2015, 10-21, Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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The ad hoc committee questions and suggestions were: 1. Covered shade over playground equipment. 2. Support safe access from parking lot to ocean at Richardson’s. 3. Brainstorm solutions to provide beach wheelchair and mats on a regular basis. 4. Involve people with disabilities and station that make this service available to the public via vocational rehab agencies, volunteers. 5. Announce tram service on new access web page because a lot of people are not aware that if they are disabled there is a tram available that can take them through the zoo. The only way you find out is if you call their number. So that’s not really accessible knowledge. A letter to the Mayor was drafted for his support to beach access to the ocean for people with disabilities especially at Richardson’s. The committee went over the letter and a few changes were made. It would be signed by Laura and sent out to the Mayor. L. TobosaP. Aughe called for a motion to approve the letter with changes. made a S. Nagasawa motion to approve and seconded the motion. All were in favor, none Motion passed opposed. . Status on New Committee Members L. Tobosa stated that the two candidates from West Hawai‘i are tentatively scheduled to be sworn in November 4 at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center and they’ll be able to drive in to Hilo for the December meeting. Another person interested in being a member of the committee is Susan Shirachi who is the Disability Service Director at the University of Hawai‘i. She will be submitting her application soon. NEW BUSINESS K. Alameida stated that Pamela Punihaole and Joshua Pratt, the Kona members, were very enthusiastic about being on the committee and didn’t mind driving in to Hilo. Wally Lau will probably swear the two of them in REPORT OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICER AND ADA COORDINATOR, TERI SPINOLA-CAMPBELL “I was away for about three weeks so it was pretty quiet at home when I was away. I’m working now on some issues brought to my attention regarding parking at the Bayfront accessible parking. So, I’ve been in touch with Public Works and Parks and Recreation. And so the lots mauka where I think we do have the number, we have six accessible spaces. But the Makai side of the parking lot, it had been reviewed where the spaces are, there are two accessible spaces that are on the Hamakua side of the bus terminal. And at this review, that summer transition plan, the other lot, the lot has a number of spaces, over 140. And it’s a little complicated because I understand it is owned by the state. So, I’m kind of working on that with Public Works, trying to get some resolution of that issue. So those are the things that I’ve been working on currently.” 2