be, "The owner of the housing
project," because...okay. I want to say that the fact that it has changed hands so
quickly does cause me to have some concern. Thank you. We will put the word,
"Owner."
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kagawa.
(Council Chair Rapozo, the presiding officer, relinquished Chairmanship to
Council Vice Chair Kagawa.)
(Council Chair Rapozo was noted as not present.)
Councilmember Kagawa: You always look for the cost that you do not
see and the purpose of Rice Camp Elderly Housing is to keep the rents as affordable
as we can for our seniors. I am wondering if changing of the name is a financial
burden. Does changing the name from Kaniko`o to Rice Camp entail changing legal
COUNCIL MEETING 32 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
documents and changing all their bank information? It is not like changing a park
name. There is no checks that are written from a pavilion out in KO loa or what have
you, but this entails a financial burden. This is a corporation that has a name and I
am just worried that if we ask them to change it now, is that going to mean that we
are going to pass that little cost there onto the seniors? It may be a small cost, like
five dollars ($5) a month, but I am worried that we are going to be caught up with
changing the name and then in the end it will affect the seniors. The people we are
trying to help the most, we are going to hurt because we are getting stuck in this
name battle. I am just worried if that is a concern. I do not know how much it costs
to change a corporation's name or what have you, but it is a concern that Makani may
have to consider?
Ms. Fu: Those are some considerations that would be
made, but again, it would be made by the developer who would need to be informed
of this decision or resolution of wanting to change the name.
Councilmember Kagawa: Okay. Thank you. Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: I just want to let you know that the seniors
are making out their checks to Rice Camp Senior Housing right now, is what I have
been told. If this change is going to cause a problem of cost, then I am more concern
than ever that we are getting for-profit developers of housing.
Councilmember Kagawa: Is that a question?
Councilmember Yukimura: No, that was a comment.
Councilmember Kagawa: Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: Never mind.
Councilmember Kagawa: Okay, anymore questions for the Housing
Agency? Go ahead, Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: I heard the compromise. If we are using both
names, if that would legally satisfy needing to make any changes that would cost us
more money. If it is Kaniko`o at Rice Camp or vice versa. How could that be utilized
effectively?
Councilmember Kagawa: Councilmember Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Based on what Councilmember Hooser's
suggestion and Councilmember Chock's question now, the other name I would put
out there, which really would not change the name would be Kaniko`o Senior Housing
Project at Rice Camp.
(Council Chair Rapozo was noted as present.)
(Council Vice Chair Kagawa returned Chairmanship duties to Council Chair
Rapozo.)
Councilmember Kuali`i: The new Longs Drugs in Waipouli or a lot of
the new places now are naming their place and then including "at" the place or the
area is referred to. I would proposed Kaniko`o Senior Housing Project, which lets the
COUNCIL MEETING 33 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
developer keep their legal name, but encourage the developer to also include in some
of their references, "at Rice Camp." To bring "Rice Camp" into the project, which is
located in Rice Camp, that is the area.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: , You are not going to put that on a sign and
Councilmember Rapozo says, "Yes, we all know that is Rice Camp," because that is
Rice Camp to us, except that when those of us who know and remember die, then the
name or knowledge of it does not exist anymore. It is the naming that is put on
buildings, in documents, and elsewhere that keeps its memory alive. That is why Rice
Camp as the name of the housing project is important because otherwise after the
people who remember die off, so does the name.
Mr. Trask: You are, in essence, arguing both for the
change to Rice Camp and the retention of Kaniko`o. I think what you are stating
right there is the Native Hawaiian community's justification for maintaining the
names and rediscovering them.
Councilmember Yukimura: The name Kaniko`o does not have a relation
to that specific parcel. You could use it in another senior project in Lihu`e and it would
apply, and we could name it that way.
Mr. Trask: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Excuse me, I would like to finish.
Mr. Trask: Sure.
Council Chair Rapozo: You need to ask a question. We will have time
to discuss.
Councilmember Yukimura: No, we are having a discussion in the process.
Council Chair Rapozo: I am going to end this real soon because...go
ahead and ask a question.
Councilmember Yukimura: He was not asking a question and he was not
answering a question. He was giving his opinion and I have a right to respond to it.
Therefore, it does not have the place connection that Rice Camp does, and really I
think it is out of place for you, as an attorney, to give an opinion that is not a legal
opinion.
Mr. Trask: Okay, so...
Council Chair Rapozo: I am going to stop that because we are not
going to get into this...no. You have every right to...and I am not going to go down
that...you do not need to defend yourself. This is what we are going to do...any more
questions for the Housing Agency or for the Attorney? I am not going to sit here
and...this is not a difficult issue. We just have to make a decision on this body on
what we are going to do, where it is going, and whom we are going to ask. We do not
have the right to change the name. This body does not have the right to change the
name. The Administration does not have the right to change the name. This body
has every right in the world to send over a resolution and say, "as a body, we are
COUNCIL MEETING 34 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
asking you, owner, to change your name," and they do what they want. We are not
going to sit here and talk about who owned it before. It is a very simple resolution
that I plan to take action on before the caption break, which will be the end of this
meeting.
Mr. Trask: Chair?
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes.
Mr. Trask: This being a legal venue and containing a
record, I would like to make two (2) statements to correct the record, if I may.
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead.
Mr. Trask: First off, this is a resolution, a policy
statement.
Council Chair Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Trask: This is not a legal action; therefore, none of
the opinions...I am trying to assist so I am not trying to render a legal opinion on
this.
Council Chair Rapozo: Right.
Mr. Trask: And second, I think it can be judicially noticed
that I do not believe that the statement made by Councilmember is correct in that it
does not fit there. Keao NeSmith is a respected, Native Hawaiian petitioner, who has
a doctorate degree in Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language. He is positioned to
make that call—I am not positioned, Councilmember is not positioned, and I just want
to stay away from the cultural...give deference and respect to the Native Hawaiian
culture in what they can do with their culture and place names.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any more questions?If not, thank
you very much. Anyone in the audience wishing to testify before we call this meeting
back to order?
JOE ROSA: For the record, Joe Rosa. I have been sitting
here listing to all this hogwash going on back and forth; "name this, name that." I
hereby name that the "Kalena Elderly Housing." Why? Kalena Park, Kalena Road,
and the Kalena Valley where the Chinese and Hawaiian people used to live across
the railroad track. I remember. That area is part of the "Kilapaki" and not Kalapaki
Villas or anything. Kalapaki is down Nawiliwili where the Kalapaki Villas are. Where
Councilmember Yukimura family's store was "Kilapaki." I am not Hawaiian, but I
have memory. I know Hawaiian families: the Ho`okano's and Kaeo's that used to live
down in the Kalena side of the railroad track. Charlie Diamond is noted for being the
Hawaiian World War II famous veteran. I never did hear the Yukimura family living
in Rice Camp. I heard of the Hironaka's, the Shigemoto's, and the Fujii's, but Kilapaki
Village, Yukimura Store down in the valley, across the sugar mill. You take the old,
what we used to call, "Banana Road" and go down to the store and come up on the
other side. That is part of history, but to me where is Kalena now? Kalena Park and
Kalena Street is there, where is the word kalena? Why not Kalena Elderly Housing—
simple as that and people will know where it is. I never did hear the word kalena
mentioned, but there is Haola Street that goes between Kalena Park and Rice Camp
COUNCIL MEETING 35 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
and Kalena Valley Village over there. Come on this argument going around, I would
suggest Kalena Housing because people will know where it is. They will say, "Right
off of Kalena Street." All this hogwash going around only for a name. That is a
Hawaiian name—Kalena, so look into it.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thirty (30) seconds, Joe.
Mr. Rosa: Yes. That is the kind of thing I hear. They
are talking history, so let us hear about it. I can bring up name and give names.
Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you, Mr. Rosa.
KEN TAYLOR: Chair and Members of the Council, my name
is Ken Taylor. I believe when this project was blessed, it was blessed under its
Hawaiian name. I think it would be a real problem if you changed the name at this
point in time. There is something special about blessing a project and what the
meaning of that and I think it is important to understand that by changing the name,
you have a potential of creating some serious problems down the road with this
project. I would hate to see that happen. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Anyone else?
BRUCE HART: For the record, Bruce Hart. I have been
blessed to live on Kaua`i for over forty (40) years now. One of the things that made an
impression on me, when I moved here, was that all or most of the streets were named
with Hawaiian names. I also learned over the years that in the past, unfortunately,
there were those that suppressed the Hawaiian language and I found that to be
outrageous. They even suppressed it to the point of suggesting that Hawaiian people
not use their Hawaiian name and use an English name. I have a great deal of respect
for this subject. I think you will find that Kaniko`o, "wind and seniors," what you are
going to find is that the "wind" is a representative of spirit. It seems to me that this
name is very good honorific to the elders that live there. It is almost as if the name is
saying that we are remembering the spirit of the people; the elders that lived here. I
am not versed in Hawaiian, but I get a feeling if you have somebody that knows the
Hawaiian language, that is what they are going to say. I understand where
Councilmember Yukimura is coming from also. This is not an issue, in which it would
be easy to get a number of people to agree upon. I do not know where it is going, but
from my part, again, I have put a lot of thought into this subject long before this
discussion and I think that when we can, we should honor the indigenous people who
settled this land at the beginning. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any other public testimony? Councilmember
Kuali`i.
There being no further testimony, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Councilmember Kuali`i: I asked staff to prepare an amendment for me
and it would be the point that I made on the second page, the second to the last "Be
it resolved," where it says, "that is supports and requests the renaming of Kaniko`o
Housing Project."There is a mistake there because I think it has always been refereed
to as Kaniko`o Senior Housing Project, so to make that correction. Then the renaming
COUNCIL MEETING 36 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
part would be "Kaniko`o Senior Housing Project at Rice Camp." That is going to be
my amendment that is being drafted.
Council Chair Rapozo: I stepped out for a bit, but I heard your tail
end of the conversation. As I walked in, I heard you mention the "at Waipouli" and I
already written, "The Villas at Puali, the Regency of Puakea," and I am not sure if
you brought those up, but that to me...I do not know why we need a resolution for
that because that is what it is. It is Kaniko`o at Rice Camp. As far as I am concerned,
it is Kaniko`o at Rice Camp. Before we start going with amendments, really, does this
body believe that we should incorporate the Hawaiian name into the place name, Rice
Camp, or do we believe that we should get rid of all references to the Hawaiian name
and just keep it as Rice Camp? That is really what it boils down to. Is there a happy
medium? Councilmember Hooser suggested one earlier, I think Councilmember
Kuali`i refined it, but it is the same thing, coming together and using the two names.
As far as I see it right now, it already is Kaniko`o at Rice Camp. Kaniko`o did not
replace the Rice Camp name. Rice Camp is still there. Councilmember Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: While I agree with you that it is at Rice Camp,
I think it is important to institutionalize that and formally put it into the name, so
as generations move forward, that is it not forgotten. I definitely support including
Rice Camp into the formal name in terms of the request. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kuali`i suggested Kaniko`o at
Rice Camp.
Councilmember Hooser: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: Senior Housing Project.
Councilmember Hooser: Yes, but not as an afterthought, as part of the
name.
Council Chair Rapozo: No, I am asking if you would support that
amendment.
Councilmember Hooser: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: If you say Kaniko`o Senior Housing at Rice
Camp, Rice Camp will be forgotten in terms of any signs or in anything. That is the
fact. Therefore if you say Kaniko`o at Rice Camp, that might preserve it.
Council Chair Rapozo: I think that is what he said.
Councilmember Yukimura: Like Courtyards at Waipouli, three (3) words.
Kaniko`o at Rice Camp, four (4) words. If you put "Kaniko`o Senior Housing at Rice
Camp"...forget it. I am just talking practically speaking. If you want to combine the
names, I think it needs to be something like, "Kaniko`o at Rice Camp."
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: Actually, I was thinking similar thoughts. I do
not know why we need to say, "Housing," or even "Senior." It is the name of the
COUNCIL MEETING 37 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
project, at the location, and I agree with Councilmember Yukimura, shorter is better.
It would make it a better name, I think.
Council Chair Rapozo: I am good with Kaniko`o at Rice Camp. That
would be the name and again, we are only asking. The developer could say no.
Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: For me, I thought it was going to be an easy
decision until we heard the conversation. I am not comfortable sending a resolution
requesting an owner to change the name. I am not sure what type of precedent we
are setting, but we could do this to any landowner on Kauai and say, "No, you should
change the name to this or to that." The decision should have been had with the
developer ahead of time already. Maybe we would not be up here trying to debate
what the name should be or how it should be. I think a solution could have been...we
talk about it, we want to save the name because of logistics, and maybe the County
or somebody will help us do a plaque there that explains the history of the area so
that all the residents can view. I do not think it necessarily only needs to be a name
change to it. If I was the developer and I received a letter saying, "The entire County
Council supports you changing the name"...it puts a lot of undue pressure on them.
If they just say, "No, we can do other things," I do not want it to be as if they do not
respect the Rice Camp area or anything like that. For me, it is hard for us to put this
undue pressure on them. We should work with them. We should not have a resolution
that says, "All seven (7) Councilmembers support the name, so you should change the
name." I do not know. It is a very difficult situation for me to just support. There
needs to be more communication to the developer and not really have it in this public
atmosphere where people are saying...we are going to have people say, "I lived there
a long time ago and now we are going to be mad the developer because they did not
change the name." It is a great project. Keao NeSmith picked an excellent name for
it. The meaning of it, you know already, touches your heart that it is an elderly
housing subdivision. Is this name change the only thing we can do and should we be
putting pressure on the developer, on television, and with public comment? I think it
should be a conversation had with the developer. If they want to do something else,
they do something else. That is why I am not very comfortable with this Resolution
and I do not think I will be supporting it.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: The conversation was already had with the
developer, which was when the Mayor and the developer got together to name it. It
was done without awareness of the history of Rice Camp. I did not know until today
that it was the developer's power to do this because the landowner is the County. The
landowner is the County. In fact, in the request for proposal or even in the lease, the
County could have said, "We want the name of Rice Camp to be perpetuated," and it
was not done. I think we can express our concern on behalf of people who live in our
community and on our island who want this part of the history of Lihu`e to be
perpetuated. We can express our opinion and say we want that name included. If we
want to put that combination, I think we need to say that. I do not think it is
inappropriate for us to express our opinion representing the people of Kaua`i,
especially of the Lihu`e area because this project is in Lihu`e.
Council Chair Rapozo: Is your amendment ready?
Councilmember Kuali`i: Yes.
COUNCIL MEETING 38 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: Did you want to wait for the amendment?
Councilmember Chock: Either way.
Council Chair Rapozo: We have to take a caption break. I assumed
we would get this done by caption, but we will not. Let us take a ten (10) minute
caption break.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 10:28 a.m.
The meeting was called back to order at 10:41 a.m., and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: I will call the meeting back to order. Is
anybody going to be introducing an amendment or is anyone ready for an
amendment? Let us start with the amendments so we can have something on the
table. Are you ready?
Councilmember Kuali`i: I talked it over with Councilmember
Yukimura, so I think this is the only amendment. My amendment suggests instead
of renaming it to "Kaniko`o Senior Housing Project at Rice Camp," we will drop
"Senior Housing Project." It will read, "Kaniko`o at Rice Camp."
Council Chair Rapozo: Is that a motion?
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to amend Resolution No. 2016-58 as circulated,
and as shown in the Floor Amendment, which is attached hereto as
Attachment 1, seconded by Councilmember Yukimura.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any further discussion? The public wants
copies; can you please provide the public copies? Any further discussion?
Councilmember Chock: Discussion on the amendment?
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes, we are on the amendment. Okay, if no
discussion...
The motion to amend Resolution No. 2016-58 as circulated, and as shown in
the Floor Amendment, which is attached hereto as Attachment 1 was then put,
and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Motion carried. We are back to the main
motion.
Councilmember Yukimura: I have another amendment.
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead.
Councilmember Yukimura: I am just adding the owners to the last
paragraph where we are sending copies.
Councilmember Yukimura moved to amend Resolution No. 2016-58, as
amended, as circulated, and as shown in the Floor Amendment, which is
attached hereto as Attachment 2, seconded by Councilmember Hooser.
COUNCIL MEETING 39 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: How difficult would it be to get that
information and put that on the Resolution? I am not going to bring the
Administration back up for that, but is that something we can do? Okay. I will just
ask Councilmember Yukimura that we...
Councilmember Kuali`i: Vitus Development, Makani Maeva, Director.
Council Chair Rapozo: No, that has been changed.
Councilmember Kuali`i: And there are two (2).
Council Chair Rapozo: And then Phase II, according to
Councilmember Yukimura, has a different owner.
Councilmember Yukimura: I am not sure, but I know I was told that there
were two (2) different entities involved so that is what we have to verify.
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay. Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: During the break, I got to ask some questions
about some of my fears about the added cost that may be needed if we change the
name...not if we change, if the developer decides to go along and change the name
and if there would be any cost added to the cost for the seniors to rent. I was told that
there would be no significant increasing cost and that the developer has always been
willing to work with the County as far as if we had any suggestions. I will be
supporting this amendment, but it is my understanding that Councilmember
Yukimura had the opportunity to work out this type of compromise earlier and it
disappoints me because as I said earlier, I have done some name changes in the past
and I have always done the due diligence and worked with the Administration so that
we get a smoother item when we reach the floor. I understand that Councilmember
Yukimura wanted to just keep Rice Camp, but again, it is just respecting the work
that has been done prior because if we had made the suggestion before the name
change was even done, then you do not disrespect a lot of the work that was done to
found this name. As we found out what the name was, Kaniko`o, it is a really
appropriate name to respect the elderly community by using a Hawaiian name that
has been worked by Keao NeSmith, who is my classmate. We have worked with Mr.
NeSmith on many of our names to better describe with Hawaiian words the different
locations in Kauai. I think it is respecting both sides. It is respecting our Hawaiian
culture and it is respecting our past plantation culture. I think this is a compromise.
I am happy we are at this compromise and it is the same as if you go back and
remember when the Kaua`i Veterans Center wanted to rename Kapule Highway,just
for the area fronting the Veterans Center to name it"Kaua`i Veterans Highway." Just
that short portion. Then we had people from the Hawaiian community who said, "No,
do not take our Kapule." In the end, we were faced with two (2) sides that were not
totally happy, but we achieved a compromise and to find out later that it was not even
our decision, it was the State's decision, but I guess what we did by suggesting in a
resolution was we recommended to the State that they compromise and use both
names for that front road. Again, it is a lot easier when we compromise. I think in
this case we actually respect both sides and although both sides may not be happy,
this is the best result that we can achieve and hopefully the developer will go along
with it and we can have a win-win. Thank you, Council Chair.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
COUNCIL MEETING 40 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Yukimura: I agree that this is good compromise and the
best way to go. Vice Chair said if we had made a suggestion before the name change
was made that would have been better, but we had no idea that the name change was
going to be made. It was Rice Camp until the day it was announced that the name
was going to change to Kaniko`o, so nobody got notice. There was no consultation or
notice that there was going to be a name change. Perhaps, it would have been better
for me just to work things out with the developer, but actually, I think this process
has gotten to a better compromise than what I might have gotten with the developer
or owner. I think it is good that we have this diversity of thought and conversation
around this table and perhaps that leads to the best results.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Anyone else? Councilmember
Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: I want to thank Councilmember Yukimura for
bringing this forward and giving us an opportunity to honor the history and those
people that grew up and the names that were read and the testimonies that were
submitted—I think it is important. Regardless of what happens, I think we spent some
time today recognizing that history. It is not a small thing to change a name. This is
something that will be around for a long, long time. While it might have seemed
painful at times discussing something like this, I think the end result is a good one.
We are able to honor the past and recognize and honor the far past, if you would, and
presence of Hawaiian culture and the effort that went into that name as well. I am
very pleased with the outcome and hopeful that the current owner will recognize the
value of this proposal as well. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Anyone else? Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: So, we are on...
Council Chair Rapozo: We are on the amendment to add the owners.
Councilmember Yukimura: And right now the amendment reads, "And
the owner(s) of the housing project." Is it the intention that we would instruct the
Clerk to add in the names when we get them before we send this Resolution out?
Council Chair Rapozo: I would offer that as a friendly amendment.
Councilmember Yukimura: I do not know if that is possible.
Council Chair Rapozo: I am assuming by the time that I had made
that request that someone had checked because it cannot be that difficult to figure
that out.
Councilmember Yukimura: I do not think that has happened and if we are
ready to vote on it, the question is, what words are we voting on?
Council Chair Rapozo: Right now you are voting on, "and the
owner(s) of the housing project."
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay, and it will be mailed to the specific
owners.
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay, that is fine.
COUNCIL MEETING 41 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: I would like to reiterate that I think the name
is a good name in trying to incorporate the history of Rice Camp, but I just think that
the process that we went through is very unfair. I think the way it should have went
or I would have liked to see it go is you speak with Ms. Fu and say, "Hey, we have
people concerned about wanting to keep that Rice Camp name alive. We want to look
at renaming the place." Ms. Fu will probably say, "We need to talk to the developer,"
then you have the Administration or us talk to the developer, and we compromise.
The developer could say, "Yes, we would be open to this name," and then we can put
it up here and see what the public thinks about it, but right now we are kind of like
pigeonholing Makani folks, which I feel is unfair. She did not even get notice of it.
They did not even have time to...
Councilmember Yukimura: They did get notice.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: There was no communication between the
developer. She could not say why she likes it or dislikes it and that is an important
part of it. That is the part that needs to be involved in this name change. I think we
really missed the ball on that, on not having them involved and getting that
communication back and forth first before putting this on the agenda. That is just
my biggest concern, which is the process. I think it is unfair to them. Not being even
able to be here to answer the questions relating to how it will affect them or how easy
is it to change a name. We do not have any of that input. I am glad we are adding it
to the Resolution now.
Council Chair Rapozo: We are still on the amendment.
The motion to amend Resolution No. 2016-58, as amended, as circulated, and
as shown in the Floor Amendment, which is attached hereto as Attachment 2
was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Back to the main motion. Councilmember
Chock.
Councilmember Chock: Thank you, Chair. Honoring our past is really
important and the Rice Camp has a rich history that I think we want to acknowledge
and honor. As well as previous uses and the discussion, I thought was interesting on
what was there before. Although Kaniko`o, the name is not the name of the place, I
value us wanting to move in the direction of honoring specific winds. How we get to
that decision could be talked about for a couple days, but we, this body, have in the
past changed...taken off Queen Kapule's name off of the highway or section of the
highway for a compromise and I see this as no different from that. I am very
supportive of what is being recommended here, but I think we need to be clear on
that process of how we do name changes and how far we are going to take
acknowledging specific names. This area, like our County Attorney said, is known as
Lihu'e, but the traditional name is Kala`iamea, but we do not use that and we have
not changed any of our records to reflect that. I think it is a fine line and I think when
we find an opportunity to honor places, we should be doing that appropriately. I think
to some degree, I do agree with Councilmember Kaneshiro, in the discussion with the
developers if at all possible, that is where I would like to have had that happen prior
COUNCIL MEETING 42 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
to this. Ultimately, I think that "Kaniko`o at Rice Camp" is a good fit and I will be
voting in support of it. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any other discussion? We are on the main
motion.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: Again, I will not be voting on the Resolution
because of the process that it went through. The developer should be involved before
we send this Resolution out. It could have been an easy homerun if everyone talked
to the developer and they said they are fine with it, they come here with the
resolution, and present would be Ms. Fu, the developer, and everyone saying, "Yes,
we like this name. Let us see if the public is open to it." It would pretty much a
homerun, but now we are here and we are missing a big piece of the puzzle, the
developer who has a part of renaming this place. I completely understand about
perpetuating a place's name. My great-grandfather and grandfather grew up behind
Koloa Baseball Park and that place was called "Banana Camp," but we are not
requiring the people to name it Banana Camp. My grandma grew up in Japanese
Camp in K6loa, behind First Hawaiian Bank, but that place is not called "Japanese
Camp." It is called Waikomo Subdivision. Do I still know it as Japanese Camp? Yes.
If you said Japanese Camp, I know where it is. The name does not need to be there.
The process could have been way easier if we got all the right people on the right page
before it went on the agenda. That is the only thing I am hesitant about—send a
resolution without even being able to hear from a large portion of who is going to have
to make this happen, that is my one (1) concern. I would be more comfortable if...I
am sure everyone is ready to vote on it and I think the name is great, you know, I like
the Kaniko`o name and I like recognizing Rice Camp, but I would have like to hear
from the developer and what they had to say. If they came in and said, "Yes, that is
a great name," I think this would have been a homerun. It is just the process, but no
disrespect to the people that want the Rice Camp name in there. I completely
understand keeping those types of names, but I think just the process of this makes
it very difficult for me to vote on without even hearing from the people that actually
have to change the name on it.
Council Chair Rapozo: Anyone else? Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: This would never have had to happen if, I
believe the Mayor at the time that he recommended the name change from Rice Camp
to Kaniko`o, would have consulted with the history and the people. It was a complete
surprise, and as I said, there was no notice or request for consultation. It was my
understanding until this day that it was a County action that actually lead to the
name and that is why this Resolution was introduced. I really appreciate the input
that we got from those who grew up in Rice Camp. I really appreciate the discussion
that we had around this table. I am pleased that the result is a request that asks for
the perpetuation of history, because unless it is placed in a name, it is does not really
survive. It only lasts as long as those who remember.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: I will just add that the Resolution does say
that we support this and that we request that the developer consider the rename. My
amendment in saying, "at Rice Camp," was to respect not only the Hawaiian name or
culture, but also the developer's right to have chosen that name. Yet, with "at Rice
Camp", we are recognizing the area and putting that too in the name. I still think
ultimately it will be the developer's choice as to how much of the name they use, in
COUNCIL MEETING 43 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
what form they use the name, and whether they have already incurred expenditures
on signage and things like that. Councilmember Kaneshiro's idea about if the County
wants to commemorate Rice Camp as a larger thing, we should look at a plaque or
some type of storyboard. There are place name and cultural signage that have been
under consideration and if some are already in place for the path, then we might
consider it for some of our significant areas in our different communities. We, of
course, had camps all over the island. I grew up in Puhi Camp. Kaua`i Community
College (KCC) is partially occupying Puhi Camp, old former Puhi Camp where the
agriculture programs and things like that are. I also agree with Councilmember
Kaneshiro about the process, but this is just a request and so if anything else, it will
be a request that is communicated with the developer, and it is still the developer's
choice. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I am going to be supporting this compromise,
as stated earlier, but let us call it what it is, it is just major politicking. The timing,
the process, and the way that we went about it. We had very influential members
and a lot of them are friends and I never received one call about it. They sent strong
E-mails as though they were really done wrong. The fact of the matter is that the Rice
name and the Rice Camp will never be forgotten. We have Rice Street, Rice Shopping
Center. There is no disrespect to the history of the Rice Camp ever. That will never
happen. I think the Housing Agency did a great job in trying to give an appropriate
name to our newest and highly successful—so successful that we are going into Phase
II right away. They did a very good job of giving it an appropriate name that I think
needs to be commended. Is putting "Rice Camp" in there a good compromise? Yes, I
support it, but let us call it what it is, it is a lot major politicking right now. Thank
you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: Rice Street is very sufficient in recognizing
the Rice family. Rice Camp acknowledges the workers and the families that help to
build the plantation. It is very different. I just want to say that the owner was
notified and it was said that the changes to the name would not cause any significant
problem. Just for the record.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: I am in enthusiastic support. I think the
compromise is good. Like the earlier issue on our agenda, I think we should try to
look at the good stuff, you know. This is a positive celebration in honoring an
important segment of our history and culture and I think we should celebrate that.
You can call it politicking; we can call every item that is on the agenda politicking.
The TIGER grant, the pounding of the fist and ranting about the money spent, could
be called politicking. I think we should respect the intent of each of us as we present
things to this Council and honor that intent as being genuine, rather than to belittle
or besmirch that intent. This is a great thing that we are doing today and I have no
problems with the process. My first impression and understanding was that this was
a County project, so it is understandable for all of us to believe that. The owners, like
all members of the public, had notice. This is a publicly noticed project and it is a
statement of the Council's intent. It is not making the developer do anything. This is
saying that the Council believes this name should be changed. That is it. I am proud
and happy to support the renaming to include Rice Camp in it. Thank you.
COUNCIL MEETING 44 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Anyone else? Councilmember
Yukimura, you already spoke twice and I am not sure why you continuing to do this,
but...
Councilmember Yukimura: But you have discretion to allow me as the
introducer of the Resolution.
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead.
Councilmember Yukimura: It does really actually hurt me that my
motives would be questioned about this because my only desire is to perpetuate the
history of a very important time and people that were part of this. It is the home and
where General Eric Ken Shinseki grew up. I appreciate that we found a way to honor
both cultures.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any other discussion? Last week
when I read the Resolution, I was under the impression that it was a County's project
and it really seem like a no-brainer. I think I see things differently from some of the
members of the Council that in fact this has nothing to do with Rice Camp. Rice Camp
is Rice Camp and I have said that earlier in my discussion. Rice Camp will always be
Rice Camp. Rice Camp is not defined by metes and bounds. Rice Camp is that area
where the old Rice Camp used to be at, no different than as Councilmember Kuali`i
said about Puhi Camp, Kealia Camp, Japanese Camp, Banana Camp, all of these
different camps. Councilmember Kuali`i really said what I was thinking. If we want
to preserve these iconic places, we should make an honest effort to put up a plaque to
educate people, to remind generations that these plantation camps—it frustrates me
when people talk about the plantation mentality and how we have to get rid of it, but
if not for the plantation mentality, Kaua`i would not be Kaua`i today. I firmly believe
that. That is why Kaua`i is the way it is, because back in the old days when you had
all those different camps, the cultural camps, people were able to walk next door and
borrow avocados and fruits. That is the plantation mentality, and people just
demonize that, and it just kills me. My point is that when the developer's took over
this project, named that project, and granted with the Mayor's suggestion, advice, or
what...I commend the Mayor for picking a name that I think is a great name. That
did not change the name of Rice Camp. Rice Camp is there. It is the project that is
within Rice Camp. It never changed. What we are asking is to have a private
developer, which changes it for me because it is no longer the County's project, that
the developer went through their due diligence and working with the County to come
up with a name that they believe fit that project. At the original blessing of the first
Phase I, I thought they did that quite well and it really, really struck me how that
name was so connected to that place. I believe what Mr. Hart said earlier that the
wind is not just moving air, but that it is the moving spirit. Unfortunately, I agree
with Councilmember Kaneshiro that this is something that the Council—this is a
private venture, a private project as far as the naming of it. I think what he is talking
about as far as going through something like this without having the developer here,
and I understand that the agenda was posted six (6) days ago, but how many private
business owners read the agendas? How often do you think the Council's policy to
have you change your name of your business is going to show up on the agenda? That
does not happen. I am uncomfortable with that. I was very comfortable when I
believed it was a County's project. We also had this discussion a while back, like the
Kapaia Swinging Bridge and how we value that history that surrounds that area, but
what do we do to really preserve it? The Mayor has spent quite a bit on the moku
signs. When you drive down on the highway, you see a moku sign. What the heck is
COUNCIL MEETING 45 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
a moku sign without a description/definition, a plaque? I understand that is coming,
but as far as a sign that says the moku name, it does not educate anybody. Rice
Camp—a very important part of Kaua`i's history, as all of the other camps, as the
swinging bridges, and all of these cultural assets that we have on this island. What
do we do to preserve that? I think Rice Camp will never go away. I think
generationally, people will forget what it is. Unless we talk about Rice Camp, I do not
think of Rice Camp, but the reality is that I am very familiar and most of us that live
here know that Rice Camp was a vital part. I do have a concern about the process
only because it is a private entity. Had I known, I would have called them before
today, but I just did not. I assumed it was owned by the County. Roll call.
The motion for adoption of Resolution No. 2016-58, as amended to Resolution
No. 2016-58, Draft 1, was then put, and carried by the following vote:
FOR APPROVAL: Chock, Hooser, Kuali`i, Yukimura TOTAL— 4,
AGAINST APPROVAL: Kagawa, Kaneshiro, Rapozo TOTAL— 3,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Council Chair Rapozo: Motion passes. With that, it is 11:10 a.m., we
will adjourn this meeting and we will be back for the 1:30 p.m. public hearing.
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, the Council Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
' - •ectfully submitted,
JADE Ir.UNTAIN-TANIGAWA
Count rk
:dmc
Attachment 1
(September 21, 2016)
Resolution No. 2016-58, Relating to Requesting the Renaming of the Kaniko`o
Senior Housing Project
Introduced by: KipuKai Kuali`i
Amend Resolution No. 2016-58 as follows:
1) Amending the title of the Resolution to read as follows:
"RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE RENAMING OF
THE KANIKO`O SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT
TO [`RICE CAMP SENIOR HOUSING']
`KANIKO`O AT RICE CAMP"'
2) Amend the 8th paragraph to read:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI,
STATE OF HAWAII, that it supports and requests the renaming of Kaniko`o Senior
Housing Project to ["Rice Camp Senior Housing,"] "Kaniko`o at Rice Camp," to
commemorate:
• the significant contributions of the Rice family in establishing a thriving
sugar plantation on Kauai that beckoned immigrant laborers in search of
a better means to provide for their families; and
• the historical presence of the Japanese community in Lihu`e and the
beginning of Kaua`i's and Hawai`i's multi-ethnic communities; and
• the humble beginnings of many of today's successful leaders who continue
to shape the future of Kauai and Hawaii"
(Material to be deleted is bracketed. Material to be added is underscored.)
Attachment 2
(September 21, 2016)
FLOOR AMENDMENT
Resolution No. 2016-58, Relating to Requesting the Renaming of the Kanikob
Senior Housing Project to "Rice Camp Senior Housing"
Introduced by: JoAnn A. Yukimura
Amend Resolution No. 2016-58 by amending the last paragraph to read:
`BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be sent to
Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Housing Director Kanani Fu, [and] EAH
Housing, and the owner(s) of the housing project.
(Material to be deleted is bracketed. New material to be added is underscored.)